Peace and Dignity Journeys is an intercontinental spiritual run, held every four years, that began in Alaska and Tierra del Fuego in May, is passing through hundreds of indigenous communities, and will meet at the Panama Canal in November. The goals of the journey include strengthening and sharing indigenous culture and uniting indigenous peoples -- thereby fulfilling the prophecy of the Eagle and the Condor. This year's journey is focused on honoring indigenous sacred sites, so many of which are threatened by development and resource exploitation, including San Francisco Peaks, Ward Valley, Black Mesa, Yucca Mountain and Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

The run arrived in the San Diego region at the Cahuilla Reservation on Monday, will journey to the Pala Reservation on Tuesday, Chican@ Park Wednesday and Thursday, and to the Manzanita Reservation on Friday, stopping at or meeting with communities from many of San Diego County's 19 reservations along the way.

San Diego has contributed five core runners, those who will complete the entire journey. Please come out on Wednesday to support our compañer@s: Ymoat (Berta), Oscar, Gaby, Arturo and Abel.

Welcoming Program and Ceremony: Wed July 23 5pm Chican@ Park -- flyer

Runners' Blog, Photos and Video (en/es): Peace and Dignity Journeys 2008 Blogs | Northern Route Slideshow | Video from Abel (coming soon) | Map (coming soon)

Interviews with San Diego Runners: Ymoat | Gaby and Arturo | Abel and Oscar

Peace and Dignity Journeys Website
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Cyclist Killed by Car in Hillcrest (7/20/08)
from a: On Friday around midnight a motorist struck a cyclist in Hillcrest at the intersection of Park Blvd and University Ave. He was taken to the UCSD Medical Center where he remained in critical condition until this afternoon when he passed away.

His name is Atip.

The bike community is encouraged to come out to support the friends and family of a cyclist that will pedal no more. There will be a vigil and a ghost bike memorial at the location of the incident:

Sunday July 20 8PM.
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UCSD Service Workers Strike for a Living Wage (7/18/08)
This past week 8500 UC service workers held a strike to highlight UC's intransigence in providing a living wage for thousands of their hardest working employees - wages are 25% below the low wages for service workers at community colleges and 96% of UC service workers are eligible for public assistance, by most accounts higher than the comparable figure for Walmart associates. UC is one of the world's wealthiest universities, sufficiently flush with cash to provide almost a million dollars per year to their president, off-scale salaries to their administrators and funds for an ecologically destructive opulent building spree.

The strike was complicated by a temporary restraining order issued by SF judge Patrick J. Mahoney, who has a history of siding with elites on such topics as gentrification and gang injunctions. This is a typical management strategy - find a compliant judge (preferably one who belongs to the same exclusive clubs or wants to) to issue an injunction right before a strike, with a hearing date weeks later where the management complaint will be found to be unsupported by the facts. More about the injunction here.

from lotu5: As the students drove past the picket in their cars, they seemed unaware of what was going on, unaware that their future rights as employees are on the line with this strike, as the chorus of bosses saying that we just have to buckle down for hard economic times and work more for less money rises, these workers are bravely standing up and saying NO. With this week's economic bailout of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, people are literally running on the banks and pulling out their money. Its already beginning to sound like the days before the uprising in Argentina in 2001, with a story I heard on the radio yesterday saying that the police had to intervene to calm down a situation at a Freddie Mac branch in escondido. Yet with all of the uncertainty, AFSCME service workers are braving the threats of being fired to collectively stand up and demand that they be paid a living wage because it is perfectly clear that the university has millions, it just chooses to spend it on the people it thinks are more important. The injunction itself proves how important these workers are. --Read More--

Photos: UCSD Med Center (SCAR Media Collective) | UCSD Campus (dj lotu5)

Videos: UCSD Med Center (SCAR Media Collective) | Facing Poverty at UC (Cristensen/Brashear)

AFSCME Local 3299 Website | Indybay Report
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UCSD and Community Groups Oppose I.C.E. Raids (7/16/08)
Following a May 15 raid by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) of the French Gourmet catering company in Pacific Beach in which 18 workers were kidnapped, UCSD student and community groups organized a rally and forum on May 22 to express their outrage and organize against future raids, and a benefit dinner on June 14 at which over $800 was raised to assist the families of the workers.

Video (two parts) from UCSD Forum and Photos from Benefit Dinner || Rally and Forum Announcement || More Information
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Organizing North of San Diego (7/14/08)
from ken: we are the anarcat collective, a group of mostly student aged activists in the temecula/murrieta area... we do food not bombs twice a month and bike rides, we're looking to network with groups in the area for coordinated actions and help with outreach. se habla spanglish --Read More--

anarcat july schedule:
19-bike n hike
20-meeting at the park 24-anarlit club meeting @ perks coffee (ynez/winchester)& flier night
25-bike ride starting at the duck pond, meet at 7pm
27-FOOD NOT BOMBS BREAKFAST DAY!

from E4SJ: As residents of Escondido, a city rich in culture and history, we can look longer sit and watch the injustices that are being committed on behalf of the Escondido City Council and the Minutemen groups...We do not want Escondido to be another Rancho Bernardo; we want our city back. A city that welcomes everyone who lives and visits here. Escondidians for Social Justice e-mail: esco4justice [at] gmail.com web: http://www.care2.com/c2c/group/E4SJ --Read More--
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San Diego Resists Biotech (07/14/08)
The BIO convention, the major anual gathering of the biotech industry where the elites pat themselves on the back and pitch their bioweapons of mass destruction, dangerous engineered foods, and further plans for crushing small-scale agriculture, met at the San Diego convention center during the week June 17-20.

