Protest halts Snowbowl destruction on San Francisco Peaks

On May 25th 2011, sanctioned by the US Forest Service, owners of Arizona Snowbowl began further destruction and desecration of the Holy San Francisco Peaks. Snowbowl’s hired work crews have laid over a mile and a half of the planned 14.8 mile wastewater pipeline. They have cut a six foot wide and six foot deep gash into the Holy Mountain.

Although a current legal battle is under appeal, Snowbowl owners have chosen to undermine judicial process by rushing to construct the pipeline. Not only do they disregard culture, environment, and our children’s health, they have proven that they are criminals beyond reproach.

Four weeks of desecration has already occurred. Too much has already been taken. Today, tomorrow and for a healthy future, we say “enough!”

Read more...

Two Arrested During March

Tucson, AZ – On February 23, 2011 More than 40 protestors took to the streets – two were arrested – while six people who locked-down and occupied the US Border Patrol (BP) – Tucson Headquarters on May 21, 2010 stood trial fighting charges of "criminal trespassing" and “disorderly conduct.”

Lawyers William G. Walker and Jeffrey J. Rogers represented the six as the city prosecutor called Border Patrol agents and Tucson Police to testify. The defense argued the trespassing charge was not properly filed and were granted a request to file a memorandum addressing the technicality. The trial is expected to continue on March 22, 2011. Corresponding rallies and actions are being planned.

At 1:30 pm people gathered in downtown Tucson at Library Park for a rally and then took the streets with banners reading, “Indigenous Resistance, Protect Sacred Places”, “Free Movement for People Not Commerce, Tear Down the Wall” and chanting “No Borders, No Border Patrol.”

Two people were arrested for allegedly hanging a banner that read “Las Paredes Vueltas de su Lado son Puentes (Torn Down Walls Become Bridges)” on a street traffic light. They were arraigned and released at 8pm at Pima County Corrections.

Additional banners were hung at various locations throughout Tucson stating “Egypt, Wisconsin, O’odham Solidarity”, “No raids, No deportations, No colonialism” and “Stop Militarization on Indigenous Lands”.

O’odham Elders attended the court proceedings to demonstrate their support.

Read more...

Dozens picket Mexican Consulate in Tucson to support Cananea workers and to demand an investigation into the mining disaster at Pasta de Conchos

Tucson - Close to a hundred U.S. workers and supporters picketed the Mexican consulate this morning to demand an end to the political persecution of miners and electrical workers in Mexico; an investigation into the deaths of miners killed 5 years ago in the Pasta de Conchos mine explosion; and independent, democratic unions to address wages and working conditions, in place of the current company-controlled unions.

The picket explicitly sought to demonstrate solidarity with workers in Cananea, Sonora, who have been battling mining company Grupo Mexico for more than three years now. Backed by the Mexican government and Mexican military, Grupo Mexico has made a concerted effort to break the mineworkers' union, who remain on strike for stricter and enforceable workplace safety regulations. Grupo Mexico is also the owner of the Pasta de Conchos mine in Coahuila, Mexico- the site of the February 19, 2006 disaster in which 65 workers were abandoned underground after only four days' rescue effort. Finally, Grupo Mexico is the owner of Asarco, the largest mining company in Arizona. The United Steelworkers will be entering into contract negotiations with Asarco later this year.

For more information visit: www.usw.org and www.sindicatomineroseccion65.com.mx

Students demand meeting with governing board; district votes to fire all teachers and staff at Rincon High School

On Tuesday, Feb. 8 hundreds gathered to attend the Tucson Unified School District board meeting and speak out against the district's attack on teachers and the state's attack on ethnic studies. At least 200 people gathered beforehand to show support and listen as a group of students calling themselves "UNIDOS" organized a press conference prior to the meeting that included testimony from current and former students, hip-hop and break dancing, while hundreds more packed the meeting inside.

The standing-room only audience spilled out of the meeting room, the adjacent hallway and into the street as speaker after speaker spoke out against HB2281, Arizona's law banning ethnic studies, and TUSD's response. Others spoke out to defend teachers, in anticipation of the school board's vote to fire all teachers and staff at Rincon High School as part of a state-sponsored transformation plan. A vote on a similar "transformation plan" for Palo Verde magnet school was tabled until the next TUSD meeting.

After stalling for about 20 minutes, the school board finally allowed a delegation from UNIDOS to speak, who proceeded to demand that the board meet with students, teachers and parents at a location of UNIDOS' choosing, within 30 days. Pointing out that "97.5% of students that take the classes graduate high school and 70% will seek out education beyond the high school level", the students also demanded that rather than eliminate ethnic studies, the program should be expanded to other districts across the state.

Union Condemns Retaliation for Defense of Cananea Miners at Grupo Mexico

On January 26 United Steel Workers sub-director and international representative Manny Armenta was arrested by Mexican customs agents while on his way to meet with attorneys for the Mexican mineworkers’ union, Minero. The USW has been supporting the mineworkers in Cananea, Sonora, who have waged a nearly four-year strike against Grupo Mexico at one of the world's largets copper mines, about thirty miles south of the international border.

At about 2 p.m. (MST), a customs officer stopped Armenta’s car, which is leased by the union, accusing him of driving a stolen vehicle. Armenta presented documentation to no avail. After searching the vehicle with dogs, the officer attempted to extort a “fine” of 185,000 pesos (about $15,000). When Armenta refused to pay he was arrested, detained overnight, and released early Tuesday, Jan. 25 after posting a bond of 80,000 pesos (about $7,750). Amenta’s car was impounded and it has not been returned. Armenta’s wallet was taken from him in the arrest, but later returned, minus $700 in cash.

On January 17-18, Mexican mineworker leaders joined USW copper miners who met with officials of Asarco - a copper producer also owned by Grupo Mexico - at a “sound-off” event in Tucson. The USW contract with Asarco expires in June. Armenta is a lead negotiator at Asarco. Gerard said, “By arresting Manny, the Mexican government is trying to intimidate the USW copper miners from exercising our right to collective bargaining and showing solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Mexico.”

