2011-09-14 “WHEELER 14” STANDING TRIAL THIS WEEK FOR PRO-EDUCATION DEMONSTRATIONS AT UC BERKELEY by Graham Archer [graham@garcher.com] from National Lawyer’s Guild
OAKLAND — A group of 14 students and pro-education activists are beginning trial today at 9 a.m. for charges relating to their involvement in pro-education demonstrations last March 2nd at Wheeler Hall on the UC-Berkeley campus.
The demonstrators – who nonviolently protested escalating tuition hikes that are making a UC education unaffordable for countless Californians – are pleading not guilty to charges of trespassing for staging a sit-in within a campus building. The trial is being held in Alameda County Superior Court at the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse, 661 Washington St.
On March 2, a coalition of campus and community organizations staged a demonstration against budget cuts to the UC and CSU system that would drastically raise the cost of higher education in California and impact ethnic studies. Near the end of the night-time demonstration, 17 students were arrested when they staged a sit-in in the lobby of Wheeler Hall. Of those, 14 face charges of charged with trespassing, and three others are additionally charged with peacefully delaying an officer, otherwise known as peacefully resisting arrest.
These demonstrations are part of an ongoing movement among the students of UC Berkeley and around the world in the fight for affordable education. As politicians race feverishly to cut social programs from already strained state and national budgets, tuitions at public universities have reached a record high, leaving many low income students unable to attend. Despite the firings, the furloughs, and the fee increases, administrators continue to receive regular wage increases and bonuses while those who use the university clamor for justice. As demonstration after demonstration, op-ed articles, and a growing chorus of bloggers have warned of the long-term consequences of neglecting higher education, UC students have received nothing but another 9.6% fee hike. And those students who raised a peaceful but insistent call for quality affordable education are being prosecuted in an attempt to silence their walk to the debt-guillotine.
The defendants—representing Laney Community College, UC Berkeley, San Jose State University, San Jose Community College, Diablo Valley College, San Francisco State, and local high schools—have asked for anyone who stands in solidarity with affordable education, free speech and against the repression of peaceful protest to attend the trial and spread the word!
—
The Blind Willies have put together a video of their performance at the Wheeler Hall demonstration that includes a lot of footage from the actual demonstration/police action.
Blind Willies – Soon My Work Will Be Over [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGzkdDqa1Cc]
2011-09-12 "Wheeler 21 to stand trial for pro-education demonstrations"
[http://news.infoshop.org/article.php?story=20110912014140831]
21 students and pro-education activists are set to stand trial trial beginning Monday, September 12 for charges related to the pro-education demonstrations that occurred on March 2 and March 3, 2011 at Wheeler Hall, University of California Berkeley.
Trial will take place the week of September 12 beginning at 9 am in the Wiley Courthouse, Oakland. We will be pleading not guilty and ask for anyone who stands for freedom and education and against the persecution of peaceful activists to stand with us in solidarity by filling the courtroom during our trial and spreading the word.
On March 2, a coalition of campus and community organizations staged a demonstration against the recently announced budget cuts to the UC and CSU system that would drastically raise the cost of higher education in California and impact Ethnic Studies. Near the end of the demonstration 17 students were arrested during a sit-in staged in the lobby of Wheeler Hall, 14 of whom have since been charged with trespassing with three facing additional charges of peacefully delaying an officer, aka resisting arrest.
On March 3, a second demonstration was staged atop the 4th story ledge of the same building demanding that leniency be given to the peaceful protestors arrested during the two-day demonstration and to the protestors facing charges relating to a November 2009 pro-education demonstration. The university agreed to these demands and the brief, yet powerful occupation ended peacefully. The University subsequently reneged on what has become a symbolic good faith agreement between students and a well-paid administration.
This move on the part of UC Berkeley is unique in that student activists are usually processed internally, through the Office of Student Conduct, or not at all. In addition, the culmination of the second demonstration on March 3rd was contingent upon the University’s agreement to grant leniency to the activists present on both days. Other questions arise given the selectiveness on which the students were charged. Based on unknown factors, some students have been delivered heavier sentences than others with no correlation to any other criteria.
We are represented by a team of attorneys from the National Lawyer's Guild, please contact Graham Archer, graham@garcher.com, for comment and details on the time of the trial. The case will be dismissed if it is not heard by September 19th per our Sixth Amendment rights. What is really at stake is our public education system and our First Amendment right to defend it.
These demonstrations are part of an ongoing movement among the students of UC Berkeley and around the world in the fight for affordable education. With the cost of attending institutions of higher education on the rise, tuition hikes, state funding decreases, and a misallocation of funds within the university, the students of March 2nd and 3rd resorted to peaceful demonstrations, yet again, to express their grievances with the university. However, the actions have fallen on deaf ears.