San Diegans expressed their resistance to biotech's corporate fantasyland in a number of ways throughout the week, including Reclaim the Streets, Say Goodbye to Biotech Party, Zombies Swarm San Diego and two film screenings (1 | 2).

from Rocky/SD Renters Union: It was June 19th, 2008, the usual would-be “masters of the universe” were in town. Twenty-two thousand conspirators, Corporate CEO’s of polluting companies, chemists dedicated to turning pure foods into unnatural concoctions, various snake oil salespersons – all dedicated to owning, hoarding and selling the total processes of life – were enshrined in San Diego’s finest hotels for the annual convention of the Biotechnology Industry Organization, or BIO... Our spunky youth of last week marched right up to the glass doors of the Convention Center. “Fuck you, don’t mess with our future” and “You assholes, messing with people’s live,” they spat at startled bio-tech CEO’s and lackeys. Chanting “Bio-tech, go home,” they stood, eye-to eye, with corporate executives wearing Rolex Watches and designer clothes. Wealthy Sheiks and bought politicians from foreign lands, trembled as they realized that there is, indeed, opposition to their ownership of the world... Hours of confrontation, challenging, cursing , singing, marching up and down the sidewalk, frightening the delegates, while the police looked on helplessly; recharged and energized this small contingent (our hope for the future). Soon, the world will tremble; these youth, like millions of their brothers and sisters across the globe, in the Lacandon jungle or the slums of Caracas, will overthrow a corporate-owned humanity. --Read More--

from Don J/Scar Media Collective: I can't help but to emphasize the need for critique of what happened surrounding these protests/ events. It is also important to note that romanticizing or just straight lying about what happened at any event is not helpful to any movement, which is trying to make concrete and sustainable change... The RTS in itself lacked the appearance and feeling of being organized at all and was far from a movement that would "soon make the world tremble.." as described by Rocky...With the lack of numbers and the lack of cohesion, it was extremely obvious that the event took place without much preparation (lack of people, few if any affinity groups and general confusion)... The movie night also lacked organization. The documentary from Bio Justice 2001 was obviously unscreened, the outreach did not reach far (not very many people attended) and the people who were supposed to be centers of discussion left... I cannot say much as far as the Food Not Bombs and the Free Market went because I caught the end. I will note that it did end early, but I respect ideas for resistance that revolve around creating community instead marching and yelling....The zombie swarm was a complete mess. A total of 6 or 7 zombies came out... I can only sum this up to lack of preparation and outreach. --Read More--

Videos: BIO Protest Summary | Biojustice Week 2008 Video

Photos: 1 | 2

Biotech Medicine Zine
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The Eagle and The Condor: Peace and Dignity Journeys Benefit Concert (07/11/08)
A concert will take place at the World Beat Center on Sat July 12 7PM -- a fundraiser and awarenessraiser for the Peace and Dignity Journeys. The funds raised will go to help support the runners, including five of our compañer@s from San Diego: Ymoat (Berta), Oscar, Gaby, Arturo and Abel.

Peace and Dignity Journeys is a run from Alaska and Tierra del Fuego, meeting in Panama, to strengthen indigenous culture and unite indigenous communities. It has particular significance in the borderlands where indigenous people have been divided by arbitrary boundaries.

The run is going to be arriving in the San Diego region on July 21 (Cahulla Reservation), and at Chican@ Park on July 23 5PM. On that day, a feeder run from the border will meet the runners between the World Beat and the Centro and then proceed together to Chican@ Park for a welcoming ceremony.

Video (Gabriella and Arturo) | Video (Berta) | Benefit Flyer | Peace and Dignity Journeys Website | Video (Abel and Oscar)

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Goodbye Biotech: A Week of Events in San Diego (6/17/08)
San Diego, a major center for biotechnology, was named the top biotech cluster in 2004 - it hosts 500 biomed businesses which employ almost 40,000 people and is claimed to have an $8.5 billion economic impact on the region each year. As a consequence, the political, economic, educational and corporate media elites grovel at the feet of this cash fountain.

Obscured by all this cheerleading are the issues of exploitation and destruction that form the core of the biotech industry, including greed, co-optation and annihilation of traditional farming, disregard for food safety, and bioweapons. The biotech industry is holding their major bureaucratic capitalistic gathering at the San Diego Convention Center June 17-20, and groups in San Diego have organized a series of events to provide the space for opposition to the industry to be expressed, including:

Documentary Screening: King Corn Mon June 16 6pm Libertalia 3834 5th

Reclaim the Streets
Tue June 17 3pm
Rally at SD City College/Park and A

Film Screening: BioJustice 2001 Wed June 18 6:30pm City Heights Free Skool 4246 Wightman

Say Goodbye to Biotech Party! Thurs June 19 1-7pm Children's Park Across from Convention Center, Downtown:
---1pm Food Not Bombs Lunch and Really Really Free Market
---2-4pm Workshops
---4pm Microbiologist Mike Copass
---5-7pm Entertainment, Games, Noise!

Zombies Swarm San Diego Thurs June 19 8pm Gaslamp District, Downtown

San Diego Indymedia welcomes eyewitness accounts, photos, audio, video and other forms of documentation of this week's events from members of our communities. Click on Publish>> at the top of the right column.
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Stop Biotech! (6/11/08)
kindle writes: "Just like other capitalist bureaucratic gatherings such as the ones of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Democratic and Republican Conventions (DNC/RNC), BIO is unable to go anywhere without the confrontation of mass protests and demonstrations. On June 17th - 20th, San Diego will become a foreground for community and resistance building outside the confines of business as usual."

"The safety of genetic engineering is sloppy, imprecise, and extremely unpredictable and has no scientific basis. Institutes of biotechnology and nanotechnology are developing new weapons and war machines to continue the costly and unending wars waged by the United States throughout Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. Companies such as Monsato and DuPont will be present at this years BIO Convention, showcasing biochemical weapons to federal agencies and other paramilitary forces. Delegates of the WTO, FTAA, NAFTA, and other advocates of globalization are constantly manipulating and devising strategies to protect capital and profit of biotechnology companies. The greedy interests of government and corporations will be well represented at the BIO Convention with hopes to further their capitalist agenda."

