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Denver Depending Upon Less Lethal Weaponry at Democratic Convention
WOW...the Denver Police Department ordered pepper spray guns and extended-range tasers and weapons that incapacitate people with high-intensity sound?
Hmmm...extremely interesting to me that they chose these less lethal weapons when it comes to incapacitating an aggresive person. Appears that a message is being sent here that they're good enough to stop an attacker in their tracks.
READ ABOUT THIS HERE
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/jun/17/denve... WOW...the Denver Police Department ordered pepper spray guns and extended-range tasers and weapons that incapacitate people with high-... more -
100 arrested in Indonesia over fuel protest
Police arrested more than 100 protesters in the Indonesian capital Saturday after some burnt tyres and threw molotov cocktails during a rally over fuel price rises, police said. Indonesia hiked the cost of fuel by nearly 30 percent from Saturday in response to soaring global oil prices, and a ballooning subsidy bill, leaving hard-pressed households facing even more economic woes.
“More than 100 people have been detained for questioning,” a police officer identified only as Ari told AFP.
He said that hundreds of students staged the rally early Saturday in front of the National University in South Jakarta over the price rise decision.
“Protesters have thrown small fuel bombs (molotov) towards the police and burned tyres on the streets,” he said.
Police also arrested about 26 protesters who rallied outside the presidential palace at midnight on Friday, when the price rise came into effect, Detikcom News Website reported.
A police officer said protesters had no permit to stage a rally there.
In Bandung city in West Java, 1,000 protesters from hardline Muslim group Hizbut Tahrir held a protest Saturday morning to condemn the government’s move on prices, local ElShinta radio reported.
Many ordinary Indonesians say higher fuel prices combined with the recent surge in the cost of food will put an intolerable strain on family budgets.
The price hike sparked protests across the sprawling archipelago of 234 million people when it was flagged earlier this month by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
The government defended the decision on Friday, saying in a statement that even with the hike, fuel was still subsidised and “lower than in poor countries such as East Timor.”
Police arrested more than 100 protesters in the Indonesian capital Saturday after some burnt tyres and threw molotov cocktails during ... more -
China 'to allow Olympic protests'
In a surprising move, China has decided to allow protests of the Olympic games. That is, demonstrators must apply to protest in advance, and they can only demonstrate in three parks.
This sounds like a US "free speech zone."
Do you think this regulated protesting will work?
Is this paving the way for freedom, or is it just another illusion? In a surprising move, China has decided to allow protests of the Olympic games. That is, demonstrators must apply to protest in advanc... more -
Climate change activist glues himself to Gordon Brown
A climate change activist attempted to superglue himself to Gordon Brown after he was invited to Downing Street to receive an award for his protesting work.
Dan Glass, of the campaigning group Plane Stupid, tried to attach his hand to the Prime Minister's suit as the pair met at an event to recognise the contribution of the voluntary sector.
The 24-year-old then demanded to know why the Government was refusing to meet residents opposed to plans for a third runway at Heathrow airport.
"We cannot shake away climate change like you can just shake away my arm," the protestor said, before the Prime Minister wrenched his sleeve away.
Downing Street laughed off the stunt, and said there had never been any threat to Mr Brown. A spokesman said: "As far as we are concerned, nothing really happened.
"There was a light-hearted and not particularly successful demonstration at a reception that was being hosted at Downing Street."
Speaking afterwards, Mr Glass, from Barnet, north London said he had smuggled five pouches of glue into the building in his underwear, before smearing the adhesive onto his left hand.
"I just glued myself to him and after 20 seconds he tore my hand off - it really hurt. He had to give it a couple of tugs before it came away," he said.
"He was just grinning about it. He didn't seem to take me seriously."
The protestor said he was given a round of applause by the audience as he urged the Prime Minister to change his mind on Heathrow expansion.
Mr Glass had been invited to Downing Street to receive an award from the Sheila McKechnie Foundation for his protesting work with Plane Stupid.