As demonstration after demonstration, continuous op-ed articles, an endless stream of blogging, and world-wide demonstrations of a similar kind have bombarded the ears and eyes of the Regents of the University, the students have been given nil in return except another 9.6% fee hike. An increase such as this coupled with such blatant disregard for the cries of students demonstrates the void of compassion within the UC’s administration. Students have not only been locked behind bars but have been silenced along their walk to the debt-guillotine, in return for their calls for affordable, equal education.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Friday, September 9, 2011
The Holdout presents... RADICAL HIP HOP DANCE PARTY
celebrating our lease signing by The Holdout
Friday, September 9 at 9:00pm
Sugar Mountain, 2515 San Pablo Ave, Oakland
Featuring:
* Eddie Falcon of the 40 Thieves
* Hannibal Shakur
* Young Spook
* Rhymebook Mosaic
Plus DJs and dance music into the night!
$10 no one turned away for lack of funds.
Woohoo!
Friday, September 9 at 9:00pm
Sugar Mountain, 2515 San Pablo Ave, Oakland
Featuring:
* Eddie Falcon of the 40 Thieves
* Hannibal Shakur
* Young Spook
* Rhymebook Mosaic
Plus DJs and dance music into the night!
$10 no one turned away for lack of funds.
Woohoo!
How strange that today, in this New Athens known as the Bay Area, there are still people who are openly fascist and deny a children's art show based on a jealous and selfish doctrine...
2011-09-09 "Oakland Museum Shuts Down Palestinian Children’s Art Exhibit" by MECA Communications Coordinator Leena Al-Arian [Leena@mecaforpeace.org] [510-548-0542]
[http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2011/09/09]
Founded in 1988 by Barbara Lubin and Howard Levine, the Middle East Children's Alliance is a Berkeley-based non-profit humanitarian aid organization that has delivered more than $10 million in food, medicine and medical supplies to children in the West Bank and Gaza, Iraq and Lebanon. MECA also provides financial assistance to community groups working with children in the Palestine/Israel.
---
BERKELEY, CA - September 9 - The Museum of Children’s Art in Oakland (MOCHA) has decided to cancel an exhibit of art by Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip. The Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA), which was partnering with MOCHA to present the exhibit, was informed of the decision by the Museum’s board president on Thursday, September 8, 2011. For several months, MECA and the museum had been working together on the exhibit, which is titled “A Child’s View of Gaza.”
MECA has learned that there was a concerted effort by pro-Israel organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area to pressure the museum to reverse its decision to display Palestinian children’s art.
Barbara Lubin, the Executive Director of MECA, expressed her dismay that the museum decided to censor this exhibit in contradiction of its mission “to ensure that the arts are a fundamental part of the lives of all children.”
“We understand all too well the enormous pressure that the museum came under. But who wins? The museum doesn’t win. MECA doesn’t win. The people of the Bay Area don’t win. Our basic constitutional freedom of speech loses. The children in Gaza lose,” she said.
“The only winners here are those who spend millions of dollars censoring any criticism of Israel and silencing the voices of children who live every day under military siege and occupation.”
Unfortunately, this disturbing incident is just one example of many across the nation in which certain groups have successfully silenced the Palestinian perspective, which includes artistic expression. In fact, some organizations have even earmarked funds for precisely these efforts. Last year, regrettably the Jewish Federation of North America and the Jewish Council for Public Affairs launched a $6 million initiative to effectively silence Palestinian voices even in “cultural institutions.”
The free exhibit, co-sponsored by nearly twenty local organizations, was scheduled to open on September 24, and featured special activities for children and families, including a cartooning workshop and poetry readings.
The Gaza Strip, which has a population of 1.6 million, has been under siege since Israel imposed a blockade against it in 2006. The United Nations and many human rights organizations across the world have condemned the blockade as an inhumane and cruel form of collective punishment.
“Even while the children in Gaza are living under Israeli policies that deprive them of every basic necessity, they managed through art, to express their realities and hopes. It’s really very sad that there are people in the U.S. silencing them and shredding their dreams,” said Ziad Abbas, MECA’s Associate Director.
MECA is disappointed in the museum’s decision to deny Bay Area residents the opportunity to view Palestinian children’s art, and is committed to seeking an alternative venue.
“We made a promise to the children that their art will be shown and we are going to keep that promise,” said Lubin.
2011-09-09 "Oakland Museum Shuts Down Palestinian Children’s Art Exhibit" by MECA Communications Coordinator Leena Al-Arian [Leena@mecaforpeace.org] [510-548-0542]
[http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2011/09/09]
Founded in 1988 by Barbara Lubin and Howard Levine, the Middle East Children's Alliance is a Berkeley-based non-profit humanitarian aid organization that has delivered more than $10 million in food, medicine and medical supplies to children in the West Bank and Gaza, Iraq and Lebanon. MECA also provides financial assistance to community groups working with children in the Palestine/Israel.
---
BERKELEY, CA - September 9 - The Museum of Children’s Art in Oakland (MOCHA) has decided to cancel an exhibit of art by Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip. The Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA), which was partnering with MOCHA to present the exhibit, was informed of the decision by the Museum’s board president on Thursday, September 8, 2011. For several months, MECA and the museum had been working together on the exhibit, which is titled “A Child’s View of Gaza.”
MECA has learned that there was a concerted effort by pro-Israel organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area to pressure the museum to reverse its decision to display Palestinian children’s art.
