[NYC] NYU Occupation Suspensions Overturned!

suggested by Elliott, re-posted from TakeBackNYU.com

See You Monday! 02/27/09

WE DID IT!!!! In the wake of the NYU administration’s draconian response to student protest, we called out for help and you answered our cry. You stood behind us, and rallied in defense of accountability and student democracy. You made calls, you wrote letters, you signed petitions, you made our cry heard across the globe, and it worked!! The administrations has agreed to end our undue suspensions and reinstate us in good standing. We would like to thank you all for your steadfast support, and for your unwavering commitment to change at NYU and around the world. But it’s not over yet! The NYU administration remains as obstinate and secretive as ever, and the struggle for student power and global justice has just begun. It is more crucial then ever that we make our voices heard and stand up to those who profit from our silence. Organize! The time has come to question what you think you can’t change, and to demand the answers you deserve. Start conversations, engage in dialogue and question what you are told to blindly accept. Take action! Do not sit by and let your rights wither away from lack of use. This is your school, your community and your world, and it’s up to you to take it back!

[Quebec] Econ Minister's Office Occupied: Demand to End Ties with Israel

suggested by Dan, re-posted from Anarchist People of Color listserv

Quebec Economic Minister's Office occupied to demand Quebec end economic ties with Israel

Montreal, January 15th, 2009 -- On the twentieth day of Israel's attack on Gaza, a group of Montrealers occupied the office of Quebec's Economic Development Minister Raymond Bachand, calling on the Charest government to immediately end ties with Israel, and specifically withdraw from the Quebec-Israel accord.

"The accord, signed this fall, establishes unconditional economic ties between the two countries," said Marc-André Faucher, spokesperson for ASSÉ, representing over 40,000 Quebec students. "The accord does not include measures to force Israel to respect international law, but provides economic backing and diplomatic cover for current war crimes in Gaza."

Montrealers, including dozens of supporters outside of the offices, sent a clear message to the Charest government by shutting down the minister's office, disrupting its functioning for the day. Demonstrators locked themselves together in the office, chanting "Israël: terroriste! Bachand: complice!" and demanding the Charest government denounce Israel's war crimes that continue unabated in Gaza.

The protesters, who were eventually removed by police without arrests, demanded that Quebec end all economic ties with Israel as part of the international campaign for boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israeli apartheid.

"We demand that the Charest government tear up the Quebec-Israel bilateral accord and condemn Israel's attack on Gaza," outlined Stefan Christoff, from Tadamon! "Given that Bachand has failed to address our demands, Quebec government institutions should expect future disruptions."

Recent accounts of Israel's carnage document over a thousand dead, including 300 children, and more than 5000 wounded in Gaza.

Major protests have ignited worldwide against the ongoing massacre in Gaza, while growing numbers of direct actions against Israeli apartheid have occurred in recent days, including many on the part of the Jewish community who condemn Israel's attack on Gaza.

* Photos of today's action
http://photos.cmaq.net/v/IsraelQuebecAccord/

* For more information:

- l'Association pour une Solidarité Syndicale Étudiante (ASSÉ)
http://www.asse-solidarite.qc.ca/

- Tadamon!
http://www.tadamon.ca
info@tadamon.ca

[NYC] U.S.S. Intrepid Banner Drop: Jewish Solidarity with Palestine

suggested by Hanan, re-posted from
http://jvoices.com/2009/01/16/jato-nyc-gaza-solidarity-banner-dro/

Banner Drop at U.S.S. Intrepid Marks Spread of U.S. Jewish Solidarity With Palestinians

Friday, January 16, 2009

NYC Jews Call for an Immediate End to Israel's War on Gaza

A banner drop over New York City's West Side Highway, carried out by members of Jews Against the Occupation/NYC, declared “Jews Say: End Israel's War on Gaza NOW!” This action by Jewish New Yorkers continued the wave of increasingly public Jewish solidarity with the Palestinians targeted by the Israeli government's ongoing attack on the Gaza Strip, which has killed over 1,000 people, nearly 1/3 of them children.

The banner, which was seen by thousands of commuters during morning rush hour on Friday, January 16th, 2009, expanded the public presence of the many New York Jews who strongly disagree with the self-appointed community spokespeople who have repeatedly expressed support for the bombing and invasion of Gaza. “We are standing up for justice,” said Niuta Teitelboim, one of the JATO/NYC activists, “which is a Jewish tradition that many Jewish organizations seem to have abandoned. Too many have vocally endorsed a war which has involved a continuous string of Israeli war crimes: the mass killings of children and families at UN schools designated as places of refuge; the targeting with bombs and artillery fire of hospitals and ambulances; and most recently the destruction of food and medical aid supplies in a UN facility.”

