Anarchism, Communism, Social Justice, Spiritual Revolution and More

Farewell to the fallen in Berkeley

2008-09-06T16:48:00.000-07:00

Today, I am mourning the loss of the Oak Grove in Berkeley, CA. I was there yesterday to witness the destruction of most of those beautiful trees, and needless to say I was filled with anger. Today only one tree stands, the one my brothers have been protecting. Those warriors are staying till the end. I wish there was more I could have done to prevent this massacre, not only of the trees but all the life that existed in that place. What a shameful day for UC Berkeley.

RNC protest images

2008-09-06T16:35:00.000-07:00

Much thanks and love to all those who stood up and spoke against the tyrannical republican party despite police repression, intimidation and brutality. Your courage gives me hope and inspiration. We must fight this corrupt system with all our capabilities-whether your strictly non-violent or confrontational. Peace be with you all. I will continue to post more pictures and video in the future.

p.s. I did not take any of these pictures, unfortunately I wasn't able to attend so these come from various news sources and other sites.

How the sham of the electoral system is affecting my life

2008-08-31T00:21:00.000-07:00

Normally I don't go out of my way to write personal feelings on my blog, but I want to clear things up for folks who still have faith in the two party system. I'd also like to hear from anybody who has experienced similar problems in their life. I will not be voting on this election, nor any in the conceivable future because I know whatever the outcome is, they will not be speaking for me. This has become troublesome since Bush has left eight years of destruction behind him. My own boyfriend gets angry about this and it has caused animosity between us considering the U.S. is handing us a set of charismatic yet ingenuous candidates and a set of far right reactionaries to choose from. My boyfriend sees my not voting as basically voting for McCain, and reacts to me by mocking me and saying he's going to be voting for McCain because the Republicans can clean up their own mess. Of course with or without my vote, either McCain or Obama will be granted the title of President and the American people will leave their voting booths feeling that sense of satisfaction of having "participated" in democracy. But any of us who are truly striving for freedom know that that democracy is only a facade. It gives me anxiety to have to defend my position to those closest to me, including my family, who are raised to believe that you either vote or shut your mouth. All I can do is support those who are fighting and fight as much as I can myself. The other night I watched a program on PBS titled The Last Abortion Clinic that was filmed in 2005. A woman working for a pro-choice group made the statement that she sometimes fantisized that Roe vs. Wade would be overturned, then maybe there would be no more pretending that we still have abortion rights. The documentary profiled what fundamentalist groups have done in different states to erode at Roe v Wade for a long time, and how little women understand that there is still a fight to be won. If McCain is elected, maybe it will be a wake up call to those who don't wish to participate in direct democracy, if Obama is elected I fear that people will once again be lured into the false sense of freedom the Democratic Party provides. Some may view that statement as a check mark next to McCains box from myself, but I can assure you it isn't. I simply want people to know the fight will continue and should continue no matter who ends up in the Oval Office.

Written with a heavy heart.

Police raids on activists

2008-08-30T19:34:00.000-07:00

St. Paul police officers attempted to enter a house on Iglehart Ave. Saturday. Sara Coffey of the National Lawyers Guild was stopped outside the house, handcuffed and detained. She helped police negotiate with those inside.

Well, it appears the intimidation and smearing of the protesters has already begun:

"Aided by informants planted in protest groups, authorities raided at least six buildings across St. Paul and Minneapolis to stop an "anarchist" plan to disrupt this week's Republican National Convention."

Fanning the flames of Paranoia within radical communities is an effective technique used time and time again by federal and state police. Informants are generally planted not just to gain information on the activists but also to act as provocateurs and frequently push for and engage in the more destructive actions of a group-not that there isn't a place for destruction-it is not to further advance the desires of change seeking radicals but to destroy the group from the inside as well as externally through raids such as this:

"The raids began Friday night when Ramsey County sheriff's deputies, guns drawn, used a battering ram to get through a door and into the former Smith Theater on St. Paul's West Side that was being used as a gathering space by a protest group. About 60 people were inside 627 Smith Av. S. watching a movie and eating when the raid began. No one was arrested, but everyone inside was handcuffed and interviewed."

How much more proof do Americans need? We do not live in a democracy. We do not have a voice-or at least one that is ever heard or considered. Voting will not change this fact, only reinforce the blinders that we have covering our eyes. My spirit is with those brave warriors converging on the RNC.