Barbara Lubin, the Executive Director of MECA, expressed her dismay that the museum decided to censor this exhibit in contradiction of its mission “to ensure that the arts are a fundamental part of the lives of all children.”
“We understand all too well the enormous pressure that the museum came under. But who wins? The museum doesn’t win. MECA doesn’t win. The people of the Bay Area don’t win. Our basic constitutional freedom of speech loses. The children in Gaza lose,” she said.
“The only winners here are those who spend millions of dollars censoring any criticism of Israel and silencing the voices of children who live every day under military siege and occupation.”
Unfortunately, this disturbing incident is just one example of many across the nation in which certain groups have successfully silenced the Palestinian perspective, which includes artistic expression. In fact, some organizations have even earmarked funds for precisely these efforts. Last year, regrettably the Jewish Federation of North America and the Jewish Council for Public Affairs launched a $6 million initiative to effectively silence Palestinian voices even in “cultural institutions.”
The free exhibit, co-sponsored by nearly twenty local organizations, was scheduled to open on September 24, and featured special activities for children and families, including a cartooning workshop and poetry readings.
The Gaza Strip, which has a population of 1.6 million, has been under siege since Israel imposed a blockade against it in 2006. The United Nations and many human rights organizations across the world have condemned the blockade as an inhumane and cruel form of collective punishment.
“Even while the children in Gaza are living under Israeli policies that deprive them of every basic necessity, they managed through art, to express their realities and hopes. It’s really very sad that there are people in the U.S. silencing them and shredding their dreams,” said Ziad Abbas, MECA’s Associate Director.
MECA is disappointed in the museum’s decision to deny Bay Area residents the opportunity to view Palestinian children’s art, and is committed to seeking an alternative venue.
“We made a promise to the children that their art will be shown and we are going to keep that promise,” said Lubin.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
2011-09-07 "'Spare the Fare' Press Conference Announces Sept. 8th Protest in Powell Street BART Station"
video & photos" by dave id [http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/09/07/18689665.php]:
After four #OpBART demonstrations organized by Anonymous were held on consecutive Mondays that targeted Civic Center BART and other downtown stations, the No Justice No BART campaign has called for its first protest against BART police violence since July 11th. This time, the No Justice No BART campaign will take on the transit agency with a "Spare the Fare" protest in Powell Street BART station on September 8th. The idea for the protest is to pack enough demonstrators inside of the station, outside of the fare gates, that in order to keep people moving and the system running BART will open the emergency exits and fare gates to allow passengers entry without paying. "No $ for police brutality and murder: Disband the BART police," reads a flier announcing the action. BART has in the past foregone fares and funneled passengers past demonstrators. If BART chooses to close the station rather than "spare the fare" for just one afternoon, the contingency plan is for demonstrators to march to other stations and attempt to protest on the station platforms as they have before. In the September 5th press conference video below, speakers representing No Justice No BART, ONYX Organizing Committee, and Feminists Against Cops address police violence and the upcoming action.
2011-09-07 "Full video of press conference inside Civic Center BART station, including Q&A" by dave id
Media assembled inside Civic Center station for press conference on September 5th
2011-09-06 "Feminists against Cops - Statement Read At Press Conference Today Regarding Upcoming Sept 8th BART Protest" [http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/09/06/18689574.php]
2009-03-05 "No Justice No BART Stages First Action at Fruitvale Station" [http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/03/08/18575598.php]
2011-07-11 "Justice for Charles Hill BART Action Shuts Three Stations in San Francisco"[http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/07/19/18685301.php]
"No Justice No BART" [http://nojusticenobart.blogspot.com]
2011-09-07 "Cat Brooks speaks at press conference" by dave id
She mentions the constant police harassment faced by the friends of Oscar Grant who were also detained by BART police on January 1st, 2009. As Hayward residents, it has primarily been Hayward police who continually harass and threaten Oscar Grant's friends. Johntue Caldwell was murdered by an unknown assailant. BART, too, has attacked Oscar Grant's friends as they pursue a civil suit for the the illegal treatment they received from BART police. The community has pushed back and intends to do so more.
2011-09-07 "Feminists Against Cops read a statement to the assembled media" by dave id
2011-09-07 "BART police gathering intelligence" by dave id
2011-09-07 "Feminists Against Cops, ONYX, and No Justice No BART take media questions" by dave id
2011-09-10 "League of Pissed Off Voters with #NoFare Protest Arrestee Dave Id of Indybay & Rebecca Bowe of SFBG" by Jeremy Pollack from "Mutiny Radio"
[http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/09/10/18689870.php]:
On the September 9th League of Pissed Off Voters show, Jeremy Pollack interviews journalist Dave Id of Indybay.org at length about having been wrongfully arrested the day before at the "Spare the Fare" demonstration in Powell Street BART station, as well as some of the history and structural issues with BART police and the transit agency. The show also features a reading of a report by San Francisco Bay Guardian reporter Rebecca Bowe about having been detained at the same protest, her SFPD press pass taken from her before being released, and -- when she asked why there was no dispersal order before BART police detained and arrested over two dozen protesters and journalists -- she was told by BART spokesperson Jim Allison that "I simply cannot devote the rest of my night to answering your questions."