Commenting that Armenta was arrested on the same day the U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was in Mexico in support of that country’s law enforcement actions on illegal drug activity, Gerard said: “I hope the U.S. State Department will put as much energy into seeking justice for Manny and for the rights of workers at Cananea as they have in praising the Mexican government.” read more>>>

District Court Rules For USFS in Save the Peaks Case, Plaintiffs will Appeal

The Court ruled against the plaintiffs claims that the final FEIS prepared by the USFS ignores thorough consideration of a number of critical health issues. The plaintiffs contend that a new and thorough FEIS should be filed by the USFS. If this reveals that the use of reclaimed sewage water is a public health risk then snowmaking should not be permitted for the Arizona Snowbowl on the San Francisco Peaks.

Howard Shanker, representing the Save the Peaks Coalition and additional plaintiffs, will file an appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court. According to Shanker, “ the decision misstates the facts of this case and misapplies the law. That’s why there is an appeal process.” Further, according to Shanker, “it is remarkable that the Obama Administration is complicitous in this effort to put treated sewer water on the San Francisco Peaks. Not only is the site sacred to Native Americans in the Southwestern United States, the Forest Service has, at best, no idea what the long term health impacts will be on people who ingest this snow made from treated effluent. Who figured the Snowbowl ski area was ‘too big to fail’”.

To view the full press release and to learn more about this important issue, please visit TrueSnow.org or Save the Peaks

Update: Dec. 2 - Protesters 'Quarantine' Snowbowl Job Fair in Response to Court Decision. Read the story here.

Nazis Attempt to March and Rally in Phoenix

More than 250 people confronted the Nazis and stopped them as they attempted to march to a Phoenix Courthouse for a permitted rally.

Riot police defended the Nazis by attacking the crowd with shields, pepper spray, pepper bullets and tear gas. Two people were arrested for allegedly throwing rocks.

Read more here.

To support those those that have been arrested, please visit N13 Support

Video: Link 1, Link 2, Link 3

There's even a song with video here

Pics: Link 1

Update: One of the arrestees is out, no new info about the other person.

Miners attacked, 3 seriously injured in latest round of aggression against 3-year strike

Cananea, Sonora - At least three people suffered serious injuries and 26 were arrested when fighting broke out between striking miners and others at the giant Cananea copper mine in the northern Mexican state of Sonora (less than an hour south of the Arizona border). One of the injured, apparently a strikebreaker, was shot in the head but survived, despite initial reports that he had died.

Cananea is the site of a historic 1906 strike that many argue led to the 1910 Mexican Revolution. Since 2008 members of Section 65 of the National Union of Mine and Metal Workers and the Like of the Mexican Republic (SNTMMSRM) have been on strike at the mine. The owner, the powerful Grupo México corporation, regained control of the mine from the strikers after hundreds of police agents stormed the facility on June 6. (As is traditional in Mexico, the strikers had been sitting in at the site.) The company then contracted workers from outside to get the mine back in operation. However, the union won a temporary court order on Aug. 12 allowing strikers to picket at the facility.

The fighting broke out after several hundred strikebreakers attacked a picket-line with clubs and stones, and then laid siege to the Section 65 union hall together with plain-clothed federal and state police. A coalition of Mexican trade unions are calling for a demonstrations and caravans on Sept. 14 and 15, as Mexicans mark the bicentennial of the start of the War of Independence from Spain - as well as a full investigation into the events of September 8 and protection for the striking workers.

More news: Weekly News Update on the Americas
Sección 65 Minero
coverage on Mexico Indymedia (Spanish)

Flagstaff City Council Votes No Drinking Water for Snowmaking / Stuggle NOT Yet Over

More than 150 concerned community members attended the Council meeting including Tribal representatives from Hopi, Navajo and Havasupai Nations.

According to the Arizona Daily Sun the city of Flagstaff uses half the groundwater in central northern Arizona. Snowbowl would have taken about 5 percent of all the potable water the city used. According to City staff, Flagstaff is expected to run out of drinking water by the year 2050.

On Monday, August 30th at Sinagua Middle School more than 700 community members and neighboring Tribal representatives met for 7 hours for spoken public input and presentations by Snowbowl, Flagstaff City staff and other interests. No spoken public input was taken on Thursday except as requested by City Council.

There seemed to be confusion whether the proposal originated from the USDA or City staff. Although it was stated by the USDA that the idea originated from City staff, City manager Kevin Burke tried to defer it to the USDA.

The deal was initially presented as a "less offensive" option for Tribes who hold the San Francisco Peaks holy, but overwhelmingly the Tribes opposed the plan.

The government also offered $11 million taxpayers dollars to offset paying for the higher costing drinking water in a move criticized as a corporate bailout. When pressed, the USDA stated that the funds weren't guaranteed but could be taken from "various sources."

IMPORTANT: There will also be another Flagstaff City Council meeting on Tuesday, September 7th at 5:30pm to further discuss the Snowbowl contract and the uses of reclaimed/potable water. It is encouraged that all people of the Southwest contact the Flagstaff City Council to voice opinions/opposition/concerns related to this issue. Contact information for the City Council can be found here.

For more information and further updates, please visit TrueSnow.org .

The full press release is available here.

AZ Snowbowl plans to destroy the northern Arizona environment & desecrate sacred sites

Because using reclaimed sewage water is proving legally difficult, Snowbowl is looking for an 11 million dollar Federal subsidy to use more expensive and precious potable water. Considering the scarcity of water in Northern Arizona, this is simply an unacceptable prospect. This current proposition is equally offensive to Native American tribes and will result in environmental destruction and cultural desecration, as stated continuously in tribal resolutions (as recent as August 2010) and by spiritual leaders.

Snowbowl owners and administration have proved again and again that deceiving, bullying, and pushing their weight around is never beyond their strategies to make more profits.

