Category: Global

Global

Idle No More International Day of Action – January 28, 2013

14th Jan 2012.

14th Jan 2012. Indigenous Resurgence Explodes with Idle No More Day of Action

Idle No More grassroots founders and organizers from across Canada, in solidarity with common causes – a new initiative bringing together social justice, environmental, labour and other Activist Groups…

– UNITED we are planning IDLE NO MORE WORLD DAY OF ACTION on January 28th, 2013 #J28.

This day of action will peacefully protest attacks on Democracy, Indigenous Sovereignty, Human Rights and Environmental Protections when Canadian MPs return to the House of Commons on January 28th. As a grassroots movement, clearly no political organization speaks for Idle No More. This movement is of the people… For The People! #IDLENOMOREFTP

The Vision of IDLE NO MORE revolves around Indigenous Ways of Knowing rooted in Indigenous Sovereignty to protect water, air, land and all creation for future generations.

The Conservative government bills beginning with Bill C-45 threaten Treaties and this Indigenous Vision of Sovereignty.

The Goal of the movement is education and the revitalization of Indigenous peoples through Awareness and Empowerment.  IDLE NO MORE has successfully encouraged knowledge sharing of Indigenous Sovereignty and Environmental Protections. 

This message has been heard around the world and the world is watching how Canada responds to the message sent by many INM Supporters.

INM urges the government of Canada to repeal all legislation; which violates Treaties, Indigenous Sovereignty and subsequently Environmental Protections of land and water.

INM is grateful to many leaders who have supported this vision and the movement of the grassroots people.

“The Treaties are the last line of defense to protect water and lands from destruction,” stated Oren Lyons, Faithkeeper Turtle Clan, Onondaga Nation Council of Chiefs.

Please watch and share this video of the Idle No More action in Toronto, and organize events in solidarity with Idle No More within your local collectives:

Today Marks 7th Year Anniversary of Eric McDavid’s Arrest

13th Jan 2013. Today marks the 7th Anniversary of Eric McDavid’s (also known as “D”) arrest. Eric was arrested (along with Zachary Jenson and Lauren Weiner) on January 13, 2006, as part of the government’s ongoing Green Scare campaign.

13th Jan 2013. Today marks the 7th Anniversary of Eric McDavid’s (also known as “D”) arrest. Eric was arrested (along with Zachary Jenson and Lauren Weiner) on January 13, 2006, as part of the government’s ongoing Green Scare campaign. All three were charged with “Conspiracy to damage and destroy property by fire and an explosive.” His arrest was the direct result of a government informant – known only as “Anna” – who spent a year and a half drawing him in and working with the FBI to fabricate a crime and implicate Eric in it. Anna was paid over $65,000 for her work with the FBI. Eric was imprisoned for what amounts to thought-crime – no actions were ever carried out, and Eric was charged with a single count of “conspiracy” – a powerful legal tool often used by the state to crush dissent.

Below is his personal correspondence followed by a correspondence from Jenny, his partner.

Learn more about Eric’s story or find out how to write to him at supporteric.org.

Letter from Eric McDavid,

7 yrs…  i can’t say it’s easy 2 put these words dn on paper – that it doesn’t pain me 2 look bk over these past 7 trips around the Sun… w/the process of the courts continuing n the final appeal stages; it’s end yet 2 show up on the horizon = no illusions, while still Dancing w/wishes… Love & Joy have also made their presence known = the overwhelming support from all over the Earth ~ i wish 2 Thank every persyn/grp that has written & supported me along this journey – Ur intents, N which ever forms they’ve taken, have aided & nourished me N remembering who i am N a situation &
environment bent on unraveling, dismembering & remolding…along w/all the communal Solidarity, i’m grateful 4 the support of friends & family – & how i’ve been buoyed by the Love and Passionate Patience of my Partner = i Love you J, you R my Joy…  …  i’m unable 2 adequately express my feelings of Respect & Solidarity 4 all the folx Dancing w/the overt repression across the continent while staying True 2 their Hearts…  2 the folx Dancing w/Grand Juries = bide Ur time, this is 1 of the few circ.s where time is on the SD of the oppressed…  w/N this cultural climate the Path is not easy or simple by any means – making it all the more important 2 find those unique, ever changing, beautiful & sustainable
ways 2 aid & nurture each other… …. i’ll close wishing that each of U continue 2 explore & heal Ur Hearts & communities; may U find the space & time over the coming yr 2 let Ur minds play w/new & safe communication skills, & Ur bodies w/self-defense…

