Protest Reports
As a leftist, I already came from a political analysis that was anti-prison, and thought that I had a fairly good idea of what being in jail would be like. I certainly knew it wasn't going to fun when I volunteered to get arrested with the Sodexo workers in an attempt to shame Sodexo- so as to allow its workers to form a union. The Ohio State University hires its food service workers through Sodexo, an international company, which has been paying many of its worker's just barely over minimum wage, not gauranteeing them hours, and offering no health care or benefits. Many of these same workers are expected to raise a family on these wages. To the rational person, it is insane and quite frankly, impossible. The way that our society has shaped class politics in this country (and all over the world) has always disgusted me, and a few hours in jail seemed like a small sacrifice if it meant holding a multi-million dollar company accountable for not paying or treating its worker's fairly. Despite how much Angela Davis I've read, however, I was not prepared for emotional turmoil that jail is when one is a prisoner.
It was Tax Day in the Buckeye State, America's most consistent political barometer. A crowd of around 4000 protesters packed the Ohio Statehouse lawn. Is the self-proclaimed Tea Party movement a mere Republican Party-manufactured astro-turf organization or an authentic and autonomous grassroots populist crusade?
Well, they appear to be neither and both. The people are angry in the heartland and the thunder is almost all on the right.
There were the traditional April 15th anti-taxers and Libertarians and the usual rhetoric from the podium that we're being taxed to death. The "death tax" is emerging as a key issue in Ohio elections this year. Steve Stivers, Republican candidate for Congress in the 15th district has been hammering the issue hard in his race against Democratic Congresswoman Mary Jo Kilroy. Speakers at the podium solicited signatures for a petition drive to outlaw Ohio's "death tax" or, as the state calls it, estate tax.
Well, they appear to be neither and both. The people are angry in the heartland and the thunder is almost all on the right.
There were the traditional April 15th anti-taxers and Libertarians and the usual rhetoric from the podium that we're being taxed to death. The "death tax" is emerging as a key issue in Ohio elections this year. Steve Stivers, Republican candidate for Congress in the 15th district has been hammering the issue hard in his race against Democratic Congresswoman Mary Jo Kilroy. Speakers at the podium solicited signatures for a petition drive to outlaw Ohio's "death tax" or, as the state calls it, estate tax.
In the months leading up to the most recent protest in Washington, D.C. against the US wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, activists and writers such as Cindy Sheehan and David Swanson have called for shutting down business-as-usual in the capital city. Comment
But on March 20, instead of a hundred thousand or even tens of thousands of protesters, it was evident from first-hand observation that the event drew, at most, a few thousand people.
Far from disrupting business-as-usual, the anti-war protest---which took place on a Saturday--seemed to blend in with the flow of tourists and locals enjoying the warm, sunny weather in our nation's capital. On that weekend, far more prominent in mainstream news was the health-care reform showdown in Congress and the immigration reform rally which drew more than 200,000 people to the National Mall.
But some of the ordinary protesters who did show up advocate revolution or other ways of intensifying resistance against what they regard as imperialism and militarism.
But on March 20, instead of a hundred thousand or even tens of thousands of protesters, it was evident from first-hand observation that the event drew, at most, a few thousand people.
Far from disrupting business-as-usual, the anti-war protest---which took place on a Saturday--seemed to blend in with the flow of tourists and locals enjoying the warm, sunny weather in our nation's capital. On that weekend, far more prominent in mainstream news was the health-care reform showdown in Congress and the immigration reform rally which drew more than 200,000 people to the National Mall.
But some of the ordinary protesters who did show up advocate revolution or other ways of intensifying resistance against what they regard as imperialism and militarism.
Part of the dilemma in Palestine is that the more the “peace” process is delayed, moving nowhere, the more Israel gains in the way of confiscated and settled land. There are two basic solutions: either a one state solution (whether bi-national or otherwise); or a two state solution with Palestine existing on some remnant of land left over from Israeli settlement. A recent combination of events/ideas has left me wondering if the one state solution is perhaps the only remaining solution if not the de facto situation now.
