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Global Action Day Against Drones For Spying & Killing

As global citizens who believe in justice and the rule of law, we oppose weaponized and surveillance drones because their deployment: violates democratic rights of freedom of speech and assembly and the right not to be unreasonably searched, is used for extrajudicial "targeted" killings based merely on suspicion -- murders -- even of children inside and outside of war zones, terrorizes populations in targeted territories, thereby fueling hatred and increasing the cycle of violence, lowers the threshold to war and initiates a new round in the arms race, leads to the development of autonomous killer robots, thereby making even more horrifying wars likely. We demand that all governments cease the production and acquisition of armed drones, as well as their research and development, and work towards a worldwide ban of these weapons. We further demand that our governments prohibit the use of drones for surveillance and prohibit using space satellites, ground stations, and military bases to enable drone surveillance and to trigger drone killings. We call on people all over the world to join us in the Global Day of Action on October 4.

Why I Support Abortion Rights Freedom Ride

Texas Governor Rick Perry is on the record with his objective to “make abortion a thing of the past.” Looking at the evidence, it is hard not to come to any other conclusion than the war on women is being won by a radical and regressively religious agenda. Six states in the nation have only a single abortion clinic left. By September 1st of this year, Texas is likely to have only six abortion clinics operating. The group End Pornography and Patriarchy: The Enslavement and Degradation of Women is embarking on an Abortion Rights Freedom Ride across the state of Texas this August, and the freedom ride has set high expectations for itself, including: 1. To forge a national strategic counter-offensive to what is a national war on women. 2. Radically reset the political, moral, and ideological terms of this fight so that millions understand that this fight is about women’s liberation or women’s enslavement and; 3. Mobilize all people of conscience to wage massive, independent, political resistance. Relying on politicians, and the courts, has not halted the barrage of attacks. Not all pro-choice advocates are warming to the idea of Stop Patriarchy non-violent, yet highly dramatic and confrontational style and their oft-repeated slogan “Abortion on Demand and Without Apology.”

Assault On Gaza Fuels Civil Disobedience Surge

When Israel pounded the Gaza Strip in 2008-09, activists across North America occupied Israeli consulate buildings in protest of Operation Cast Lead, which killed an estimated 1,400 Palestinians, the vast majority of them civilians. Now, as the death toll reaches Cast Lead-like levels, with over 1,000 Palestinians slain by Israeli forces, activists are once again ramping up their tactics in an attempt to pressure the Jewish establishment and corporations to cease their support for Israeli actions. A wave of civil disobedience actions has spread around the U.S. in recent weeks as Israel’s pummeling of Gaza continues apace. The activists, many of them young people, including Jews, are putting their bodies on the line in an attempt to draw attention to how the U.S. is implicated in the conflict in the Gaza Strip. And with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s announcement that the assault will continue for days ahead, it’s likely that civil disobedience will increase in the U.S.–in addition to the protests around the country that have erupted in response to the war.

First Nation Protester Ends Hunger Strike

Steve Fobister Sr., an elder at Grassy Narrows First Nation suffering from mercury poisoning, ended his hunger strike on Wednesday morning. Fobister announced the hunger strike at a news conference on Monday, in Toronto, stating that he hoped his protest would help to draw attention to the issue of mercury contamination in his community. The news conference called on the Ontario and Canadian governments to acknowledge that Grassy Narrows residents continue to suffer from mercury poisoning four decades after a Dryden paper mill dumped the toxin into the Wabigoon-English River system. On Tuesday, Ontario Minister of Aboriginal Affairs David Zimmer issued a statement expressing concern about Fobister's health and promising to "champion a review of the Mercury Disability Board, to determine how best to help those with mercury-related health issues." Grassy Narrows has said many mercury poisoning victims have been denied compensation, partly because the board is using 30-year-old science to determine who is affected and eligible for a claim. Zimmer also said he "agreed the government would explore the options for more on-site treatment for Grassy Narrows First Nation residents" and that he would visit the community on August 6. In a statement posted Wednesday on freegrassy.net, a Grassy Narrows' advocacy website, Fobister said he ended his hunger strike so he could "live and continue to fight for Grassy Narrows, for all aboriginal people, and for environmental justice."