It is highly important for the City Council to hear from Flagstaff residents and from concerned out-of-town people that the original contract between the city and Snowbowl should NOT be amended.

Please contact the city council ASAP (council@flagstaffaz.gov) and let them know that they should NOT amend the contract to allow the sale of what they refer to as "recovered reclaimed water" (drinking water). You can also call them at 928.770.7600

Please visit TrueSnow.org for more information and to learn how to get involved. You can also send a letter of support to info@truesnow.org and it will be presented at Monday's Council meeting.

For background information, please visit Save the Peaks.

Additional resources can be accessed from the recent Arizona Indymedia Articles: Rally to Save Our Drinking Water and Support Efforts.

UPDATE: Recent article on the United Tribal Front Against Snowbowl Expansion.

Protesters assaulted; Sen. Jon Huppenthal compares indigenous people to children with Downs syndrom

Tucson, AZ- On Thursday, August 12 dozens of students demonstrated and disrupted a debate-style candidates forum for the statewide office of Superintendent of Public Instruction at Tucson's Rincon High School. The forum was attended by Democrats Jason Williams and Penny Kotterman and Republicans Margaret Dugan and Sen. John Huppenthal.

Sen. Huppenthal is the chair of the Senate committee on education and was one of the architects of HB2281, the law banning ethnic studies in Arizona. In addition, he has overseen historic cuts to statewide education, including the complete elimination of adult education programs and all-day kindergarten. Dugan, the "right hand" deputy to current Superintendent Tom Horne, also defended the ethnic studies ban.

During the debate, in addition to advocating further budget cuts and attacks on public education, Huppenthal compared Arizona's indigenous peoples to children with Downs syndrom and autism, who he argued can be "saved" with targeted programs. During closing statements, dozens of students, many of whom were either in attendance or had been rallying outside, began speaking up, while several attempted to enter the building to unfurl banners stating "Defend Ethnic Studies - No to HB2281" and "Money for Education, Not Border Militarization!" (a reference to Obama's signing today of a $600 million supplementary bill for border and immigration enforcement). Some in the crowd attempted to block more students from entering or unfurling the banner, leading to an altercation during which several students were hit, tackled or otherwise assaulted (video). Others in the crowd, including dozens of teachers and various community members, shouted for the students to be allowed to enter. Soon afterward the forum drew to a close.

Congress passes border death bill in Machiavellian election year hijinks

Instead of addressing the implicit violence and failures of the U.S. immigration system in any comprehensive or meaningful fashion, Barack Obama today signed a $600 million increase to the Department of Homeland Security budget intended for border and immigration enforcement (including the hiring of more than 1,500 new Border Patrol agents).

Senator Chuck Schumer of New York introduced the legislation on August 5, the very last day of the congressional session, which the Senate proceeded to pass that same day. The House held a special session on Monday, bringing all of their members back to Washington just to vote on the bill.

Deaths on the U.S. / Mexico border are on a record pace this summer with more than 214 recovered remains this year alone (as of July 30). The United States General Accounting Office (GAO) has found that while steady increases in border enforcement over the past few decades have had no correlation with a decrease in unauthorized crossing, they are directly correlated to migrant deaths. Despite these connections, the United States continues to expand the funding of agencies like the U.S. Border Patrol and I.C.E., who are notoriously abusive toward border and immigrant communities, and operate with relative impunity.

Despite what fearmongering politicians claim, crime along the border is down. Period. There are no beheadings in Arizona. Period. Kidnappings are not on the rise. Period. Instead of acting on the DREAM Act or addressing any of the genuine failures and inadequacies of the U.S. immigration system, congressional Democrats seem content to buy into election year hysteria and right-wing hijinks, and have now given away perhaps the only "bargaining chip" they may have had to convince Republicans to go along with any more substantive, comprehensive legislation. So much for "immigration reform". Meanwhile, people will continue dying on the border.

Arpaio-style enforcement actions spread across the state

Tucson, AZ- Although attention in Arizona has been focused during the past several months on SB1070 and Joe Arpaio's increasingly totalitarian anti-immigrant tactics, much of the media coverage has ignored the degree to which Arizona communities have long been under the thumb of SB1070-like enforcement practices.

Programs such as 287(g) and "Secure Communities" already allow local police to cooperate with the feds on immigration enforcement, and have proliferated under the Obama administration. Even more dramatic is the free reign that the U.S. Border Patrol enjoy in southern Arizona, within 100 miles of the border, and the cooperation of municipal police agencies in cities such as Tucson, Yuma, Casa Grande and Sierra Vista in the routine detention and deportation of long-term community members.

Despite a partial injunction, SB1070 has only emboldened such practices and the impunity with which these law enforcement agencies operate. Tucson residents are complaining of unprecedented police harassment and interrogation related to immigration status. Just one week after SB1070 went into effect, in an unprecedented show of force, the Tucson Police Department engaged in a Joe Arpaio-style immigration sweep on Tucson's southside involving a staging ground in Rudy Garcia park more than a dozen patrol cars. Members of Copwatch / Migra Patrol observed police single out people driving with Mexican license plates and detaining anybody without "proper" ID. Confirmed reports in the past week have described similar police actions at the Ronstadt transit / bus station. Although police have claimed that these actions are related to "targeted crime suppression," a video that went viral earlier this week clearly showed a women being placed in Border Patrol custody after a minor traffic stop on Tucson's Fourth Avenue:

July 29th Day Of Action Against SB1070

Also tune into 12 hours of live radio broadcasting from 10 different cities in the United States and Mexico with the participation of 15 immigrant groups/organizations fighting against the racist policies of the government of Arizona on the live stream from Free Radio Chukshon.

Tune in:
High Fi
Low Fi

Tucson:

7:30PM This concludes our live news alerts. if you have any vital updates please call or txt 262.4216. Thx to participants of today's actions to submit news click on the "Publish" link on the right sidebar.

