The Brown Berets are part of the historical struggle of resistance of the Chicano community. Founded in 1967 by youth in the barrios of East Los Angeles, they organized to fight against police harassment, social injustice and poor education. Influenced by the legacy of this orgnization, a group of Watsonville students decided to reactivate the Brown Berets in 1994. The Watsonville Brown Berets are one of the most active local youth organizations fighting for progressive change and barrio peace.

See also: Youth and Power in Watsonville

"Why is it media reform? it should be media revolution!" I stepped into the 2005 national conference for media reform with very few personal expectations. i am new to indymedia, just getting back into photojournalism and really need to study up on what's going on within the field... so i asked my fellow san diego indymistas what they might like for me to ask - and set out to see what i could find. happily - it did not take very long... [ read more at san diego imc... ]

This conference was about reformist politics, academic speech, and money. Reformers are generally people that recognize that a problem exists, and use their dollars and sense to rectify that problem. These people exist everywhere. In this incantation the people had recognized that the media may not be telling the truth all of the time and in some cases may also be working or the governement or the corporations that own them in an attempt to trick the people into thinking a certain way or beleiving a certain set of lies... [ read more at portland imc... ]

For me, the NCMR really threw into relief the gulf between the perspective of IMC and the media justice groups versus a media "reform" agenda. Below are some of the reasons I was deeply troubled by the vision of media change articulated by free press and most of the people I heard speak on panels. [ read more from nyc imc ]

I am here in St. Louis, MO attending the National Conference for Media Reform where many of the nation's most prominent left-leaning journalists and media scholars have gathered. Well, that is, many of the nation's white left-leaning journalists and media scholars. [ read more at dc imc... ]

other sources: IMC takes action at NCMR I Pics from NCMR I At Tennessee IMC I At NYC IMC I At St. Louis IMC
more about the conference: I FreePress.net I Download Session Audio I Streaming Video I Other Press Coverage

Know your rights, and fight back against government harassment of the Bay Area activist community

Since the arrest of Peter Young in Santa Clara County, after over 7 years on the F-B-I's WANTED list, there have been increasing levels of activity by the feds in the counties of San Francisco, Alameda, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz. This comes as no great surprise as the Department of Justice seems desperate to try and blame their failure to arrest Peter on some sort of vast consiparacy.

It is especially important during this time of increased government repression to stand up for our rights and just say NO to government harassment. You have the right to remain silent - use it!

You do not have to talk to FBI agents, police or any law enforcement agent. If approached tell them you have nothing to say.

On Saturday, May 7th, the UCSC Anarchism Research Cluster and the Center for Cultural Studies hosted a one-day conference and conversation exploring and contextualizing contemporary anarchism. The conference took place from 9:30am - 6:00pm in Oakes 105.

Organizing questions included: How can we think adequately about anarchism’s place in current social justice movements? What resources does anarchism present us for addressing the current moment? What is it about this current conjuncture that resonates with anarchism? How might anarchism be a part of re-politicizing the academic left?

The conference included two panels with ample time for discussion, and an extended lunch discussion. Conference speakers include Iain Boal, Arif Dirlik, Carwil James, John Holloway, Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, Barry Pateman, Roger White, and Eddie Yuen.

The open form of the conference facilitated a roundtable atmosphere for all to participate actively.

Photos: Lunchtime

Audio: Second Panel and Closing Discussion

California Anarchist Prisoner Solidarity (C.A.P.S.) Presents:

A film screening to benefit Jeff "Free" Luers, eco-defence prisoner.

In June 2001, 23 year-old forest defense activist Jeffrey "Free" Luers was sentenced to 22 years and 8 months in prison for the burning of three Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV's) in Eugene, Oregon. To make a statement about global warming, Jeff and his codefendent, Craig 'Critter' Marshall, set fire to 3 Sport Utility Vehicles at a Eugene car dealership. Their stated purpose was to raise awareness about global warming and the role that SUVs play in that process. No one was hurt in this action nor was that the intent. An arson specialist at trial confirmed that the action did not pose any threat to people based on its size and distance from any fuel source. Despite the fact that this action hurt no one, caused only $40,000 in damages and the cars were later resold, Jeff was sent to prison for a sentence considerably longer than those convicted of murder, kidnapping and rape in Oregon state. Jeff is a political prisoner and continues to write and agitate for his release while imprisoned at Oregon State Penetentiary. His appeal was filed in January 2002. Please read the latest on his appeal here.

Friday May 6, 8:00pm, at the Next Door - 1205 Soquel Ave. right next to the Rio Theatre. Flyer (.pdf)

Sliding Scale admission. All proceeds collected at the door will go toward Jeff's legal defense.

Audio: Film documentary about Jeff "Free" Luers

Audio: Indynewswire show: June 10-12 Weekend of Resistance

January 16 to March 20, 2006

MLK Day until the Third Commemoration of the Iraq War

A campaign of nonviolent action to compel our elected representatives in Congress to meet the demands of justice and peace:

End the War in Iraq! Not Another Death - Not Another Dollar!

Reclaim the debate! Resist the G8! In July 2006, the G8 will hold its annual Summit in St.Petersburg, Russia. Vladimir Putin says he's placing "energy security" at the top of the G8 agenda during Russia's presidency. The G8 countries consume 45% of world oil and produce 47% of global CO2 emissions. Their "energy security" is our energy grave!

Push For Peace is a collective of veterans, progressive activists, and everyday citizens working together through education, motivation, and truth to bring America’s troops home from this illegal war in Iraq and to help bring healing and peace to our nation. It began with an idea by a wheelchair-bound, Vietnam veteran named Buddy, whose genuine concern over this preemptive war of choice in Iraq, and his tireless persistence, captured the interest of two Northwest activists to take the challenge.

There are many home-bound, or otherwise disabled, American citizens and veterans that have been unable to participate in past marches supporting the peace message. The Push For Peace movement is geared to combine the efforts of able-bodied activists to those with special needs or challenges, so that all people can participate and be counted. The Push For Peace effort will include organized rallies and marches, as well as appearances and performances by high-profile speakers and entertainers, to rally the American people and show them we stand united with our fellow citizen and soldier.

It is our goal to grow the base of participants each day resulting in a cross-country Push culminating at the gates of the White House on July 4, 2006. Events will be scheduled across the country leading up to the big Push in July. So keep checking the Push calendar for events near you.

If you do not see events scheduled for your area and would like the Push For Peace to "push" through your state, please contact us for more information:

info (at) pushforpeace.us or visit our website at www.pushforpeace.us.

To contact one of us directly please use:

buddy (at) pushforpeace.us
jodie (at) pushforpeace.us
cheri (at) pushforpeace.us

Update on forthcoming book about contemporary anarchism in North America.

Keep informed on Irish Republican activism--Read SAOIRSE!