Stay safe & have fun finding Ur Joy

N Solidarity
w/much Love
D

Letter from Jenny,

Hello friends,

Tomorrow, January 13th,  marks the 7th year of D’s arrest.  It’s strange
how life really does move in cycles.  Glancing at the note I sent you all
last year my eyes are greeted by good news.  After his move to Terminal
Island last year – right before the New Year – D and I were finally
allowed to hold hands during our visits for the first time since his
arrest.  After 6 years.  It was a reminder of how precious such seemingly
insignificant acts can be – and to remember to never take them for
granted.

On New Year’s Eve this year I spent the day visiting D at Terminal Island.
The visit started normally – a much awaited hug and kiss, slowly moving
to our chairs, but letting our hands linger – fingers intertwined as we
reached across the tiny table between us.  That lasted about 30 seconds.
They called D up to the podium where they sit and watch…  I heard a
flurry of voices with undertones of urgency, although never hostility. 
When he came back he told me they weren’t allowing us to hold hands
anymore.  He tried once more to get them to check their own rules, but to
no avail.  After over a year of being granted this glorious privilege, it
was yanked from underneath us.

So many things have been taken from us.

A million thoughts swim through your head at times like that.  I knew this
might happen.  It’s always in the back of your mind – what they
can/might/will take one day.  I’m more prepared for it now than I used to
be – which is to say it’s slightly less devastating when it happens.

I spent much of the car ride home thinking about loss.  Sometimes it feels
like my heart has broken so many times that the thing I am mending bears
no resemblance to the original.  That thought scares me.  But then I think
of the alternative.  A friend recently told me that she always felt like
love should be a safe space…  I wish I could agree.  But that has never
been my experience.  With love we throw our hearts wide open – which means
everything gets in.  The good, the bad, the ugly.  And sometimes that
means we hurt like hell.  But other times that means we get to experience
so much joy and beauty that we almost can’t stand it.  And that is what I
have experienced with D.  And I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.

D is an amazing individual.  His heart is bigger than any i’ve ever known
and his mind powerfully creative and beautiful…  and his commitment to
his friends, his family, and struggle is rock solid.  Being his partner
has been the most amazing, beautiful journey.  I wouldn’t trade it for
anything.

Even with all of the loss.

Sometimes my heart gets so heavy…  but then I remember our friends and
comrades who have followed similar paths.  Many of whom are now out here
with us, again.  And then I remember all of you – who have been a part of
this struggle.  Who have been here with us every step of the way.  And
together we inch closer to that light at the end of the tunnel…

Tomorrow is the 13th.  I’ll be driving down to visit D again.  He called
me the day after our last visit to tell me they found the “memo” that
allows us to hold hands.  How strange that a piece of paper can dictate my
interactions with my partner of 7+ years.  And that someone misplacing
that piece of paper can be such a cause for panic, sorrow and reflection.
I’m glad they found it.  But D has told me it doesn’t seem to have fixed
the problem…  either way,  I’m not holding my breath.  Nothing is ever
certain.  And even if they don’t have it fixed…I know that nothing can
stop us.  Because we have each other.  And we have all of you.

To all of our friends and comrades who have experienced so much loss this
year – our unending love, support, and solidarity.  You are never alone.

And to our friends and comrades who have gained their freedom – or at
least pieces of it – welcome home.