7:17PM People arrested are being released NOW, head to NW police station on Miracle Mile now for solidarity rally.

6:44PM Change of Plans: Jail Solidarity Rally in support of today's arrestees at NW Police Station on Miracle Mile NOT 29th & Mission 8:30pm.

People gathering at 8:30 tonight for Jail Solidarity for arrestees from today, Mission and 29th

6:07PM TPD: Only have room for 40 people in their jail today. Including the 11 already arrested.

5:44PM Police declare entire intersection including sidewalks illegal. Some people are leaving some stayin

5:38PM Police ordering people to disperse again.

5:31PM Critical Mass Bike Ride with 30+ bikers arriving at St. Building.

5:21PM Critical Mass Bike Ride leaving University now.

5:17PM At least 11 arrests made.

5:09PM Riot cops on the scene, Arrests being made.

5:02PM Police have made an order to disperse at Congress and Granada. 400+ protesters in the crowd.

4:48PM Granada and Congress still occupied by protesters, cops idling around.

At 5PM Anti-Oppression Critical Mass Bike Ride to begin at UA Flagpoles near Univ. and Park.

4:12PM Granada and Congress intersection occupied by 100+ protestors with 200+ supporters.

2:55PM Protestors kicked out of Jimmy Johns Subs on Congress, police threaten arrests

1:37PM Food Not Bombs serving free lunch at Granada and Congress

1:13PM Brown Berets occupying "A" Mountain despite police orders to leave. Police threatened to arrest everyone, however police have backed down for now. Park was closed for 1 hour earlier with 30 youth on the mountain. Park has been reopened.

10:55AM I-19 Blockade over, no arrests. Protesters used tar, tires and broken glass to shutdown interstate used for deportation. Police have cleared debris. [2] [pics]

10:37AM Rally at Presidio Park, started at 10AM. with speakers and music and voter registration tables, small crowd gathered there

10:25AM Interstate 19 southbound blocked off

9:50AM 300 demonstrators facing off with 100 fascists at Granada and Congress

9:30AM Protests have begun, over 200 people in the streets down 6th Ave

24-Hour Vigil began at 5pm July 28th at State Building. Protesters remained overnight and will be there till this evening.

Phoenix:

Confirmed: Immigration sweep begins despite protest delay. 5 arrested in sweep so far.

Possible that immigration raids may still happen today, however not verified.

Sheriff Joe Arpaio cancels immigration raids because of Phoenix Jail blockade

12:38PM More non-violent protesters arrested

12:32PM Sheriff deputies clear the entrance of the 4th Avenue Jail. Several arrests made

12:15PM Sheriff Joe shifts "resources" to 4th Avenue Jail. Police may be losing control. Protesters chant "arpaio racista. eres terrorista!"

11:45AM Protesters continued to be arrested in downtown Phoenix

11:10 4th Avenue Jail still blocked by protesters. Sheriff deputies have been deployed.

10:58AM 4th Avenue Jail blocked by protestors, Police moving quickly

10:49AM 100+ blockading Washington St near City Hall. Riot police moving in.

10:30AM Police are arresting protesters (downtown)

70 people block main thoroughfare in Guadalupe last night at midnight.

Stop Hate Banner Drop Over Phoenix Wednesday Night.  [2]

Twitter updates fromPuenteAZ and AltoArizona.

Flagstaff:

Other Places:

Judge enjoins parts of SB1070; Law will still lead to broad criminalization. Protests and resistance going forward

On July 28th at about 10:00 a.m. Federal judge Susan Bolton issued a preliminary injunction against four provisions included in Arizona's anti-immigrant law, SB1070. These provisions include the mandate that law enforcement officers solicit the immigration status of anyone they encounter; the portion that makes failure to carry immigration documents a state crime; the portion that makes it a state crime for undocumented immigrants to perform work in Arizona; and the portion allowing for warrantless arrest of anybody who is suspected of having committed a "deportable offense". Judge Bolton's injunction is only temporary, which means that each of these provisions can still go into effect if the judge decides, after fully hearing the case, that they are acceptable.

Meanwhile, Judge Bolton allowed a series of provisions of SB1070 to stand. These include the portion that makes it a crime to obstruct traffic while soliciting work as a day-laborer; the portion that requires law enforcement to fully cooperate with immigration authorities and to report anybody they know to be in the country illegally; the portion allowing anybody to sue any jurisdiction they believe is not fully enforcing the law; and finally the portion of the law that makes it a crime to "harbor" or "transort" any undocumented immigrant (this provision is especially designed to target and criminalize mixed-status families). These provisions will go into effect at midnight TONIGHT.

In response to this partial injunction, protest groups have vowed to go forward with their plans for the 29th. Groups in Phoenix are planning demonstrations starting this evening at the Arizona Capitol and a reclamation of Civic Space Park at 4 p.m. today. A suite of civil disobedience actions are planned for tomorrow morning; targets include the federal courthouse and U.S. immigration offices. For more information visit: Alto Arizona.

In Tucson, demonstrators plan to gather at the state building this evening at 5 p.m., followed by an overnight vigil. Protests will kick off again at 8 a.m. at the state building, where perhaps thousands are expected to flood the streets. At 4 p.m. calls have been made for mass direct action, to be joined by a critical mass bike ride that will leave from the University at 5 p.m. A text messaging system has been set up whereby people can send updates and follow the day's events in real-time.

Various groups and institutions across the state are continuing to pledge non-compliance with the law. On Wednesday, July 27th the Tucson Unified School District joined this list of groups, with a 5-0 vote to not allow immigration laws to be enforced on their campuses.

Solidarity actions are planned on July 29th across the country and internationally. Updates from the streets will be posted to Arizona Indymedia as they develop.

