Overpoliced and Underprotected (video)

Ashley Wells, Pat Macpherson, CC Liu, Wisdom Quarterly; Amy Goodman (Democracy Now)

"Overpoliced & Underprotected": In Michael Brown killing, neglect and contempt of black communities is laid bare

Continuing to discuss developments since the murder of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown by a white police officer, Democracy Now! turns to John A. Powell, professor of law, African American studies, and ethnic studies at the University of California at Berkeley. He is the director of the Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society. "The black community tends be overpoliced and underprotected," Powell says. "That’s a very serious problem."

Activist: For a new generation, Ferguson marks historic nonviolent-resistance to militant police repression

 

Pastor: In Ferguson's police crackdown, I need a gas mask more than my clerical collar

St. Louis Activist: Decades after 1968 urban uprisings, key economic & race issues remain unresolved

(Democracy Now) FULL EPISODE, April 19, 2014

Massive rally at White House condemns Israel

Ashley Wells, Sheldon S., Wisdom Quarterly; CODEPINKla.org

Hey, White House, Buddhist monks agree: We need the change we were promised! (phayul)

 .

Massive Rally at White House condemning Israeli massacre in Gaza

Cool it in Gaza? - Hell no, we're killing 'em!

Washington, DC - CODEPINK (Women for Peace) joined the White House rally on Saturday, August 2, calling on the U.S. government to pressure Israel [and or the CIA and U.S. military-industrial complex] to stop the ongoing massacre and lift its illegal siege of Gaza in Palestine, Israel.

Gaza Strip ghetto, Palestine

CODEPINK activists carried large banners and conducted a mock cemetery with bloodied dolls and toys commemorating the loss of so many innocent Palestinian lives, especially children.

CODEPINK activists have engaged in actions across the country almost daily since the Israeli attack on Gaza began. They have protested at Israeli consulates across the country, been arrested for blocking the entrance of the Israeli Embassy in DC, rallied at U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s house, and more.

 

The U.S. gov't pushes for Israel's crimes.

With the toll in Gaza [now far] surpassing 1,400 deaths, 8,200 wounded, and 180,300 civilians displaced, activists are determined to keep pressure on the U.S. to end its arming, funding, and unconditional support for Israel and its war crimes.
 

In the past few days alone, hundreds of Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks by U.S.-owned F-16s, Apache helicopters, weaponized drones, tank shelling, and naval bombardment.

 

Actually controlling the media

The tiny Gaza Strip (home of 1.8 million civilian)’s only power plant was targeted by Israel's state-sponsored militants -- the fourth most powerful army in the world -- and blown up, schools were destroyed, U.N. shelters were illegally bombed and hospitals targeted after threat-warning that they would be shelled, and over 4,000 homes knocked to the ground, explains retired Colonel Ann Wright (with paraphrasing and augmenting by WQ). “We must take action to stop this!”

“As a Jew, a mother, a U.S. taxpayer, and a compassionate human being, I weep as I watch the massacre of so many innocent people, including hundreds of children in Gaza”

- CODEPINK co-founder Medea Benjamin

“We must take our heartbreak and outrage directly to the White House,” Benjamin adds. The press contact for this action is Ali McCracken (860) 575-5692. More

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Control of the U.S. Media

Saying no to our U.S. "War Criminals" (video)

Ashley Wells, Pfc. Sandoval, Wisdom Quarterly; Amy Goodman (DemocracyNow.org)

In yer face, killer, war criminal! (Code Pink)

Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice -- a war criminal and unindicted co-conspirator along with Dick Cheney, Karl "the Architect" Rove, both George Bush(es), Donald Rumsfeld, and John Ashcroft -- was forced to withdraw as commencement speaker at Rutgers University following protests by faculty and students over her role in the 2003 American (U.S.)-led invasion of Iraq and our torture of captives.

 

Seeking justice with a torture lawsuit

Rutgers faculty circulated a petition decrying the role Rice played in "efforts to mislead the American people about the presence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq." 

 

G.W. Bush, Condi Rice on way to jail (CP)

Last week, Rutgers students occupied a campus building in a call for the invitation (and its $35,000 stipend) to be withdrawn. In a statement this weekend, Rice said her appearance "has become a distraction."

The "No Rice Campaign" at Rutgers is discussed by student protester Carmelo Cintrón Vivas and Baher Azmy, legal director of the Center for Constitutional Rights. More

 

PEACE ON EARTH! WOMEN FOR JUSTICE, CODE PINK FOR PEACE (codepink.org)

Occupy Wall Street on Trial: Cecily McMillan convicted of assaulting cop, faces seven years

• "You might get hit by a car": On secret tape, FBI threatens American-Muslim refusing to be an informant 
• Secret tape could oust Clippers owner Donald Sterling, but has NBA long ignored his public racism? 
• Posing as U.S. officials, Yes-Men announce renewable energy revolution at Homeland Security Congress
• Ralph Nader on TPP, GM recall, nuclear power, and the "Unstoppable" left-right anti-corporate movement

NYC to reform Stop and Frisk, end racial profiling 

New York’s new Mayor Bill de Blasio has announced the city will drop its appeal of a ruling by a U.S. district court that found the NYPD’s controversial "stop-and-frisk" program unconstitutional and settle an ongoing lawsuit.