With love and solidarity,
jenny

P.S.
Eric has been in prison a long time…and he has a lot more to go.  Please
let him know that you are still thinking about him!  Letters, books,
donations, fundraisers and support events are still always needed.  For
more information on how to write Eric a letter or how to donate to his
support fund, please visit:  www.supporteric.org

Marie Mason Birthday Events Being Planned Across the World

12th Jan 2012. Marie Mason’s 51st birthday is coming up on January 26, 2013. We are asking that folks hold events for Marie around her birthday as part of what will be an annual time to celebrate her life and keep her spirits up while she remains imprisoned.

12th Jan 2012. Marie Mason’s 51st birthday is coming up on January 26, 2013. We are asking that folks hold events for Marie around her birthday as part of what will be an annual time to celebrate her life and keep her spirits up while she remains imprisoned.

 We know that the mid-winter holidays are a busy time for everyone, but they are a sad time for the prisoners who remain inside – and everyone wants some cheer on their birthday! So we hope that folks can find time to plan a small event for Marie, such as a letter-writing or birthday party. (If time permits, we recommend that you might want to hold letter writings a week or more earlier so the cards can reach her before the 26th.)
 
Some people are confused about Marie’s mail situation. It is true that she can only send letters to a pre-approved list of 100 people. However, she can receive letters from anyone and so she will be able to receive all these birthday wishes. (Please be sure that the sender’s first and last name are on the envelope, that letters are all in English – she can receive letters in other languages but will be delayed – and that cards do not have glitter or other things added to them.)
 
Last, if you are planning a public event for her birthday, please tell us and we’ll include the information on the website. Several cities have started making plans, including NYC, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Baltimore, Bloomington, Lake Worth and Haifa (Israel).  A current listing of events can be found here.  If you are organizing an event and would like it listed on the site email us at supportmariemason@gmail.com
 

About Marie Mason

Marie Mason is a loving mother of two and a long-time activist in the environmental and labor movements. In March 2008, she was arrested by federal authorities for charges related to two acts of property destruction that occurred in 1999 and 2000; no one was injured in either of them. She accepted a plea bargain and was sentenced on February 5, 2009 to just under 22 years. She is now serving the longest sentence of any "Green Scare" prisoner.

The “Green Scare” is the name given to the recent arrests of animal rights and environmental activists who have been charged with acts of economic sabotage. Federal authorities have sought outrageous sentences (often Life in prison) and have publicly and legally labeled the activists as “terrorists” – despite the fact that no one has been killed or injured in any of the acts.

Supporting Marie Mason does not mean agreeing with the actions that she took — but it does mean opposing the fear-mongering tactics of the federal government and the outrageous sentences they have imposed.

The original call out for Marie’s birthday can be found at www.supportmariemason.org, along with her current address, artwork, interviews, letters and more ways to get involved.

Another ELF case set for trial in Eugene: Rebecca Rubin

11th Jan 2012.

11th Jan 2012. Alleged ELF activist Rebecca Rubin, who turned herself in last month at the Canadian border, plead not guilty today in a Eugene Court. According to a statement from her lawyer, “Rubin has not been co-operating with
authorities in terms of helping investigators find two others accused in the case.” 

Her trial is set for March 19.

Letters of support can be sent here for the time being:

Rebecca Rubin #2033855
Lane County Adult Corrections
101 West 5th Avenue
Eugene, Oregon 97401-2695

For a complete description of mail regulations, check here.

The following is from an Associated Press article published today:

Canadian woman pleads not guilty to ecoterrorism fires that did $40 million damage around West

A woman who turned herself in after a decade as a fugitive in the largest ecoterrorism investigation in U.S. history has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy and arson charges in federal court.

Rebecca Rubin, a 39-year-old Canadian citizen, was ordered to remain in custody during the hearing Friday in Eugene, Ore.

Trial was set for March 19.

A federal indictment accuses Rubin of being a member of cells of the Earth Liberation Front and Animal Liberation Front… Investigators blame the group based in Eugene for 20 fires around the West that did $40 million in damage.