Here is a link to the full article

Move protest footage

2008-08-27T14:27:00.000-07:00

Here's more video footage of police violence in Denver:

Police confirm Denver officer on shoving tape
By Carlos Illescas
The Denver Post

It was a Denver police officer who was videotaped shoving a Code Pink protester to the ground with his baton on Tuesday, police confirmed today.

Denver police spokesman John White would not reveal the name of the officer but did say he is with the Denver Police Department.

The officer is accused of manhandling Alicia Forrest to the ground on Tuesday morning as she tried to question the officer. The incident happened as police were trying to gain control after a man was denouncing homosexuality at Civic Center.

Forrest was arrested for interference.

Police in Denver roughing up reporters

2008-08-27T14:05:00.000-07:00

Here's the full article concerning police restricting reporting of the DNC protests:

"DENVER, Aug. 27 (UPI) -- A press freedom organization is accusing Denver police of roughing up journalists covering a protest at the Democratic National Convention.

Reporters Without Borders says it is unclear what prompted police to step up their level of force during a demonstration that began outside the Pepsi Center on the opening night of the convention.

"We understand the security issues surrounding the Democratic National Convention but we urge the Denver police and other law enforcement authorities to show restraint toward journalists covering demonstrations and not be an obstacle to the news gathering process," Reports Without Borders said.

Officers were observed trying to prevent photographers from recording the incidents.

USA Today videographer Garrett Hubbard was one of the people identified as being roughed up by police as he tried to film the demonstration from a sidewalk."

I posted the USA today video in the previous entry.

DNC protest videos

2008-08-26T20:54:00.000-07:00

Here are some videos of the DNC protests:

Images from the DNC protests

2008-08-26T20:47:00.000-07:00

It's far from over, but here are some recent images from the struggle in Denver:

Solidarity!

Fox News hears what radicals think of them

2008-08-24T23:40:00.000-07:00

Video from the 2008 DNC protests-It's only just beginning...

Humboldt County tree sits are protected!!

2008-08-18T11:20:00.000-07:00

Two long standing tree villages, Nanning Creek and Fern Gully have been protected:

"Both current Humboldt County tree-sits are officially saved and protected. Yesterday I, other Forest Defenders, and a crew from National Geographic accompanied Chief Forester and President of the newly formed Humboldt Redwood Company, Mike Jani, to Fern Gully Tree Village, Freshwater, CA, and the grove around the tree known as “Jerry,” that has been a major part of the struggle. Earlier, activists also hiked Jani in the well known Nanning Creek Tree Village, headed-up by long time Forest Defender, Amy."

"Each tree grove will become a class 1 wildlife preserve with a class 2 wildlife boundary. Which means that no trees can be cut in the direct grove, they are fully protected. Second-growth trees can, potentially, be harvested in the class 2 zones “to build up growth and allow expansion,” Jani explained to us."

This is great news. Once again, the power of direct action is shown to prevail. As social movements, we often look closely on our failures, but not closely enough at our victories. Thank you to the courageous forest defenders who risked their lives to protect some of the oldest and most beautiful trees in California. Hopefully this will inspire more actions, we only have one earth.

Link to full article

Media coverage of upcoming convention protests

2008-08-13T17:27:00.000-07:00

It is no surprise that the media does not look favorably on anti-authoritarian groups planning to converge on the conventions shortly. In an news article titled "Are Police Ready For Anarchy During The RNC?," police are reassuring the public that they will be able to handle the chaos that could ensue. Some, like Dave Titus, President of the St. Paul Police Federation think that there should be around 6,000 cops on hand rather than the 3,500 slated to be controlling the proceedings. Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher goes on to say "I think Chief Harrington has underestimated the ability of anarchists to cause mayhem." This would be very flattering were it not another attempt to undermine the protesters goals by portraying them as ignorant troublemakers with no clear ideology:

""the problem is going to be how many troublemakers come and it doesn't take many to cause a large scale problem."

"If there is illegal behavior, if there is civil disturbance it has to be responded to quickly," said Tom Walsh, a spokesman for the St. Paul Police.