"Throughout the week we will seek to reclaim the commons and demonstrate the alternatives to biotechnology and capitalist greed. Let this be our opportunity to disrupt and counter their convention to let it be known that biotechnology is not welcome in San Diego." --Read More from kindle--

Reclaim the Streets
Tue June 17 3pm
Rally at SD City College/Park and A
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NO to Blackwater (06/10/08)
San Diegans' battle to shut-down Blackwater's new foothold on the West Coast, just blocks from the Cal-Mex border in Otay Mesa, California is heating up. Blackwater opened the facility under clouds of subterfuge and obvious circumvention of local laws, finally using a temporary restraining order issued by a Federal Judge appointed by President George HW Bush, to muscle their way into the facility and avoid public hearings, environmental review and traditional public scrutiny. Last year, community members were successful in blocking Blackwater's attempt to build a 800-acre training facility in Potrero, California, also near Mexico's border. --Read More from Peace Resoure Center of San Diego--

Community Forum on Stopping Blackwater West
Tuesday, June 10 7pm
Unitarian Universalist Church 4190 Front St Hillcrest

Blackwater Panel Discussion with Jeremy Scahill
Wednesday June 11 9:30-11am
The FRONT 147 W San Ysidro Blvd

Stop ICE Raids: SpeakOut and Emergency Forum at UCSD (05/20/08)
Last Thursday (05/15/2008), I.C.E. raided a bakery in Pacific Beach, and detained at least 18 workers. Two human rights observers (affiliates of UCSD) documenting the activities of I.C.E. during this raid were threatened with arrest, aggressively questioned, and one particularly hostile I.C.E. agent took their video camera away from them.

A bakery employee who was not detained, although questioned and released, is also a current UCSD student. Soon after the raid in Pacific Beach, I.C.E. agents reappeared at the apartment of this student on the UCSD campus and subjected him to extensive interrogation and a search of his living space. After finding nothing, they left the UCSD campus, apparently with the logistical support of campus police and UCSD administration.

This series of alarming events is tied together by one common thread, the immoral and fascistic federal policy of increasing I.C.E. raids designed to strike fear into communities, divide families and undermine social protest. --Read More from VozFronteriza--

Thursday May 22 @ UCSD:
SpeakOut 11am-1pm, Library Walk
Emergency Forum 7-9pm Warren Lecture Hall Room 2113
Download the Flyer || More Info
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Say Good-Bye to Biotech! (5/19/08)
The Biotechnology Industry already has a huge presence in San Diego, but come June 17-20 they plan on taking over. Their international annual convention is being held at the downtown Convention Center on Harbor Dr. They will be discussing the usual BIO subjects: how to commodify the world's food production, genetically modify crops to disrupt sustainability, profit from human and non-human animal illnesses and torture, create weapons and the wars to sell their products, spin their unethical choices and buy public officials to fulfill their agenda. If you have $2300 I encourage you to attend and learn just how they plan to shape our world! But......

If you don't have that $2300 laying around to waste on watching scientists and capitalists patting themselves on the back speaking of ways to profit from the destruction of nature, visit the free autonomous counter convention in the downtown Children's Park, across the street from the Convention Center, on June 19th, 1-6pm. Enjoy free hot meals provided by Food Not Bombs, take some food to your family from the distribution point, pick up/drop off free goods or donate/take advantage of the free services during the Really (Really!) Free Market, learn about and embrace a sustainable future at one of the multiple workshops taking place throughout the day and network with the groups in San Diego that are working to make that future possible. --Read More from a-- || More Info

Say Goodbye to Biotech! Shindig Thurs June 19, 1-6pm Children's Park (across from convention ctr), downtown
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California Supreme Court Rules Ban on Same-Sex Marriage Violates the CA Constitution (5/15/08)
From the 4-3 decision: "...we conclude that the purpose underlying differential treatment of opposite-sex and same-sex couples embodied in California’s current marriage statutes — the interest in retaining the traditional and well-established definition of marriage — cannot properly be viewed as a compelling state interest for purposes of the equal protection clause, or as necessary to serve such an interest.... we cannot find that retention of the traditional definition of marriage constitutes a compelling state interest. Accordingly, we conclude that to the extent the current California statutory provisions limit marriage to opposite-sex couples, these statutes are unconstitutional." The case resulted from appeals following the court's previous decision overturning SF's granting of marriage licenses to non-hetero couples in 2004.

Although many are celebrating (i can hear whoops as i type this), numerous queers regret the diversion of attention and resources from broader queer and social justice issues to the narrow question of state-sanctioned marriage. Check out the decision: here (pdf)
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"National Public Safety" Paramilitaries Invade Hillcrest / Paramilitares de “National Public Safety” Invaden Hillcrest (05/12/08)
"National Public Safety", a San Diego County based private security corporation, made their presence known in Hillcrest today. NPS "officers", in full outfit (based on the US Border Patrol outfit) including guns, handcuffs, radios and mace, patrolled University delivering letters to the business owners of Hillcrest. NPS has ambitions to militarize San Diego streets in the name of profit. Offering their "clients" intimidating officers, cruisers and holding-cell vehicles with future plans of obtaining helicopters. The next Hillcrest Business Association meeting is Tuesday, May 13 from 5:00 to 6:30 PM at the Joyce Beers Community Center (1220 Cleveland Ave.) if wish to let the members know how you feel about privatized quasi-paramilitary forces in the community. --Read More from Scar Media Collective--

“National Public Safety” (Seguridad Publica Nacional), una corporación privada de seguridad basada en el condado San Diego, mostró su presencia hoy en Hillcrest. “Agentes” del NPS, de uniforme completo (basado en el uniforme de la patrulla fronteriza de EEUU) incluyendo armas de fuego, esposas, radios, y spray pimienta, patrullaron la avenida University, repartiendo cartas a los comerciantes de Hillcrest. NPS tiene ambiciones a militarizar las calles de San Diego en el nombre de ganancias. Ofrecen a sus clientes agentes atemorizantes, coches patrullas, y vehículos con celdas de detención, con planes de obtener helicópteros en el futuro. La próxima reunión del Hillcrest Business Association (Asociación de Negocios de Hillcrest) es el martes, 13 de mayo, de 5:00 a 6:30 por la tarde al Centro Comunitario Joyce Beers (1220 Cleveland Ave.) si quiere compartir con los miembros sus pensamientos sobre estas fuerzas cuasi-paramilitares privatizadas en la comunidad.  --Leer Mas por Colectivo Scar Media--