She turned herself in to the FBI last November at the Canadian border with Washington state. At the time, her lawyer said she wanted to get the case behind her.

Mass Action Targets TransCanada Offices

January 7th, 2013

What: Tar Sands Blockade protesters take over TransCanada Keystone XL offices in Houston, demanding accountability for abuses by TransCanada

January 7th, 2013

What: Tar Sands Blockade protesters take over TransCanada Keystone XL offices in Houston, demanding accountability for abuses by TransCanada

Where: 2700 Post Oak Blvd, Suite 400, Houston TX 77056 (next to the Houston Galleria)

When: Underway now!

Who: 100+ protesters gathered to confront pipeline company over land abuses, toxic legacy and climate change connected to TransCanada’s Keystone XL pipeline.

The Tar Sands Blockade is a group of environmentalists and landowners working to stop the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline through direct action.

Why: This action kicks off a new phase of the Tar Sands Blockade targeting the corporate and financial infrastructure behind the Keystone XL pipeline. TransCanada’s pipeline uses seized land to transport toxic tar sands oil through Texas and Oklahoma communities, in order to export it from Houston ports. These dangerous business practices and the backlash from communities across the country make this pipeline a toxic investment for our state and TransCanada’s corporate lenders.

Australian miner Whitehaven Coal hit by hoax

7th Jan 2013.

7th Jan 2013. Shares in Australian miner Whitehaven Coal fell almost 9% after a fake press release claimed one of the firm's lenders had withdrawn funding.

The release, from an anti-coal action group claiming that ANZ bank had withdrawn A$1.2bn ($1.3bn; £784m), prompted the miner to suspend trading in its shares.

Once the hoax was uncovered, Whitehaven shares recovered the losses.

Other Australian firms have fallen victim to hoaxes in recent months.

The statement said that ANZ had withdrawn funding for Whitehaven's proposed Maules Creek mine due to "reputational risks and analysis of the returns on this mine in the current climate of high volatility in the coal export market".

Investors then sold shares in the company, fearing that the mine may be pulled.

Once the hoax came to light, ANZ issued its own release saying it had made no statement on Whitehaven and remained "fully supportive" of the company.

Jonathan Moylan from Frontline Action for Coal, which issued the hoax statement, said environmental concerns had prompted the press release.

For more info on Frontline Action for Coal and their continuing protest camp and actions, see here

First Nations may engage in economic blockades if Canada refuses treaty talks

First Nations leaders have discussed plans to launch country-wide economic disruptions by the middle of January if Prime Minister Stephen Harper doesn’t agree to hunger-striking Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence’s demand for a treaty meeting

First Nations leaders have discussed plans to launch country-wide economic disruptions by the middle of January if Prime Minister Stephen Harper doesn’t agree to hunger-striking Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence’s demand for a treaty meeting

During three days of meetings and teleconferences, chiefs from across the country discussed a plan setting Jan. 16 as the day to launch a campaign of indefinite economic disruptions, including railway and highway blockades, according to two chiefs who were involved in the talks who requested anonymity.

“The people are restless, they are saying enough is enough,” said one chief, who was involved in the discussions. “Economic impacts are imminent if there is no response.”

Chiefs were still finalizing details of their plans Monday evening and it remained unclear to what extent their discussed options would translate into the official position.

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo is expected to write Harper a letter outlining the chiefs’ position.

Spence launched her hunger strike on Dec. 11 to force a meeting between Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Governor General David Johnston and First Nations leaders to discuss the state of the treaties. Spence said in a statement issued Monday that the aim of the meeting was to “re-establish” the treaty relationship and finally put First Nations people in their “rightful place back here in our homelands that we all call Canada.”

The plan of action comes as the Idle No More movement continues to sweep across the country through round dances, rallies along with highway and rail blockades.