This first audio piece is a 34-minute edited version of the show trimmed down to just the Dave Id interview and the reading of the report from Rebecca Bowe (http://www.sfbg.com/politics/2011/09/08/powell-station-shut-down-bart-protest).
The full two-hour program can be found in the audio below.
[http://podcasts.pcrcollective.org/TheLeagueSF/TheLeagueSF-20110909.mp3]
Jeremy Pollack hosts the League of Pissed Off Voters show EVERY FRIDAY from 6-8 PM on Mutiny Radio [http://www.facebook.com/theLeagueSFradio] [http://www.mutinyradio.org]
2011-09-04 "No Justice No BART Sept 5th Press Conference to Announce Our Next BART Demonstration"
Wednesday Sep 7th, 2011 7:29 PM PRESS ADVISORY
Who: No Justice No BART and allied community groups
What: Press Conference and announcement of our next BART demonstration
Time: 4:30 PM, Monday, September 5th
Place: Civic Center Station, inside the station but outside the fare gates
Tomorrow, Monday September 5th, No Justice No BART will be hosting a press conference at 4:30 PM inside Civic Center BART station. Along with several other community groups, we are planning a mass action on Thursday, September 8th, at the Powell BART station, to demand Justice for Charles Hill, who was needlessly gunned down by BART police. We will demand that the violent, corrupt, and dangerous BART police force be disbanded.
The press conference will include the release of more detailed information about the upcoming action. This action will likely differ from previous No Justice No BART actions in the following ways:
* Our intention is to protest outside the Powell station fare gates, but we will not block emergency exits to and from the station.
* IF our demonstration is successful, passengers will RIDE BART FOR FREE from Powell. We are calling this a SPARE THE FARE day.
* IF BART Police and Administrators attack or interfere with our protest, we move into BART and onto the platforms, which may cause disruption for passengers.
* We are making our strategy public so that people know what to expect and so that BART administrators know that THEY will be held accountable for all disruptions caused by the actions of their police.
Background:
No Justice No BART is a campaign of protests targeting the BART transit agency. We formed three years ago in the wake of the BART police murder of Oscar Grant and have been fighting since... for justice for Oscar Grant, Fred Collins, Charles Hill, and all victims of BART police violence and murder. Our core demand is that BART disband its murderous, inept, and corrupt police department.
On July 11th, No Justice No BART called a protest on the Civic Center station platform to respond to the BART police killing of Charles Hill. BART to shut down all four downtown stations and the disruption to the evening commute impacted thousands of commuters. This demonstration prompted BART to release the video of the shooting weeks ahead of schedule.
On August 11th, fearing another protest by No Justice No BART, BART shut down its cellular service to prevent protesters from communicating with one another. This draconian and illegal decision prompted a strong and negative reaction from people around the world, from organizations such as the ACLU and EFF, and civil disobedience on the streets and the internet organized by the hactivist group known as “Anonymous”. For the past three weeks, community groups have refrained from taking organizing roles in demonstrations against BART, and instead our members have watched or participated as individuals in the weekly (Monday) actions called by Anonymous. On Thursday we will step off the sidelines.
[No Justice No BART is not affiliated with Anonymous, and none of our actions have been been coordinated by Anonymous.]
2011-09-07 "Press statement clarification on Powell Street BART protest planned for Sept 8th":
Recent reports in the news media may be confusing passengers about the intentions of protesters who have called for a “SPARE THE FARE” action at Powell St. BART Station tomorrow (Thursday, 9/8).
We have made our protest plans for Thursday very public and very clear because we want to make the public aware that what happens to the evening commute depends entirely on how BART chooses to respond to this protest. If BART shuts down the station, their disruption of service will obviously effect passengers but we will simply move to another station. On the other hand, if BART allows us to protest, passengers will not be inconvenienced.
We want the public to know that our plan for Thursday’s protest is an attempt to see if our protests can effectively command the attention of the BART administration without inconveniencing passengers. We hope for a best case scenario in which, in order to keep riders moving into and out of the station, BART will open the emergency exits and let folks ride for free, just as they do for all sorts of big sporting events, antiwar protests, and even previous No Justice No BART protests.
We cannot guarantee that passengers will ride free, nor are we asking people to attempt to engage in civil disobedience by riding free. And passengers should understand that in the past, BART has often chosen to disrupt service even when it is not necessary, simply to prevent protesters from having any interaction with commuters.
Because BART may choose to disrupt service, and to help commuters adjust to whatever happens, we have committed to posting real time updates to a twitter feed (@nojusticenobart), so the public can find out about the status of the protest, what station we are at, and how BART is dealing with passengers who want to ride the trains.