Christian Peacemakers
I recently attended a local presentation of Christian Peacemakers (CPT) on their experiences in Hebron in Palestine. The main presenter Johann Funk is a Mennonite who has been to Hebron several times recently. The CPT ideal as presented on their website is a powerful statement of intent:
CPT embraces the vision of unarmed intervention waged by committed peacemakers ready to risk injury and death in bold attempts to transform lethal conflict through the nonviolent power of God’s truth and love.
Christian Peacemakers
I recently attended a local presentation of Christian Peacemakers (CPT) on their experiences in Hebron in Palestine. The main presenter Johann Funk is a Mennonite who has been to Hebron several times recently. The CPT ideal as presented on their website is a powerful statement of intent:
CPT embraces the vision of unarmed intervention waged by committed peacemakers ready to risk injury and death in bold attempts to transform lethal conflict through the nonviolent power of God’s truth and love.
The most recent anti-war protest in Washington D.C. felt like a festival or a big concert, at least for a while, as I basked in the emotional warmth of the crowd and the physical warmth of that sunny Saturday. But then Joe Lombardo, a member of the National Assembly, a network of anti-war groups, gave a speech that linked globalization with the US wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Whether or not his amplified voice was heard by anyone across the street in the White House, what he said killed the buzz I had from cycling amidst national icons. For better or worse, Lombardo's speech diminished my springtime-induced optimism. Comment
“ The flight of US industry from US shores to find cheaper resources and labor with no unions and no environmental, or health, or safety regulations –a process known as globalization—has required new military thinking. To protect US corporate interests abroad we now have our military in over 135 countries with close to 800 permanent foreign military bases. Our now globalized economy will mean permanent war as US corporate-controlled government seeks to protect US corporate interests abroad.
“ The flight of US industry from US shores to find cheaper resources and labor with no unions and no environmental, or health, or safety regulations –a process known as globalization—has required new military thinking. To protect US corporate interests abroad we now have our military in over 135 countries with close to 800 permanent foreign military bases. Our now globalized economy will mean permanent war as US corporate-controlled government seeks to protect US corporate interests abroad.
Call : West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin’s office at 1-888-438-2731; Jeff Jerosinski, Vice President of Finance for Massey Energy at 1- 804- 788- 1868; the company’s main number 1-804-788-1800; and WV State Police Public Information Officer at 304 746 2113 Donations of money would also help.
As Eric Blevins and Amanda Nitchman continue to endure the cold and being confined to platforms 60 feet above the ground, the WV State Police and WV Governor Joe Manchin neglect to stop Massey Energy from tormenting the two remaining protesters, according to Climate Ground Zero. The coal mining company is using air horns, which may cause permanent hearing loss to the protesters, and floodlights in an attempt to end the stand off.
“We have called them (the state police) upwards of 9 times…They have acknowledged the statute that says what they (Massey Energy) are doing is felony endangerment, but they’ve declined to do anything about it. The county prosecutor has also been notified, and he’s passed the responsibility off to the police,” said Nora Graubard, who works with Climate Ground Zero.
As Eric Blevins and Amanda Nitchman continue to endure the cold and being confined to platforms 60 feet above the ground, the WV State Police and WV Governor Joe Manchin neglect to stop Massey Energy from tormenting the two remaining protesters, according to Climate Ground Zero. The coal mining company is using air horns, which may cause permanent hearing loss to the protesters, and floodlights in an attempt to end the stand off.
“We have called them (the state police) upwards of 9 times…They have acknowledged the statute that says what they (Massey Energy) are doing is felony endangerment, but they’ve declined to do anything about it. The county prosecutor has also been notified, and he’s passed the responsibility off to the police,” said Nora Graubard, who works with Climate Ground Zero.
Since Thursday morning, David Aaron Smith, 23, Amber Nitchman, 19 and Eric Blevins, 28, have interrupted strip mining operations in the Bee Tree Area of Coal River Mountain. Smith, after experiencing numbness in his legs, came down from his tree-sit yesterday and was arrested. As the protest continues today with two tree-sitters remaining, activists with Climate Ground Zero and Mountain Justice urge people to phone the office of WV Governor Joe Manchin at 1-888-438-2731. Calls can also be made to Massey Energy V.P. of Finance, Jeff Jerosinski, at 1- 804- 788- 1868; Massey Energy President Baxter Phillips at 1-804-788-1807 ; and the company’s main number 1-804-788-1800.