History has shown that civil disobedience is the most effective way to effect change in the system. Legends such as Martin Luther King now have holidays to commemorate what was, at the time, both illegal behavior and civil disturbance. Although the draft played a large role in ending military actions in Vietnam, who knows how much longer the U.S. would have murdered in that arena at the expense of the poor had it not been for the massive acts of civil disobedience at the hands of so called "troublemakers." Hopefully it will be those courageous folks willing to behave badly that will be prepared rather than the pigs.

Link to the full article

The Art of Sue Coe

2008-08-09T14:26:00.000-07:00

I want to feature one of my favorite artists: Sue Coe. Although most of her work centers around the horrors of slaughterhouses and vivisection, she also focuses on socio-political issues including war, poverty and AIDS. Despite her amazing talent at depicting animal abuses and social problems, she is relatively unknown. She has quite a few books out and if your a fan of socially conscious artists then you should definitely check her out.

Blessed Be the Peacemakers

Cross Your Heart and Hope to Die

For more of her work visit her website here

A bit more positive...

2008-08-08T19:44:00.000-07:00

I don't usually write poetry, I mostly draw, but I wrote a couple of poems the other day so I thought i'd post them to bring some light into the picture:

Cosmic Clockwork Jig
In silence I contemplate
and I am moved by the sound of God
commanding me to create!
As my pen strikes the paper
I am filled with overwhelming joy
a million points of light ignite my soul
with a brilliant flame.
The cosmic clock dances in my head
beckoning me to join in the jig.

Shadow with No Sun
Like a shadow without a sun
I wait...
for the glorious rays to appear
so I may burst forth out of nothing.

No-nose Bicycle Saddles Improve Penile Sensation And Erectile Function In Bicycling Police Officers

2008-08-08T19:13:00.000-07:00

"ScienceDaily (Aug. 8, 2008) — An innovative study examined, for the first time, if noseless bicycle saddles would be an effective intervention for alleviating deleterious health effects, erectile dysfunction and groin numbness, caused by bicycling on the traditional saddle with a protruding nose extension."

What I've always suspected has been confirmed in a study: Bicycle officers have been suffering from penile numbness and erectile dysfunction. This explains a lot of interactions I've had with them, so next time a bike cop harasses you find out what kind of seat they are using and ask them if they are truly bothered by you or if it's a psychological problem due to penile discomfort.

Link to full article

Art Installation Vs. Security Culture

2008-08-03T16:46:00.000-07:00

This great art installation by William Lamson is really thinking outside of the box when it comes to CCTV. We need more artists thinking outside of the box to combat the all pervasive, paranoia inducing security structures that invade our lives everyday.

Link to William Lamsons website

RNC and DNC convention videos to wet your appetite

2008-08-02T18:14:00.000-07:00

Enjoy!

Get your asses out to the conventions!!

2008-08-02T17:39:00.000-07:00

I'm still on the fence as to whether i'll be making it out to the DNC protests but if I don't my spirit will certainly be there. The latest news is that Unconventional Denver, a group of anarchists organizing to shut down the Democratic National Committee convention proposed to negotiate an offer, one that is obviously far fetched enough to not be received, which means they'll still be out in the streets ready to kick some ass. Here is a portion of the official statement from Unconventional Denver:

"we come here today with this offer: If the Democrats and their allies in the city government of Denver can show their good faith ... can show they are immediately working for real positive change by using their 50 million dollar federal grant for something better than crushing democracy then we will change our plans. If they are willing to do this, then Unconventional Denver and hundreds of anarchists coming to town will sit this one out. We anarchists are willing to call off all of our protests, if the democrats are willing to call off their occupation of Denver and re-invest their police budget toward real community security.

New elementary schools; healthcare for the uninsured; providing clean, renewable energy to the city- 50 million dollars could do all of this. If this money is used to concretely demonstrate that meeting people's needs will be the top priority of the Democratic Party and the City of Denver instead of protecting the robber barons of today, we will spend the last week of August with our friends and family continuing our work of furthering our communities instead of direct action confronting the Democratic National Convention.

Otherwise.... we'll see you in the streets."

Link to full statement

Finally Getting Started

2008-08-02T17:34:00.000-07:00

Hello folks, if you've happened upon my blog welcome! This is my first of hopefully regular posts regarding anarchism, spirituality and random interesting pieces that catch my eye. This is my first attempt at throwing a blog together so be patient, it will look pretty boring for awhile but hopefully I'll be able to spice things up in the near future.