Groups in Phoenix, Flagstaff and Tucson pledge non-compliance with the law, call for protests, vigils, civil disobedience

On Thursday, July 22nd Judge Susan Bolton overheard arguments both for and against an injunction on SB1070. Hundreds of demonstrators rallied outside against the law, and seven were eventually arrested for blocking the streets immediately adjacent to the courthouse (video) (more video). Several demonstrators also rallied in support of the law, including avowed neo-Nazis like Harry Hughes, seen being interviewed by CNN.

Judge Bolton is considering two separate lawsuits that request for an injunction before the law goes into effect on July 29th. The lawsuits were filed by the U.S. Justice Department and by a coalition of civil liberties organizations including the ACLU and MALDEF (the Mexican American Legal Defense Fund). The judge made clear during the hearing that she will not enjoin the entire law, although she has yet to rule on a number of specific statutes.

Organizations in Phoenix, Flagstaff and Tucson are calling for a state and nation-wide day of action against the law on July 29th, which they plan to go forward with whether or not the law is enjoined. In Phoenix a coalition of groups is calling for civil disobedience against a list of targets, while in Tucson an overnight vigil will begin at the state building at 5:30 p.m. on the 28th, and organizers are calling for people to flood downtown at 8 a.m. on the 29th followed by a day of diverse actions scheduled to take place across the city.

Organizers across the state of Arizona are calling for people to engage in active resistance against SB1070, and for national and international solidarity on the 29th. Stay tuned to Arizona Indymedia for more updates!

March, Rally & Vigil to be held in Phoenix, AZ July 15-16 against AZ Snowlbowl desecration of sacred land

The US Forest Service has ignored public health concerns and approved this development without any tests to determine the health effects if our children eat the wastewater snow. Snowbowl would be the only ski area in the world to use 100% wastewater to make snow. They would use 1.5 million gallons per day, storing and spraying this wastewater on a mountain that is holy to more than 13 Indigenous Nations.

On July 15 and 16 a series of actions will be held in Phoenix, in advance of a court hearing on July 20th. For the full schedule of events or for more information please visit TrueSnow or contact media@truesnow.org

The Save the Peaks Coalition and other groups are continuing their call for support and will be rallying at the Phoenix courthouse on June 20th at 11:00 AM and urging everyone to join them in the courtroom at 1:00 PM. Please check TrueSnow.org for details.

Businesses, community groups, neighbors pledge not to allow police to check immigration status on their premises

Tucson, Arizona – On Thursday, July 8 No More Deaths and the Tierra y Libertad Organization unveiled twin grassroots campaigns against SB1070 entitled “We Reject Racism” and “We Mean Business”. More than 100 local and national volunteers have been mobilized to talk with to businesses, churches, and door-to-door outreach in neighborhoods, encouraging folks to speak out against and commit to non-cooperation with SB1070 and form networks of resistance and mutual aid with those most affected by the law. Already more than 135 local businesses and other institutions have posted a sign declaring opposition to SB1070, with many agreeing that law enforcement will not be allowed on their premises for the sole purpose of checking the immigration status of those within.

According to Adam Aguirre, a volunteer with the campaign: “We have heard from numerous local shopkeepers that their businesses and livelihoods are already suffering dramatically since Brewer signed SB1070 in April. Our community is being torn apart by many of the practices that SB1070 sanctions. We can no longer afford to stay neutral. Businesses operating in our communities must stand with their employees, patrons and the broader community to send an unequivocal message to the Arizona Legislature that SB1070, and all related enforcement practices, must be repealed for the economic and social well-being of this state”

The “We Mean Business” campaign maintains and publishes a growing list of businesses who are speaking out against SB1070 and those who have supported it (either through silence or through financial support to its sponsors). The complete list of businesses standing in opposition to SB1070 may be found here.

Update 7/22: the Plaza Azteca shopping center on S. 12th Ave. and Ajo declares the entire center an SB1070-free zone!

Demonstrators from across Arizona and the United States fill downtown Phoenix to demand freedom, dignity and justice

Phoenix, AZ- Between fifty and a hundred thousand demonstrators marched in Phoenix on Saturday May 29th to protest federal and state laws that criminalize undocumented immigrants and target the state's Hispanic and indigenous populations.

Chanting: "You haven't heard our thunder yet!" and "undocumented, unafraid!" demonstrators marched from Steele Indian School Park to the State Capitol, filling downtown streets. Participants came from across Arizona, as well as California, Texas and other states, in the largest show of opposition yet to SB1070 and the climate of criminalization and hate that it represents.

In addition to SB1070, marchers held signs in opposition to HB2281, which forbids ethnic studies curricula in Arizona public schools; others spoke out against federal enforcement efforts such as 287(g) agreements, border militarization and the Obama administration's record number of deportations. Various proposals are circulating for continued resistance all summer long, including calls for a "freedom summer" and organizing in neighborhoods and communities across Arizona - in addition ongoing boycott efforts and civil disobedience.

Photos: 1, 2; Video: 1, 2

Deaths on record pace, 71% higher than at this point last year

With a great deal of fanfare President Barack Obama announced on Wednesday May 26 his plan to deploy 1,200 National Guard soldiers to the U.S./Mexico border, as well as request $500 million in additional funding for "border security". This maneuver seems to have been an attempt to appease the nativist right and their Republican champions, including Sen. John McCain, who has made deploying the National Guard a centerpiece of his re-election campaign against uber-nativist J.D. Hayworth. In addition to such cynical political moves, the Obama administration has been deporting more people than any administration in history - 400,000 last year alone, or more than 1,000 people a day removed from their families, homes and communities.

Meanwhile, here in Arizona, 2010 is shaping up to be the deadliest year ever along the border. Tucson's Coalición de Derechos Humanos reports more than 110 deaths as of the end of April, a 71% increase over the same period last year - this despite the hottest and deadliest summer months lying ahead. More than 5,000 people have died crossing the border since the launch of Operation Gatekeeper in 1994. Rather than confront the politics of hatred and fear that have become ascendant in Arizona, the Obama administration is playing games with peoples lives, continuing to escalate militarization and violence in communities border-and nation-wide.