JATO/NYC placed the banner at the U.S.S. Intrepid to highlight the role of U.S. aid to Israel in the current war and massacres. “Palestinian doctors, ambulance drivers, and children are being killed by bombs paid for with U.S. taxpayers’ money, dropped from planes paid for with U.S. taxpayers’ money, sent by an Israeli administration that could not maintain one of the world's largest militaries without a constant flow of cash from the U.S. treasury,” elaborated R. Rosenthal, another JATO/NYC member involved in the action. “That means all of us are involved in this bloody war. Even if foreclosures and unemployment weren’t decimating our neighborhoods, surely there are better uses for $3 billion a year than helping the Israeli government commit war crimes.”

Over the past week, Jews across North America and Europe have shown their opposition to Israel's latest war, as well as its ongoing military occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem and denial of Palestinian refugees right to return home. Jewish groups have held sit-ins at Israeli consulates in Toronto, Los Angeles, and San Francisco; taken it upon themselves to declare the cancellation of a London rally in support of the war; participated actively in the many demonstrations calling for an immediate end to the bombing and invasion of Gaza; and joined the worldwide campaign for boycott, divestment and sanctions on Israel until Palestinian rights under international law are respected. “Today’s action is one small contribution to the growing movement in solidarity with the 1.5 million Palestinians being bombed, shelled, and shot by the Israeli army," JATO-NYC member Sholom Schwartzbard explained. "We know from our own history what being sealed behind barbed wire and checkpoints is like, and we know that ‘Never Again’ means not anyone, not anywhere - or it means nothing at all."

[Oakland] An Appropriate Response

from Irina:

"Hey everybody, The people in Oakland, unlike the people in New York City, decided to not take more shit after another young black man was murdered by the police on Hey Year's Day at the Fruitvale Bart Station. This is very inspiring."

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article re-posted from Bombsandshields.com

Oakland, California - Fury

erupted over the video-recorded police slaying of an unarmed and restrained suspect at the Frutivale BART station on New Year's Day. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at the station tonight, and independent as well as corporate reports indicate that participants fought cops, smashed and graffitied police vehicles and storefronts, built fires in the street and burned several vehicles. A number of BART stations were shut down due to the unrest. Some autonomous individuals also stated that they sabotaged a BART police car and two ticket machines with superglue in solidarity with the victims and opponents of police in Oakland and Greece.

Photos and video here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/object/article?f=/c/a/2009/01/07/MN2N155CN1.DTL&o=0

[Chicago] Mass Protest Against Invasion of Gaza

re-posted from Facebook Events

Just like the Friday rally on January 2, 2009, we are gathering to protest the crimes committed by Israeli occupational forces in Gaza. Endorsed and sponsored by organizations such as American Muslims for Palestine and other Palestinian solidarity movements, this rally is expected to be the biggest yet. With over 10,000 people expected, join us to speak out against Israeli aggression and the siege of Gaza.

The time is set for 3:30 PM this Friday, January 9, 2009. We will begin at the Daley Plaza at 50 W Washington St. and then we will march to the Israeli Consulate and demand the proper action: that Israeli occupation ends; that Israeli aggression halts; that Gazans (and all Palestinians) be treated like human beings; that the borders surrounding Gaza be opened; and that the crimes of the Israeli government end now. Due to high expectations in turnout numbers, we may be able march through the streets of downtown Chicago.

This protest is nothing short of history-making. Not only are we speaking out, we are attracting national coverage which tilts heads towards our goal of ending the Israeli occupation and siege of Gaza.

Please join us in this active movement for peace, justice, and freedom in the Middle East.

Remember:
MASS PROTEST AGAINST ISRAEL'S ATTACKS ON GAZA

Rally this Friday at the Daley Plaza at 50 W Washington St.
and then March to the Israeli Consulate

Gather at the Daley Plaza at 3:30 pm then march to the Israeli Consulate on Wacker and Michigan

Buses arrangements will be announced soon!

Last Friday over 5,000 people showed up! This week, our Goal is 10,000 ppl.
This is the least you can do to show your support for the people of Gaza

Stop the Killing of the Palestinian People!
Stop the War and Siege on Gaza!
End All U.S. Aid to Israel!
End the Israeli Occupation of Palestine!

TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW! EMAIL, TEXT, CALL, FACEBOOK, ETC.

Host: American Muslims for Palestine
Date: Friday, January 9, 2009
Time: 3:30-6:00pm
Location: Daley PLaza at 50 W. Washington St. Chicago, IL
Email: info@ampalestine.org

[ACTION] What You Can Do About the Oscar Grant Shooting

suggested by Vegan Liz, re-posted from Race Wire, follow this link to see cellphone video footage of the shooting: http://www.racewire.org/archives/2009/01/5_things_you_can_do_right_now_1.html

By Jonathan Adams for the Color Lines Blog

5 Things You Can Do Right Now About the Oscar Grant Shooting

Oscar Grant, an unarmed man, was killed by an Oakland police officer. Here are five things (compiled by Makani Themba-Nixon) that you should do right now to respond to the senseless death of this 22 year old Black man. Video footage of the shooting recently surfaced.

1. Digg the story so that the national media can pick up on it

2. Contact BART Director Carole Ward Allen and demand that 1) the officers involved be taken off duty without pay and charged and fully prosecuted; 2) there be an independent investigation of the shooting that includes a review of training and hiring practices; and 3) BART establish an independent residents’ review board for the police Call her at 510-464-6095 or email the BART Directors at BoardofDirectors@bart.gov

3. Call the BART police to complain about the officers’ conduct and demand immediate action: Internal Affairs: Sergeant David Chlebowski 510.464.7029,dchlebo@bart.gov; Chief of Police: Gary Gee 510.464.7022, ggee@bart.gov

Call them toll free at 877.679.7000 and press the last four digits of the phone number you wish to reach.

4. Talk it up on your blogs, networks and talk radio shows (call Michael Baisden 877-6BADBOY or Rev. Al, etc. to get this on the national radar)

5. Stay tuned for other actions, protests, etc., especially if you are in the Bay.

[NYC/Annapolis] Rabbi Protest Against Zionism

suggested by Nia, please follow the YouTube link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzJbRMLZHPY

[editorial on Greece's insurrection] A Road to Revolution?

suggested by Javier, printed in the widely read Israeli paper, Haaretz: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1050296.html

A road to revolution?

By Uri Gordon

Three weeks have passed since the unprovoked police murder of 15-year-old Alexandros Grigoropoulos in Athens, and the riots engulfing Greece show no sign of abating.

While the student occupations of the capital's three universities (Economics, Polytechnic and the law faculty) are expected to end soon, a major student demonstration has been called for January 9, and the protests, street clashes and seizures of television and radio stations are set to continue in full force.

A Greek blogger wrote this week: "We have a duty to move here, there, anywhere but back to our couches as mere viewers of history, back home to the warmth that freezes our conscience."

The international ripples are also tangible. Solidarity demonstrations and attacks on Greek embassies have taken place around the globe, from Moscow to New York and Copenhagen to Mexico City. Declarations and manifestos issued by student assemblies at Greek schools are almost immediately translated and posted online in English, French, Italian, Turkish and Serbian.

In the first few days of the revolt, bloggers were trying to put together a list of all the solidarity actions taking place, but the task proved impossible: There have been literally hundreds of them; thousands of people have taken to the streets. Last Saturday, a global day of action against police violence saw raucous demonstrations in over 30 cities worldwide.

The corporate press has trotted out various theories to explain the cause of the unrest - frustration with a corrupt government, the global financial crisis, and discontent among Greece's youth, who face meager prospects of secure employment or welfare rights - the riots being a blind reaction to objective conditions.

But all these explanations are in fact decoys intended to silence and ignore the rebels' own declared motivations.

A declaration by the students occupying the Athens School of Economics was quite clear about how they see the issue: "The democratic regime in its peaceful facade doesn't kill an Alex every day, precisely because it kills thousands of Ahmets, Fatimas, Jorjes, Jin Tiaos and Benajirs: because it assassinates systematically, structurally and without remorse the entirety of the third world ....

"The cardinals of normality weep for the law that was violated from the bullet of the pig Korkoneas [the policeman who shot Grigoropoulos]. But who doesn't know that the force of the law is merely the force of the powerful? That it is law itself that allows for the exercise of violence on violence? The law is void from end to bitter end; it contains no meaning, no target other than the coded power of imposition."