National Public Safety Corporate Website || Main Office: 892 East Madison, El Cajon | North County: 110 Escondido Ave Suite 103, Vista
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SDPD and Border Patrol Collaborate on Arrest in City Heights/Policía y patrulla fronteriza se colaboran en una detención en City Heights (05/08/08)
At approximately 10 am on Thursday, May 8, a woman was stopped by SDPD officers at the corner of University and Euclid in City Heights. Soon after being detained by the SDPD, several Border Patrol and SDPD vehicles arrived on the scene. She was then arrested, transferred to Border Patrol custody and taken away. Neighborhood residents said that for the past four or five days, the Border Patrol has been seen driving along University Avenue and even setting up checkpoints at the intersection of University and Winona. --Read More from city heights copwatch--

El jueves, 8 de mayo, aproximadamente a las diez de la mañana, policías del SDPD pararon a una mujer en la esquina de University y Euclid en City Heights. Poco después de la detención, llegaron varios vehículos de la patrulla fronteriza y SDPD. Ella estuve detenida, trasladada a la custodia de la patrulla fronteriza, y sacada. Residentes del vecindario dijeron que por los cuatro o cinco días pasados, la patrulla fronteriza ha estada vista manejando a lo largo de Avenida University y aun estableciendo puestos de control en la cruce de University y Winona. --Leer Mas por city heights copwatch--
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From Indybay: San Francisco Protests Against ICE Raids (05/06/08)
On Friday, May 2nd, immigration agents conducted a large-scale raid at taquerias across San Francisco and the East Bay. Agents arrested about 60 employees at several locations of the El Balazo chain.

ICE claims that it targets those involved in criminal activity and doesn't do random enforcement. But most of the Balazo employees had no criminal records. They were arrested for the crime of working to support their families.

On Monday May 5th, immigrant rights activists marched on the I.C.E office in San Francisco to protest the raids. --Read More on Indybay--

El viernes, 2 de mayo, agentes de inmigración realizaron una redada de gran escala en taquerías a través de San Francisco y la Bahía Este. Los agentes detuvieron unos 60 empleados en varias ubicaciones de la cadena El Balazo.

Algunos trabajadores han estado puestos en libertad pero obligados a llevar tobilleras electrónicas mientras que esperen sus vistas de deportación. Otros todavía están encarcelados. Muchos estuvieron interrogados sin representación legal.

ICE afirma enfocarse en los que tienen vínculos con actividades criminales y no hacer aplicación al azar. Pero la mayoría de los empleados de Balazo no tenían antecedentes penales. Fueron detenidos por el crimen de trabajando para alimentar a sus familias.

El lunes, 5 de mayo, activistas de derechos inmigrantes se manifestaron en la oficina del ICE en San Francisco para protestar las redadas.--Leer Mas por Indybay-- 
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May Day March for Immigrant Rights (05/04/08)
On International Workers Day, several hundred demonstrators rallied and marched from City College to Pantoja Park in downtown San Diego in support of immigrant rights, specifically: legalization for all; to stop the raids and deportations; for the right to dignified work for all, the right to migrate, the right to a just and equitable education, and the right to live in peace. A small group of minuteklan attempted to create a disturbance, but failed. A public assembly was later held at Chican@ Park.

International Workers Day began as a commemoration of the Haymarket Martyrs, who were falsely accused and convicted of involvement in the explosion of a bomb that killed a cop in Haymarket Square in Chicago on May 4, 1886. At the conclusion of a rally in favor of the eight hour work day on that date, several hundred cops charged a dwindling crowd at the rally, ordering them to disperse. A bomb was thrown into the advancing cop lines, killing one cop and prompting the cops to start shooting into the crowd indiscriminately, killing at least four demonstrators and an additional six cops, and wounding scores. Eight anarchist labor organizers were tried in the death of the first cop killed by the bomb - George Engel, Adolph Fischer, Albert Parsons and August Spies were executed, Louis Lingg committed suicide shortly before execution, and Samuel Fielden, Oscar Neebe and Michael Schwab were pardoned by the Illinois governor. A ninth, Rudolph Schnaubelt, escaped arrest. The bomb-thrower was never identified, but speculation has centered around agents from the Pinkertons, a private paramilitary force employed by wealthy elites to suppress labor organizing in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

El Día Internacional de los Trabajadores, varios cientos de manifestantes se reunieron y marcharon de City College al Parque Pantoja en el centro de San Diego para apoyar los derechos inmigrantes, específicamente: legalización para todos, un fin a las redadas y deportaciones, el derecho a trabajo dignificado para todos, el derecho a migrar, el derecho a una educación justa y equitativa, y el derecho a vivir en paz. Un grupo pequeño de minuteklan trató de crear un alboroto, pero fracasó. Más tarde, se celebró una asamblea publica en Chican@ Park.

El Día Internacional del Trabajadores empezó como conmemoración de los mártires de Haymarket, que fueron acusados falsamente y condenados por implicación en la explosión de una bomba que mató a un poli en la plaza Haymarket  en Chicago el 4 de mayo, 1886. Al final de un mitin a favor del día de trabajo de ocho horas en esa fecha, varios cientos de polis atacaron a una muchedumbre menguante en el mitin y ordenaron que ellos dispersen. Una bomba fue tirada en las líneas de polis, matando a un poli y les provocando a disparar indiscriminadamente a la muchedumbre, matando a por lo menos cuatro manifestantes y seis polis, e hiriendo a muchos. Ocho sindicalistas anarquistas fueron juzgados por la muerte del primer poli asesinato por la bomba- George Engel, Adolph Fischer, Albert Parsons y August Spies fueron ejecutados, Louis Lingg se suicidó antes de la ejecución, y Samuel Bielden, Oscar Neebe, y Michael Schwab fueron indultados por el gobernador de Illinois. Un noveno, Rudolph Schnaubelt, evitó arresto. La persona que tiró la bomba nunca se identificó, pero especulación se ha enfocado en agentes de los Pinkertons, una fuerza paramilitar privada empleada por las elites ricas para suprimir actividades sindicalistas a fines del siglo diecinueve y principios del siglo veinte. 