After four #OpBART demonstrations organized by Anonymous were held on consecutive Mondays that targeted Civic Center BART and other downtown stations, the No Justice No BART campaign has called for its first protest against BART police violence since July 11th. This time, the No Justice No BART campaign will take on the transit agency with a "Spare the Fare" protest in Powell Street BART station on September 8th. The idea for the protest is to pack enough demonstrators inside of the station, outside of the fare gates, that in order to keep people moving and the system running BART will open the emergency exits and fare gates to allow passengers entry without paying. "No $ for police brutality and murder: Disband the BART police," reads a flier announcing the action. BART has in the past foregone fares and funneled passengers past demonstrators. If BART chooses to close the station rather than "spare the fare" for just one afternoon, the contingency plan is for demonstrators to march to other stations and attempt to protest on the station platforms as they have before. In the September 5th press conference video below, speakers representing No Justice No BART, ONYX Organizing Committee, and Feminists Against Cops address police violence and the upcoming action.
2011-09-07 "Full video of press conference inside Civic Center BART station, including Q&A" by dave id
Media assembled inside Civic Center station for press conference on September 5th
2011-09-06 "Feminists against Cops - Statement Read At Press Conference Today Regarding Upcoming Sept 8th BART Protest" [http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/09/06/18689574.php]
2009-03-05 "No Justice No BART Stages First Action at Fruitvale Station" [http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/03/08/18575598.php]
2011-07-11 "Justice for Charles Hill BART Action Shuts Three Stations in San Francisco"[http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/07/19/18685301.php]
"No Justice No BART" [http://nojusticenobart.blogspot.com]
2011-09-07 "Cat Brooks speaks at press conference" by dave id
She mentions the constant police harassment faced by the friends of Oscar Grant who were also detained by BART police on January 1st, 2009. As Hayward residents, it has primarily been Hayward police who continually harass and threaten Oscar Grant's friends. Johntue Caldwell was murdered by an unknown assailant. BART, too, has attacked Oscar Grant's friends as they pursue a civil suit for the the illegal treatment they received from BART police. The community has pushed back and intends to do so more.
2011-09-07 "Feminists Against Cops read a statement to the assembled media" by dave id
2011-09-07 "BART police gathering intelligence" by dave id
2011-09-07 "Feminists Against Cops, ONYX, and No Justice No BART take media questions" by dave id
2011-09-10 "League of Pissed Off Voters with #NoFare Protest Arrestee Dave Id of Indybay & Rebecca Bowe of SFBG" by Jeremy Pollack from "Mutiny Radio"
[http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/09/10/18689870.php]:
On the September 9th League of Pissed Off Voters show, Jeremy Pollack interviews journalist Dave Id of Indybay.org at length about having been wrongfully arrested the day before at the "Spare the Fare" demonstration in Powell Street BART station, as well as some of the history and structural issues with BART police and the transit agency. The show also features a reading of a report by San Francisco Bay Guardian reporter Rebecca Bowe about having been detained at the same protest, her SFPD press pass taken from her before being released, and -- when she asked why there was no dispersal order before BART police detained and arrested over two dozen protesters and journalists -- she was told by BART spokesperson Jim Allison that "I simply cannot devote the rest of my night to answering your questions."
This first audio piece is a 34-minute edited version of the show trimmed down to just the Dave Id interview and the reading of the report from Rebecca Bowe (http://www.sfbg.com/politics/2011/09/08/powell-station-shut-down-bart-protest).
The full two-hour program can be found in the audio below.
[http://podcasts.pcrcollective.org/TheLeagueSF/TheLeagueSF-20110909.mp3]
Jeremy Pollack hosts the League of Pissed Off Voters show EVERY FRIDAY from 6-8 PM on Mutiny Radio [http://www.facebook.com/theLeagueSFradio] [http://www.mutinyradio.org]
2011-09-04 "No Justice No BART Sept 5th Press Conference to Announce Our Next BART Demonstration"
Wednesday Sep 7th, 2011 7:29 PM PRESS ADVISORY
Who: No Justice No BART and allied community groups
What: Press Conference and announcement of our next BART demonstration
Time: 4:30 PM, Monday, September 5th
Place: Civic Center Station, inside the station but outside the fare gates
Tomorrow, Monday September 5th, No Justice No BART will be hosting a press conference at 4:30 PM inside Civic Center BART station. Along with several other community groups, we are planning a mass action on Thursday, September 8th, at the Powell BART station, to demand Justice for Charles Hill, who was needlessly gunned down by BART police. We will demand that the violent, corrupt, and dangerous BART police force be disbanded.
The press conference will include the release of more detailed information about the upcoming action. This action will likely differ from previous No Justice No BART actions in the following ways:
* Our intention is to protest outside the Powell station fare gates, but we will not block emergency exits to and from the station.
* IF our demonstration is successful, passengers will RIDE BART FOR FREE from Powell. We are calling this a SPARE THE FARE day.
* IF BART Police and Administrators attack or interfere with our protest, we move into BART and onto the platforms, which may cause disruption for passengers.
* We are making our strategy public so that people know what to expect and so that BART administrators know that THEY will be held accountable for all disruptions caused by the actions of their police.
Background:
No Justice No BART is a campaign of protests targeting the BART transit agency. We formed three years ago in the wake of the BART police murder of Oscar Grant and have been fighting since... for justice for Oscar Grant, Fred Collins, Charles Hill, and all victims of BART police violence and murder. Our core demand is that BART disband its murderous, inept, and corrupt police department.