 

Years after vowing to close Gitmo, Obama signed NDAA instead

Saying he would close Guantánamo years after it opened, Pres. Obama has signed the National Defense Authorization Act, barring the use of federal funds to transfer detainees from the notorious American torture prison in Cuba to U.S. soil. Of the 166 prisoners remaining, 86 have been cleared for release...

Topless protests to go worldwide (video)

Amber Larson, Ashley Wells, Seven, CC Liu (trans.), Wisdom Quarterly; FEMEN.org/en

FEMEN means death to patriarchy, life to gender equality, and topless "sextremism"

WARNING: Toplessness, drinking, mild nudity, revolution! (CinemaCopainLtd) Produced by Alain Margot 2014 (montage by Loredana Cristelli, music Cristina Yakovleva). Runtime: 95 min.

Vlad the Adolf Reincarnation?

NYON, Switzerland - April 29th, 2014 saw the first screening of the newest documentary on the FEMEN women's movement.

The world premiere of "I am FEMEN" was held at "Visions du Réel," the largest Swiss documentary film festival.

 
The film, shot by Swiss director Alain Margot, tells the story of the Ukrainian women's movement becoming a worldwide phenomenon.

 

Devas agree. Topless for attention (femen)

"I am FEMEN" analyzes the organization, reveals its secrets of how it successfully creates protests, slogans, tactics, and strategic "sextremism." to advance liberty and equality and oppose patriarchy and sexism. 

It gives viewers insight into the thoughts and experiences of female activists living in a world of constant provocation.

This is a film about the world of feminism, protest, and revolution.

 

Look, mom, I'm meditating with my shirt on!

Alain Margot began the documenting process literally from the beginning of the movement. She was able to capture the formation and development of the organization, experience its growing pains -- its losses and the joy of its victories. 

 

It is a cinematic "masterpiece" that will NOT be showing at the local corporate cineplex. But it will be screened in some daring theaters with a planned release date of May 14, 2014. More

In French, too!

"Poor for being [a] woman?" (FEMEN)

"Je suis FEMEN" (un film documentaire d' Alain Margot): Oxana ["Shachko"] est une femme, une militante, une artiste. Adolescente, sa passion pour la peinture d'icônes la pousse à entrer au couvent, mais c'est au sein du mouvement Femen qu'elle met finalement à contribution son talent. Elle a co-fondé avec Anna, Inna et Sasha le fameux groupe d'opposantes féministes au régime, qui l'amène de son Ukraine natale aux quatre coins de l'Europe. Entre rage de créer et envie de changer le monde, Oxana livre sa personnalité discrète, envoûtante et multicolore, à l'image de ses œuvres passionnées. Montage: Loredana Cristelli, musique: Cristina Yakovleva. Documentaire cinéma durée: 95 minutes.

Worldwide May Day marches: Cali, Russia...

Pat Macpherson, Pfc. Sandoval, Wisdom Quarterly; AP/Yahoo News; NBC; FEMEN

With rise of Putin-ism and patriotism, former USSR restores May Day rally in Moscow (AP)

Topless FEMEN Int'l training at Paris HQ ends: We are returning to Ukraine and our countries to fight patriarchy with FEMEN! Be strong, sisters and brothers! We will win! (femen.org)

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MOSCOW, Russia - About 100,000 people have marched through Red Square to celebrate May Day, the first time the annual parade has been held on the vast cobblestoned square outside the Kremlin since the fall of the Soviet Union (USSR) in 1991.
 

May Day anti-US drone protest (crwflags.com)

In keeping with Soviet-era traditions, Thursday's parade was organized by trade unions and honored the working person.

