Showing posts with label Criminalisation of Protesting. Show all posts
Woman Sentenced to Prison for Photographing a War Protest
Woman Sentenced to Prison for Photographing a War Protest
‘Warplanes have long been based at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse, NY. But in 2009, something new arrived: MQ-9 Reaper drones that were flown remotely over Afghanistan, dropping missiles and bombs and unleashing terror.
Organizers in Upstate New York started protests soon after the drones arrived and founded Upstate Drone Action in 2010. In 2011, one longtime activist and member of the Catholic Worker movement, Mary Anne Grady Flores, 57, joined the struggle. As part of the “Hancock 38” in April that year, she was arrested for protesting at the base’s main entrance by participating in a die-in to illustrate the indiscriminate killing of civilians overseas by drones.’
British Police Used A Secret Unit To Spy On Activists For 40 Years
British Police Used A Secret Unit To Spy On Activists For 40 Years
‘The U.K.’s Metropolitan Police Service is the subject of a report describing a secret organization within Greater London’s police force that spied on activists and families who campaigned against miscarriages of justice, often following deaths in police custody.’
We are Israeli reservists. We refuse to serve.
We are Israeli reservists. We refuse to serve.
‘Whenever the Israeli army drafts the reserves — which are made up of ex-soldiers — there are dissenters, resisters, and AWOLers among the troops called to war. Now that Israel has sent troops to Gaza again and reserves are being summoned to service, dozens are refusing to take part.
We are more than 50 Israelis who were once soldiers and now declare our refusal to be part of the reserves. We oppose the Israeli Army and the conscription law. Partly, that’s because we revile the current military operation. But most of the signers below are women and would not have fought in combat. For us, the army is flawed for reasons far broader than “Operation Protective Edge,” or even the occupation.’
‘BBC shame on you’- Demonstrations take place against the BBC’s coverage of Gaza and Israel
‘BBC shame on you’- Demonstrations take place against the BBC’s coverage of Gaza and Israel
‘Approximately 5,000 protesters gathered outside the British Broadcasting Corporation’s (BBC) studios on Tuesday to protest the news outlets coverage of the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel. The demonstrators chanted ‘BBC shame on you’.
Protestors accuse the BBC of showing bias towards Israel in its broadcasting. The corporation has, however, also received complaints that it favors the Palestinians.
Similar demonstrations took place in the UK cities of Newcastle, Manchester and Liverpool.’
California Halts Injection of Fracking Waste, Warning it May Be Contaminating Aquifers
California Halts Injection of Fracking Waste, Warning it May Be Contaminating Aquifers
‘California officials have ordered an emergency shut-down of 11 oil and gas waste injection sites and a review more than 100 others in the state’s drought-wracked Central Valley out of fear that companies may have been pumping fracking fluids and other toxic waste into drinking water aquifers there.
The state’s Division of Oil and Gas and Geothermal Resources on July 7 issued cease and desist orders to seven energy companies warning that they may be injecting their waste into aquifers that could be a source of drinking water, and stating that their waste disposal “poses danger to life, health, property, and natural resources.” The orders were first reported by the Bakersfield Californian, and the state has confirmed with ProPublica that its investigation is expanding to look at additional wells.’
Hundreds Of Disabled People Sent On Workfare Every Week, Is Unpaid Work The New Segregation? by johnny void
Hundreds Of Disabled People Sent On Workfare Every Week, Is Unpaid Work The New Segregation?
by johnny void
Disabled activists protesting in 2007 against Tesco, an early pioneer of unpaid work. Pic from here
The new Minister for Murdering Disabled People, Nick Harper has teamed up with David Cameron this week to boast about huge numbers of disabled people being sent to work without pay, often for profit making companies. The gushing press release forms part of the DWP's cringe-making Disability Confident campaign, the latest gimmick to cover up the endless vicious attacks on disabled people by the department.