Police said there had not been any security breach, as Mr Glass was invited and did not cause any damage. A climate change activist attempted to superglue himself to Gordon Brown after he was invited to Downing Street to receive an award fo... more -
China builds 'protest pens' for Olympic demonstrators
Beijing is to set up three "protest pens" in parks around the city to cater for anyone brave enough to want to stage a demonstration during the Olympic Games.
Plans for the protest areas were announced even as the government made clear that dissent by Chinese citizens would not be tolerated in the next month.
Among the victims was Du Daobin, a prominent internet writer who was detained and then given a suspended sentence in 2004 for subversion. He was arrested this week accused of posting articles to foreign websites and meeting guests in violation of his probation, according to a number of activist groups abroad including Reporters without Borders.
His case comes on top of the jailing in March of Hu Jia, who was among the best known activists among the international community, and the detention last month of Huang Qi, another internet writer who criticised the government about building safety after the earthquake in his home province of Sichuan.
Other dissidents and human rights activists and lawyers have been warned to leave the city during the Games.
The three designated parks are Ritan Park in the east of the city, Shijie or World Park in Fengtai district to the south-west, and Zizhuyuan or Purple Bamboo Park in Haidian district to the north-west.
Ritan, or the Temple of the Sun Park is close to the British and other embassies, and is popular with both tourists and the many expatriates who live in the area.
The authorities have implemented strict security in advance of the Games, citing the dangers of terrorism and social disturbance, but have said this is in line with previous Olympics. This raised the pressure on them to allow a venue for demonstrations, which are strictly banned by the International Olympic Committee at all sporting venues but have customarily been allowed elsewhere.
Liu Shaowu, director of security for the Games, said that Chinese law allowed protests "as long as applications were made and approved in advance", a condition almost never met in the country.
"How to get approval for protests and what requirements are needed for people to participate in the protests will be explained to every applicant in the process of application," he said. "Normally we will ask people to go to the approved places for their demonstrations."
Mr Liu did not answer when asked whether both Chinese and foreign protesters could use the protest venues.
Numerous overseas groups have waged active campaigns around the Games, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Reporters without Borders, and a variety of Tibet support groups.
But a tightening of visa restrictions, with some activists even turned back from the supposedly freer Hong Kong during the Olympic Torch relay, has made it more difficult to arrange protests during the Games themselves. Beijing is to set up three "protest pens" in parks around the city to cater for anyone brave enough to want to stage a demonstration d... more -
Three official protest zones for the Olympics
So finally protestors will be allowed into Beijing - I guess that's providing they get their visas and don't have banners larger than the restricted size and or with the wrong message and don't gather in larger groups than is allowed at present..
These 'special demonstration zones for protesters to express themselves' will be situated in three parks, all of which are pretty near the competition arenas and city centre, a decided improvement from the 1995 U.N. Women's Conference in Beijing, when the city government set up similar protest zones, but in Huairou, way outside the city. So finally protestors will be allowed into Beijing - I guess that's providing they get their visas and don't have banners larger than ... more -
Heathrow hater glues himself to Gordon Brown
A campaigner against the further expansion of Heathrow Airport attempted to glue his own hand to that of Gordon Brown during a Downing Street reception.
The protester, part of the ingeniously entitled campaign group, 'Plane Stupid' was reportedly about to receive an award when he covered his hand with superglue and reached out for that trusty handshake.
Dan Glass, said he "glued his hand" to Mr Brown's jacket as he shook his hand, but that Brown "was just grinning about it. He didn't seem to take me seriously."
A formal press release from Downing Street said there had been "no stickiness of any significance". A campaigner against the further expansion of Heathrow Airport attempted to glue his own hand to that of Gordon Brown during a Downing... more -
Nas to protest at “racist” Fox studios
Nas is turning his words into action as he’ll join ColorOfChange.org and MoveOn.org in delivering a 600,000-signature petition to the channel’s Manhattan studios tomorrow afternoon. The petition demands that Fox “end its pattern of racist attacks against Black Americans including presidential candidate Barack Obama and his wife Michelle.” Nas is turning his words into action as he’ll join ColorOfChange.org and MoveOn.org in delivering a 600,000-signature petition to the ... more
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Animal rights group protests over Pope's fur
One of Italy's leading animal rights groups is launching an internet petition to demand Pope Benedict XVI stop wearing fur during religious ceremonies at the Vatican.
