Freedom of Speech and Assembly

Video: Legalize Democracy – Full Documentary

January 27, 2014 Dennis Trainor Jr, www.PopularResistance.org Resistance Report Activism, ALEC, Criminal Justice and Prisons, Democracy, Finance and Economy, Freedom of Speech and Assembly, Government, Video

Legalize Democracy is a documentary film by Dennis Trainor, Jr. (American Autumn: an Occudoc) about the movement to amend — why it is needed, and how you can get involved, placing the response to corporate coup of our government in the context of the growing Democracy movement emerging right here and right now. Combining interviews with Move To Amend’s national leadership team, with archival footage, and dynamic animated time lines that tell the stories of the Supreme Court cases that shaped the doctrine of “corporate personhood”, the rights guaranteed by amendments fought for by people’s movements, and the intersection of law and culture that codified and created discrimination based on race.

Democratized Media: The Rise Of Citizens Media

January 22, 2014 Tom Engelhardt, www.tomdispatch.com Educate! Freedom of Speech and Assembly, Media

In terms of journalism, of expression, of voice, of fine reporting and superb writing, of a range of news, thoughts, views, perspectives, and opinions about places, worlds, and phenomena that I wouldn’t otherwise have known about, there has never been an experimental moment like this. I’m in awe. Despite everything, despite every malign purpose to which the Internet is being put, I consider it a wonder of our age. Yes, perhaps it is the age from hell for traditional reporters (and editors) working double-time, online and off, for newspapers that are crumbling, but for readers, can there be any doubt that now, not the 1840s or the 1930s or the 1960s, is the golden age of journalism? Think of it as the upbeat twin of NSA surveillance. Just as the NSA can reach anyone, so in a different sense can you. Which also means, if you’re a website, anyone can, at least theoretically, find and read you. (And in my experience, I’m often amazed at who can and does!) And you, the reader, have in remarkable profusion the finest writing on the planet at your fingertips. You can read around the world almost without limit, follow your favorite writers to the ends of the Earth.

Tracking Protesters Through Their Cell Phones

January 21, 2014 Andrew E. Kramer, www.nytimes.com Educate! Freedom of Speech and Assembly, Surveillance

The Ukrainian government used telephone technology to pinpoint the locations of cellphones in use near clashes between riot police officers and protesters early on Tuesday, illustrating that techniques that can be used to target commercial information can serve law enforcement as well. People near the fighting between riot police and protesters received a text message shortly after midnight saying “Dear subscriber, you are registered as a participant in a mass disturbance.” The phrasing echoed language in a new law making participation in a protest deemed violent a crime punishable by imprisonment. The law took effect on Tuesday.

TPP Fast Track Critics Locked Out of Congressman Becerra’s Office

January 18, 2014 Lauren Steiner, www.laprogressive.com Resist! Democracy, Freedom of Speech and Assembly, TPP

For some reason, Congressman Becerra decided to locate his office in the Chamber of Commerce building. When constituents questioned this, the security guard called the LAPD who told us she needed to ask the Chamber of Commerce if we could come in and speak to the Congressman’s staff. The LAPD then proceded to act as spokespeople for the staff, who refused to even come out and speak to us directly. What is noteworthy is that everyday the Congressman and his staff can develop personal relationships with Chamber employees as they see them in the halls, in the restrooms, in their respective offices. But constituents have no such access. And when they seek to address the Congressman’s staff, they are locked out and told they have to contact Washington. Well, as I say in the video, the 99% do not have the money to fly to Washington to lobby the Congressman when they have an issue the way the Chamber and associated corporations can.

500 Years of History: Mass Spying Always Aimed At Crushing Dissent

January 17, 2014 Washington's Blog, www.globalresearch.ca Educate! Freedom of Speech and Assembly, Human Rights, NSA, Revolution, Surveillance

No matter which government conducts mass surveillance, they also do it to crush dissent, and then give a false rationale for why they’re doing it. The story of that struggle... the detailed history of the use of general warrants as instruments of oppression from the time of the Tudors, through the Star Chamber, the Long Parliament, the Restoration, and beyond. What is significant to note is that this history is largely a history of conflict between the Crown and the press. . . . the Crown were given roving commissions to search where they pleased in order to suppress and destroy the literature of dissent, both Catholic and Puritan. Today, Yes, we hear echoes to the Cointelpro program of the 60s and 70s … as well as King George’s General Warrants to the Colonies … and the Star Chamber of 15th century England.