Saskatoon Protesters Rally Against Prime Minister’s Visit

Cheers of protest echoed in the streets out front of Prairieland Park in Saskatoon on Wednesday. Dozens of people holding signs proclaiming their concerns gathered to oppose Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s visit to the city. Harper was there to speak at a Conservative Party event. Many people at the protest were calling for Indigenous sovereignty, while others criticized Canada’s relationship with Israel. Protestor Sungandhi del Canto said Wednesday she shares those concerns and pointed to a number of other issues as well. “Cutting the women’s health contribution plan, the temporary foreign workers program,” del Canto added. ”The fact that he’s slowly erasing all records of feminists from history. The abuses of human rights both within our country and what he’s allowing to happen abroad. It’s horrifying.”

Vietnam Vet Drone Resister’s Trial Ongoing In DeWitt Town Court

Vietnam Veteran and Buffalo resident Russell Brown’s trial began today in DeWitt Town Court in East Syracuse. Mr. Brown is representing himself and is facing charges stemming from his arrest during a nonviolent protest at Hancock Air National Guard Base, home of the 174th Attack Wing, on April 28, 2013. Mr. Brown laid down peacefully with red paint to symbolize the death of drone victims in a roadway across from the Airbase. He is charged with Obstruction of Governmental Administration (OGA), a misdemeanor carrying up to a year incarceration and up to $1000 fine, as well as Disorderly Conduct charge, a violation. Mr. Brown’s trial follows about a dozen trials since 2011 in the DeWitt Town Court and is one of 20 upcoming trials of drone resisters working with Upstate Drone Action there. Judge David S. Gideon imposed an Order of Protection (OOP) on Mr Brown on behalf of Colonel Greg Semmel, the Hancock commandant. The OOPs have been imposed on more than 50 nonviolent civil resisters arrested at the Hancock Reaper drone hub in DeWitt since October 2012. Under oath, a military official acknowledged that the protesters were acting nonviolently and posed no threat to the Airbase or military personnel.

More Than 100 Arrested In Deportation Protest Outside White House

Police said 112 demonstrators intentionally had themselves arrested outside the White House Thursday in protest against the Obama administration’s response to the sudden surge of illegal immigrants across the border with Mexico. The protest took place as Republican leaders withdrew legislation aimed at the immigration crisis from consideration in the U.S. House. The act of civil disobedience was organized mostly by religious groups, including the Catholic Sisters of Mercy and the United Methodist Church. Several hundred additional supporters looked on as the activists staged a sit-in on the sidewalk outside the White House grounds, prompting National Park Service police to remove and arrest them for obstructing foot traffic in a highly choreographed, but peaceful, demonstration. “We are gathered here to make our voices heard,” the Rev. John McCollough said in a prayer service before the arrests. “We are here to pray for this president, our President Obama, to ask him to lose the bonds of injustice and let the oppressed go free. Si se puede!” The demonstrators demanded the Obama administration cease the deportation of an estimated 1,100 of those illegal immigrants per day — a number expected to rise as the federal government grapples with the hundreds of thousands believed to have slipped through in the last nine months, and a 106 percent increase over the same period last year.

No Drones Illinois Endorses Call To Drop Boeing From Chicago Air & Water Show

No Drones Illinois has endorsed the following call by Anti-War Committee – Chicago, Jews for Justice in Palestine, U.S. Palestinian Community Network and 8th Day Center for Justice: Protest Boeing Death Machines in Gaza: Demand Chicago Drop Boeing from Air and Water Show! Boeing Company is a major sponsor of Chicago’s annual Air and Water Show this summer. Many people come to the lake shore every year to see displays of jets and other aircraft. Boeing weaponry are responsible for many of the over 1000 dead and over 6000 seriously wounded Palestinians in Gaza in the past three weeks. The dead are mostly civilians, including over 200 children. Israel’s fighter jets – the F15s and F16s – as well as Apache helicopters are all made by Boeing. Boeing has made billions from the sale of weapons for use in Israel's attacks, as part of its eight year old siege of Gaza. The City of Chicago should drop Boeing from the sponsors of the Air and Water Show. No company that makes profit from the slaughter of civilians should be included.