(See also: No More Deaths)

OCCUPATION OF BORDER PATROL HEADQUARTERS AT DAVIS-MONTHAN AIRFORCE BASE, TUCSON, AZ

Nations of Arizona, migrants, people of color and white allies. Six people used chains and other devices to lock themselves in the building. These Arizona residents disrupted the Border Patrol operations to demand that Border Patrol (BP), Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE), their parent entity, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Obama administration end militarization of the border, end the criminalization of immigrant communities, and end their campaign of terror which tears families apart through increasing numbers of raids and deportations.

The protesters also call on the State of Arizona to repeal the racist Senate Bill 1070 that criminalizes immigrant communities on the state level, makes it illegal to transport or harbor an undocumented person regardless of family relationship, requires police agencies to engage in racial profiling, and ultimately is an attempt to ethnically cleanse Arizona of those with brown skin. This act of civil disobedience was only the latest in an increasing wave of direct action targeting the federal government’s terrorist immigration policies.

Update: After nearly 4 hours the protesters were cited and released. Read the press release here.

To read the original press release click here.

For updates and pictures please visit AZIMC or www.oodhamsolidarity.blogspot.com

Watch a video clip from the action here.

Three undocumented student leaders arrested and likely to face removal proceedings, in response to push for reform

Tucson, Arizona- On May 17th, the anniversary of landmark civil rights case Brown v. Board of Education, Arizona law enforcement arrested three undocumented leaders of the immigrant student movement and one supporter. Arizona native Raul Alcaraz; Lizbeth Mateo of Los Angeles, California; Mohammad Abdollahi of Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Yahaira Carrillo of Kansas City, Missouri, were detained in Tucson, Arizona, after staging a sit-in at Senator John McCain’s office. These four leaders defied local and federal anti-immigrant laws and are risking deportation from the United States in the hope that this action will make a significant contribution to the fight for immigrant rights.

Dozens rallied all afternoon in front of McCain's office to show support for those inside ( photos). Vigils and demonstrations are planned nationwide over the coming days to show solidarity with immigrants in Arizona, and urge passage of the DREAM Act (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors) as the standard for immigration reform. The DREAM Act would normalize the status of many who graduate from U.S. High Schools and entered the country as minors, as well as allowing them to pay in-state tuition at colleges and universities... read more>>>

Supporters are urged to pack the Pima County Court on Mission, north of 29th street tomorrow at 8:30 am for the students' initial arraignment. In addition, a national press conference will be held at 9am Tuesday morning in front of John McCain's office, 407 West Congress Street.

Read more at thedreamiscoming.com

Meeting canceled after 700+ students walk out of classes and blockade TUSD headquarters. Fifteen arrested during occupation of Arizona state building

Breaking: On Tuesday, May 11 Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed HB2281, a bill that legally prohibits ethnic studies programs from Arizona public schools, equating such classes with sedition and removing state funding from districts that offer them.

On the morning of May 12th state superintendent Tom Horne, who for years has advocated eliminating ethnic studies, tried to hold a meeting with Tucson Unified School District officials to discuss the district's curriculum. Rumors began circulating around 10:00 a.m. among Jr. high and high school students that Horne was in Tucson to immediately "pull the plug" on their classes.

In response, more than 700 spontaneously walked-out of their classes, with participants from Rincon, Cholla, Tucson and Pueblo high schools. Students then marched to TUSD headquarters and proceeded to surround the building and blockade the entrances to prevent Horne from entering. Shortly thereafter, school district officials canceled their meeting, claiming that Horne, who is running for state Attorney General, had turned it into "a political event".

After learning that the meeting was canceled, about 200 among those gathered left TUSD and marched through downtown Tucson to the Arizona state building, where Horne was scheduled to hold a press conference at 2pm. More than a hundred entered and occupied the building lobby, and fifteen were ultimately arrested for refusing to leave.

In addition to HB2281, student demonstrators spoke out against SB1070 and SB1097, a bill that would force school districts to check the legal status of all students and eliminate public funding for those undocumented. A statement was circulated at the rally encouraging others around the country to engage in protests and direct action on Friday, May 14 in solidarity with students in Arizona.

See also: SB1070: Battle at the Grassroots

Phoenix Suns protest SB1070, and State Senator Russell Pearce blankets bill opponents as "anarchists"

From "Fires Never Extinguished: Journal of the Phoenix Class War Council":

It's that time of year again, the NBA playoffs are in full swing, and we at PCWC are closely following our favorite sports team, the Phoenix Suns, as they battle it out with the San Antonio Spurs in the Western conference semi-finals. Game two was tonight, and it was a fantastic game, and not just because the Suns took down our biggest rivals for two games in a row ("rivals" may be too kind to describe the vitriol Suns fans reserve for the Spurs, "immortal enemies" may be a better fit), but we're pleased for their actions off the hardwood. Yesterday the Suns organization came out against the racist bill SB1070, sponsored by state senator Russell Pearce, signed into law a couple of weeks back by Governor Brewer, and the focus of numerous protests locally, and solidarity demonstrations, rallies, walkouts, boycotts, and direct actions across the US.

In an act of solidarity with the state's immigrant and Latino communities, the Suns donned their "Los Suns" jerseys, originally worn as part of the "Noche Latina"promotion, tonight it was an act of defiance to the terror being spread by the reactionary and white supremacist political and social forces at work in Arizona. Suns general manager Steve Kerr made the Suns' case at a press conference yesterday:

"It's hard to imagine in this country that we have to produce papers," Kerr said. "It rings up images of Nazi Germany. We understand that the intentions of the law are not for that to happen, but you have to be very, very careful. . . . It's important that everyone in our state and nation understands this is an issue that needs to be explored. So, we're trying to expose it."... read more>>>

Click here to see video of Suns players discussing the organization's statement on SB1070, and Sen. Pearce's reaction.

