I recently was interviewed by the media regarding my attempts to force the United States Department of Homeland Security to respect the 5th Amendment at the international border. It inspires me to re-post Attorney Paul Karl Lukacs’s blog titled “10 Reasons To Refuse Answering Questions at Passport Control.”
It is very important to defend your legal rights when traveling internationally… so please do read this:
Ademo Freeman continues to attract more eyes to his case. Yesterday a letter from him transcribed at nevertakeaplea.org was published. He affirmed that he would not be accepting a plea deal to safely avoid jail or prison time, and that he will trust a jury of his peers not to convict him for his victimless attempt to create transparency.
…by the time this is published to CopBlock.org and other blogs, I’ll have refused Michael’s offer and here’s why. First, I can’t go against my principles and sign a deal that says I acknowledge my actions as wrong or illegal. Second, I’m not a hypocrite. How can I advocate refusing plea deals and sign one myself? I don’t judge anyone who has taken pleas because each case/charge is different. Third, I am confident I can show a jury, with facts and logic, that I shouldn’t be caged for my actions.
Appearing today on CNN’s iReport blog is an entry about Ademo’s upcoming trial, which is scheduled to take place in Manchester in just over a week. (more…)
Cracked.com’s 5 Creepy Things London Did to Prepare for the Olympics
Rule Britannia’s Vice Guide to the Olympics
Graphic: Penelope McFadin
Presenting three interviews with occupiers from across the nation at the Chicago NATO summit protests, the weekend of May 18.
Gregory Lucero of Occupy SLC. Gregory was interrogated in his home by the FBI one week before his trip East.
A Mystery Man from Manhattan, NY.
Zach Vorhies from Oakland was on the streets ready to film whatever may have occurred. With protection from sound attacks, poison gas, and blunt force, he even had the benefit of keeping both hands free with a helmet-mounted camera.
Earlier coverage of the Chicago NATO protests from Free Concord available here.
The following is a statement released yesterday by New Hampshire Peace Action on the escalating conflict in Syria. From their mission statement, “The members of New Hampshire Peace Action envision a world committed to disarmament and peace, nonviolent conflict resolution, and respect for the rights and inherent worth of all people. We believe that authentic social change comes from the bottom up and we are committed to educating, organizing and advocating from the grassroots level.”
By John Lamperti (NH Peace Action 501c(4) board chair and National Peace Action Board Member), and Will Hopkins (Director, NH Peace Action, NH Peace Action Education Fund)
Especially since the Huala Massacre, there is increasing debate about how the US should react to violence against civilian populations in Syria. While there is no one obvious solution, many possible actions could make things worse. Peace Action believes that the physician’s maxim “First, do no harm” should be our country’s starting point.
Although at present the outcomes of the Arab Spring are unknown, many in the West view the uprisings across the Middle East and North Africa positively, as people taking control of their national destinies. The uprising in Egypt was successful with relatively little blood spilled, while elsewhere protests have been met by extreme violence. In those countries to which the U.S. government is unsympathetic, especially Libya and Syria, US media have extensively covered civilian deaths and violence. The peace movement must hold to a single standard and equally denounce atrocities in US “allies” that allow US bases and access to their resources. (more…)
Have you ever seen a person run over by a tank? If you are old enough you would have seen this happen in Tiananmen Square in China 23 years ago. I was just a young girl when I sat horrified watching this unfold on the tv screen. I had never seen anything like it. I never imagined that a government could do such a thing. This incident was televised all over the world and painted the Chinese government for the thugs and murderers they were and still are. Fast forward 23 years and governments haven’t gotten any better, only worse. Now people have to worry about unmanned drones flying over their houses and killing them all. Boeing is developing the next generation of drones: Vulture solar drone that stays in air for 5 years. Police brutality is on the rise everywhere. The u.s. congress and the president have enacted more draconian laws such as NDAA. The u.s. is currently still engaged in two failed wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. There is fear mongering and war rhetoric in reference to Iran and now Syria. I thought the Tianenman Square incident was the worst it could get. Goodness me, how was I so wrong?
On a happier note, today marks the 13th birthday of my wonderful nephew Llandry! Happy Birthday! Aunt Ellie loves you!
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