Largest Protest Settlement In History – Unlawful 2004 RNC Mass Arrest

January 16, 2014 Staff, www.nyclu.org Resist! Freedom of Speech and Assembly, Police abuse

New York City has agreed to pay nearly $18 million for the arrest, detention and fingerprinting of hundreds of protesters, journalists, legal observers and bystanders during the 2004 Republican National Convention – the largest protest settlement in history. The NYCLU filed the first cases following the Convention and has been central to the legal challenge to the NYPD’s actions. “No lawful protester should ever be treated like a criminal in New York City, or anywhere else in the United States,” said NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman. “This historic settlement must serve as a reminder to New York City and government across the country that the right to protest is a fundamental pillar of a fair and functioning democracy. And it is the role of government and law enforcement to not only tolerate protest, but protect and defend it.” The 2004 RNC prompted hundreds of thousands of people to participate in lawful demonstrations in New York City. Despite the peaceful nature of the gatherings and the First Amendment’s guarantee of the right to protest, the NYPD engaged in mass arrests, including of more than 1,800 protesters, bystanders, legal observers and journalists. The Department then fingerprinted everyone and held hundreds for more than 24 hours at a filthy, toxic pier that had been a bus depot.

Moral Monday Movement Spreads Through The South

January 13, 2014 Staff, www.southernstudies.org Resist! Education, Freedom of Speech and Assembly, Health Care, Worker Rights and Jobs

When the Georgia General Assembly convenes on Monday, Jan. 13, members will be met by progressive activists holding their state's first Moral Monday protest. Among the issues the protesters are focusing on are Georgia's refusal to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, efforts to restrict voting rights, and policies that divert education funds from public to private schools. The Georgia NAACP is leading the coalition organizing the protest. The South Carolina legislature convenes the following day, Tuesday, Jan 14, and progressive activists from across the state will gather at the State House in Columbia for what's being billed as "Truthful Tuesday." The action is being organized by the state chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, the S.C. AFL-CIO, S.C. Christian Action Council, S.C. NAACP, S.C. Progressive Network, S.C. Alliance for Retired Americans, and the S.C. Education Association.

Statement From Tar Sands Activist Facing ‘Terrorism Hoax’ Charges

January 7, 2014 Moriah Stephenson, www.gptarsandsresistance.org Resist! Energy, Environement, Freedom of Speech and Assembly, Tar Sands

Activism that is attempting to protect land and lives in Oklahoma is not terrorism. Charging us with “terrorism hoax” for hanging up a glittery banner is insulting, inconsiderate, and disrespectful to all of those who have actually experienced terrorist violence. TransCanada Corporation has been encouraging the police to charge environmental activists with varying charges that contain the word “terrorism” in order to scare and silence dissent. My hometown is older than Oklahoma statehood and is now being destroyed by the oil and gas industry. In rural Oklahoma, where people go to see stars at night, I have seen the brightness of fracking flares dim out the stars. It is heartbreaking to think that we have reached a point in which I could face ten years in prison for peacefully hanging up a banner. Ultimately, this is an issue of free speech. A corporation is using scare tactics to try to silence my story and my voice. If nothing else, it is unfair for TransCanada and Devon to engage the government in silencing free speech through the threat of “terrorism” charges.

Occupy Fredericton Protesters Get Apology, $14K From City

January 7, 2014 Staff, www.cbc.ca Resist! Canada, Freedom of Speech and Assembly, Occupy

Three Occupy Fredericton protesters have won an apology and $14,350 in damages from the city, after their protest camp was removed by city staff two years ago. Julian Renaud, Dana Hartt, and Alex Davenport had filed a small claims lawsuit against the city, Mayor Brad Woodside, and the city's director of engineering and public works Murray Jamer in April 2012. But the parties reached an out-of-court settlement last month and the details were just released on Monday. The mayor refused to read the written apology aloud, but acknowledged that due to the Charter right to protest, the city's bylaw did not give it the authority to tear down the Occupy Fredericton camp, without a court order. "Legally, it was not the right thing to do. I accept that, I apologize," Woodside told CBC News.

The Tasks Of The People-Powered Movement For 2014

January 5, 2014 Kevin Zeese and Margaret Flowers, www.PopularResistance.org Strategize! Chelsea Manning, Climate Change, Corporatism, Democracy, Edward Snowden, Energy, Environment, Finance and the Economy, Fracking, Freedom of Speech and Assembly, Health Care, Human Rights, Indigenous Rights, NSA, Occupy, Solidarity, Wars and Militarism, Worker Rights and Jobs

In this stage of movement development, which can take many years, the primary task of the people-powered social movement is to build national consensus through broad and deep grassroots organizing. The power holders are currently in a crisis management mode. They continue to defend their policies while shifting positions and taking countermeasures to undermine people power. During this stage public opinion is shifting, majorities oppose the current situation and are beginning to see that new alternative solutions must be put in place. People-powered activists are in a battle with the power holders for the hearts and minds of super-majorities of the people. We ended our last article with a key point that we need to highlight here: our goal is to build a mass movement, which has the support of super-majorities of Americans and has mobilized up to 3.5% of the population. Therefore, the target of our protests is not the government or a corporation, the target is the people: to educate and mobilize them. We want to show that there is an effective movement speaking to the people’s concerns and putting forth views that they support. We protest the power holders to expose their actions but do not expect them to be capable of addressing our concerns adequately in this stage.