San Diego: May Day 2008 Photos | History, Rally and March Video | Minuteklan Goons Video

US: Rochester || Boston || Seattle || Santa Cruz/Watsonville || Arcata || San Francisco || New York City: 1 | 2 || Houston | Olympia: 1 | 2 || Tucson || Boston || Los Angeles || San Francisco Bay Area

Globe: Jakarta || Columbia || Greece || Belgium || Estrecho || Istanbul || Madrid || Trondheim || Russia || Glasgow

West Coast Ports Closed to Protest Iraq War: Portland | Seattle | Los Angeles
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Donate to Help Support Indybay and CMI Chiapas! (4/20/08)
Indybay has been hosting San Diego Indymedia's content since October of last year. Centro de Medios Independientes Chiapas has been hosting reports on the struggle in Chiapas since February, 2001. Please donate what you can to help our friends in the Bay area and Chiapas keep operating.

With much love... San Diego Indymedia

Donate to Indybay! ||| Donate to CMI Chiapas!
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Arizona Bill would Outlaw MEChA and Courses that Denigrate "American" Values like Capitalism (4/20/08)
Arizona public schools would be barred from any teachings considered counter to democracy or Western civilization under a proposal endorsed Wednesday by a legislative panel. Additionally, the measure would prohibit students of the state's universities and community colleges from forming groups based in whole or part on the race of their members, such as the Black Business Students Association at Arizona State University or Native Americans United at Northern Arizona University. Those groups would be forbidden from operating on campus. --Read More from kilo--
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radio.indymedia.org returns to the web (4/17/08)

After an absence of over a year because of a dysfunctional server, radio.indymedia.org and its archives are back. radio.indymedia.org is the Indymedia network's global radio site, including links to grassroots independent radio projects around the world, a live internet radio directory, an aggregated listing of sound files published to Indymedia sites around the world, and open publishing of radio news and content.

The return of radio.indymedia.org has particular significance for San Diego, as it was the repository for many years of programs from the activist radio station radioActive sanDiego, including nationwide and local coverage of protests against the bush inauguration, programs from Radica Radio to the Al Uh Looyah Show to Resistance Remixed to The Children's Hour to Lying Media Bastards to Temporary Autonomous Zones, DJs from Aymara to (DJette) Aporetics to lotu5 to Onto, and much, much more. A rich section of San Diego's history has come alive once again (or something like that), thanks to the hard work of the of techies at radio.indymedia.org

radioActive sanDiego Archives ARE BACK!!! | radio.indymedia.org | search for radioactive content
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New Trial for Mumia Abu-Jamal is Denied (3/27/08)
On March 27th, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit rejected all of Mumia Abu-Jamal’s demands for a new trial. In 1982 Jamal was convicted of the murder of Police Officer Daniel Faulkner in a trial where most African American jurors were systematically excluded and where critical evidence that would have proved the defendant’s innocence was excluded. The State of Pennsylvania has been ordered to hold a new sentencing hearing within 180 days. In that hearing the jury's decision will be limited to a finding of either life imprisonment, or execution by lethal injection. Jamal’s attorneys will appeal the Third Circuit's decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. --Read More from Indybay--

Campaign to End the Death Penalty | Mobilization to Free Mumia | Journalists for Mumia || Protests: Oakland | NYC | SF | Philadephia
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All Nations Healing Through Music Festival - Peace + Dignity Journey Benefit (3/21/08)
The Peace and Dignity Journeys are six month spiritual runs originating in Chickaloon, Central Alaska and Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, traveling through hundreds of Indigenous communities, and meeting in Panama. The goals include reuniting the Indigenous Peoples of the Western Hemisphere and healing the individual Indigenous communities by helping to reconnect these communities with their spiritual practices and traditions. One strand of the run will pass through San Diego in July, with the runners staying at Chican@ Park.

Four members of the San Diego community will participate as core runners in 2008, three on the northern route leaving May 1 and one on the southern route, leaving April 1. Runners Gabriella and Arturo talked about the run and their past experiences:
Gabriella - "We could just hear the drums from far away while we were running. We got closer, one of the songs we could hear was called the Warrior Women Song, of the Secwepmec Nation. We get there but there was all elder women with the drums, and I am used to seeing the brothers with the drums. It was so powerful - however late we get there, the community is anxious to receive us, they're excited and pumped up and singing for us... At the end, all the elder women on the fourth verse of the song, they held their fist up - we are one people, we are all united, we are all warriors."
Arturo - "I remember running with the main staff, it's called the Eagle Staff. Three o'clock in the morning, I wasn't prepared to run, I was just going to help with the food. One of the brothers, he put me on the spot, Jose, it's really dark, you couldn't see nothing, he said 'Who's Arturo?' ... He told me 'Look at that staff, that's the Eagle Staff, I want you to pick that up.' I was like -that's an honor dude. I went over and grabbed it in a good way. When someone really puts me out there like that, I humble myself, I really humble myself, because to grab something like that, it's a blessing to be a part of that."

All Nations Healing Through Music Festival - Peace + Dignity Journey Benefit
Saturday, March 22 6pm (doors open 5pm)
MAAC Charter School 1385 Third Avenue, Chula Vista
ALL AGES $10 Red Warrior Drummers, Kumeyaay Bird Singers, Olmeca, Cihuatl-CE, War Club, Raiz Muzik, Guerrilla Queenz, Tierra Y Libertad, Indigenous Radio, DJ Poncho, MC Ras Pablo Aztlan

Video (Gabriella and Arturo) | Video (Berta) | Benefit Flyer | Peace and Dignity Journeys Website

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San Diego War Profiteers (3/20/08)
from b: Corporate nano/bio tech industries have a major presence in San Diego. As well as other defense contractors profiting from the invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan:

Science Applications International Corporation/SAIC (10260 Campus Point Dr) //Corporate HQ
General Atomics (3550 General Atomics Ct, 3483 Dunhill St) //Corporate HQ
Qualcomm (5775 Morehouse Dr)
Bechtel (1230 Columbia St)
Bearing Point (7676 Hazard Center St)
CACI (1455 Frazee Rd #100, 2251 San Diego Ave #B126)
Lockheed Martin (3302 Pacific Hwy, 501 W Broadway #260)
Northrop Grumman (17089 Via del Campo)
General Dynamics (2789 Harbor Dr)
Raytheon (8080 Dagget St)
United Technologies (10180 Telesis Ct)
Computer Sciences Corporation/CSC/Dyncorp (4045 Hancock St)
Stevedoring Services of America (1090 Water St)
Wells Fargo (501 W Broadway #1300)
MCI/WorldCom (3949 Ruffin Rd)
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San Diego Indymedia Volunteer Recruitment Presentation (3/16/08)
San Diego Indymedia is looking for volunteers! If you are interested in participating, come to Chicana Perk on Tuesday, March 18 at 6:30pm for a presentation that will cover -- background on Indymedia and the San Diego Independent Media Center; projects San Diego Indymedia is currently working on and future directions; how to post articles, photos, audio and VIDEO!; how you can plug in as a volunteer; and how you can work towards becoming a member of the San Diego Indymedia collective.