150+ students remain overnight in front of Tucson High School to defend ethnic studies

Breaking: Dozens of TUSD students are maintaining a 24-hour protest vigil in front of Tucson High School against a law that would forbid ethnic studies curricula in Arizona public schools. Although the protest began at 4:00p.m., students continued to rally late into the evening. As of 11:00 p.m. (May 6), more than 150 remained, holding protest signs, candles, and speaking out in defense of their schools and their teachers.

For those who would like to pretend that Arizona's SB1070 is not about racism, HB2281 forbids ethnic studies courses from being offered in any school district in Arizona, lumping such classes together with sedition and "promoting the overthrow of the United States government."

HB2281 is specifically targeted at the Tucson Unified School District, whose raza studies students have previously organized protests of Arizona State Superintendent Tom Horne. While the law has passed both houses of the Arizona legislature, Governer Brewer has yet to sign HB2281 into law, although she is likely to do so in the coming days. As with the struggle against SB1070, students continue to lead the way in fermenting resistance to Arizona's emerging apartheid regime.

Related: Flagstaff High School and Middle School Students Stage Walkout to Protest SB1070
1,000+ University of Arizona students rally against SB1070

Flagstaff City Council votes to sue state over SB1070, UofA students organize rally for tomorrow; resistance is fermenting across the state

On Saturday, May 1 more than 8,000 people marched in Tucson against SB1070 and a suite of racist, anti-immigrant and anti-worker laws in the state of Arizona (photos: 1, 2, 3; sweet video). In Phoenix, as many as 10,000 marched to the (recently privatized) State Capitol.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, May 4th the Flagstaff City Council voted unanimously to take legal action against the state over SB1070. The City of Tucson has also voted to sue the state, and Pima Couny Sheriff Clarence Dupnik has stated he will not enforce the law. The city of Phoenix is considering a separate lawsuit.

A rally is planned for May 5th at the University of Arizona, where students are demanding that president Robert Shelton condemn the law. Shelton has previously stated that he will instruct UAPD to comply with the SB1070, and demonstrators vow to continuing ratcheting up pressure until the University reverses course.

Hundreds of thousands of May 1st demonstrators across the country demanded an end to deportations, ICE raids and other practices that terrorize immigrant communities. In many cities, those marching voiced outrage at SB1070, and declared solidarity with those resisting in Arizona, including: Buffalo, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, and San Francisco.

Many people have been talking about leaving the state since 1070 was passed. Others are talking about fighting. Something is new here.

In the midst of the Arizona state government passing the most outrageous anti-immigrant law since the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, several happenings pass unnoticed by the national media. At a packed Flagstaff City Council meeting discussing the law, waves of people declare publicly that they are undocumented, practically daring law enforcement officers to arrest them. At the same meeting, a member of a radical immigrant rights group receives thunderous applause for demanding the repeal of all anti-immigrant laws and declaring the right of all people to “live, love, and work wherever they please.” Even the most conservative city councilman admits he liked the notion.

Down in Phoenix, high school students spontaneously organize a school walkout through mass texting, without direction from the established immigration reform organizations. This infuriates the organizations because it pre-empts “their” planned protests. And then these same students chuck water bottles at cops when they arrest one of their own. Welcome to the new Arizona.

Welcome to the new Arizona... read more>>>

Activists and community members pledge non-compliance, boycotts and legal challenges; marches and rallies are planned throughout this coming week

Demonstrations have continued across Arizona in response to the governor's signing of SB1070. On Saturday, 4/24 more than 400 people gathered at a rally organized by U.S. Representative Raul Grijalva in Tucson. On Sunday, 4/25 upwards of 3,500 people marched and rallied at the state capitol, vowing continued resistance to the bill.

SB1070 is not scheduled to go into effect until August 2010. In the meantime, several nationwide groups have committed to working through the courts to block implementation of the law. Some are calling for an international boycott of Arizona until SB1070 is repealed. Others are gathering signatures for a pledge of non-compliance with the law.

In Tucson, a demonstration is planned today against Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, who is giving a talk at the Double Tree hotel. Large Mayday protest marches are expected this coming Saturday in both Tucson and Phoenix.

Solidarity demonstrations have been held across the country, including: Minnesota, San Francisco and New York.

Click here to see a video roundup of the past week's protests and resistance in Arizona.

SB1070 becomes law as thousands protest across state

At 1:30pm today Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed SB1070, Arizona's racial profiling bill, into law.

Thousands of demonstrators have mobilized across the state for days now to urge the Governor to veto the legislation. In Phoenix, thousands gathered at the state Capitol for the fourth day in a row. In Tucson, more than 1,500 students walked out of their high schools to protest at state and federal buildings.

Demonstrators vow continued resistance to this and a slew of other racist laws being implemented across Arizona. Others have pointed out that SB1070 is merely an extension of a number of policies that are already being implemented in Arizona and across the country.

More updates from Arizona Indymedia will be forthcoming.the past week's protests and resistance against racist legislation in Arizona

Students from Across Phoenix Valley Converge on State Capitol

PHOENIX – On Thursday, hundreds of students walked out of school to protest the controversial immigration bill which is awaiting the governor's signature. As many of 300 students left Cesar Chavez High School at Baseline Road and 40th Avenue at 11 a.m. The move came despite loud speaker warnings from their principal to stay in class. Up to 700 students also left Trevor Brown and Maryvale high schools to protest the bill, alongside others from Tolleson High School, Carl Hayden High School, Metro Tech High School, and North High School.

By 3:00 pm upwards of 2,500 had gathered at the Arizona State Capitol building (video). Meanwhile, Sheriff Joe Arpaio and other racists are urging the governor to sign the immigration bill ASAP.

