ows // Current TV

The Julian Assange Show: The World Tomorrow: Occupy Movement (E7)

The Occupy movement has united hundreds of thousands across the world to fight social... more

treewolf39
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1 day ago
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19 comments

Now you NATO

It's always so festive when world leaders/weapons dealers gather. Riot cops swing... more

laughtonotcry
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6 days ago
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0 comments

Punished for supporting OWS? Police captain Ray Lewis talks to RT

The Occupy Wall Street movement was created to combat corporate power but has since... more

JRBarilla
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7 days ago
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1 comment

NATO Summit Kicked Off with Massive Demonstrations

More at The Real News

treewolf39
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10 days ago
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14 comments

Protesting NATO: What to Know About the Secret Service and H.R. 347

The forthcoming summit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, set for May 20 and 21 in Chicago, could be the first public test of H.R. 347, the recently passed law that expanded the ability of the Secret Service to suppress protests in or around certain restricted zones near individuals under its protection. We've written about H.R. 347 here and here.

NATO summits are interesting affairs. Unlike the periodic meetings of member nations, the summits are more stately and elaborate events, meant to introduce major policy changes or new members to the strategic alliance (among other things). This means lots of Very Important Persons, and lots of Very Controversial Issues. Both of these things mean lots of expected First Amendment activity.

As far as H.R. 347 goes, the NATO summit has been declared a "National Special Security Event" by the Department of Homeland Security. This puts the Secret Service in charge of the overall security plan. My understanding is that the FBI chips in with counterterrorism and counterintelligence assistance, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (another DHS agency) is in charge of emergency preparation. It also means massive security preparations and infrastructure—and lots of opportunities for the suppression of lawful protest.

The entire area around Chicago's McCormick Place—the main site for the summit—will be off-limits to unauthorized personnel, and I believe will qualify as a restricted zone under the federal law that was amended by H.R. 347. Additionally, the Secret Service plans to close parts of Lake Shore Drive and I-55 near the summit as well as other locations in the Loop.

For protesters, this means a couple of things. First, be aware of the types of conduct covered by the law amended by H.R. 347 (all of this stuff was actually illegal before the recent revamp, which is partially why the bill sailed under the radar). That is, you cannot:

(1) Enter or remain in one of these zones without "lawful authority";
(2) Engage in "disorderly or disruptive conduct" in or near one of these zones that "impedes or disrupts the orderly conduct of Government activities or official functions" (but you must intend to impede or disrupt those activities or functions);
(3) Block or otherwise impede an entrance or exit to one of these zones (but you must again intend to disrupt government activities or official functions); or
(4) Engage in any act of physical violence against person or property in any restricted zone.

Second, note this is where the lowered intent standard in the law, which we explained here, could come into play. Previously, per the one case discussing the scope of the law amended by H.R. 347, there was a question about whether you had to affirmatively know your actions were unlawful under federal law before you could be convicted under the relevant federal statute. Under H.R. 347's amendments to that statute, I think it's safe to say that requirement is gone. All you need to know are the "facts underlying" the offense, meaning that you merely need to be aware you're engaged in the conduct described above in one of these zones, but not that it's illegal.

In practice, this could mean that protesters who inadvertently find themselves in one of these areas could be arrested and charged under H.R. 347. That said, the law also requires that the area be "posted, cordoned off, or otherwise restricted," meaning that it would have to be obvious based on signage, a cordon of police officers surrounding the area or some other means that the area is a federally restricted area. If not, it would arguably be difficult to form the required intent to commit the crime. That will not necessarily, however, stop the authorities from arresting you.
(Click the link at the top of the page to read more)

EMAIL THE PRESIDENT AND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS:
http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtmlThe forthcoming summit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, set for May 20 and... more

woodspryte
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12 days ago
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2 comments

Know Your Rights Before You Join a Protest

Dozens of journalists and bystanders have been arrested at protests over the past... more

woodspryte
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13 days ago
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2 comments

OP-ED: Occupy Bilderberg

We protest the G-8 and NATO, but not Bilderberg. Why? Wednesday, May 16, 2012 -... more

rodstradamus
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14 days ago
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2 comments

The TED Talk that TED Thought Was a Bad Idea to Share

In a stunning move, TED curator Chris Anderson told his colleagues that a talk given... more

TheAmbivalante
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14 days ago
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5 comments

Feds Central to Occupy Crackdown

Newly Discovered Homeland Security Files Show Feds Central to Occupy Crackdown... more

ClassicalGas
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15 days ago
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7 comments

Obama Praises the Nation’s “Peace Keepers” During National Police Week

In 1962, President Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15th as a national day to celebrate and remember fallen police officers. The surrounding week would become known as “National Police Week,” which some can easily compare to the Discovery channel’s “shark week.” While government officials see the police as graceful unappreciated public servants, many within the general public view the force as a dangerous and easily provoked pack of predators.