Or, in another declaration, this one anonymous: "What do we seek? Equality. Political, economic, social. Between all people. Our possibility of convincing the servile consumers to refuse being commodities and subjects is rather limited. What can we do? Ravage and plunder the market, distribute the goods to everybody, dissolve the myths that support inequality."

These are no single-issue protests or vague grievances. This is full-blooded revolutionary anarchism.

The mainstream media simply cannot stomach the notion that what is happening in Greece is by now a proactive social revolt against the capitalist system itself and the state institutions that reinforce it. It is time to acknowledge that the Greek anarchist movement has successfully seized the initiative after the killing of one of its own, framing the issues in a way that appeals to a larger - albeit mostly young - public.

Few people realize that the Greek anarchist movement is appreciably the largest in the world, in proportion to its country's population. It also enjoys wide social support due to its legacy of resistance to the military dictatorship from 1967 to 1974. Highly confrontational demonstrations are a matter of regularity in Greece. It is practically a bimonthly occurrence for anarchists and police to engage in fiery street battles in Thessaloniki or Athens. The current events are only marked by their breadth and duration, not by their level of militancy.

Another rarely appreciated factor is that Greece is a country in which the security apparatus is normally kept on a relatively tight leash. For example, Privacy International's 2007 assessment of leading surveillance societies found Greece to be the only country in the world with "adequate safeguards" against the abuse of government power to spy on its citizenry. The legacy of the dictatorship has created a lasting image of the police as inherently oppressive, even among the middle class.

Will the riots in Greece lead to an anti-capitalist revolution? Only if the opening they have torn in the social fabric widens and deepens, involving ever-growing sections of society and creating new grass-roots institutions alongside the destruction of the old. This seems unlikely in the short term, as bureaucratic labor unions and the Communist Party attempt to domesticate the revolt and cut their own political coupon with their demand to disarm the police.

But there is no doubt that a new benchmark has been set for what can be expected in Western countries during the coming era of economic depression and environmental decay. European governments will no doubt ratchet up their policies of surveillance and repression in anticipation of growing civil unrest. But that may not be enough to keep the population subdued, as crisis after crisis calls the existing arrangement of power and privilege into question.

------------------------------
Uri Gordon is the author of "Anarchy Alive!: Anti-Authoritarian Politics from Practice to Theory" (Pluto Press); www.anarchyalive.com.

[Modesto, CA] Solidarity With Greece

re-posted from Anarchistnews.org from Indybay - By crudo

Modesto: Anarchists Take to the Streets in Support of Greek Insurrection

“Bring it. We right here. We ain’t going anywhere. We right here.” - DMX

For nearly two years anarchists have stayed off the streets of Modesto as an organized presence. That is until last night. After a gathering of about 30 people at a local coffee shop, where comrades discussed the situation in Greece and read aloud a text from a prepared flyer on the revolt and how it relates to what is happening in the Central Valley of California, about 20-25 people took to the streets of downtown Modesto. Many of those in attendance that night had never engaged with others or organized themselves for such an activity as taking over a street for a march, so for many of the working class hooligan youths who marched for about 10 minutes to the downtown area of 10th and J Street, last night was a learning experience. Marchers held a large banner in front reading, “Solidarity With Greece! For Global Resistance!,” carried signs such as, “No Justice, No Peace! From Modesto to Greece,” and several youths carried anarchist black flags. The group chanted, “Who’s Streets? Our Streets,” and variations of, “From Modesto to Greece: Fight the Police!”

Right as the group approach it’s desired endpoint, the police showed up. The group did not stop and marched into the downtown blocked off street of 10th and J Street. There, youths engaged with the public and passed out several hundred flyers on car windows and to passersby. Although it was cold and not many people were about, we still accomplished our goal of taking the street, holding it, marching to our destination, and then engaging with people.

Members of Modesto Anarcho Crew (MAC - wat wat) also made it clear that the conditions in the Central Valley are just as ripe for insurrection and revolution as Greece. Several people pointed out that a young man of color was just shot to death by pigs in Stockton (about 20 minutes north of Modesto) when he came out of his house in a high crime neighborhood with a licensed firearm during the arrest of another man. The Greeks should not have all the fun. We have buildings to occupy, police to fight, and resources to appropriate as well.

Being that this demonstration was organized in less than three days mainly through social networking websites and friend networks - I would say last night was a success and hopefully only the start of things to come. Until I can light my cigarette on my on burning barricade, keep bringin da soc war, here, there, and everywhere.