The security staff for Massey Energy has been using flood lights and air horns in an attempt to force down the tree sitters by depriving them of sleep, according to a statement by Climate Ground Zero. Massey officials have not returned phone calls from the Columbus Free Press.
The security staff for Massey Energy has been using flood lights and air horns in an attempt to force down the tree sitters by depriving them of sleep, according to a statement by Climate Ground Zero. Massey officials have not returned phone calls from the Columbus Free Press.
The recent actions of people from around the world in support of the Palestinian people in Gaza have arguably represented the closest manifestation of international solidarity since the International Brigades against fascism during the Spanish Civil War. A bold assertion?
Admittedly, I may not be as in tune with reality as I should be. Born and raised in a Gaza refugee camp where most refugees felt that no one cared about their plight, it was easy to believe that nothing could possibly break away from the ever tenuous and redundant stances by Arab and other countries — whose acts of solidarity went no further than hollow words of condemnation. The recent noble stances by activists from all over the world therefore seem like an unprecedented act of solidarity which, dare I believe, indicates the direct mass involvement of civil society as a real party in the ongoing Palestinian struggle for political and human rights.
Admittedly, I may not be as in tune with reality as I should be. Born and raised in a Gaza refugee camp where most refugees felt that no one cared about their plight, it was easy to believe that nothing could possibly break away from the ever tenuous and redundant stances by Arab and other countries — whose acts of solidarity went no further than hollow words of condemnation. The recent noble stances by activists from all over the world therefore seem like an unprecedented act of solidarity which, dare I believe, indicates the direct mass involvement of civil society as a real party in the ongoing Palestinian struggle for political and human rights.
There will be a rally for addressing Climate Change at the State House on Saturday, Oct 24. The event will be one of 3,769 actions in 163 countries taking place on that day, according to the website of 350, the environmental group founded by writer Bill McKibben and some of his colleagues.
Fittingly, the rally in downtown Columbus is scheduled to begin at 3:50 pm, not to be confused with, but surely to be mentally associated with, 350 ppm (parts per million). That is the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere that NASA’s James Hansen and other scientists say the world should be below in order to avoid catastrophic climate change.
Compare that with the 450 parts per million target of the Waxman-Markey Bill which passed the House at the end of June and the Kerry-Boxer Bill now in the Senate. Many environmentalists such as Deborah Steele, a Columbus-based field organizer for Greenpeace USA, are calling for stronger measures, ones that involve stabilizing atmospheric C02 at 350 parts per million. “The main point of the rally is that the science is clear. We need to take bold action,” Steele said.
Compare that with the 450 parts per million target of the Waxman-Markey Bill which passed the House at the end of June and the Kerry-Boxer Bill now in the Senate. Many environmentalists such as Deborah Steele, a Columbus-based field organizer for Greenpeace USA, are calling for stronger measures, ones that involve stabilizing atmospheric C02 at 350 parts per million. “The main point of the rally is that the science is clear. We need to take bold action,” Steele said.
On Sept 20, The Toledo Blade published an article in which President Obama is quoted as saying, in reference to the G-20, “protests about abstractions [such] as global capitalism or something, generally, are not really going to make much of a difference." While I am not sure what the opposition to the G-20 accomplished last week in Pittsburgh, I found that many of the activists there were quite concrete about what they don’t like about the elite economic club.
(To express the details of what you do or don’t like about the G-20 and other global financial institutions or about the protests, contact the Columbus Free Press at truth@freepress.org or phone 614-202-0178 and your input will be added to this article).
On Sept 24, about 150 people gathered for the People’s Tribunal against the G-20 at the Emanuel Episcopal Church in an area of Pittsburgh called the North Side. This part of town was quiet with no more than the usual amount of police I have seen in various cities.
(To express the details of what you do or don’t like about the G-20 and other global financial institutions or about the protests, contact the Columbus Free Press at truth@freepress.org or phone 614-202-0178 and your input will be added to this article).
On Sept 24, about 150 people gathered for the People’s Tribunal against the G-20 at the Emanuel Episcopal Church in an area of Pittsburgh called the North Side. This part of town was quiet with no more than the usual amount of police I have seen in various cities.