The week of events, sponsored by the Grand Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, is estimated to draw anywhere from 25,000 to 40,000 law enforcement officers to Washington DC. Events include a candle light vigil and seminars in support of authoritarianism. The events, which are open to all law enforcement, “provide a unique opportunity to meet others that share a common brotherhood,” according to policeweek.org.

Local police stations around the country will be holding their own ceremonies and self congratulatory events through out the week as well.

President Obama has signed a Presidential proclamation honoring the nation’s “peace keepers” and has declared the week of May 13-19 as a week of honor and celebration of the many “fallen heroes.” The proclamation directs citizens “to observe these events with appropriate ceremonies and activities,” and directs governors and US territories to lower their flags to half staff on May 15.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 15, 2012, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 13 through May 19, 2012, as Police Week. I call upon all Americans to observe these events with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I also call on Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, officials of the other territories subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, and appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct that the flag be flown at half staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day. I further encourage all Americans to display the flag at half staff from their homes and businesses on that day.

While the President and his sheeple praise the nation’s armed forces, over 7,200 peaceful ‘Occupy’ protesters have been arrested in less than one year, with the majority of those arrests being carried out with a high level of violence. The President has remained silent on the issue of police brutality throughout his Presidency, ignoring the calls of the people to at least make a statement to attempt to end the violence. Back in November, Obama was ‘mic-checked’ by a group of Occupy protesters during a speech in New Hampshire. After hearing that thousands of people have been arrested for protesting, the Obama zombies in the audience began to chant his name as a method of silencing the collective voice of reason. Once the chants stopped, the President brushed the experience off his shoulders and continued on to speak about “having coffee with some of their neighbors.”

Many have noticed a major shift in police actions since the start of the Occupy movement back in September. With many media outlets underselling the vast support of the movement aimed at correcting financial inequality around the globe, the police seem to working in tandem with the media to silence dissent. From the mass arrests on a New York City bridge to the war-like scenes in Oakland, it’s clear that this movement poses a real threat to the status quo. It’s for that reason that the federal government has been arming local police stations with millions of dollars worth of crowd control gear and training. The media and government officials will continue to show images of revolutions in other countries while ignoring the revolution brewing right under their noses in a failing attempt to derail the progress of mass awakening that has already begun. The time of two party politics is nearing it’s end, and true freedom is within reaching distance. No matter how hard Obama and his “peace keepers” push back, the people will rise in solidarity and build a new civilization around their falling structures and rules.

And by all means, fuck the police.

More: http://politicalfailblog.com/obama-praises-the-nations-peace-keepers-during-national-police-week/In 1962, President Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15th as a... more

Pfailblog
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16 days ago
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The Hot Dog Stand: How Much Would You Charge?

by Amaterasu Solar Let Us presume a world where free energy is available to all.... more

Amaterasu
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22 days ago
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0 comments

Post International Workers’ Day!, OWS: a lack of outrage

Well International Workers’ Day came and went and much as I expected---kind of... more

robertruiz
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28 days ago
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0 comments

Police Drugging Occupy Protesters

Video documentation by local activists and independent media shows that police... more

rodstradamus
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29 days ago
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44 comments

Liberals turn to violence...again

SEATTLE — Black-clad protesters using sticks and bats smashed stores and... more

congoboy
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29 days ago
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138 comments

International Workers’ Day!, OWS, & the plutocrats pt 3

Today, International Workers’ Day, is supposed to see the reemergence of the... more

robertruiz
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1 month ago
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1 comment

Occupy threatens to shut down NYC

Without consideration for the people who work and live there. This is a self centered... more

Vod_Kanockers
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1 month ago
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0 comments

What the Bush Tax Cuts for the Wealthy Cost the Rest of Us (GRAPH)

Here’s a great breakdown on what the 99% could do with just one average... more

StewSteve
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1 month ago
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0 comments

The Passion That Fuels Occupy – An Untelevised Conversation Between the MSM & an Occupier

Full story with video here: http://politicalfailblog.com/the-passion-that-fuels-occupy-an-untelevised-conversation-between-the-msm-an-occupier/

Occupy Oakland celebrated it’s six month anniversary with a public gathering Tuesday night in Oscar Grant Plaza, near City Hall.

Despite the rain, an estimated 50-75 participants joined together and danced into the evening before dozens of riot police crashed the party to confiscate the unpermitted sound system.

