Indymedia Network Newswire

One Year in to the Health Care Reform Debate

This week in March, Americans note that federal health care reform has been in the works for a whole year. Bills have been written and amended; support has been promised and at times withdrawn.

Santa Cruz City Council Votes to Ban Additional Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

On Tuesday, March 9th, the Santa Cruz City Council voted 6-0 to support a recommendation from the city staff which bans the opening of an additional medical marijuana dispensary in Santa Cruz. This was the first reading of the vote and there will be a second vote in two weeks to finalize the ruling.

Update - G20 appeal win and the LRAD experts in Pittsburgh

A few thoughts on last week’s G20 appeal hearings

Last week, I was in Pittsburgh again to deal with my appeal on my summary offense conviction of “disorderly conduct”. At this time, there were also a few other appeal hearings from other G20 arrestees for similar offenses. So on March 1st, I went into a hearing of four other G20 Arrestees to get an idea of how the summary appeal process works in Pennsylvania. There were three students and one non-student – all of whom were either arrested on the evening of September 25th near the University of Pittsburgh or the day earlier at Lawrenceville during the un-permitted march.

Update - G20 appeal win and the LRAD experts in Pittsburgh

A few thoughts on last week’s G20 appeal hearings

Last week, I was in Pittsburgh again to deal with my appeal on my summary offense conviction of “disorderly conduct”. At this time, there were also a few other appeal hearings from other G20 arrestees for similar offenses. So on March 1st, I went into a hearing of four other G20 Arrestees to get an idea of how the summary appeal process works in Pennsylvania. There were three students and one non-student – all of whom were either arrested on the evening of September 25th near the University of Pittsburgh or the day earlier at Lawrenceville during the un-permitted march.

BREAKING: Court Allows Torture Suit Against Former Defense Secretary Rumsfeld

CHICAGO – Federal Judge Wayne R. Andersen issued an historic ruling on Friday in Chicago, allowing a lawsuit that charges former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld with authorizing torture to go forward. Rumsfeld argued that, as a high-placed government official, he was immune from allegations of torture and that the Constitution allowed a person in his position to order interrogation techniques that are widely considered by human rights experts to be torture. The Court rejected both arguments and held that high-placed cabinet officials can be held personally liable if they authorize the use of torture. Read more.

BREAKING: Court Allows Torture Suit Against Former Defense Sec't Rumsfeld

CHICAGO – Federal Judge Wayne R. Andersen issued an historic ruling on Friday in Chicago, allowing a lawsuit that charges former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld with authorizing torture to go forward. Rumsfeld argued that, as a high-placed government official, he was immune from allegations of torture and that the Constitution allowed a person in his position to order interrogation techniques that are widely considered by human rights experts to be torture. The Court rejected both arguments and held that high-placed cabinet officials can be held personally liable if they authorize the use of torture. Read more.

Philadelphia Rallies Against Mountaintop Destruction

This Monday, Philadelphia community members rallied outside the Philadelphia Region 3 EPA Office to stop mountaintop removal mining in Appalachia. Mountaintop Removal permits are reviewed in Philadelphia and Atlanta EPA Offices.

The crowd chanted "Ending MTR, who has the say? Region 3 of the EPA!", while myself and fellow Rising Tide activist Josh Yoder attempted to enter the building with a letter for senior Region 3 Administrator Shawn Garvin. Read More | Photos

Eight Reasons the Iowa A.L.F. Investigation is a Fraud

Five years after the Animal Liberation Front raids the University of Iowa, the government launches a prosecution that is a fraud on its face | From Voice of the Voiceless

In late-2004, morning workers arrived at the Spence Laboratories to find $450,000 in damage to equipment and 401 animals missing. Graffiti left at the scene read "Science Not Sadism" and "Free The Animals". In a long communique, the Animal Liberation Front (A.L.F.) took credit.

Students, Education Workers Nationwide Rise Up to Defend Public Education on March 4

Nationwide demonstrations took place on Thursday, as students and education workers rose up against budget cuts, layoffs, fee hikes, and the system that prioritizes war and prisons over schools. Demonstrations took place at over 100 campuses in at least 39 states. The most militant actions took place in California. In Oakland, over 200 people shut down Interstate 880, resulting in a mass arrest. In Davis, protesters also tried to take over an Interstate.