Lorenzo Croce, chairman of the Italian Association for the Defence of Animals and the Environment (AIDAA), denied being provocative or wanting to make an anti-religious statement.
"We just want to ask him in a message of love and peace to give a strong signal towards the protection of animals and the environment through a small but very significant personal sacrifice," Mr Croce told the Italian news agency ANSA.
Since his election Pope Benedict has taken to wearing a number of traditional religious garments, including a small red velvet cape with a white ermine border, which he wears in winter along with a hat the same colour.
The association has created a website to accept signatures and Mr Croce wants to present the petition to the Pope in September.
Pope Benedict returned to Rome late today after an eight-day visit to Sydney for World Youth Day. One of Italy's leading animal rights groups is launching an internet petition to demand Pope Benedict XVI stop wearing fur during reli... more -
Robert Redford backs E.ON demonstration in Kingsnorth Kent
THE Hollywood A-lister Robert Redford has waded into the controversy over plans to build the UK’s first new coal-fired power station in three decades.
Camp for Climate Action, the group that stormed Heathrow to protest against plans for a third runway, has promised to invade and shut down the plant that provides power for 1.5m homes in the area. THE Hollywood A-lister Robert Redford has waded into the controversy over plans to build the UK’s first new coal-fired power station i... more -
War Video Warning:Graphic
7 years!
I have gathered an exhibition of graphic and bloody videos. 30 in all.
I believe you'll find them sickening and hard to watch.
I encourage you to view as many as possible go gain insight into the issue I'm presenting.
Watch and learn about the reality of war.
Barack Obama and John McCain want this to continue...
How can anyone see the sense or goodness in this.
Please add any links you have.
Let others know your thoughts by commenting below. 7 years! I have gathered an exhibition of graphic and bloody videos. 30 in all. ... more -
Kucinich to investigate police surveillance of protest groups
Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), who has figured prominently in recent political news for his attempts to begin impeachment hearings against President George W. Bush, today announced that the congressional subcommittee he chairs will look into reports of peace groups being surveilled by police and private investigators.
"[M]ost people would be upset to know that police were spying on lawful citizens and infiltrating peaceful organizations, rather than chasing down real criminals," said Kucinich in a press release delivered to RAW STORY. "At a minimum, such police spying is clearly a waste of taxpayer dollars and a diversion from the mission of protecting and serving the people.
"I want the subcommittee to determine how widespread these activities are and who ordered them," the Ohio Democrat and former presidential candidate said.
Kucinich chairs the House Domestic Policy Subcommittee of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
The press release referred to reports that Maryland state police officers infiltrated peace and anti-death penalty groups and that private investigators working on behalf of "several large corporations" had surveilled environmental groups.
Such surveillance is apparently not limited to law enforcement and private investigators. In January 2007, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) released a report showing "widespread Pentagon surveillance of peace activists."
Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), who has figured prominently in recent political news for his attempts to begin impeachment hearings again... more -
Happy hour drinking ban considered for UK
Happy hours in pubs and clubs could be banned in an attempt to promote responsible drinking, a government spokesperson has said.
The government is expected to publish the results of an independent review into the link between price promotion and alcohol abuse in the next few weeks. It will then begin consultation about new legislation to regulate the industry, which could include banning happy hours.
A Department of Health spokesperson said: "The Government has made it clear that alcohol must be sold and marketed responsibly and that new legislation will be introduced if existing voluntary standards are not being met."
Drinks promotions and happy hours are currently regulated by individual pub companies.
