From the open publishing newswire: In the face of growing concern over the use of tasers and other so-called "less lethal weapons," police officers and weapons industry shills have been conducting what can only be described as one of the strangest PR campaigns ever mounted. They have been "demonstrating" tasers by shooting them at each other, and at hapless volunteers in incongruous settings during family-friendly public gatherings. The message is supposed to be simple and easily digested: "See? Tasers can be fun." One such demonstration took place at the Columbia County Fair over the weekend. It was a bizarre spectacle that surely must be reminiscent of what Rome was like shortly before it fell.

From the open publishing newswire: The red cross says it is torture
But the American Psychological association
Says that it is not torture
They should be there to oversea
Dog cages and human being electrocuted randomly
One person who was locked
Inside the walls of secret documents
Was a teacher
Whose only crime was flunking a student
The student fingered them for being a terrorist
The CIA says that 1/3 of those in Guantanamo
Are probably innocent

From the open publishing newswire: This coming Thursday, the 17th of July will be our 1 year anniversary outside of the Earlman's office. We have met every Thursday at high noon to bear witness to the destruction of the Bill of Rights and our Constitution. We will remain until impeachment hearings begin or Bush and his Dick leave the WH in January of 09.

In the year that we stood with our signs, occupying Blumenauer's office, being arrested and threatened by the security force at 729 Oregon the following has happened:

• Over five hundred soldiers have been killed in Iraq.
• Tens of thousands of Iraqis have lost their lives, many of them children.
• Many thousands have been injured to such a degree that families members must now take care of them for the rest of their lives. The casualties will not be known until we have a legitimate government in Washington.
• Millions of people are now losing their homes.
• Gas prices are through the roof.
• The fourth Amendment has been so damaged by the politicians, both by NeoCons and democrats, that it is now just a piece of paper.

From the open publishing newswire: Regarding Ashland's 4th of July Parade which is run by the Chamber of Commerce, here is the bottom line: "The ACLU and the SOJWJ, therefore, respectfully demand that, first, the Chamber alter its fee structure so as not to discriminate based on the content of entrants' message, and second, the Chamber refund the additional payment of $70 paid by SOJwJ for the 2007 Ashland Fourth of July Parade. If the Chamber fails to do both of these things, the ACLU of Oregon and SOJwJ are prepared to file a lawsuit to obtain this relief, plus the recovery of reasonable attorney fees."

From the open publishing newswire: Only yesterday did I - one of the three arrestees from the May 30th Taser Incident - finally get to read the police reports on the incident. I have to admit, if I had not been there and witnessed things with my own eyes, the police reports would seem very compelling. However, because I was there, I notice clear falsehoods, misleading statements, and plenty of probably honest mistakes in the reports. In this letter I will address several key falsehoods/mistakes. I will begin with the biggest shocker: THE KEY ROLE PLAYED BY HOMELAND SECURITY in not only my arrest, but in instigating the entire ugly affair. I will point out several verifiable falsehoods in their reports.

From the open publishing newswire: It was week 50 for the Impeachment Vigil It was also the Funeral for the fourth Amendment
A ceremony was held outside Earl Blumenauer's Office and it proceeded to the Federal Building in downtown Portland Oregon. This event was for FISA spying immunities and permission given to the president to spy on citizens of the US with no warrants or respect to the 4th.

From the open publishing newswire: So, I am riding my bicycle home from work on the afternoon of June 30th, 2008 through Waterfront Park when I hear the tell tale signals that the pedestrian path on the lower Steel Bridge is raising. Instead of sitting in the sun waiting for the barge to pass I stop short of the bridge to stand under the shade of a tree. This is when I notice about 50 feet away two uniformed officers talking to an black couple laying down in the park. I look to see what is going on as it is very strange how the officers are treating them and this is when I identified Ofc Reisten from the Joe Anybody? video in May. [ Read More ]

From the open publishing newswire: On May 30 Eugene police repeatedly tasered a UO student organizer at a peaceful downtown rally supporting an end to toxic roadside pesticide spraying in Lane County, Oregon. EPD wrongfully arrested 2 students and one community member collectively known as "The Kesey Three" -- as the events took place at Eugene's Ken Kesey "Free Speech" Plaza.

2 Gatherings for Peace in Support of "The Kesey Three":

• Gathering for Peace in Support of "The Kesey Three": Thursday, June 5 from 12 - 3 at the EMU Amphitheater, University of Oregon, Eugene; Come wear a white armband to speak out against police brutality and the use of tasers in policing.
• Gather in Support of "The Kesey Three" on Saturday, June 7 in Kesey Square (Willamette / Broadway) at 12 noon. We will gather together silently. Many will have an "X" painted over their mouths or will be wearing tape over their mouths as a statement of how the police are trying to silence free speech with their violence.

Flyers will be silently handed to those with questions.