But it also celebrated Russia's annexation of Crimea and was seen as part of Pres. Vladimir Putin's efforts to stoke patriotic feelings. Marchers held up signs saying "Let's go to Crimea for vacation" and "Putin is right." Russian flags fluttered through the crowd. More

• 

  Workers unite! (openmediaBoston.org)

  New Jon Stewart/Stephen Colbert: John Oliver (HBO, Sundays, 11:00 pm)
• Money for sexual harassment training on Capitol Hill
• College Sex Crimes: 55 colleges and universities under investigation, including Univ. of California
• Harvard staff claims retaliation by Management for sexual assault complaint
• SLIDESHOW: California burning: Etiwanda Fire burns, Buddhist temple impacted, schools closed
• Student DEBT "celebrated" outside the Dept. of Education
• Brockton traffic stop leads to allegations of assault by PD

Los Angeles May Day 2014

"Capitalism divides - Mayday unites"

(NBC) Thousands of community advocates and immigrant rights supporters took to the streets of downtown Los Angeles today (Thursday, May 1st) and marched for worker rights and immigrant justice. Three different May Day marches were planned by three different groups. As a result of the marches, some downtown streets were closed Thursday, starting at 9:00 am. More + Video

Stephen Colbert vs. Angry Asian (comedy)

Editors, Wisdom Quarterly; Colbert; Suey Park (Angry Asian Woman); Josh Zepps

So long as we tolerate remnants of the patriarchy and colonization, are we free? (FEMEN)

(95Colbert) Stephen Colbert responds to the controversy was epic humor, irony, and biting satire. It is the genius of wit that redeems a person not in need of redeeming.

 

The eye roll that turned the tide (Huff Post)

Suey Park has a point, more than one, but anger is no way to express it. Here she tackles the white male and the racist patriarchy in general menace by attempting to take down Josh Zepps, who was concerned enough to let her air her side of the controversy on Huff Post Live. She may have explained, but she may also have made things worse by biting the hand that holds the mic. Indeed, there is racism in  this country, and some fight it with satire. Others with anger. Which side is Park on when we could all be together? (And, privileged Josh, let guests talk).

FEMEN activists agitate for Muslims, too

Woody Allen pointed out that liberals are like fish that eat each other. There are bigger pieces of plankton to pry from the sea, Suey. So please aim it at those guys rather than worrying if all of the rest of us are PC enough to end sexism, racism, stereotyping, bias, prejudice, and inequality with you. If we join forces, each approaching the cultural inequities of the day in our own way and as a team, we can bring about a better world. If we squabble, aren't the real movers-and-shakers, the problem-makers, just loving it as they multiply and coat this baby blue watery planet in green slime?

• VIDEO: Angry white male may nevertheless have a point
• VIDEO: Another white male gives his analysis on Park
• Herbal alternative:  the healing wonders of Yucca Root
• FASHION: Is Vogue trivializing domestic violence?
• LAPD shooting: How to keep public out of police stations?
• Elections: Garcia, Dunn head to Long Beach mayor runoff
• 2020 Commission issues blunt challenges to City of LA

Ukraine: photos of secret "Moscow" summit

Wisdom Quarterly (eds.); FEMEN; Robert Krulwich, photographer Vitaliy Raskalov (NPR)

Deva and topless protester in Ukraine sends [censored] message to Pres. Putin (femen.org)

A view from the summit of Moscow Bridge, Kiev, Ukraine (Vitaliy Raskalov)

 

The view from the top of Shanghai (VR)

Okay, this isn't that kind of summit. Putin wasn't there. It was the literal kind of summit, as in the verb for "to climb." And this one was so gripping, so breathless, so crazy, so illegal that I think everyone is going to forgive me as you all watch four freestyle climbers doing this amazingly unsafe thing. Here's their leader (or, at any rate, his feet).

We're bored, bored like crazy. This is exciting.

It's Vitaliy Raskalov, dangling in the clouds from a skyscraper in Shanghai, China. The summiting I'm talking about, however, took place in Ukraine, in Kiev, with Vitaliy and a team of three.
More (plus video)

• AUDIO: Is Putin "insane" or "Hitler," as Clinton called him? Masha Gessen (who writes about Russia's Putin and Pussy Riot) on Morning Edition (NPR.org, March 15, 2014)
• AUDIO: After prison, Pussy Riot keeps protesting gov't

Bored daredevil making a bold statement: "Hey, check this out, dude"! (Vitaliy Raskalov)

FEMEN activists going topless to protest Putin and Russia in Ukraine/Crimea (femen.org)

 

FEMEN for liberation and equality

Women all over the world stand up and protect freedom with bare chests and brave body art messages. Femen receives body messages with slogans like Stop Putin's War from all corners of the world. To join our freedom-loving topless campaign, make a topless photo and send it to Wisdom Quarterly (private comment) or femen.ua@gmail.com. Express yourself, show courage and creativity. The world will be free!
 

Retrospective on Radical Feminism (audio)

Seven (ed.), Wisdom Quarterly; Moira Rankin, Deborah George, From the Vault (FTV 409)

According to author Masha Gessen, Pussy Riot's Nadia was inspired by the radical history of women's liberation in the West. It inspired her to awaken a movement in Russia (AFP).

 

Russia's Pussy Riot

Guest host Lynn Ballen, producer of KPFK (L.A.) Radio's "Feminist Magazine," introduces "A Retrospective on Radical Feminism."

