Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Un-Occupy Our Lands! Shut Down ALEC! Nov. 29 - Dec. 3


Call for Indigenous Convergence to Resist ALEC! - November 29-December 3 - Onk Akimel O'odham Lands (Scottsdale, AZ)
Un-occupy Our Lands!Indigenous Peoples Gathering in Resistance to Corporate & State Terrorism
Tues. Nov. 29, 6PM - 9:30PM
At Serena Padilla Residence
Onk Akimel O'odham Nation (Salt River)
9312 E. Thomas Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85256

This is an opportunity to share, connect, and build solidarity.
Dinner will be provided. Please bring your own chairs.
Camping for Indigenous participants available.
Please RSVP with oodhamjeved@gmail.com.
Allies and supporters welcome.

Greetings.

My name is Serena Padilla. I live in Occupied Onk Akimel Jeved, now known as the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community.
I am in support of an Indigenous convergence before and during the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) conference, scheduled for November 30-December 2, in hopes to share, connect and build solidarity amongst all the Indigenous Nations that are affected by ALEC.  
At this time, I am opening my grounds to accommodate all Indigenous participants coming to our territory due to the ALEC Conference. I am opening my grounds for camping and access to my outside kitchen. 
I hope this gathering will strengthen our connections as Indigenous Peoples, now and for the future generations to come.


shutdownALEC-n8v.jpg


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In Oaxaca, Mexico we're mourning for Cairo, Egypt / En Oaxaca, Mexico sentimos luto por el Cairo, Egipto.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oLEXxpR2cMGAOVo2-sAvCsQ4ghUl7mzvZRIVn40xXdg/edit?pli=1


In English

Communique # 1: November, 22, 2011

In Oaxaca, Mexico we’re mourning for Cairo, Egypt

Comrades, Brothers and Sisters

In Oaxaca, we understand, well, what it means to demand the end of a tyrannical government. This demand by the people is just and legitimate, and we know very well how the governing elites of the towns will answer, they don’t care about our demands, they only care to maintain power, especially when you’re demanding the end of military rule. We know how difficult it is to resist and work collectively in the moment you’re now living. The dignified and rebellious people of Oaxaca show our solidarity with the more than 46 assassinated (people of Egypt) and we say don’t be intimidated by the force of the police and military state.

We believe that we are not wrong in working together for a better future. May the good vibes of the rebellion always stay with you. Know that our eyes see in your eyes your indiginity, and our conscience together will show the way to decide how we want to live and this gives peace and justice to the comrades who were assassinated by the tyrannical government.

We would like to be physically present with you comrades but we can’t go there because in each place there’s something pending to be resolved with the damned government that represses us, kills us, hurts us and jails us, but we still send you our best energy that will contribute to fortify the heart and the necessary wisdom to continue with your fight. The road to obtain change is very long, far from the fall of the military government, which is only the beginning of the germination of a new society. Put your wager on changing the base and do not depend on government structures to decide our destiny, and the solidarity that cloaks the people of Egypt is the same as that which cloaked Oaxaca in 2006. Go onto the street and proclaim that there is a different way to live.

Fight with your head held high, let the assassinated comrades be one more bastion for resistance, for us to continue the fight, some fall for the dream of others but the path continues and we don’t have to forget the demand for justice for their death, and to think of kneeling only when the moment comes to tell our dead that we have achieved the dream of all.

An enormous embrace and stay strong comrades

From a place really hidden in Oaxaca de Magon

With fraternity

VOCAL
CASOTA
Colectivo Espanta pajaro
Colectivo Mano de Obra
Hormigas Libertarias
CACITA

En Espanol

Communique # 1: Noviembre, 22, 2011

En Oaxaca, Mexico sentimos luto por el Cairo, Egipto.

Compañer@s, herman@s

En Oaxaca sabemos bien que es pedir fin de un gobierno tirano. Que es una demanda justa y legitima de un pueblo, y sabemos bien cuál es la respuesta de las elites que gobiernan sobre los pueblos, que no importa nuestras demandas sino mantenerse en el poder, mas aun si se trata de exigir el fin de un gobierno militar, sabemos tambien lo mucho que cuesta resistir y trabajar de forma colectiva en las circunstacias en las que estan viviendo en estos momentos, El pueblo digno y rebelde de Oaxaca nos solidarizamos por los mas de 46 asesinados y les decimos que no se dejen amedrentar con la fuerza policial y militar del estado.


Creemos que no erramos cuando cominamos juntos por un mejor futuro, Que la buena vibra de la rebeldia les acompañe. Sepan que otros ojos miran sus ojos de indignación, que sea pues la conciencia de decidir nuestro rumbo de como queremos vivir la que nos guie, y le de paz y justicia a los compañeros que fueron asesinados por ese tirano gobierno.