On July 11th, No Justice No BART called a protest on the Civic Center station platform to respond to the BART police killing of Charles Hill. BART to shut down all four downtown stations and the disruption to the evening commute impacted thousands of commuters. This demonstration prompted BART to release the video of the shooting weeks ahead of schedule.
On August 11th, fearing another protest by No Justice No BART, BART shut down its cellular service to prevent protesters from communicating with one another. This draconian and illegal decision prompted a strong and negative reaction from people around the world, from organizations such as the ACLU and EFF, and civil disobedience on the streets and the internet organized by the hactivist group known as “Anonymous”. For the past three weeks, community groups have refrained from taking organizing roles in demonstrations against BART, and instead our members have watched or participated as individuals in the weekly (Monday) actions called by Anonymous. On Thursday we will step off the sidelines.
[No Justice No BART is not affiliated with Anonymous, and none of our actions have been been coordinated by Anonymous.]
2011-09-07 "Press statement clarification on Powell Street BART protest planned for Sept 8th":
Recent reports in the news media may be confusing passengers about the intentions of protesters who have called for a “SPARE THE FARE” action at Powell St. BART Station tomorrow (Thursday, 9/8).
We have made our protest plans for Thursday very public and very clear because we want to make the public aware that what happens to the evening commute depends entirely on how BART chooses to respond to this protest. If BART shuts down the station, their disruption of service will obviously effect passengers but we will simply move to another station. On the other hand, if BART allows us to protest, passengers will not be inconvenienced.
We want the public to know that our plan for Thursday’s protest is an attempt to see if our protests can effectively command the attention of the BART administration without inconveniencing passengers. We hope for a best case scenario in which, in order to keep riders moving into and out of the station, BART will open the emergency exits and let folks ride for free, just as they do for all sorts of big sporting events, antiwar protests, and even previous No Justice No BART protests.
We cannot guarantee that passengers will ride free, nor are we asking people to attempt to engage in civil disobedience by riding free. And passengers should understand that in the past, BART has often chosen to disrupt service even when it is not necessary, simply to prevent protesters from having any interaction with commuters.
Because BART may choose to disrupt service, and to help commuters adjust to whatever happens, we have committed to posting real time updates to a twitter feed (@nojusticenobart), so the public can find out about the status of the protest, what station we are at, and how BART is dealing with passengers who want to ride the trains.
2011-09-08 "Kondylis, Vallejo's county supervisor, calling it quits when term ends
Solano supervisor, a longtime Vallejo politician, won't seek re-election in 2012" by Sarah Rohrs from "Vallejo Times-Herald"
[http://www.timesheraldonline.com/ci_18850016]
After nearly 30 years in public office, Solano County Supervisor Barbara Kondylis said Wednesday it's time for her to retire, travel and spend more time with her family.
Kondylis, 68, now in her fifth term as a county supervisor, announced she will not seek re-election in next year's June primary.
A supervisor since 1993, Kondylis also served on the Vallejo City Council from 1979-88.
"It's been a privilege to do what I've been doing for the last 30 years and it's been fun and rewarding and I hope nobody gets mad at me for being selfish," Kondylis said.
With Kondylis retiring, the field is wide open for newcomers in the 2012 election.
Kondylis easily won re-election in 2008 against one challenger, ran unopposed in 2004, and in 2000 narrowly defeated former mayor Terry Curtola.
Vallejo City Councilwoman Stephanie Gomes said she is "seriously considering" running for Kondylis seat, but has not yet finalized her decision. Kondylis and Gomes have been political allies for years.
Fellow County Supervisor Linda Seifert said she was surprised to hear of Kondylis' announcement, and wished her well.
"She's a strong advocate for children and the downtrodden," Seifert said. "She's been very committed to environmental issues and not ever hesitated to take on the majority when her position differed. Her kind of courage is something that I personally will miss," she added.
Longtime supporter Richard Martinez, a Solano County Fair Association board member, said Kondylis' biggest accomplishments have always revolved around children, families and low-income residents.
"She's always worked hard for the underdog," Martinez said.
Her 2008 campaign manager, Pam Keith, said Kondylis deserves a break but said it's bittersweet she's stepping down.
"You would be hard put to find anybody who will be as strong and as a committed advocate for the children of Solano County as Barbara Kondylis," Keith said.
Rep. George Miller, D-Martinez, emailed a comment saying he has appreciated Kondylis' service.
"She has been a great advocate for children, families and for the environment. She never shied from controversy and she will leave big shoes to fill," Miller said.
Often the lone member of the board minority, Kondylis is known for speaking her mind and taking stands. She voted against the 2010 budget, publicly claimed her colleagues had committed open-meeting law violations and said that sexism has prevented her from being selected board chair over the years.
Kondylis also opposes the Solano360 fairgrounds development project as a waste of money, and angrily denounced her removal from a fair committee.
While on the City Council, Kondylis sued her own city over traffic impacts related to Cullinan Ranch development along Highway 37.