A report by Alcohol Concern, published this week, showed current industry self-regulation was ineffective, and cut-price drinks deals were commonplace.
Don Shenker, chief executive of Alcohol Concern, said: "The drinks industry's claim to champion responsible retailing is badly let down by the significant number of premises who persistently sell alcohol at cut prices.
"Self-regulation has clearly failed and we desperately need mandatory codes and an industry watchdog to stamp out the poor practice and complacency that is characteristic of many of these venues."
Prof Ian Gilmore, president of the Royal College of Physicians and chairman of the Alcohol Heath Alliance, added: "Too many bars and clubs continue to put profit before their customers' health. This report shows the time has come for the government to step in to regulate an industry whose own efforts to tackle irresponsible alcohol sales have failed."
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), welcomed the government review, but warned new legislation should cover all alcohol retailers.
Mark Hastings, BBPA director of communications, said: "No-one in the industry would have any problem with the government seeking to regulate irresponsible drinks promotions but we would expect such regulations to be directed not only towards pubs, but supermarkets and corner shops too. It should not be one rule for pubs and one rule for everyone else."
Happy hours in pubs and clubs could be banned in an attempt to promote responsible drinking, a government spokesperson has said. ... more -
Monks say 'If we have guns we will shoot back'
Clancy Chassay reports from inside Burma on plans for a new uprising against the military regime, and hears some monks calling for more western intervention and an armed insurrection Clancy Chassay reports from inside Burma on plans for a new uprising against the military regime, and hears some monks calling for mor... more
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Lawyers ready to defend protesters who land in jail at DNC
Keeping everyone posted on news concerning the DNC from local news sources-
The Rocky Mountain News-
Free speech rights are personal to Denver criminal defense lawyer Sean McAllister.
During a protest in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, McAllister, 35, was serving as a legal observer.
"The police came out of nowhere and I was karate-chopped in the neck. I have been personally assaulted by the DPD (Denver Police Department)," McAllister said.
He is concerned that First Amendment rights could take a back seat during the Democratic National Convention. That's why McAllister said he helped found the DNC-People's Law Project and will be volunteering his time to help protesters during the convention. The People's Law Project held a training session Friday to focus on protecting civil rights and quickly springing protesters from jail during the convention.
Mayor John Hickenlooper has said that all police on the streets during the convention will have attended training classes to help them defuse violence.
Civil rights lawyer David Lane spoke during the training session where about 60 lawyers learned how they can help defend protesters who tangle with police.
Lane said police reaction to protesters will determine whether rallies are peaceful or violent.
Lane said he witnessed some restraint by Denver police at a recent Columbus Day parade.
But, he said, the brass will set the tone in August. "If police are ill-trained and ill-led, '68 may very well be recreated in Denver," Lane said referring to riots during the 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago.
The People's Law Project will provide pro bono attorneys to help jailed protesters during the convention.
The group will also staff a hot line where protesters can call for help and will field teams of neutral legal observers who will attend rallies and videotape protesters' interaction with police. Keeping everyone posted on news concerning the DNC from local news sources- The Rocky Mountain News- ... more -
Protesters' proximity at DNC upsets national media
Keeping everyone posted on issues concerning the DNC from local news sources-
Rocky Mountain News-
Denver's selection of a spot for protesters to congregate during the Democratic National Convention has angered another group - the national media.
Some of the media tents to be erected on the Pepsi Center parking lot will be within a stone's throw of the area the city has designated for protesters.
Members of the media are concerned that loud demonstrations could disrupt broadcasts or that reporters and photographers could be doused with tear gas or pepper spray if there are confrontations between police and protesters.
Andrew Taylor, chair of the Standing Committee of Correspondents, said he is sending a letter to Mayor John Hickenlooper requesting that another site be designated for the demonstrators to congregate, away from the reporters.
The one-acre protest site on the southeast corner of the parking lot, near Seventh Street and Auraria Parkway, will only be about 40 feet south of one of the media tents, Taylor said. A second media tent will sit west of the protest site.