Tuesday March 18 6:30pm
Chicana Perk 129 25th St Sherman Heights
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San Diego Indymedia Needs Laptops! (3/16/08)
San Diego Indymedia is seeking donations of Mac laptops (G4 with usb 2.0 and later) to loan to community/activist groups to help increase participation in media making, and, in particular, to help increase access to video production through San Diego Indymedia's Video Project.

If you have a laptop you would like to donate, please contact us at
imc-sd AT lists.indymedia.org
or leave a message on our voice mail:
619.378.O946

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Film Shorts at THE FRONT Friday March 14 (3/13/08)
As part of International Womyn's Month, THE FRONT will be showcasing film shorts on Friday, March 14 at 6:30PM, including: And if Iron Stand In Our Way (Womyn crossing the border), California Coalition Against Poverty, Beyond the Bling: Going Back to the Roots of Hip-Hop, Cafe en La Calle, Arte en Barrio Logan, Artificial Border and Keep it Alive; Keep it Real (Oaxaca).

THE FRONT 147 San Ysidro Blvd Fri March 14 6:30PM | More Info
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Education Not Arms March 11th Protest at School Board (3/13/08)
Students from Mission Bay and Lincoln High School continue to organize and protest the tracking of students into JROTC courses, as well as the existence of weapons training facilities on school grounds. Two students and one parent spoke during the public testimony portion of the March 11th school board meeting and about forty students protested in front of the building. Alex Velarde, a Lincoln High School student, spoke of being misled when enrolled in JROTC and forced to remain in the program until the end of the semester. Petitions with 1000 signatures were given to the board. There was an indication from some board members that they were willing to put the issue on their agenda in the future.

However, more pressure may be needed and activists intend to continue organizing. Petitions continue to circulate and supporters can sign at Chicana Perk Cafe (129 25th St in Sherman Heights) or download a petition (return by mail). Also, there will be outreach efforts taking place at a number of upcoming events, including this Saturday's anti-war rally in City Heights... new volunteers are welcome and appreciated! --Full Report from n--

Previous Report and Video | Photos 2/12 | Photos 3/11 | Website | Petition (pdf: es/en) | Flyer (pdf: es/en) | E-mail: ujimainstitute@yahoo.com
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El caso de Juan ha sido resuelto/Juan's Case is Resolved (3/13/08)
Juan Esteban Ruiz fue arrestado durante el Campamento Contra las Fronteras en la frontera entre los EE.U.U. y México el 11 de noviembre de 2007, mientras tocó el tambor, en otras palabras, ejercer sus derechos a la libertad de expresión, asamblea pacifica, y la reparación de daños especificado por la primera enmienda de la constitución de los Estados Unidos. El fue acusado de dos cargos de asaltar un agente federal. Este cargo fue reducido a "interferir" con un agente federal. Su caso ya esta cerrado. --Leer mas--

Juan Esteban Ruiz was arrested during the No Borders Camp at the U.S./Mexican border on November 11, 2007, while playing the drum, in other words, using his rights to free speech, peaceful assembly, and redress of grievances specified by the first amendment to the U.S. Constitution. He was charged with two counts of assaulting a federal officer. The charge was reduced to "interfering" with a federal officer. The case is now closed. --Read More--
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Education Not Arms! Demonstration February 12 (3/11/08)
On February 12, a mixed group of students, parents, educators, and community members protested the existence of rifle ranges in San Diego schools, as well as the practice of tracking of lower-income students into JROTC programs, often done without the informed consent of students or their parents. The protesters attended the beginning of the school board meeting, and four participants addressed the school board during the time reserved for public comment. It remains to be seen whether the school board will make the issue an agenda item for a future board meeting, which would be the first administrative step necessary for addressing the problems. When the public comment time ended, the board members moved on to their agenda items while the protesters walked out and held a demonstration outside the building.

A subsequent protest was held at the board meeting on March 11 (information forthcoming...) More info: projectyano.org/educationnotarms

Video: protest, four speakers, interview with corporate media (español): 12 min, 26 sec; 46 mbytes.

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South American Anarchists and Anti-Militarists Say NO to War (3/08/08)
The threat of armed conflict involving the governments of Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela has mobilized anarchists and anti-militarists across the continent, in words and in action, to repudiate what would be a monstrous aggression by state powers against our peoples.

We don’t need another war. We, conscientious objectors and antimilitarists from Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela and the whole of Latin America and the Caribbean together, categorically refuse to participate in belligerent escalades that will lead to a war that, again, will attempt to divide us. We have enough with hunger, corruption, rampant militarism, the obscene military budget, insecurity, the continuous violations of human rights by our governments, for them to give us yet another armed conflict...

The only solution to the governmental madness is the people, a revolutionary tide that will run over the demagogues, the populists and those who sell their mothers on both sides of the border, dedicated to building a strong civil society from below, independent of that power that always tries to perpetuate itself, a self-managed society, revolutionary by vocation and nature, without blinding leaders, internationalist and in solidarity, that recognizes that the people of Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador are brothers for many reasons, brothers in suffering, brothers in their desire for peace and justice. For starters, nothing would be better than not being deceived by war proclamations and totally rejecting war among states, any war except class war. --Read More from Anarquistas y antimilitaristas--
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Peace and Dignity Journeys 2008 Benefit Concert (2/19/08)
The Peace and Dignity Journeys are six month spiritual runs originating in Chickaloon, Central Alaska and Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, traveling through hundreds of Indigenous communities, and meeting in Panama. The goals include reuniting the Indigenous Peoples of the Western Hemisphere and healing the individual Indigenous communities by helping to reconnect these communities with their spiritual practices and traditions. One strand of the run will pass through San Diego in July, with the runners staying at Chicano Park.