Over A Hundred Protest Outside Israeli Consulate

Norman Finkelstein reached his goal yesterday afternoon, a quorum of at least 100 people to protest the latest Gaza massacre outside the Israeli consulate in midtown Manhattan. On Monday Finkelstein put a call for civil disobedience on his website, announcing his intention to get arrested while demonstrating at Israel’s mission to the UN. “However, I don’t believe in individual acts of martyrdom,” he wrote. “It’s got to be a collective action. If one hundred people either sign up to get arrested or to be there in solidarity, I’ll be there too.” Although Finkelstein had not quite collected that many names as of Tuesday morning, he said he would go ahead head anyway: “Politics is not just about quantity, it’s also about quality. We don’t know each other but we are united by a common conviction: The terror bombing and blockade of Gaza must end now!” In the event, more than one hundred people appeared to be on hand, as well as dozens of police.

Badass Teacher Association (BAT) Takes Protest To Washington

Badass Teacher Association (BAT): This association is for every teacher who refuses to be blamed for the failure of our society to erase poverty and inequality, and refuses to accept assessments, tests and evaluations imposed by those who have contempt for real teaching and learning… Join Us!! The BATs protested the devastating educational policies of the United States Department of Education and Arne Duncan today! The Rally lasted from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. and drew over 550 teachers, parents, and educational activists from 38 states. BATs demanded such things as ending federal incentives to close and privatize schools, promote equity and adequate funding for all public schools, and ban all data sharing of children’s private information. BATs asked and were allowed to enter the USDOE at 3:30 to meet with the Civil Rights Department Senior Advisors. The BAT delegation included Tennessee BAT Larry Proffitt, Co-Founder of BAT Mark Naison, Connecticut BAT Yohuru Williams, New York BAT Marla Kilfoyle, Chicago parent activist Shoneice Reynolds, and Chicago student activist Asean Johnson.

Market Basket Revolt A Sign Of Fed-Up Times

Micum McIntire stood shoulder to shoulder with his employees inside the cafe at Market Basket in Biddeford just after noon Monday, his eyes glued to live TV coverage of his company imploding at an outdoor protest in Tewksbury, Massachusetts. “They’re calling for us to shut the stores down,” said McIntire, the Biddeford store director, as thousands of Market Basket workers and their supporters rallied for their recently fired CEO and against the company’s new leadership. “That’s what they’re saying: ‘Shut it down.’ ” Demonstrators display placards outside a Market Basket grocery store as a shopper pushes a grocery cart on Tuesday in Chelsea, Mass. Supporters and employees rallied at Market Basket locations calling for Arthur T. Demoulas to be reinstated as CEO. The Associated Press And where did that leave McIntire? “I have no idea,” he replied. Had he received any guidance from Demoulas Supermarkets Inc., the grocery chain’s Massachusetts-based parent company? “There’s nobody there,” replied McIntire, his face etched with anxiety. “They’ve all been fired.”

Palestinian Protesters Occupy BBC Bristol’s Front Lawn

Palestinian supporters set up an ‘Occupy’ style protest camp on the lawn of the BBC in Bristol this week. The campaign group calling itself “Bristol Friends of Gaza” occupied the front lawn in front of the BBC headquarters on Whiteladies Road, unveiling a 50ft-long banner. The group declared they would occupy the area “until the BBC tells the real truth on Palestine”. Pro-Palestinian protesters have been out in force this week, as the Israeli army launch a new offensive in the Gaza Strip. On Saturday, hundreds of people marched through Bristol to highlight the cause. On Tuesday meanwhile, there were protests at City Hall at the same time as a protest against residents parking zones in the city, which was largely good-natured despite a scuffle on a tank used by the RPZ protesters to draw attention to their cause. Last night, at least two Palestinians were killed and 200 wounded in the West Bank during protests against Israel’s campaign in Gaza.