Quisieramos estar presentes fisicamente con ustedes compas pero no podemos irnos para allá porque en cada lugar hay algo pendiente que resolver con los malditos gobiernos que nos reprimen, nos matan, hieren y encarcelan, pero si podemos enviar nuestra mejor energia que contribuya a fortalecer el corazón y la sabiduria necesaria para que no cesen en su lucha, que el camino es largo largo para obtener cambios. Pero sobre todo vislumbren que mas alla de la caída del gobierno militar es germinar una nueva sociedad, apuesten pues a hacer un cambio de base, mas que esperar a que las estructuras gubernamentales decidan nuetro destino, que la solidaridad con el pueblo de Egipto lo arrope de igual manera que lo hizo Oaxaca en 2006, salir a la calle y decidir que si hay un modo distinto para vivir.

Luchen con la frente en alto, que sean pues los compañeros asesinados un bastión mas de resistencia, por la cual continuar la lucha, unos cayeron por el sueño de otros pero el camino continua y no hay que olvidar exigir ahora justicia por sus muerte, y pensar arrodillarse solo hasta que llegue el momento de decirles a nuestros muertos que hemos ganado el sueño de tod@s.


Un abrazo enorme y no decaigan compañeros.


Desde un rincón profundo de OAXACA DE MAGON.

FRATERNALMENTE

VOCAL
CASOTA
Colectivo Espanta pajaro
Colectivo Mano de Obra
Hormigas Libertarias
CACITA

Friday, November 18, 2011

LA CRISIS DE EE. UU. SE CEBA CON LOS HISPANOS - RT


Entrevista con RT en Espanol

-Joaquin Cienfuegos

http://actualidad.rt.com/actualidad/ee_uu/issue_32210.html

Publicado: 10 nov 2011 | 01:58 MSK
Última actualización: 10 nov 2011 | 07:39 MSK

El número de personas que vive en condiciones de pobreza en Estados Unidos ha alcanzado el récord de los 49 millones, y los hispanos son una parte significativa de todos ellos, según  cálculos recientes de la Oficina del Censo.

En los dos meses transcurridos desde la difusión de las últimas estadísticas, la cifra de los ciudadanos que viven bajo el umbral de la pobreza aumentó en 2 millones y medio.

Para los hispanos, la pobreza alcanzó casi un 30% y ahora son más de 14 millones de afectados. El número de latinos ha superado por primera vez al de los afroamericanos en la estadística de la pobreza.

Los activistas apuntan como una de las posibles causas de este fenómeno la prioridad que el gobierno da a las grandes corporaciones. "Hemos visto que los gobernantes siguen los intereses de las corporaciones. Mucha gente pensó que Obama iba a cambiar las cosas, que iba a ser distinto que Bush pero en medio de la crisis él decidió dar billones de dólares a esas mismas personas que roban a la gente", afirma el organizador comunitario Joaquín Cienfuegos.

Dado que el voto hispano representó casi un 7% del total en 2010, el apoyo de este colectivo se antoja clave para los intereses de Barack Obama en los comicios presidenciales del próximo año. Sin embargo, la creciente pobreza en este grupo étnico podría tener un efecto contraproducente.

Articulo completo en: http://actualidad.rt.com/actualidad/ee_uu/issue_32210.html

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Occupy Atlanta: Bloods and Crips Come Together

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/07/occupy-atlanta-bloods-and_n_1080477.html?ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false Gang affiliations are oftentimes set in stone, with members choosing sides and vowing to remain loyal to their selected group. But two members of the infamously rival gangs the Bloods and the Crips, have put aside their differences in favor of one common cause: Occupy Atlanta. According to an article written by Occupy Atlanta participant Tim Franzen, Sherrod Britton and Shabaka Addae Guillory have become best friends despite their opposing associations. Guillory, a 20-year-old who joined the Crips at age 14 met Britton, a 29-year-old Blood member, during an impromptu freestyle rap session at Occupy Atlanta. "I saw him in the park, saw his colors.," Guillory told Franzen. "There was no mean mug or rivalry because we realized that what's happening here is so much bigger then gang rivalry." Both men were attracted to the protest and its purpose. Guillory joined the movement after hearing about it on the news. Britton, who was passing the demonstration one day, said he stopped to get more information and never left. "I stayed for the common cause, speaking for the people," Britton said. "I feel strongly that we have the right to jobs, health care, and affordable higher education." This isn't the first time the rival gangs have put their problems aside to fight for a common cause. In August 2010, both active and former members of the gangs came together for the Heal the Hood Peace March in Denver. The groups also showcased their solidarity during a rally for Sean Bell, the New York man who was killed by police leaving a strip club after his bachelor party. Now these two members have forgotten their differences in support of a cause that has swept the nation. At one point favoring violence bloodshed for rivals who crossed into enemy turf, Britton said the two now share a tent at the Occupy Atlanta base. "We are connected through music, faith, and Occupy Atlanta."