Of her City Council years, Kondylis said she is most proud of helping to make property available for a battered women's shelter now run by SafeQuest Solano.
Children also are at the center of Kondylis' list of her major county achievements, including the Office of Family Violence and Prevention and of the Court Appointed Special Advocates. The latter helps abused children through the court system.
Despite strides, Kondylis said continuous state and federal budget cuts have made the county's social service role nearly impossible to carry out.
A relatively new Vallejo resident in the mid-1970s, she said she never intended to get into local politics. She said, however, that she got mad at the city for its plans to build a 180-unit apartment building along the waterfront. She got hooked on Planning Commission and City Council meetings.
She ran for City Council in 1977, lost and then ran again and won in 1979. After two terms she ran for mayor and lost to Tony Intintoli, Jr. A year later, she ran for supervisor, but lost in a race against current Mayor Osby Davis. She ran again and was elected in 1992.
Kondylis said if she was younger and had more energy, she would eagerly run for a sixth term. She added she's been thinking about stepping down for about a year.
"The basic fact is that I'm 68 years old," Kondylis said. "So when I retire I will be 70 and that will be
30 years. I want to have fun. I don't want to feel guilty because I take a weekend off."
Solano supervisor, a longtime Vallejo politician, won't seek re-election in 2012" by Sarah Rohrs from "Vallejo Times-Herald"
[http://www.timesheraldonline.com/ci_18850016]
After nearly 30 years in public office, Solano County Supervisor Barbara Kondylis said Wednesday it's time for her to retire, travel and spend more time with her family.
Kondylis, 68, now in her fifth term as a county supervisor, announced she will not seek re-election in next year's June primary.
A supervisor since 1993, Kondylis also served on the Vallejo City Council from 1979-88.
"It's been a privilege to do what I've been doing for the last 30 years and it's been fun and rewarding and I hope nobody gets mad at me for being selfish," Kondylis said.
With Kondylis retiring, the field is wide open for newcomers in the 2012 election.
Kondylis easily won re-election in 2008 against one challenger, ran unopposed in 2004, and in 2000 narrowly defeated former mayor Terry Curtola.
Vallejo City Councilwoman Stephanie Gomes said she is "seriously considering" running for Kondylis seat, but has not yet finalized her decision. Kondylis and Gomes have been political allies for years.
Fellow County Supervisor Linda Seifert said she was surprised to hear of Kondylis' announcement, and wished her well.
"She's a strong advocate for children and the downtrodden," Seifert said. "She's been very committed to environmental issues and not ever hesitated to take on the majority when her position differed. Her kind of courage is something that I personally will miss," she added.
Longtime supporter Richard Martinez, a Solano County Fair Association board member, said Kondylis' biggest accomplishments have always revolved around children, families and low-income residents.
"She's always worked hard for the underdog," Martinez said.
Her 2008 campaign manager, Pam Keith, said Kondylis deserves a break but said it's bittersweet she's stepping down.
"You would be hard put to find anybody who will be as strong and as a committed advocate for the children of Solano County as Barbara Kondylis," Keith said.
Rep. George Miller, D-Martinez, emailed a comment saying he has appreciated Kondylis' service.
"She has been a great advocate for children, families and for the environment. She never shied from controversy and she will leave big shoes to fill," Miller said.
Often the lone member of the board minority, Kondylis is known for speaking her mind and taking stands. She voted against the 2010 budget, publicly claimed her colleagues had committed open-meeting law violations and said that sexism has prevented her from being selected board chair over the years.
Kondylis also opposes the Solano360 fairgrounds development project as a waste of money, and angrily denounced her removal from a fair committee.
While on the City Council, Kondylis sued her own city over traffic impacts related to Cullinan Ranch development along Highway 37.
Of her City Council years, Kondylis said she is most proud of helping to make property available for a battered women's shelter now run by SafeQuest Solano.
Children also are at the center of Kondylis' list of her major county achievements, including the Office of Family Violence and Prevention and of the Court Appointed Special Advocates. The latter helps abused children through the court system.
Despite strides, Kondylis said continuous state and federal budget cuts have made the county's social service role nearly impossible to carry out.
A relatively new Vallejo resident in the mid-1970s, she said she never intended to get into local politics. She said, however, that she got mad at the city for its plans to build a 180-unit apartment building along the waterfront. She got hooked on Planning Commission and City Council meetings.
She ran for City Council in 1977, lost and then ran again and won in 1979. After two terms she ran for mayor and lost to Tony Intintoli, Jr. A year later, she ran for supervisor, but lost in a race against current Mayor Osby Davis. She ran again and was elected in 1992.
Kondylis said if she was younger and had more energy, she would eagerly run for a sixth term. She added she's been thinking about stepping down for about a year.
"The basic fact is that I'm 68 years old," Kondylis said. "So when I retire I will be 70 and that will be
30 years. I want to have fun. I don't want to feel guilty because I take a weekend off."