According to the figures around 45,000 people registered as disabled with Jobcentres have been referred to an unpaid work placement since 2011. Of those 29,000 were sent on the Work Experience programme and 16,000 on Sector Based Work Academies, which the DWP now appear to be claiming leads to a guaranteed real job. This is a lie, Sector Based Work Academies promise a job interview only as this guidance for employers wishing to scrounge free workers makes clear (PDF).
Both of these schemes are officially voluntary. However with claimants facing benefits being stopped or sanctioned for trivial reasons and seemingly on the whims of Jobcentre staff then little could be said to be voluntary under the current regime. Claimants who refuse could simply be sent on a mandatory workfare scheme instead, and many have been. Almost 22,000 disabled people have been forced onto Mandatory Work Activity since 2011, bringing the total number of known unpaid disabled workers to 67,000 in the last three year. This is more than the 61,000 disabled people who the DWP say have got jobs through the Work Programme - and as ilegal reports this largely represents young disabled people on Jobseeker's Allowance, not those unable to work and claiming ESA, the benefit for people with more serious conditions or disabilities.
For more click here:
Hundreds Of Disabled People Sent On Workfare Every Week, Is Unpaid Work The New Segregation?
by johnny voidPalestine Solidarity activists in London occupied a UK government building yesterday to demand an immediate end to arms sales to Israel.
Palestine Solidarity activists in London occupied a UK government building yesterday to demand an immediate end to arms sales to Israel.
‘As Israel launched its ground invasion of Gaza, the London Palestine Action group took action at the Cabinet Office on Whitehall, protesting the British government’s support for the slaughter of Palestinians by Israel. The Cabinet Office is the UK government department responsible for supporting the prime minister.
Approximately 30 activists occupied the building for 45 minutes, some locking themselves to railings inside the building to prevent the police from removing them, including myself.
The group chanted slogans calling on the UK government to impose a military embargo on Israel.’
Tory Ban 'Will Make Legal Strikes Near-Impossible,' TUC Warns
Tory Ban 'Will Make Legal Strikes Near-Impossible,' TUC Warns
Picture displayed by Street Democracy UK
A TORY strike ban pledge unveiled as the Toldpuddle Martyr’s festival began yesterday “will make legal strikes close to impossible,” TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said yesterday.
Ms O'Grady said that conservative plans for a strike vote turnout threshold of 50 per cent would “fundamentally shift the balance of power” behind bosses and see pay slump — even for people who have never been in a union.
And she hit back at other measures revealed in the new Tory manifesto, which was published even as thousands gathered to remember one of Britain's most historic battles for union rights at Tolpuddle in Dorset.
Unions will be forced to carry out complicated strike ballots that require members to vote on minute details of disputes under the Tory proposals.
Bbosses must be given 14 days' notice of a strike rather than the current seven and mandates will be limited to three months.
And even if unions meet the threshold — which no serving MP has managed — members could face criminal charges if they break strict new picketing rules.
Ms O’Grady will fire back at the biggest Tory attack on workers’ rights in decades in a speech at the annual festival on Sunday.
Tolpuddle celebrates six farm workers who were transported to Australia for the crime of forming a union to boost their pay, which was the equivalent of 30p a week in today’s money.
Speaking ahead of the rally, Ms O’Grady told the Star: “Back in 1834 the government used the law to send six farm workers to Australia to stop them campaigning against low pay.
“Today Conservative politicians are threatening to change the law on ballots to stop workers from taking strike action against low pay.”
Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude told House Magazine the Tories will be frustrated in their efforts to make their plans law before 2015.
“We are well into the session and it’s a short session anyway,” he said in the issue, released yesterday.
Shadow Cabinet Office minister Michael Dugher lambasted “the cheek” of Tory MPs elected with minority support lecturing unions on democracy.
He said: “This is desperate stuff by a Conservative Party that has given up any pretence of standing up for working people.”
For more click here for Morning Star:
Tory Ban 'Will Make Legal Strikes Near-Impossible,' TUC Warns
Notable Anti-Drone Activist and Grandmother Sentenced to Prison for Photographing Protest
Notable Anti-Drone Activist and Grandmother Sentenced to Prison for Photographing Protest
‘Gasps filled the courtroom when the sentence for drones protester Mary Anne Grady Flores was announced last Thursday.