Black Mask

This week on Black Mask we will have an interview with Joaquin Cienfuegos of Copwatch LA and the Native Youth Movement, on Copwatch and autonomous organizing by oppressed communities, recorded by Sharmeen Khan of Upping the Anti; we will also play a segment of Fear of a Brown Planet on the topics of racism and violence. Hosted by yours truly... Tune in at 5 pm CST to 95.9 FM today, or wait a few hours and download the show from the website below.

http://ckuw.ca/programs/detail/black-mask/

Link to Radio Show
http://station.ckuw.ca/24/20111026.17.00-18.00.mp3


Black Mask is an anarchist radio show that has been broadcast since 1999; revolutionary struggle and class politics. To the barricades!
Black Mask broadcasts every Wednesday from 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Indigenous Resistance Against Mines


Just one day after the tragic death of Ashlie, a resident of Occupy Vancouver, and just hours after Mayor Robertson called for the end of the camp, the mood at the Vancouver Art Gallery was mournful, yet defiant.
That energy carried on through the day as hundreds of protesters joined with indigenous people to oppose destructive mining practices on their territories.
The Second Indigenous Assembly Against Mining and Pipelines called for the rally to coincide with a pro mining conference organized by the Canadian Aboriginal Mining Association.

Response to On Occupation and its Critics


I think the difference from today's times and the 60's, is the level of combativity in the people, but it's a totally different situation today.  We won't be able to use yesterday's tactics today.  Today we have the potential to take things further than before.

I disagree with you with the position that a revolution from those at the bottom will mean defeat or putting those people out there to get smashed.  Revolution can only come from the oppressed at the forefront, doesn't mean they are the only participants. Revolution is a popular process, can only succeed in this way, but it depends who's "leading it."  These middle class white liberals are the leadership of the occupation movement, and they are really controlling the direction of where that goes.  At the same time I am not trying to dismiss everyone who is at the occupations, there are many people who are out there who have good intentions (but that's not enough).  There is also great potential, I agree, but can it come under the current structure and process at Occupy LA in particular and other occupations in general?
The people at the bottom: the oppressed people of color, working class, unemployed, homeless, women, queer, migrants, etc. etc. etc., are already getting fucked over and have been facing a depression for over 500 years.  Face a similar situation today than they did in the 60's, so that is not that different.  They have no illusions about the police and other state institutions.  That's why I said they need to be at the forefront.  They need to be the ones speaking and participating in the process, but they are systematically being excluded from this so-called movement.  I know because I've seen it, and comrades all over are letting me know, in particular women - POC folks have been excluded and pushed out.
I agree with your sentiments: struggle educates, but do I want to focus my energy and time on the education of the white middle class? No!  I think I rather apply that same principle to the working class oppressed communities.  That would be a movement that would be unstoppable, instead of relying and tailing the white middle class liberals - and wait for them to become radicalized, if we wait for that to happen, we might miss on this opportunity, for a revolutionary popular movement, because it might take years, or decades for that to happen.  On the other hand the oppressed in rebellion will be the biggest threat to this establishment, because they don't have, in the words of Paulo Freire, "the false generosity" or "domestication" of the privileged group of people who make up the leadership of this "movement."  There should be folks working with them, "educating" them, for sure, as part of the process of struggle.  I, however, don't feel that is my role.  I rather focus my energy on organizing my community, and raising the level of combativity in my peoples.
I think folks that are making criticisms, most are coming from their experiences being there.  I tend to agree with the position that people shouldn't criticize from the sidelines, but it doesn't mean people shouldn't be critical either.  How else will these white liberals know they are alienating the people who should make up the movement?  Wouldn't that be part of the education process?

I haven't been there every day, but I been there enough, and have heard from enough compas to know, OLA is not a safe space for us.  I think if the movement were to go anywhere, those oppressed communities not only need to be part of the process, but part of building the vision and strategy.  It needs to be taking place in those communities, not city hall - accross from police station, with police and city funding, and with their permission.  That is why I say it is a sham movement.  
I think the position you are taking of the only way to build a movement is to enter these existing movements, structures and processes and change them.  How can you change a process in the occupation movement or even other organizations, when there are people who are in control of those organizations, and processes?  It is pretty much impossible, it's just like an authoritarian organization, practicing democratic centralism, telling people they are in command, but in reality decisions are made by handful of people beforehand.