This Spring: Worldwide Wave Of Transformation

January 5, 2014 Antonymous, www.waveofaction.org Resist! Democracy, Finance and the Economy, Freedom of Speech and Assembly, Human Rights, Poverty

On the anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King, April 4, 2014, the spirit of MLK will rise again. We will engage a worldwide wave of action, “from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city. From every mountain side…” We will “let freedom ring.” Anonymous, Occupy and the 99% Movement have set up the dominoes for an unprecedented worldwide wave of action. The tipping point is near. We are calling on all Anons, nonAnons, collectives, organizations and conscious individuals to take autonomous nonviolent direct action throughout the global spring. For a sustained three-month cycle, we will swarm corrupt targets and rally around solutions to the vast problems we are confronted by.

State of Conflict: North Carolina

January 5, 2014 Bill Moyers, www.billmoyers.com Resist! Education, Freedom of Speech and Assembly, Health Care, Poverty

First it was Wisconsin. Now it’s North Carolina that is redefining the term “battleground state.” On one side: a right-wing government enacting laws that are changing the face of the state. On the other: citizen protesters who are fighting back against what they fear is a radical takeover. This crucible of conflict reflects how the battle for control of American politics is likely to be fought for the foreseeable future: not in Washington, DC, but state by state. This week on Moyers & Company, “State of Conflict: North Carolina.” At the heart of this conservative onslaught sits a businessman who is so wealthy and powerful that he is frequently described as the state’s own “Koch brother.” Art Pope, whose family fortune was made via a chain of discount stores, has poured tens of millions of dollars into a network of foundations and think tanks that advocate a wide range of conservative causes. Pope is also a major funder of conservative political candidates in the state. Pope’s most ardent opponent is the Reverend William Barber, head of the state chapter of the NAACP, who says the right-wing state government has produced “an avalanche of extremist policies that threaten health care, that threaten education [and] that threaten the poor.” Barber’s opposition to the legislature as well as the Pope alliance became a catalyst for the protest movement that became known around the country as “Moral Mondays.”

2013 Resistance Report Year In Review

December 30, 2013 Dennis Trainor, Jr., www.acronymtv.com Resistance Report Corporatism, Criminal Justice and Prisons, Democracy, Edward Snowden, Energy, Environment, Finance and the Economy, Freedom of Speech and Assembly, Human Rights, Syria, Video, Wars and Militarism, Worker Rights and Jobs

What an amazing year for the movement of movements that continues to develop here in the United States and around the world, and what an amazing first season of The Resistance Report. In this week’s special expanded episode, we take a look back at some of the most amazing stories of the year. In addition to coverage of Edward Snowden, the Acronym TV 2013 Person of the Year, we also remember 2013 as a time when people took power and reversed what seemed like the inevitable march to war with Syria. In 2013, The Resistance Report served as an antidote to the hear-no-evil see no evil attitude of mainstream media outlets here in the United States about the ongoing crisis at the Fukushima nuclear facility in Japan. In the attempt mitigate future catastrophic damage; the global community is faced with challenges unique in the history of humankind. While The Resistance Report launched this year on July 29, 2013, and so our review of Resistance Reports is but a half year old, but there is still enough Manning, Snowden, Greenwald, Keystone X-L protests, Stop the TPP Protests, Dream Defenders, Fast Food Strikers, Hunger Strikers, and neo-liberal shenanigans to jam pack this 60 minute year in review.

Where Will Global Revolt Kick Off Next?

December 30, 2013 Paul Mason, www.theguardian.com Resist! Freedom of Speech and Assembly, Occupy, Revolution

If you read the Economist Intelligence Unit's latest attempt to guess where it will kick off next, it becomes clear how hard this is to do with conventional thinking. For the unit it is places with high inequality, heavy corruption, economic crisis and a collapse in trust. So Nigeria (the biggest economy in Africa), Egypt and Argentina all figure high on the red list of countries where there is a "very high risk" of conflict threatening the political order, with Brazil, South Africa and China merely "high risk". Though an advance on the straight-line thinking that linked revolts simply to the post-2008 economic crisis, I still think this misses something. When people ask me where it is going to kick off next, I say: "In people's heads."

Waking Up To Reality: The System Is Not Legitimate

December 28, 2013 Ray Pensador, www.dailykos.com Resist! Corruption, Democracy, Freedom of Speech and Assembly

It seems to me that the vast majority of them cling to the notion that the system is still legitimate. In other words, my impression is that they think that when they take to the streets in protest, that somehow people in power are either paying attention or care about their grievances... I perceive a certain innocence, even naïveté about the true nature of the system. I'm left thinking, "Is everybody here on the same page when it comes to the understanding that we are dealing with true malevolence, with outright tyranny, with heartless individuals who would as soon cause the suffering of millions of people without blinking an eye?" And the reason I think all that is because in my view what's needed at this point, when it comes to social justice activism, is a certain type of militancy. I'm not talking about violence of any kind, of course. I'm talking about focus, about discipline, about being able to engage in direct action and resistance on an ongoing/sustained basis.

«1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 »

Daily movement news and resources