It was produced in 1980 by Moira Rankin and co-produced by Deborah George for Sophie’s Parlor Collective, the oldest women’s radio collective on the air at Pacifica’s youngest station, WPFW in Washington, D.C. Composed of interviews, actions, and music, it includes:

• AUDIO podcast: PLAY in new window (or download)

Oh, ladies, do behave! (MO)

Alix Kates Shulman, activist and author of Memoirs of an Ex-Prom Queen, is interviewed and reads from her book, Burning Questions. 
Fannie Lou Hamer, founder of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, recalls the physical abuse she suffered in prison in a 1966 KPFA (Berkeley) interview. 
Joan Byron, a member of The Furies, [which as part of the Lavender Menace was] one the first radical lesbian separatist groups describes, their reasons for organizing. 

Anais Nin, From the Vault (FTV 408)

Betty Friedan renounces her position on the lesbian issue she had dubbed the "Lavender Menace" and supports the sexual preference resolution at the 1977 United States International Women’s Year Conference in Houston, Texas. 
Carol Downer, one of the founders of the Los Angeles Feminist Health Clinic, speaks about the need for women to control their own bodies and have access to abortions. 

Manhandled Femen topless activist (femen.org)

Edith Barksdale Sloane, Executive Director of the National Committee on Household Employment, is interviewed about the need for basic services for women. 
Donna Keck, a founder of Women: A Journal of Liberation, speaks about race within the women’s movement.
Activist Cynthia Washington speaks about all the aspects of oppression including racism, classism, elitism, sexism, and ageism.

From the Vault is presented as part of the Pacifica Radio Archives Preservation and Access Project, funded in part by an award from the GRAMMY Foundation and the National Historical Publications and Records Commission at the National Archives and Records Administration, and past grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Ford Foundation, and the American Archive funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, along with the support of Pacifica listeners. It also thanks its partners and collaborators at the Pop-Up Archive, Amara, Other Minds Archives, George Blood Audio, and the California Audio Visual Preservation Project.

  

PURCHASE a copy of this program or learn more about the historic archival recordings used within this episode. Buy a CD copy by phone at Pacifica Radio Archives: (800) 735-0230 extension 262. 

• PHOTOS: favorite funny women

Hiking to Native American Los Angeles

Xochitl, Ashley Wells, Wisdom Quarterly; Arroyo Seco Foundation; SaveHahamongna.org

Which "devil"? Hungry Sasquatch, angry watershed floods, silly rock formation? (ASF)

Pasadena opposes what LA proposes: future site after removal of all life and silt (ASF)

  

L.A. watershed (savehahamongna.org)

HAHAMONGNA, Arroyo Seco - "Learn to identify local native plants on this hike through the Arroyo, along with the various food, medicinal, spiritual, and practical uses that this rich habitat provided to the area's original inhabitants" screamed the poster.

 

Tongva villages of the Los Angeles basin

We were in! We met up at the world-famous Rose Bowl Stadium ready to hike to the Jet Propulsion Lab site Saturday morning. Everyone gathered, eager to learn, socialize, and smell the aromatic chaparral, flowers, and berries. 

  

Volunteering to clean the Arroyo (ASF)

There are Hollywood (toyon), elder, and manzanita berries. Wild buckwheat and a variety of acorns are staple foods. Coyote bush cures poison ivy and oak rash. Mule fat wood is best for fire sticks, and mugwort gives sweet dreams and keeps embers burning. Outreach Coordinator Tim Martinez taught us well. Meanwhile, on another ridge miles to the east, the Colby fire was smoldering and only 30% contained.

Tongva/Los Angeles River, foothills, and San Gabriel Valley (Hometown-Pasadena.com)

   

Who were the Native Americans here, the First Nation people of Los Angeles? They were the Tongva (Gabrieliño, Fernandeño, Nicoleño -- Europeanized names after Spanish colonization). The name is disputed; the people are not. There were various minor tribes, and everyone fled to Mexico to save their lives from the Anglo invaders from the east coast.

WILD PLANTS: In Australia, a walkabout is a sacred rite of passage one undergoes to find oneself by being immersed in nature. In SoCal, the Hahamongna Walkabout, hosted by Tim Martinez (ASF), seeks to inspire by guided tours through this rare spot near JPL (kcet.org).

 

Healing With Medicinal Plants

Save Hahamongna from bulldozers!
HOW TO: Wilderness Survival Skills (PrimitiveWays.com)
Healing with Medicinal Plants of the West: Cultural and Scientific Basis for Their Use (by Chumash healing woman)
Medicinal Plants of the American West 

Study proposes L.A. River/Arroyo Seco confluence urban riverfront

WITS (Minn. Public Radio)

First Buddhist University, USA