An onlooker let out an astounded, “No!” Someone else whistled in disbelief. Others looked away.
Grady Flores, of Ithaca, pursed her lips and slowly nodded her head. The judge read aloud the rest of the sentence — one year in jail, the maximum punishment possible for violating an order of protection. The lawyers for each side made a few more requests.’
America Is Ripe For Authoritarianism
America Is Ripe For Authoritarianism
‘America is on the precipice of a fascist uprising. While liberals have consistently leveled the f-word against opponents on the right, much the same way conservatives have appropriated socialist or Marxist against those on the political left, there is now data showing that proto-fascist movements are on the rise.
The kindling for the fire of fascism has already been lit. While the Republican Party holds at least one branch of the federal government, America will never be able to deal intelligently and earnestly with the economic policies that have destroyed the working class and all but decimated the middle class. A GOP congress guarantees that Democratic efforts to raise the minimum wage, reform the tax code and repair our crumbling infrastructure will be thwarted, all in the name of protecting the rich from paying their fair share.’
Tory Plans For Human Rights Withdrawal Slammed By Amnesty
Tory Plans For Human Rights Withdrawal Slammed By Amnesty
Pictures displayed by Street Democracy UK
TORY plans to withdraw from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) would remove an essential safety net and “beggar belief,” Amnesty said yesterday.
Prime Minister David Cameron has reportedly been presented with proposals on human-rights law this week, drawn up by a working group of Conservative lawyers, suggesting that the plan for an alternative British bill of rights could force changes in the way the ECHR operates.
But the lawyers also acknowledge that the changes could lead to Britain being expelled from the 47-member Council of Europe, which upholds human rights across the continent.
Amnesty International UK policy head Allan Hogarth warned the move would “rip away” our human-rights safety net.
“The steady drumbeat of threats to dismantle human-rights protections for people in the UK reached a manic crescendo this week,” he said.
“These latest reports beggar belief and, if true, reveal a plan which is both immature and ill conceived.
“Cameron appears intent on rubbishing the UK’s commitment to human rights and so undermining its influence as a moral authority on the world stage.”
For more click here for Morning Star:
Tory Plans For Human Rights Withdrawal Slammed By Amnesty
Policing By Consent?
Policing By Consent?
‘Theresa May recently warned the Police Federation that “policing by consent” was at risk.
She told them that “recent revelations” about Hillsborough, police spies, Stephen Lawrence and so on put the “relationship between the public and the police” in danger.
The Home Secretary could be right. But it was a Tory government that pushed the Bobbies as far from “policing by consent” and towards being “Maggie Thatcher’s boot boys” as they could.’
Tories to ban strikes if less than half of workers back them: Pledge to change law if they win the election which will prevent at least two thirds of walkouts
Tories to ban strikes if less than half of workers back them: Pledge to change law if they win the election which will prevent at least two thirds of walkouts
‘Strike laws will be dramatically tightened to prevent at least two-thirds of walkouts if the Conservatives win the next election, ministers will pledge today.
The party will commit to introducing a 50 per cent turnout threshold for strikes – meaning workers can no longer be called out by militant union leaders on the basis of ballots involving risible numbers of members.
They will also introduce a three-month time limit on any strike ballot to prevent rolling waves of disruption years after a vote has been called.’
UK intelligence services accused of complicity in torture of British citizen
UK intelligence services accused of complicity in torture of British citizen
‘Britain’s intelligence and security agencies are facing claims that they were complicit in the brutal torture of a British man secretly detained in an African prison.
Ali Adorus, a security guard from east London, was subjected to electrocution, hooding and beatings during his 18 month imprisonment in Ethiopia, according to allegations made against Ethiopia and Britain to the United Nations High Commission.
Before leaving Britain to visit family in Ethiopia in 2012, Mr Adorus had complained that he had been targeted by the Metropolitan Police and the Security Service, MI5, over alleged links to Islamic extremism.’