Youtube Video of May 30 events

From the open publishing newswire: Video Entitled "This is Coast Salish Territory"

On Monday April 28th, 2008 Indigenous Warriors on Coast Salish Territory blocked a vital intersection used for commercial shipping to the United States. The action was done in solidarity with the Tyendinaga Mohawk community. Five Warriors from Tyendinaga had been arrested and attacked by the OPP days before. SWAT teams and paramilitary units were on Tyendinaga Territory surrounding dozens of other unarmed Warriors who were peacefully occupying a rock quarry claimed to be on their territory.

Solidarity actions also happened in Six Nations and Guelph. With the mounting pressure from coast to coast, and steadfast position of the Tyendinaga Mohawks the SWAT teams and paramilitary units left Tyendinaga Territory without additional attacks.

Since their arrest, three of the five Warriors have been released on strict bail conditions. Two Warriors, Clint Brant and Shawn Brant are still in state custody.

mostlywater.org | friendsofgrassynarrows.com | ottawa.indymedia.ca | news.infoshop.org

Solidarity Action: "Guelph, Arsonists Hit Developers"

From the open publishing newswire: Ecuadorian police detained five journalists associated with Ecuador Indymedia late Tuesday night. Four of the five were released from custody on Wednesday afternoon. The government says that the four activists were detained because of their relationship with the fifth detainee, Ecuadorian resident and Colombian national Antonio Alcívar.

The government at first refused to issue a statement on the matter or inform the detainees of the reason for their arrests. The Regional Foundation for Assistance in Human Rights (INREDH) noted that this was a violation of the detainees' constitutional right to be clearly informed of the reason for their detention along with the identities of those who ordered and carried out the arrests.

According to Ecuador Indymedia and INREDH, the Judicial Police (PJ) and the Intervention and Rescue Group (GIR) executed the arrests. The journalists were arrested on the street and then taken to their homes where searches were violently carried out. Agents reportedly confiscated computers, documents and hard drives from the journalists' homes. Agents also reportedly confiscated a Che Guevara poster as "evidence."

According to INREDH, the detainees were not permitted to see their lawyer and were forced to undergo interrogation in the presence of a lawyer provided by police.

It is unclear why the Ecuadorian government made the arrests and whether the detentions are related to the recent conflict with Colombia. It seems possible that President Correa, in an effort to counter Colombian allegations, may be attempting to demonstrate the government's resolve to root out guerrilla presence in Ecuador—and intimidate some critics on his left in the process.

From the open publishing newswire: ALL of the westside under-bridge areas now have "illegal camping" notices. People on the street are reporting that both the west and east sides are being swept, as well as downtown doorways in the middle of the night. I met three people last night who had lost their blankets and belongings to the popo in these sweeps. There are aslo scattered reports of camps and sleeping spots off in wooded areas, even out of town, being swept, so don't anyone plan on sleeping anytime soon.

The City Hall camp is 20-40 strong at any given time. All are welcome to come for a safe drug and alcohol free place to sleep for the night. So far the city governments response has been to try to hide the poor until after the tourist festival season is over.

The best way to get up to the minute info is to walk yourself down to the Camp and ask someone what's going on.

Portland Homeless Watch

From the open publishing newswire: On Sunday April 27, 2008, 16 animal activists held an outreach protest at the neighborhood of two University of Utah primate vivisectors to educate the neighborhood about the atrocities occurring at the University of Utah animal resource center. When activists showed up - they discovered that the University of Utah had hired 24 hour security for the homes of some of its personnel - surely with a hefty price tag!

Activists were well-aware that the city had recently adopted an anti-speech ordinance requiring activists to remain off of public property near a 'targeted residence' during a 'targeted residential protest' - so they tailored their protest with that in mind. Rather than do a targeted picket, activists continually marched around the neighborhood - never remaining stationary - to educate the general neighborhood about the barbaric treatment of animals at the U of U facilities. The march also had no targeted residence - no names were ever even mentioned as being associated with the cruelty inside labs.

From the open publishing newswire: APRIL 25: HAPPY 17th BIRTHDAY, YOUR HOLINESS!! April 25th is the Birthday of a little boy kidnapped by the Chinese government...perhaps a nice birthday present for him would be your signature on this petition...

Tibet's stolen child is Gedhun Choekyi Nyima; the boy recognized by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as inherently and potentially one of Tibet's most important religious and cultural persons. He is known as the Panchen Lama and is one of the young victims of China's brutal repression of the Tibetan people.

Determined to control religion in Tibet, the Chinese authorities kidnapped this young boy and his family in 1995 just days after he was recognized as the Panchen Lama. He is growing up under house arrest. Despite repeated appeals to gain access to him, no international agency or human rights organization has been granted contact with the young Panchen Lama or His family.

But the story is not over...

petition for the release of the 11th Panchen Lama