The Tyendinaga Mohawks briefly blockaded a main CN rail line between Toronto and Montreal Sunday, stranding about 2,000 Via Rail passengers. The Mi’kmaq from the Listuguj First Nation, Que., continue to hold a rail blockade on a CN line along with members of the Aamjiwnaang First Nation who have shut a CN line in Sarnia, Ont. In British Columbia, the Seton Lake Indian Band ended a rail blockade on Sunday.

How the chiefs’ action plan will mesh with the Idle No More movement remains to be seen. Idle No More organizers issued a statement Monday that distanced the movement from the chiefs.

“The chiefs have called for action and anyone who chooses can join with them, however, this is not part of the Idle No More movement as the vision of this grassroots movement does not coincide with the visions of the leadership,” said the statement, posted on the Idle No More Facebook page. “While we appreciate the individual support we have received from chiefs and councillors, we have been given a clear mandate by the grassroots to work outside the systems of government and that is what we will continue to do.”

One of the chiefs involved in action plan discussion said the leadership wanted to be sensitive to the grassroots-driven movement and make clear that their plans are being developed in support and as a response to Idle No More.

“Chiefs are standing firm in support of Idle No More and grassroots citizens,” said the chief. “We now need to unify.”

New Keystone XL Aerial Tree Blockade Halts Construction in Diboll, TX, 3rd Jan

Unprecedented “dump platforms” protected by intricate 100 ft perimeter web of safety lines to protect sitters; action declared in solidarity with “Idle No More” in Canada

From a TSB statement released at 9:00AM this morning — Late last night, blockaders set up two &ldqu

Unprecedented “dump platforms” protected by intricate 100 ft perimeter web of safety lines to protect sitters; action declared in solidarity with “Idle No More” in Canada

From a TSB statement released at 9:00AM this morning — Late last night, blockaders set up two “dump platforms” in trees outside of Diboll, Texas which would otherwise be cleared to make way for TransCanada’s Keystone XL toxic tar sands pipeline. These special “dump platforms” are shielded by an unprecedented 80-100 ft perimeter of life-lines arranged, which if disturbed would certainly dump the two blockaders nested in them roughly 50-60 ft in the air. The Blockaders are sitting in solidarity with the now global “Idle No More” campaign for First Nation’s human rights and tribal sovereignty that very recently started in Canada.

This new tree blockade comes just a couple weeks after the end of Tar Sands Blockade’s 85-day tree-sit near Winnsboro, TX. TransCanada rerouted the tar sands pipeline to go around the Winnsboro tree-sit, despite having told countless landowners, including Douglass resident Mike Bishop, that the route was set in stone and could not be altered to avoid bulldozing their cropland, or to go around schools, neighborhoods, or ecologically sensitive areas.

This new site is surrounded by barriers like Highway 59, railroad tracks, and Ryan Lake. With these nearby, blockaders have found a location around which the pipe cannot easily be rerouted.

The viability of this blockade depends entirely on the safe conduct of TransCanada and local police forces. They could easily end it by cutting ropes and seriously injuring or killing the tree sitters. Blockaders Audrey and Mike know the risks. They are prepared to stay on their platforms, just big enough to lie down on, indefinitely, to defend their collective home from the expansion of tar sands exploitation that Keystone XL would usher in.

“Protecting the living systems which we’re a part of is a moral necessity,” shared Audrey, who is sitting in a singular tree left in a newly-cleared field. “Extraction of the tar sands is the most destructive project on the continent. It threatens the integrity of the entire biosphere, not to mention the First Nations dependent upon access to clean water, land, and air for the health and food for their tribal communities.”

Mike, the other sitter suspended in a 50 ft skypod between two trees, agreed, “That their plight has been so long ignored by industry and policy-makers is a clear violation of their human rights and a crime of conscience. That’s why we are enthusiastically supporting the Idle No More movement!”

Tar Sands Blockade is a coalition of Texas and Oklahoma landowners and climate justice organizers using peaceful and sustained civil disobedience to stop the construction of TransCanada’s Keystone XL tar sands pipeline.