Streets Of Northern England Filled With Public Sector Strikers
Streets Of Northern England Filled With Public Sector Strikers
Pictures displayed by Street Democracy UK.
PUBLIC sector workers across northern England went on strike in their hundreds of thousands yesterday.
In virtually every major northern town and city they took to the streets in demonstrations, marches and rallies to take to the public their message of opposition to the government’s vicious austerity and poverty wages.
The sun-blazed marches were a sea of colour with workers carrying the banners, flags and placards of their public-sector unions.
The day began with picketing at hundreds of offices of councils and government departments, work depots, fire stations, schools and other workplaces across northern England.
At one Leeds court building pickets reported that only 10 of 140 staff employed there had gone in.
The city saw one of the biggest of the region’s rallies.
Just days after Leeds hosted the “Grand Depart” of the Tour de France, 5,000 strikers and their supporters cheered as they set off to march around the city with their message of protest and defiance.
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There were striking workers, pensioners, disabled people, mums and dads with toddlers. Children clasped a parent with one hand and a trades union flag with the other.
The built-up streets echoed to the sound of chanting, vuvuzelas, whistles and horns.
Shoppers and workers on their lunch breaks applauded as the march wound past.
For more click here for Morning Star:
Streets Of Northern England Filled With Public Sector Strikers
Just The Beginning: 2 Million Come Out Fighting
Just The Beginning: 2 Million Come Out
fighting
Pictures displayed by Street Democracy UK.
Workers say: We’re not going away
by Luke James and Conrad Landin
in central London
TWO MILLION people defied Tory strike ban threats yesterday to come out fighting against poverty pay — and PCS union leader Mark Serwotka warned the government it was “just the beginning.”
Mr Serwotka rallied a sea of teachers, firefighters, council workers and civil servants in Trafalgar Square in his first major speech since recovering from heart surgery.
He said he hoped ministers would “finally feel the humanity and compassion in their Tory bones” to lift the pay freeze forcing workers below the poverty line.
But he conceded that is unlikely and urged unions to learn the lessons of the 2011 pensions dispute that “fizzled out” after a two-million strong one-day strike.
Mr Serwotka told the crowds from Nelson’s Column: “Today is starting something that the government must understand will get bigger and bigger.
“Today has been fantastic but if we need to do more, we must do more.”
The civil servants’ union leader called for an urgent meeting of trade unions to “ensure that further action is planned and co-ordinated and gets bigger and bigger.”
Workers across Britain, who have seen their pay slashed by up to 20 per cent over the last five years, took part in over a thousand picket lines at town halls and schools.
Click here for more from Morning Star:
Just The Beginning: 2 Million Come Out
Fighting
Water cannons arrive in London for potential Met deployment
Water cannons arrive in London for potential Met deployment
Street Democracy UK writes:
The erosion of our freedoms enshrined into law by our political morally bankrupt power heads of Westminster acting overtly hostile towards even the basic of social democracy.
This siege mentality comes from fear and their silencing the masses, the ordinary men and women is their target after legions of faceless bureaucrats have taken livelihoods away, our voices and our dignity especially towards the poor and the disabled poor.This method of unleashing this monumental violent strategy to silence voices is digging up the trenches of democracy, our views unheard and the criminalisation of expression in full swing.It isn't even a sophisticated language of commanding force, as water cannons are for hooligans right? Not for exercising the legitimate political apparatus this country claims to be all about.For more on this outrageous and copious amounts of toxic gutter politics being slammed into the public domain continue reading or click here:
Water cannons arrive in London for potential Met deployment
‘Water cannons have arrived in the UK after being procured by London’s Metropolitan Police for the first time. The three second-hand units were sold to the UK by the German Federal Police, despite a lack of government permission for their use.
London Mayor Boris Johnson spent more than US$370,000 (£218,000) on the water cannons, without waiting for the central government’s approval. German police confirmed to the Guardian that the water cannons have now arrived in the UK.
Home Secretary Theresa May has yet to give the units the green light.’