Report Back --Press Conference -- Open to the Public -- to hear Curtis Reliford report on the caravan that travelled to Louisiana to deliver goods donated by the community of Santa Cruz.

Welcome those families to Santa Cruz who have relocated because of the hurricane. The local United Nations Association group is organizing a pot luck. More info to follow.

7 pm - Santa Cruz Vets Hall - Thurs. Sept. 29

Jen from Richmond Indymedia was in San Diego in early August to document resistance to border vigilantes and returned this month to witness the failure of the Friends of the Border Patrol at the hands of grassroots mobilizing.

Jen was a guest on Free Radio Santa Cruz's Indynewswire show on September 26 to discuss the recent demonstration that took place in the California border town of Calexico. (13:45 / 6.3 MB)

Learn about what people are doing in Southern California to oppose border vigilantes like the California Minutemen and Friends of the Border Patrol.

Jen from Richmond Indymedia was in San Diego in early August to document resistance to border vigilantes and returned this month to witness the failure of the Friends of the Border Patrol at the hands of grassroots mobilizing. This presentation includes video from San Diego IMC, Jen's own video and also a short presentation on immigration.

Thursday, September 29
7:00 - 9:00 PM

Resource Center for NonViolence
515 Broadway at Ocean
Santa Cruz

Saturday, September 24, 2005
Rita Update
Updated: Saturday September 24th
Location: Algiers

4:33pm Time to run...sorry for the short update but we have an emergency shipment going to the bayou. I'll add more later. By the way - did you notice I used the word "emergency"? If you are wondering whether you should come down, or send anything.... I think you may have your answer. Peace.

On September 9th, Vinny and I arrived in Houston, Texas along with Blank from Portland, Oregon to provide aid in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The three of us headed to Houston to help with with independent media, including a low power fm radio station which was being organized for the Astrodome. Upon our arrival in Houston, we learned that the Astrodome emergency radio station was again being blocked from broadcasting information to survivors of Hurricane Katrina.

We went to the Astrodome and spoke with people who were willing to speak with us. We listened to their experiences in the past and at the Astrodome. Please visit the following links for audio, photos and written reports published by Vinny, Blank and I.

Audio: Criticism of Red Cross Relief Efforts at Astrodome || Katrina Survivor Recounts Experiences || Another Katrina Survivor Recounts Experiences || "One Day at a Time" || Katrina Survivors Organize for Better Conditions || Interview from 'Dome City' with Joseph Bijou of New Orleans || Activists Organize to Free Frances Newton

Photos: The Surreal Scene of Dome City || More Scenes from 'Dome City'

Words: The Houston Astrodome: Do You Know What Is Really Happening?

While in Houston, we were asked if we could go down to the Algiers neighborhood of New Orleans, Louisiana to help set up an emergency low power fm radio station. We were welcomed into the Algiers community by Malik Rahim and Common Ground, a community-run organization offering temporary assistance and mutual aid to the citizens of New Orleans and the surrounding areas.

Words: Algiers New Orleans: Where Common Ground Is Found

Photos: Creativity, Solidarity and Mutual Aid in Algiers, New Orleans || Community Support in Algiers, New Orleans || Common Ground Wellness Center in Algiers, New Orleans || Finding Common Ground in New Orleans

Audio: Interview with Noah, a volunteer medic || Algiers residents starting to return || Leenie Halbert interview || FSRN: Grassroots Groups Offer Assistance in Algiers

We returned to Houston on September 16th. Blank traveled back to Portland and Vinny and I stayed in Houston. We continued trying to find out what was happening with the people at the shelters; human souls that we are referring to as "Katrina survivors."

Audio: Struggles for Katrina Survivors at George R. Brown Convention Center || Interview from 'Dome City' with Josh from New Orleans || Houston Ends Katrina Shelter Operations || Struggling for a Home After Hurricane Katrina

Photos: No Compassion at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston || Scenes from the Reliant Arena || Exit Only at the George R. Brown in Houston || Struggling for a Home After Hurricane Katrina