Live streamer and independent journalist Jessica Eiko-Hollie was among the party goers when the police began handing out printed rule sheets to people in the plaza early on. Apparently the police department was under the assumption that something much larger had been planned. The rule sheet, dated April 10th, 2012 read,”The city of Oakland is committed to facilitating peaceful forms of expression and free speech rights, and protecting personal safety and property,” across the top of the first of two pages. It also said, “We are aware that there is a planned activity in Frank Ogawa Plaza. We have tried to work with the organization that is planning the event, with no success.” The fourth rule on the list was a reminder that “no person shall operate, or permit the operation of, any sound amplification system (including portable or car audio equipment) with out a permit.” The handout also warned that all “activity in the park must cease by 10pm.”

“People gathered in the rain and the police were passing out these papers with the rules on them to everyone,” Hollie said. “A little while later they began staging around the plaza before giving a two minute warning to turn off the sound. Then about 60 riot police came to confiscate a little speaker and to give Leo a citation.”

Back in February, the OPD sent in a team of riot police to confiscate the sound system protesters were using to speak out against police brutality during an anti-oppression rally in the same plaza near City Hall. The over the top force and large amount of resources being deployed to silence dissent is largely ignored by the main stream media.

From day one, occupations across the country have faced negative perceptions as a result of the corporate media bias against the true message ‘Occupy Wall Street’ promotes. One of love, unity and anarchism. A young man by the name of Trae’z had the opportunity to express his true feelings to members of the media later in the night when a camera crew from KTVU was finishing up their report. Luckily, Hollie was there to capture his message, which is likely to never be shown or reflected in the main stream media.

As Trae’z approached the camera crew he assured them he was not a threat, he was just “heated.” Within the first moments of the conversation, the reporter snapped at him and yelled, “I’m tired of being poor too! I’m out here in the rain!” The reporter’s comment that she was “tired of being poor too,” threw Trae’z into one of the most beautiful rants I have ever heard, even with some of it’s religious notes.

The soulful speech by Trae’z was a great reminder of why we occupy, to take care of other people and to create a better society. The question “why do we have to pay for food” came up during the conversation. This is something that has had me baffled since childhood. Why the hell do we have to pay to survive? At which point did I agree to participate in a system designed to separate humans into classes in which some are able to eat and the rest are left to beg? Everything we need is already here, all we have to do is get it and share.

Social revolution in today’s society of propaganda wars is an uphill battle. Children are trained to be selfish competitors in order to become “productive members of society.” Though it is an uphill fight, there are many who are willing to use their lives and talents to create a new, human friendly world. The entire ‘system’ needs to be shifted away from personal profit motivation, and to achieve this, the masses must break free of the illusionary MSM world of conflict and hate and join the rest of us in creating a society based on human needs.

Video of conversation: http://politicalfailblog.com/the-passion-that-fuels-occupy-an-untelevised-conversation-between-the-msm-an-occupier/Full story with video here:... more

Pfailblog
added this
1 month ago
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2 comments

Van Jones Says Libertarians Hate Brown Folk, Gays, Lesbians, and People With Piercings

This guys is a clown.

***

“They’ve taken their despicable ideology and used it a wrecking ball, that they have painted red, white and blue, to smash down every good thing in America.”

Van Jones continued, “They say they’re Patriots but they hate everybody in America who looks like us. They say they love America but they hate the people, the brown folk, “They’ve taken their despicable ideology and used it a wrecking ball, that they have painted red, white and blue, to smash down every good thing in America.”

Jones continued, “They say they’re Patriots but they hate everybody in America who looks like us. They say they love America but they hate the people, the brown folk, the gays, the lesbians, the people with piercings, ya know ya’ll."

***

I’m going to have to mic check you there, Mr. Jones. You’re not talking about so-called libertarians, but your former boss and current president. See, it’s Barack Obama who supports “traditional marriage”; Barack Obama who supports a drug war that sends an alarming number of black men to prison and destroys their employment prospects; Barack Obama who supports a foreign policy that kills children; Barack Obama who supports regulatory barriers that require the poorest of the poor to borrow their way into the workforce; Barack Obama who supports an immigration strategy that rips apart families and sees the children of undocumented workers put up for adoption.

Whether Obama’s support for those policies means he hates gays or brown folk is not for me to say

Libertarians, on the other hand, love brown folk, the gays, the lesbians, the people with piercings, and immigrants. Many of us, after all, fit rather neatly into those categories, and we show our affection for ourselves and our neighbors by supporting the right of all peoples to live free of state-sponsored violence, discrimination, undue imprisonment, and theft; as well as the entirely predictable consequences of both left-wing and right-wing social engineering.This guys is a clown. *** “They’ve taken their despicable ideology... more

maasanova
added this
1 month ago
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68 comments

The Antiwar Comic: The Protesters Know

U.S. Representatives have an ironic view of Hitler.

TonyDiGerolamo
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1 month ago
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