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.
Yesterday on my way home from work, I saw a sticker on the back of a green minivan that stated: Proud Parent of a Soldier. As I drove behind this vehicle for several miles, I wondered if this parent actually understood just what message he or she was sending. My mind kept seeing dead Afghani, Iraqi, Pakistani, etc…men, women and children lying dead in the streets and in hospitals. My mind also went to the pictures of American soldiers gleefully urinating on dead Afghanis, the horrid Wikileaks video of the helicopter crew excitedly gunning down men, the torture and sexual abuse of Abu Ghraib, the burning of Korans. I know that I am not the only one who interprets nationalistic messages this way.
However, let me be clear. I once was a member of the US military and I once interpreted these nationalistic messages with visions of the American flag, the bald eagle, Stars & Stripes, the pledge of allegiance, and the list goes on and on! I would hear the national anthem and tears would come to my eyes. What glorious difference enlightenment brings!
After realizing I was just a dupe and a guinea pig to the sick, power hungry politicians, my viewpoint changed dramatically. I see how nationalistic tendencies destroy people and families, hell, the entire social system; and not just “American” people and families. The sole purpose of the military should be to protect the people, not to engage in endless wars for profit and population control, i.e. defense, not offense. I hope that more and more people start to see the way I do now, not like I used to.
As I write this, we are only one week away from the ultimate in nationalistic holidays (at least for the US), “Independence Day” aka the 4th of July. This is a day to indulge in the orgiastic displays of flags and stars and stripes, of fireworks, hot dogs, apple pie. Parents will put American flag shirts on themselves and their kids. Parties with grilled hamburgers and hot dogs will be had poolside in much of the US. And on this “independence day” I will be thinking of Bradley Manning, the innocent dead civilians of the hundreds of wars fought throughout time, and true freedom from government oppression.
Do mankind a favor and disassociate yourself from the indoctrination of nationalism and join me for Anarchy Day! See Kal Molinet’s site: www.liberateRVA.com he was my inspiration for this! Wear black and display signs of peace for one and all to see! I know there will be pushback, but keep your thoughts positive and love one and all, especially those that “hate” you! Peace and Love to All!
After seeing our nation’s top drug police officer work that hard to avoid answering truthfully, hopefully you’ll start to question everything about the drug war.
Yesterday, activists and people abused by the NH court system gathered to remember Thomas Ball, who immolated himself in front of the Cheshire “superior” court in protest of the terrible “justice” system here. Sentinel reporter Kyle Jarvis was there:
A year after a Massachusetts man died of self-immolation in front of the Cheshire County Superior Courthouse in Keene, concerned parents gathered there Friday to support his efforts to reform the family court system.
Thomas J. Ball, 58, of Holden, Mass., was embroiled in a lengthy, bitter dispute with his ex-wife in Cheshire County Family Court over medical bills for the couple’s three children.
On June 15, 2011, Ball committed suicide by dousing himself with gasoline and lighting himself on fire. (more…)
[Art.] 2-a. [The Bearing of Arms.]All persons have the right to keep and bear arms in defense of themselves, their families, their property and the state.
Seems pretty straight forward to me, yet unelected employees of the political subdivision known as the University System of New Hampshire continue to maintain that college students at a publicly owned higher education institution are not really people who have rights.
I have understanding for the position USNH is in, but with all due respect, they’re wrong.
I have decided to proceed pro se against USNH’s lawsuit and I will be updating you, the public, on my effort to defend the ability to lawfully carry a firearm or knife for lawful self-defensive purposes while on property that you (the public) ostensibly own.
This now means I have “the power of the Court” to subpoena (compel) and depose (question) witnesses. I am spending considerable time now reviewing several defense strategies and working on deciding precisely how I will use the Court’s power to once again (like with Jason Talley’s case) show you how the government (and its servants) fail to follow the rules The People have established.
Your feedback, advice, critique, and suggestions are welcome.
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…)
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.”
