From racist attacks targeting Lodi, California’s Muslim community, to attempts to silence and imprison political activists in San Francisco and San Diego, dissent and freedom of speech are under attack. As government repression in general increases, so does the use of the federal grand jury to intimidate, incarcerate and render impotent activists across social movements. In recent years, pressure on the animal rights, environmental justice, anti-war and anarchist movements has increased exponentially. Government officials seem anxious to pin the label “terrorist� on anyone that is effectively campaigning against injustice. At a recent hearing before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, John E. Lewis, Deputy Assistant Director of the Counterterrorism Division of the FBI, testified that, “Investigating and preventing animal rights extremism and eco-terrorism is one of the FBI’s highest domestic terrorism priorities.�

Activists and people of color are not the only people being persecuted, lawyers are feeling the heat as well. On Febuary 10, 2005, New York civil rights attorney Lynne Stewart was convicted of conspiracy, providing material support to terrorists and defrauding the US government. Yet, Stewart never provided any financial support, weaponry or any other concrete aid for any act of terrorism. No act of terrorism is alleged to have resulted from her actions. Lynne and her supporters argue that all she did was represent her client effectively as a good attorney should.

audio: New York Human Rights attorney Lynne Stewart interview

updates:
San Diego: Judge to Hear First Amendment Objections
San Francisco: Reprieve for Activists

resources: FBIwitchHunt.com || Just Cause Law Collective || National Lawyers Guild || No Compromise

Santa Cruz City Council voted to approve the "no party" ordinance tonight [6/28/05]. It will go into effect in 30 days from today.

The vote was five to two in favor of the broad sweeping ordinance, which with its current language, disproportionately punishes renters and students who hold two or less parties within a 12-month timeframe, sends letters to the parents of 18-21 year olds, and letters upon the first warning to landlords, does not create an appeals process, nor did it create measurable criteria for what constitutes a violation of the "quiet enjoyment of public property."

Opponents of this ordinance will be meeting to organize soon to campaign for the repeal of this draconian ordinance unfairly targeting students and young people.

previous report: City Council Unanimously Passes First Reading of “NO PARTY� Ordinance

Thinking of having a little shindig for your next birthday? Want to have a party to celebrate your promotion at work? How about getting together and having dinner with a few friends out on your patio? Well, you better think again because any one of those activities could land you a hefty fine, a certified letter to your landlord and, if you’re under 21, another certified letter to your parents. Plus, you and the aforementioned parties will be billed an undisclosed amount of money, as soon as the city determines how much they want to charge you for sending an officer out to issue the warning and/or citation.

These are all part of the city’s revision of the Santa Cruz Municipal Code Chapter 9.37 pertaining to “loud� or “unruly� gatherings. In response to years of complaints by neighbors plagued by student parties, the city council is making sweeping changes to the ordinance that will affect every one of us, student or not, if you ever want to gather with more than one friend at a time, that is.

See also: Open Letter to SC City Council Re: "No Party" ordinances

Call for Solidarity with Animal Advocates and Others Subpoenaed

Ten Bay Area residents, who include animal advocates, alternative media members, prisoner rights activists, and members of the greater Bay Area progressive community, have been subpoenaed to a Federal Grand Jury in San Francisco. The first hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, June 22nd. Supporters of the Bay Area residents, as well as all those who seek to defend and keep free speech rights, have been invited to attend on a show of solidarity with those subpoenaed. The hearing will take place at 9am in the Federal Courthouse at 450 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco. The date is subject to change, so people who plan to attend are encouraged to check FBIwitchHunt.com for updates. Animal Liberation supporters believe that the grand jury is an effort to intimidate them. Read More

In addition, as of 6/20, at least eight activists in San Diego have received grand jury subpoenas, and the Activist San Diego house in City Heights was visited by three federal agents. Read More || Audio

Listen to Grand Jury Teach-in Audio | Fault Lines story

Read More on Indybay's Animal Liberation News Page

Escalations in protest against military recruitment locally and nationally have shown results. Recuiters have been harassed, confronted, sued, kicked out, and engaged in dialogue. And they are worried.

May 20th, 2005, all US Army recruiting offices will be CLOSED in order to "reaffirm" their "oaths." This should be seen as a victory to those who have engaged in dialogue with recruiters--who have fallen short of their "goals" for enlistment consistently the past few years.

Free Radio call-in (.mp3) and info from the Capitola Recuiting office and the Watsonville "job" faire.

See also: Mumia Abu Jamal: Harder and Harder to Recruit || UCSC Students Kick Military Recruiters Off Campus || www.Indymedia.us || Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors || RCNV's Draft & Military Alternatives Program || CodePink's Counter-Recruitment Campaign

"The State would rather give me an Uzi than microphone."
- Mumia Abu-Jamal

Stephanie Faucher of Death Penalty Focus & Natasha Minsker of NorCal ACLU, join me by phone to discuss the pending execution of Clarence Ray Allen. We also look at the implications of AB 1121, aka The CA Moratorium on Executions Act. Opens with Johnny Cash.

Peace and Social Justice Advocates, and People who love this Community!
Unite in Solidarity with the "Just Us" campaign!!
Tuesday January 10th, 6:30 - 7:30 PM
City Hall, Santa Cruz, 809 Center Street

Remorse and religion is the standard of those representatives pleading guilty to government bribes and lies. Courage and conviction is the standard of American whistleblowers, Sibel Edmonds and Bunnatine Greenhouse. Is there a Patriot Act that can protect whistleblowers and reflect the standards of how patriots are free to act?

Scott Dyleski, Whi is chargeed with the murder of a well known defense attorney, is being railroaded by the same system that the victims husband defended other accused against! It's time for fairness in the justice system!!!