"The media is more sympathetic than virtually any other group for the need to have protesters, to give them a place to speak out," said Taylor, an Associated Press reporter. But then he added:
"We're just basically raising what are really the obvious issues; you're going to have thousands of protesters covering an acre, and it's going to be right next door to two tents, where the print and broadcast media are going to try to do their jobs," Taylor added.
Sue Cobb, the mayor's spokeswoman, acknowledged she spoke with Taylor but said she needed to do more research on the issue before she could comment. Keeping everyone posted on issues concerning the DNC from local news sources- Rocky Mountain News- ... more -
McDonald's apologises after group of mothers stage sit-in over breast-feeding ban
A McDonald's manager who told a young woman to stop breastfeeding found himself faced with a demonstration of Mum Power.
Maddie Reynolds returned with five friends she had met at ante-natal classes and they staged a mass feed-in at the restaurant.
'We all walked in to McDonald's together and sat around one table right by the counter,' said 27-year-old Miss Reynolds, a nursery nurse from Bournemouth. We began breastfeeding our babies all at the same time to make a point. We caused a bit of a stir among customers but none of the staff looked our way. Someone told a manager what we were doing but he just muttered that he couldn't comment.'
The incident happened at the McDonald's branch inside an Asda supermarket in the resort. Miss Reynolds was feeding ten-week-old Sophie when the staff member intervened.
'I had a proper maternity top on which is designed for breastfeeding so no one could see anything,' she said. 'I was angry when the man told me to leave but knew I wasn't doing anything wrong so I carried on. But he just stood there and watched me for a few minutes. I felt so humiliated but put my head down and didn't stop and eventually he walked off. I felt so cross and upset.'
Miss Reynolds lives with partner Karl Brackenborough, 29, who works as a television fitter and repairer.
She added: 'I choose to breastfeed Sophie because I know it's healthy and the best thing for her. I remember reading about a similar incident a while back where a woman was thrown out of a coffee shop for breastfeeding. She was so upset by it that she started using bottles instead. I wasn't prepared to let something like that happen to anyone else again.'
Fellow protester Catherine Davis, 19, took her seven-week-old daughter Amelia along to the sit-in. She said: 'I just thought the way Maddie was treated was disgusting. It's the most natural thing to feed your baby and there's nothing wrong with it. Everyone says breast is best. I have breastfed in public and no one ever has ever said anything to me. I think it's fine as long as you are discreet.'
Alison Purves, spokesman for McDonald's, said the company was 'disappointed' by the junior manager's actions. Breastfeeding mothers were welcomed in all its restaurants.
'This manager was working unilaterally and not following company policy at all. If another customer ever expressed their discomfort about breastfeeding we would encourage them to move rather than the mum. What we don't want to do is to make mums feel as if they have to hide away.'
She said the manager involved had been told he had made a mistake.
'We are confident he will make the right decision in future.' A McDonald's manager who told a young woman to stop breastfeeding found himself faced with a demonstration of Mum Power. ... more -
Japan residents protest against U.S. warship plan
More than 10,000 people marched by a U.S. navy base near Tokyo on Saturday, calling for the Japanese government to stop the deployment of a nuclear-powered warship for the first time to Japan, rally organizers said. The protest by local residents and activists against basing the aircraft carrier USS George Washington in Yokosuka, 45 km (28 miles) southwest of Tokyo, came amid growing concerns safety after a fire on the ship in May.
"The U.S military does not disclose any information on the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier's structure, as well as its navigation and accident records," said Masahiko Goto, a lawyer who participated in the protest.
"This is the same as bringing a nuclear reactor into another country. Something is wrong here. The Japanese government is sacrificing the local residents' safety for its national interests."
The USS George Washington was originally scheduled to be deployed to Yokosuka in August, but its arrival is likely to be delayed due to the fire, which left one sailor with minor burns, Japanese media have reported.