The controversy surrounding Arizona's latest immigration legislation continues to grow as religious leaders, lawmakers, activists, residents and law enforcement across North America continue to come out against the legislation. Earlier in the week, Los Angeles archbishop Roger Mahony criticized the proposed law, comparing the move to "German Nazi and Russian Communist techniques whereby people are required to turn one another in to the authorities." read more >>>

Marches, rallies and walkouts planned all weekend across Arizona

Communities across Arizona are organizing rallies and marches against SB1070. Among other things, SB1070 would:

*require all persons in the state of Arizona to carry ID or else face arrest
*mandate racial profiling by requiring all state and local police to detain and inquire as to the immigration status of anyone they suspect may lack it
*transform a lack of federal immigration status into a state crime (immigration violations are currently civil, administrative violations)
*outlaw day labor solicitation
*make transportation of someone lacking status, for any reason, into a crime

There is still time to stop SB1070, as Governor Jan Brewer has not yet signed it into law. Anti-SB1070 rallies are planned across the state over the next few days, including:

Flagstaff: Thursday, April 22, 5:00pm, in front of Flagstaff City Hall; Friday, April 23, 5:00pm, in front of Flagstaff City Hall; Saturday, April 24, 3:30pm, in front of Flagstaff City Hall

Tucson: Thursday April 22 2pm rally in front of federal courthouse in support of those arrested during 4/15 ICE raids and against SB2010; Friday April 23, 2010 Meet at Armory Park at 2:00pm, march to downtown Federal Building at 3:00pm and rally!; Saturday, April 24th at 9am, Rally at Congressman Raul Grijalva's Office, 452 S. Stone Ave

Phoenix: Sunday, April 25th 12pm Rally at State Capitol

Opponents of SB1070 should call Jan Brewer at (602)542-4331 and 1-800-253-0883, urging her to veto the legislation

Hundreds of Students Walk Out Tuesday to Call on Governor Brewer to Veto SB1070

Tuesday, April 20 at 11am, high school, University of Arizona and Pima Community College students joined community members to march on the State building in downtown Tucson to demand the Governor veto SB1070.

Many high school students reported that administrators used fear tactics to keep them from participating in today's action. Students from Tucson High were put on lock-down for a time to impede them from taking to the streets on behalf of their families and communities.

Click here for photos from the event.

A second demonstration was also hastily organized for Tuesday afternoon outside the state building in Tucson. More than 200 attended. For more see: Afternoon rally in Tucson against SB1070

See also: April 15 ICE Raids in Phoenix and Tucson

Nine Students Arrested for Chaining themselves to AZ Capitol Doors

District Court Rules For USFS in Save the Peaks Case, Plaintiffs will Appeal

The Court ruled against the plaintiffs claims that the final FEIS prepared by the USFS ignores thorough consideration of a number of critical health issues. The plaintiffs contend that a new and thorough FEIS should be filed by the USFS. If this reveals that the use of reclaimed sewage water is a public health risk then snowmaking should not be permitted for the Arizona Snowbowl on the San Francisco Peaks.

Howard Shanker, representing the Save the Peaks Coalition and additional plaintiffs, will file an appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court. According to Shanker, “ the decision misstates the facts of this case and misapplies the law. That’s why there is an appeal process.” Further, according to Shanker, “it is remarkable that the Obama Administration is complicitous in this effort to put treated sewer water on the San Francisco Peaks. Not only is the site sacred to Native Americans in the Southwestern United States, the Forest Service has, at best, no idea what the long term health impacts will be on people who ingest this snow made from treated effluent. Who figured the Snowbowl ski area was ‘too big to fail’”.

The suit asserts, among other things, that the FEIS ignores the possibility of human ingestion of snow made from treated sewage effluent. Snowbowl would be the only ski area in the world to use 100% wastewater to make snow. They would use 1.5 million gallons per day, storing and spraying this wastewater on a mountain that is holy to more than 13 Indigenous Nations.

For the complete press release and more information, please visit TrueSnow.org

Stories and Photographs 2007-2008 Posted by Slain Tucson Activist

Posted below are links to all of the stories Sally Grace Eiler posted to AZ Indymedia over the two years she was in Oaxaca. Sally's memory will live on in the hearts of those who continue to struggle...

July 2007: Update on Oaxaca: news and photos,
August 2007: Oaxacan Women´s March; Memorial March, Oaxaca; Oaxaca... In defense of the forest and community life
September 2007: 11th years of imprisonment
October 2007: October in Oaxaca
November 2007: Nov.2nd, Oaxaca, one year after the All Saints Battle; November 25th, one year later
June 2008: Army out of Chiapas, Oaxaca, and the country!

More of Sally's photos from Oaxaca

Arizona Indymedia Correspondent Murdered in Oaxaca

Marcella "Sali" Grace Eiler, activist and correspondent with Arizona Indymedia, was found dead last week in Oaxaca with signs of a brutal rape and murder.

Sally had lived between Tucson and Oaxaca since 2006. When in Arizona, Sally helped raise awareness and support for the struggle in Oaxaca, as well as engaging in solidarity work on the U.S. / Mexico border and in the Tucson community.

Although the situation surrounding her death is still coming to light, news of Sally's brutal murder has left many in the Tucson community in shock and struggling for answers. Several impromptu memorials have taken place since September 26, when we learned of her death, including one on Sunday that brought together dozens of people who were touched by Sally's life, either as an activist, a dancer, a friend, a fighter, a musician or artist.

Whenever Sally was in Oaxaca, she posted regularly to Arizona Indymedia. Unfortunately, in recent months we've been unable to publish her updates, because our website has been down due to technical difficulties. Sally Eiler's final story, Army Out of Chiapas, Oaxaca and the Country! was submitted on June 21, 2008. In the coming days Arizona Indymedia will post a features archive of Sally's stories and photographs.

More coverage: Justice for Sali!, Hasta Siempre, Sally Grace, Mexican Activists Turn Over Mexico City Man to Police in Sally Grace Eiler Murder Case

Update: On September 30th, the day Sali would have turned 21, a march was held in Oaxaca demanding justice for Sali and an end to violence against women.