A series of events in March will treat different aspects of the Peace and Dignity Journeys from the perspective of San Diego Indigenous communities and participants. According to San Diego Runner Berta, "This run is the representation of everything that is around me, all the love, all the struggles that have been happening, all the sacrifices that people have been making... I can take the time off to be able to pray with them, to carry this prayer of so many years, of all this exploitation, all this pain. To be able to take this prayer all the way down to Panama, to carry their prayer, that is the least thing I can do. It is a very beautiful thing, I feel extremely blessed to be able to that."

Peace and Dignity Journeys Benefit Concert
Cultura Profetica (Puerto Rico) Alika (Argentina) and Quinto Sol (East LA)
Wednesday February 20 8PM
World Beat Cultural Center 2100 Park Blvd Balboa Park
$12 Adv $15 Door ALL AGES

Video (Berta) | Benefit Flyer | March Events Flyer | Peace and Dignity Journeys Website

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Journalist Assulted By County Officials at News Conference (2/18/08)
San Diego slid ever further into a police state last Thursday, February 15, as independent journalist and blogger, Pat Flannery, was assulted and thrown out of a press conference at the Westgate Hotel. Under the eye of San Diego Sheriff William Kolender and apparently directed by the District Attorney herself, a county official grabbed Flannery, without warning, and shoved him out of the room.

While the corporate media stood by, Flannery was ejected from the public, open press conference as he filmed DA Bonnie Dumanis endorse fellow San Diego Oligarch, Judge Jan Goldsmith, for City Attorney.

Flannery, who has been critical of the DA's heavy-handedness and unethical dealings with a Chula Vista businessman, also runs a blog where he exposes the good ol' boy network downtown, which depends on wealthy CEO's and developers for slush funds. --Read More from Rocky Neptun--
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Marcha Migrante III at the Canadian Border (2/14/08)
UPDATE (2/16): 2/14 Great to see MECHA and Brown Berets alive and well in Idaho where we meet with Padre Jesus and community leaders to inspire and be inspired …no small potatoes here…SI SE PUEDE ! After a powerful lunch meeting we continue East/South on our way to Utah…another long drive…we are quickly winding down our journey...

2/15 Salt Lake City, Utah…a return to the snow covered wonderland, where I spent many a long weekend screaming down the mountains I now am joined by the remaining magnificent seven; Estela, Marta, Vicente, Danny, Roberto, Pablo and yours truly as we scream in unison SU VOTO ES SU VOZ. We meet with local leaders and community members, including local elder of the Church of Later Day Saints…encourage to be more supportive of immigration reform (after all Mexico did give Mormons SANCTUARY, when they were being persecuted in the US) and we also meet with Utah’s Bishop who now heads the bishops national committee on Immigration. We are very encouraged by their words, as their support of our cry for justice, grows every day.

2/16 Off to Las Vegas y manana SAN DIEGO!
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2/12: Off to Canadian Border ELVIRA ARELLANO DENIED VISA AS SHE LANDS IN CANADA !!! Elvira not welcome!!! Something is terribly wrong with this picture. Sleepless in Seattle but MARCHA MIGRANTE continues as we make it to Blaine (border with Canada) ..after days of snow and rain the roads open up…the sun likes us and we like the sun…as we get to Peace Arch Park…we meet our brethren from Canada and other countries…at the international border..the park is open on both sides and we join in the center to share stories, prayers, unity”la gente Unida, jamas sera vencida”

We discuss with sadness the raids and separations of families. Elvira Arellano will not be with us as she was denied entry once she arrived in Vancouver…but Elvira calls us and inspires and tells us she will meet caravan at the US/MEXICAN border upon our return on Sunday February 17 @ 1:00pm. --Read More from Enrique Morones--

Previous Reports: San Diego | Sacramento | Los Angeles | Portland
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ALF Direct Action: USA, Mexico, Spain, Germany, UK and Netherlands (2/12/08)
Recently, concerned citizens rescued 47 rats who were apparently part of a breeding program at Scripps 'Mercy' Hospital in the Hillcrest area of San Diego. We entered through an unlocked door and found these beautiful innocent creatures living in squalor. Eight were crammed into each tiny barren cage. Their white fur was matted in urine and feces. Their babies were to be stolen from them and tortured in useless experiments, but now they are in loving homes where they will spend the rest of their lives as individuals, rather than research tools to be discarded when no longer necessary.

Who are the terrorists in this situation: those who peacefully rescue neglected beings from abuse and cruelty, or those who terrify, torture and destroy innocent life? --Read More from Animal Liberation Underground--
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Remembering Martin Luther King Jr. (2/10/08)
Remembering Black History, this past month we celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy of struggle and love for humanity. This event, sponsored by the King Chavez coalition for Justice and Unity, took place on January 21, 2008 in the community of Encanto, San Diego, California.

On a day that stopped raining to permit some rays to shine... food was shared and Mumia Abu-Jamal's message on this holiday was heard. Together we heard speakers from the unions, the community and then we listened to MLK Jr's speech on Vietnam. Then the event ended with some future events in mind, music and poetry. --Read More from Carlos--
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Longfin Smelt Moves Closer to State Endangered Status (2/10/08)
The California Fish and Game Commission in San Diego today voted 3-0 to designate the longfin smelt (Spirinchus thaleichthys), a native fish that has dropped to record low numbers in the San Francisco Bay-Delta and is nearing extinction in other northern California estuaries, as a "candidate species." This is the first step toward a formal listing as an endangered or threatened species under the California Endangered Species Act, according to a press release from a coalition of three environmental groups.

The abundance of longfin smelt, a cousin of the delta smelt, plummeted to a record low in 2007, according to the Department of Fish and Game's fall midwater trawl survey. The longfin smelt population collapse occurs within the context of the dramatic decline of delta smelt, juvenile striped bass, threadfin shad and other species.