My approach, is if I don't agree, then I will take the initiative to create something new, independantly and definitely lead by example.  I think we are dealing with an entirely new situation, so a lot of what our strategy will come from trial and error, unfortunately.  So we can't be afraid of failing and making mistakes, we just got to be able to accept criticism (if it's constructive), and be critical ourselves bro (there is nothing wrong with that, in fact I think it's healthy).  I don't think this process is alienating OUR people at all.

always in struggle,
Joaquin

Immortal Technique - Rich Mans World (1%) (The Martyr) {Produced By Shuko}

Sham Movements


Any "movement" that works with the police and the state as a whole is a sham.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Cop Watch LA Presents: Mano Vuelta Film Screening and Presentation by Simon Sedillo


 

Cop Watch Los Angeles Presents:

Wednesday, November 16 · 6:00pm - 9:00pm

at the Southern California Library: the People's Library

6120 S. Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90044

+ Mano Vuelta Film Screening

“Contra el Silencio”
(26 Minutes) 2011 Playa Vicente, Veracruz, Mexico

The 10 year old son of community organizers and musicians in Playa Vicente, Veracruz, Elias Barradas , walks us through the 8th annual “Festival del Tesechoacan” as the fictional character “Sub – Lieutenant Coco”. While Barradas remains in character as Sub-Lieutenant Coco throughout the film, he takes us through different spaces and activities for organizing this tremendous traditional music festival. Elias reminds us in the film that culture, music, and media in the hands of communities are important elements of the resistance against the loss of identity and community roots.

"Oaxaca en Resistencia"

(30 minutes) 2011 Los Angeles Pueblo Nuevo, Oaxaca, Mexico
Since the 2006 Oaxacan Peoples’ Popular Assembly (APPO) uprising, the face and body of Oaxaca’s popular social movement has changed into many different projects, collectives, community organizations, strategies and struggles. Manovuelta’s films look at the movement from a different perspective and have been instrumental in identifying different personalities within the social movement who do not necessarily fit into the boxes assigned by foreign activists, journalists, academics, and intellectuals; from an entire family who participated as musicians at the barricades in the film “La Familia Raíces”, to a hip hop heroine and several young men who gain life-changing political formation defending their city in “Xip Xop Oaxaca”, and to the different projects from the traditional Son Jarocho music movement in Veracruz, Mexico. “Oaxaca en Resistencia” brings several Oaxacan and Veracruzan artists together with Xip Xop artists, barricaders from the neighborhood the film is set in, and chicanos and chicanas from all over the US to take one more collective look at the face of Oaxaca’s resistance.

with: Simon Sedillo

Simón Sedillo is a community rights defense organizer and film maker. He has spent the last 8 years documenting, producing and teaching community based video documentation in Mexico and the US. Through lectures, workshops, and short films, Sedillo breaks down the effects of neoliberalism, the North American Free Trade Agreement, and militarism on indigenous communities, immigrant communities, and communities of color in the US and Mexico.

Monday, November 7, 2011

A Mother's Tough Love

Growing up my mom would tell me, "Son, don't get into fights, but if you do, make sure you win, otherwise when you get home I'm going to give you another beating." My mother's love made me into a strong person. Somos Michoacanos/P'urhépecha... We're Read P'urhépecha/Michoacanos :)

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Wall Street is War Street 1967


Occupying Wall Street in 1967

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/photobooth/2011/10/black-mask-wall-street-1967.html

“The next target is Wall Street,” an anarchist collective known as Black Mask wrote in its January newsletter, 1967. On February 10th, around twenty-five members of the group, wearing black balaclavas and carrying giant skulls, took to the streets of the financial district and handed out this statement:
WALL STREET IS WAR STREET
The traders in stocks and bones shriek for New Frontiers—but the coffins return to the Bronx and Harlem. Bull markets of murder deal in a stock exchange of death. Profits rise to the ticker tape of your dead sons. Poison gas RAINS on Vietnam. You cannot plead “WE DID NOT KNOW.” Television brings the flaming villages into the safety of your home. You commit genocide in the name of freedom.
BUT YOU TOO ARE THE VICTIMS!
If unemployment rises, you are given work, murderous work. If education is inferior, you are taught to kill. If the blacks get restless, they are sent to die. This is Wall Street’s formula for the great society!
The photographer Larry Fink was there. “They had nothing but their own stealth, and no support,” Fink told me. They hoped to stoke a revolution. “They were working from a massive historic misinterpretation,” Fink said.
Fink thinks that today’s Occupy Wall Street protests are different. “We’ve gone past the time when utopia seemed like a viable option,” he said. “There’s no hope for some kind of Marxist future, so it seems formless. They just know that it can’t go on like this: the greed, the inequality. It can’t go on, so we’ll sit here.”
Here’s a look at Fink’s photographs from Black Mask’s Wall Street march, followed by more of his protest pictures from the Vietnam era.

Read more http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/photobooth/2011/10/black-mask-wall-street-1967.html#ixzz1cq9IufXA