It will become the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to be stationed in Japan, the only country to suffer atomic bombing at the end of World War Two. More than 10,000 people marched by a U.S. navy base near Tokyo on Saturday, calling for the Japanese government to stop the deployment... more -
Mob Attacks Police Over Litter
I wish the citizens of the world would take notes from this girl. You can fight back. She just chose to fight over trash instead of say, impending removal of all human liberty.
One officer was dragged to the ground and kicked while the other was bitten by a girl who jumped on his back.
Up to 30 people took part in the attack, which happened in North End, Croydon, on Wednesday afternoon.
Trouble flared when the 15-year-old threw her food wrapper back on to the ground and became aggressive. The two officers are currently on sick leave.
One eyewitness said he saw two police officers struggling with a girl before a group of youths joined in and began pushing and shoving the officers.
"The police - there were only two of them - they were really outnumbered and all these yobs were just pushing them out of the way.
"I didn't see any punch being thrown but it was disgusting the way they treated the police."
A girl who was arrested at the scene on suspicion of assault has been released on bail. I wish the citizens of the world would take notes from this girl. You can fight back. She just chose to fight over trash instead of sa... more -
Nationwide protests to oppose war with Iran
Street demonstrations, teach-ins, vigils, and "freezes" are among the events planned for this weekend as part of a nationwide protest against what are widely perceived to be moves by the George W. Bush administration toward military conflict with Iran.
"Freezes," involving a large number of people standing in place for five minutes, are planned for key locations in New York City such as Grand Central Station and Penn Station, as well as Chicago's Millennium Park and Santa Monica, California.
The term and new form of street action derive from the state of U.S.-Iran relations. The Bush administration says Iran must freeze its uranium enrichment program in order to "defrost" relations between the two countries and avoid further sanctions.
Elsewhere anti-war and religious groups, students, trade unions, and others will participate in "Call to Action: No War with Iran" co-sponsored by New York-based United for Peace and Justice and Washington, D.C.-based Peace Action.
Actions are planned in such diverse locations as Champaign-Urbana, Illinois; Melbourne, Florida; Philadelphia; San Francisco; and Waterloo, Iowa.
Two thirds of Americans asked during a recent Gallup poll whether they favor diplomatic initiatives or military action against Iran said they wanted the U.S. government to pursue peaceful negotiations.
While demonstrators around the United States drive home that point, a high-ranking U.S. diplomat will attend a meeting Saturday in Switzerland with an Iranian diplomat -- a rare break with Bush administration practice that has largely shunned direct talks with Iranian officials.
William Burns will attend the Geneva meeting involving Iran and a group of European Union countries trying to break through the current impasse, but White House spokesperson Dana Perino has characterized Burns' presence as a "one-time U.S. participation."
The meeting is aimed at convincing Iran to accept a package of incentives offered last month by Western nations, in exchange for ceasing to enrich uranium.
To date Iran has rejected the package, and earlier this month held highly publicized missile tests to show its level of seriousness. At the same time, rumors were rife that Washington is working behind the scenes with Israel to prepare a military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities.
Some experts argue that these rumors, whether or not they are true, have a negative impact by fueling Iranian nationalism, entrenching the stance of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, heightening tensions, and ultimately leading to intransigence and events such as the Iranian missile tests.
Media reports suggest that a pro-Israel lobby group is pressuring Congress to impose a naval blockade on Iran, which would be considered an act of war.
In response, protestors in Columbus, Ohio plan a "Peace Boat Blockade" for Monday, involving a march on the offices of Republican Congressman Patrick Tiberi, who supports the blockade, carrying toy boats, submarines, and airplanes to "demonstrate the crazy policy that this blockade symbolizes."
The demonstrations are scheduled for Jul. 19-21. Following the series of street actions planned for Saturday and Sunday, Monday has been designated "Congressional Education Day." Protestors will lobby Congress to hold back plans for war with Iran.
Street demonstrations, teach-ins, vigils, and "freezes" are among the events planned for this weekend as part of a nationwide protest ... more
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