Spanish Trade Unionists Will Occupy Gibraltar In Tax Haven Protest

The Andalusian Workers’ Union (SAT) says it will attempt to cross the border with 1,000 members, flags and banners to protest in front of government buildings. An activist trade union in Spain’s southern region of Andalusia, the Andalusian Workers’ Union (SAT), has announced it intends to “occupy the Rock of Gibraltar” with 1,000 protestors, flags and banners on August 29 to demonstrate against tax havens, fishing rights, the British military base and sovereignty. Diego Cañamero, the spokesman for the SAT trade union, told The Spain Report by phone that: “Our action is about justice. There is an economic crisis, with 37% unemployment in Andalusia, and on the Rock there are 80,000 public companies, and millions and millions of euros from all the corruption on the Costa del Sol”. The SAT, which has members all over Andalusia, took the decision during its national assembly meeting on July 13 and would like the protest to take place in front of Gibraltar government buildings, once across the border.

Seattle Residents Blockade Tracks To Protest Oil-By-Rail

Three residents of Anacortes and Seattle are currently blockading the oil train facility at Tesoro’s Anacortes Refinery by locking their bodies to barrels full of concrete. Supported by local residents, the three are demanding an immediate halt to the shipment of explosive Bakken oil through Northwest communities, the rejection of all new oil-by-rail terminals proposed for the Northwest, and an end to the refinery’s repeated violations of the Clean Air Act. “Thursday’s derailment was the last straw,” says Jan Woodruff, an Anacortes resident. “If Federal and State regulators won’t stand up to the fossil fuel companies endangering our communities, then we, the people of those communities, will do so.” Last Thursday, July 24th, an oil train bound for Tesoro’s Anacortes Refinery derailed in Seattle, highlighting the dangers posed to Northwest communities. Between nine and sixteen oil trains travel through Seattle and Mount Vernon every week – about five of which are bound for the Tesoro refinery. The day before Thursday’s frightening derailment, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray and all nine City Council members sent a letter to the Department of Transportation asking for an immediate halt of oil-by-rail shipments through Seattle.

2nd Anniversary Statement Of Anti-Nuclear Protesters

OPEN LETTER FROM THE BROOKLYN METROPOLITAN DETENTION CENTER from Sr. Megan Rice, on behalf of the Transform Now Plowshares July 28, 2014 Our Dear Sisters and Brothers, We send warm greetings and many thanks to all who actively engage in the transformation of weapons of mass destruction to sustainable life-giving alternatives. Gregory Boertje-Obed (U.S. Penitentiary, Leavenworth, Kansas) Michael Walli (Federal Correctional Institution McKean, Bradford, Pennsylvania) and I are sending you some of our observations and concerns on the 2nd anniversary of our Transform Now Plowshares action. On July 28, 2012, after thorough study of nuclear issues, and because of our deepening commitment to nonviolence, we engaged in direct action by cutting through four fences at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where the U.S. continues to overhaul and upgrade thermonuclear warheads. On that day, two years ago, when we reached the building where all U.S. highly-enriched (bomb-grade) uranium is stored, we prayed and also wrote messages on the wall, such as “The Fruit of Justice is Peace”. (Realistically, the higher and stronger fences built as a result of our nonviolent incursion can never keep humans safe from inherently dangerous materials and weapons.) We acted humbly as “creative extremists for love”, to cite one of our most important and revered leaders, Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Due to the attacks on our fiscal sponsor, we were unable to raise funds online for nearly two years.  As the bills pile up, your help is needed now to cover the monthly costs of operating Popular Resistance.

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