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
2011-09-07 "Vallejo man takes new look at the Bible" by Sarah Rohrs from "Vallejo Times-Herald" newspaper
[http://www.timesheraldonline.com/ci_18841417]
Was Eve really responsible for the fall of mankind, or is the story of her and Adam and their banishment from the Garden of Eden in the Bible's opening chapters a symbolic story about something else entirely?
After studying the Bible for years, Vallejo writer Sean Maddox says he can answer that question. He claims the story of Adam and Eve plus many other core stories in the Bible have been wrongly interpreted and translated.
And one of the biggest distortions is the Bible's references to "the Goddess," said Maddox, a retired Bay Area corporate executive who moved to Vallejo in 1997 to write, and is now offering courses on his religious studies.
His thoughts and interpretations of the goddess and the Bible form the subject of a three-part lecture series he will lead at the Vallejo Center, Solano Community College's satellite campus.
Author of a 3,000-page book about the Old Testament, Maddox lived in San Rafael before moving to Vallejo to reduce expenses and write. Over the years, he's done some community work, and also considered running for mayor.
"The Goddess in the Bible" will run 7 to 9 p.m. over three Wednesdays starting Sept. 28. The $45 course takes place at 545 Columbus Parkway.
Using artwork, plus the Scriptures themselves, Maddox will offer answers on what he says is "really going on in the Bible's cryptic tales." The course is only the tip of the iceberg of his 20-year quest to understand the Bible, he said.
Maddox said the Bible, considered patriarchal or masculine, does contain references to the goddess, but they are concealed in stories, plus veiled in metaphor, mystery and mythology.
This course will use world mythologies, sacred traditions and literature to explore the Bible in search of the feminine face of God, Maddox said.
Upon closer readings, he said, students will find the goddess in virtually every story and poem and, in doing so, that the Bible is, above all else, a great love story.
The Bible has always been a central book in Maddox's life though he took a break from the tome during his early adulthood. Following a series of personal crises in his early 40s, he delved back into the book, which he pored over while a boy in Oklahoma's rural "Bible belt."
However, this time around the stories puzzled him, he said. Further he was bothered he could find no reference to a goddess or sacred feminine figure. Hence, he set out to find her and try to answer why she was feared, vilified and banished.
Some Christians, particularly those in conservative fundamental sects, may find Maddox's interpretations and observations about the Bible offensive, he said.
However, he said he hopes people will bring an open mind for what he calls a non-denominational, non-sectarian program.
"I want people to get beyond their judgments and to look at the Bible as a way of teaching us about our higher spiritual nature," Maddox said.
Anyone interested in taking the course can register online at http://solano.augustoft.net or by calling (707) 864-7115.
[http://www.timesheraldonline.com/ci_18841417]
Was Eve really responsible for the fall of mankind, or is the story of her and Adam and their banishment from the Garden of Eden in the Bible's opening chapters a symbolic story about something else entirely?
After studying the Bible for years, Vallejo writer Sean Maddox says he can answer that question. He claims the story of Adam and Eve plus many other core stories in the Bible have been wrongly interpreted and translated.
And one of the biggest distortions is the Bible's references to "the Goddess," said Maddox, a retired Bay Area corporate executive who moved to Vallejo in 1997 to write, and is now offering courses on his religious studies.
His thoughts and interpretations of the goddess and the Bible form the subject of a three-part lecture series he will lead at the Vallejo Center, Solano Community College's satellite campus.
Author of a 3,000-page book about the Old Testament, Maddox lived in San Rafael before moving to Vallejo to reduce expenses and write. Over the years, he's done some community work, and also considered running for mayor.
"The Goddess in the Bible" will run 7 to 9 p.m. over three Wednesdays starting Sept. 28. The $45 course takes place at 545 Columbus Parkway.
Using artwork, plus the Scriptures themselves, Maddox will offer answers on what he says is "really going on in the Bible's cryptic tales." The course is only the tip of the iceberg of his 20-year quest to understand the Bible, he said.
Maddox said the Bible, considered patriarchal or masculine, does contain references to the goddess, but they are concealed in stories, plus veiled in metaphor, mystery and mythology.
This course will use world mythologies, sacred traditions and literature to explore the Bible in search of the feminine face of God, Maddox said.
Upon closer readings, he said, students will find the goddess in virtually every story and poem and, in doing so, that the Bible is, above all else, a great love story.
The Bible has always been a central book in Maddox's life though he took a break from the tome during his early adulthood. Following a series of personal crises in his early 40s, he delved back into the book, which he pored over while a boy in Oklahoma's rural "Bible belt."
However, this time around the stories puzzled him, he said. Further he was bothered he could find no reference to a goddess or sacred feminine figure. Hence, he set out to find her and try to answer why she was feared, vilified and banished.
Some Christians, particularly those in conservative fundamental sects, may find Maddox's interpretations and observations about the Bible offensive, he said.
However, he said he hopes people will bring an open mind for what he calls a non-denominational, non-sectarian program.
"I want people to get beyond their judgments and to look at the Bible as a way of teaching us about our higher spiritual nature," Maddox said.
Anyone interested in taking the course can register online at http://solano.augustoft.net or by calling (707) 864-7115.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