Scientists believe that the number one cause of the food chain collapse is massive increases in water exports from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta since 2001, followed by toxics and invasive species. The state and federal governments exported a record 7,000,000 acre feet of water from the California Delta to subsidized agribusiness and southern California in 2007. --Read More from Dan Bacher--
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Update on Marcha Migrante III (2/10/08)
Thanks to the 200 or so people that came to see us off on the Historic MARCHA MIGRANTE III. We even had the rejected minutemen of Caltrans fame seeing us off! (great video for CALTRANS TO SEE) Aztec dancers, prayers, Mexico’s Human Rights Commission and more that 50 organizations represented in a rousing send off of two dozen autos on our 4500 mile journey (one mile for every known death on the border). Our first stop as tradition, was the Holtville Cemetery where 600+ of our more than 10,000 brethren who lost their lives since October of 1994 (when Operation Gatekeeper began) are buried.

When we arrived in Coachella late at night on Saturday the villagers were there to receive us with the warmth and charm that only a small town can deliver. We went to sleep at midnight then were suddenly awakened (5:00 am) by half the town with “las mananitas”, musica de danza, mariachis, flowers, food and even a short skit prepared by the locals in appreciation of our work and MARCHA MIGRANTE III. A wake up call we will remember fondly for the rest of our lives. --Read More from Enrique Morones--

Reports: Los Angeles | Portland
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Reflections on the Mujeres Discussion: Feminismo y Que at Enero Zapatista (1/20/08)
A week into 2008, I attended the first discussion of this year's Enero Zapatista at Chicana Perk [San Diego, CA]. Coming in from a long day of work, I neither knew what to expect nor had I had a moment to give it thought. What I found was pleasantly surprising and inspirational. A group of more than a dozen folks came together for the Mujeres Discussion: Feminismo y Que - the group itself was diverse in some ways, not in others, but certainly offered a variety of perspectives and experiences...

What I cannot emphasize enough is that throughout the discussion, a constant theme was violence. Without patriarchy, almost all participants noted, violence worldwide, from wars to domestic violence, would exist on an incredibly lower level. What was great was that both men and women discussed their relationship to this violence. I think that it would be impossible or, at least worthless, to discuss patriarchy without talking about how overwhelmingly prevalent violence against women is in this and every culture in the world. Rape and sexual assault, partner violence and more were brought up. And, what was incredible was that as people spoke, they seemed to really come from a place of day-to-day experience that was so valuable for the rest of the group to hear. What woman doesn't think about what her weapon is if she's walking down the street alone. How many of us carry mace or other means of defense? It's a given. What was again incredible, in addition, was that men talked about the threat of violence that they experience which I feel is not discussed enough. --Read More from owl--

Previous Enero Zapatista Coverage: Opening Night
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11 to 1 to Acquit, But It's Re-trial for Medical Marijuana Patient Nathan Archer (1/17/08)
I am a medical marijuana patient and born and raised in San Diego. Last year (2007) I went through a jury trial that ended up with the numerical breakdown being 11 to 1 to acquit on both counts alleged against me. This year (2008) I am being re-tried for the same crime. My next trial is on Jan 22, 2008 Division 11 8:30 am at the Superior Court of San Diego Central Division (on Broadway)...

I am requesting your assistance in organizing a class action law suit against San Diego County. Including but not limited to Qualifiable Medical Marijuana Patients, their Care Givers, their Doctors and non-patients land owners who have had their freedom and/or property threatened to be seized or seized by San Diego County.

We can get organized and unite. It isn't often that we have a case with such clear prosecutorial misconduct to work with. --Read More from Nathanial D. Archer--
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San Diego's Corporate Owned Mayor Exposed! (1/16/08)
This is a tale of two cities. A San Diego of wealth and privilege, where corporate welfare, through CCDC and other city departments, abounds, and taxes on the rich are the lowest in the nation. And the other city, where those of us who work struggle with dangerous roads, obscene rent and low wages. -- Read More from Rocky Neptun--
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Latino Rights Coalition Says ‘Basta Ya!’ to Hate Crimes (1/12/08)
In November 2007, the FBI reported that the number of ethnicity-based hate crimes in San Diego County doubled from 2005 to 2006. Although official statistics are not yet available for 2007, the District Attorney’s Hate Crimes prosecutor says Latinos are the primary target. Local law enforcement estimates that Latinos, regardless of immigration status, were the victims of approximately 75% of the reported hate crimes committed here last year. These victims include both documented and undocumented immigrants as well as U.S. citizens.

With local fringe groups like the San Diego Minutemen spewing anti-Latino invective, and presidential candidates exploiting the “immigration issue” as a means of diverting attention from social, economic, and foreign policy issues, it is probably safe to say that Latinos’ safety is increasingly at risk. A North County coalition of Latino rights groups has had enough. --Read the Full Story by Diane--

Related: The Minuteman Highway? | Vandalism Anyone?
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San Diego Indymedia Video Project (1/10/08)
San Diego Indymedia has initiated a project to increase access to and encourage the use of video to document and share struggles in the many communities of the San Diego region.

The current components of this project include:
•Providing video cameras to activist groups (we currently have eight to loan).
•Skill sharing with activist groups on video editing software (currently iMovie and Moviemaker), and working to provide laptops and internet access (using our mobile media unit) on an episodic basis.
•Providing a noncommercial, noncorporate outlet (no to you-tube!) for community video reporting. In addition to the newswire on San Diego Indymedia*, we are publishing a (currently) monthly compilation of excerpts from video posted to the newswire, San Diego Indymedia N O O Z R E A L, with plans to screen N O O Z R E A L in communities where access to the internet is limited.

We are working on the following additional components:
•Obtaining video editing workstations that can be placed in community acessible locations.
•Incorporating basic open source online video tools into the new website.

If your activist group is interested in participating in the SDIMC Video Project or you would like to volunteer, write us an e-mail at imc-sd AT lists D0T indymedia D0T org or leave a voicemail message at *67.619.378.O946.

*currently generously being hosted by Indybay, and soon to be hosted on our new locally-based drupal website
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Feature Archive: 10/07-Present | 1/02-8/07