“Institutional methods of addressing climate change have failed us,” explained Ron Seifert, a Tar Sands Blockade spokesperon. “Rising up to defend our homes against corporate exploitation is our best and only hope to preserve life on this planet. We must normalize and embrace direct, organized resistance to the death machine of industrial extraction and stand with those like Idle No More who take extraordinary risk to defend their families and livelihoods.”

Photos of the action are available on Tar Sands Blockade’s Flickr account here: http://flickr.com/photos/tarsandsblockade/

[Blockade is located two miles south of Diboll, TX on northbound Highway 59, a massive banner deployed there is highly visible to highway traffic.]
See TarSandsBlockade.org for more info.

Idle No More – First Nation blockade of Sarnia CN Rail track

Dec 25th, 2012

A southwestern Ontario First Nation is planning a rally in Sarnia today — the fourth day of its blockade of a CN Rail line in the city.

Dec 25th, 2012

A southwestern Ontario First Nation is planning a rally in Sarnia today — the fourth day of its blockade of a CN Rail line in the city.

The Aamjiwnaang (AWN’-ja-nong) First Nation says both the demonstration at Sarnia city hall this morning and the ongoing blockade are part of the national Idle No More protests.

The mayor of Sarnia, Ont., says city police do not plan to shut down a CN Rail blockade by First Nations activists as long as no one is hurt in the protest.

Mike Bradley says CN obtained a court injunction that leaves it to police in the southwestern Ontario city to decide whether to end the three-day-old blockade.

Blockade spokesman Ron Plain says the protests are being led by young Aamjiwnaang First Nation members, who met Sunday with representatives from CN, as well as Bradley and Sarnia’s police chief.

Dozens of demonstrators set up tables, tents and vehicles on and around the track Friday as part of the national Idle No More protests.

Organizer Vanessa Gray says the rally aims to bring the community together “to stand up for what your rights are and what you believe in.”

Meanwhile, there’s no indication when the blockade will come to an end.

They say the blockade of the commercial-rail corridor will continue until Prime Minister Stephen Harper meets with Attiwapiskat Chief Theresa Spence, who is on a hunger strike to bring attention to aboriginal issues.

CN Rail spokesman Jim Feeny says the rail company is urging governments and police to step up negotiations to come up with a peaceful settlement.

He says the stoppage is starting to affect CN customers, for example it’s preventing propane shipments from getting to Canadian consumers.

Freedom and Solidarity to Marie Mason on her 51st Birthday (USA)

Marie Mason is an eco-prisoner condemned with a long prison punishment by the American regime.

Marie Mason’s 51st birthday is coming up on January 26, 2013. We are asking that folks hold events for Marie around her birthday as part of what will be an annual time to celebrate her life and keep her spirits up while she remains imprisoned.

Marie Mason is an eco-prisoner condemned with a long prison punishment by the American regime.

Marie Mason’s 51st birthday is coming up on January 26, 2013. We are asking that folks hold events for Marie around her birthday as part of what will be an annual time to celebrate her life and keep her spirits up while she remains imprisoned.

We know that the mid-winter holidays are a busy time for everyone, but they are a sad time for the prisoners who remain inside – and everyone wants some cheer on their birthday! So we hope that folks can find time to plan a small event for Marie, such as a letter-writing or birthday party. (If time permits, we recommend that you might want to hold letter writings a week or more earlier so the cards can reach her before the 26th.)

Some people are confused about Marie’s mail situation. It is true that she can only send letters to a pre-approved list of 100 people. However, she can receive letters from anyone and so she will be able to receive all these birthday wishes. (Please be sure that the sender’s first and last name are on the envelope, that letters are all in English – she can receive letters in other languages but will be delayed – and that cards do not have glitter or other things added to them.)

Last, if you are planning a public event for her birthday, please tell us and we’ll include the information on the website.

Support Marie Mason
www.supportmariemason.org

Marie Mason #04672-061
FMC Carswell
Federal Medical Center
P.O. Box 27137
Fort Worth, TX 76127

Source: Support Marie Mason