March 2017

Animal activist speaks out at one of the last Ringings Circus shows in DC

Submitted by Luke on Sat, 04/01/2017 - 00:20

On the 31st of April, Ringling Brothers Circus held one of their last shows in DC. Outside, an animal rights activist asked the departing crowd not to attend other animal-using circuses in the future as they all abuse animals. Ringlings has been seen at this very location beating tigers on stage. Now, thanks to pressure from animal rights activists and an end to the elephant acts, Ringings is finally shutting down for good after this tour.

Video-Animal Activist speaks out as circusgoers leave

Animal Rights

MD General Assembly passes fracking ban backed by Governor

Submitted by Luke on Fri, 03/31/2017 - 15:58

On Monday, the 27th of March, the MD General Assembly gave final approval to legislation permanently banning gas fracking in MD. The bill now moves to the governor's desk for signature. Given that it was support from Gov Hogan (under intense public pressure) that got the bill moving in the Senate, the governor is expected to sign the bill into law. This will make MD the 3rd state to ban fracking, in direct defiance of Trump's pro fossil fuel agenda.

Elections/Legislation/Government
Environment/Food/Health

The Shortwave Report 03/31/17 Listen Globally!

Submitted by outfarpress on Thu, 03/30/2017 - 19:37
Dear Radio Friend, 
Anti-War/Peace
Civil Liberites/Constitution
Elections/Legislation/Government
Environment/Food/Health
Foreign Policy/Imperialism
Globalization/Anti-globalization
Iraq/Afghanistan
Media
Military/Weapons
World Uprisings

Veritas/O'Keefe thugs get 15 CA felony charges for edited/deceptive video attack on Planned Parenthood

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 03/30/2017 - 00:02

Two undercover videographers from O'Keefe's Project Veritas have been charged in California with 15 felonies for violating the state's strict two-party consent rule for wiretapping in their video sting against Planned Parenthood. Project Veritas released a whiny statement condemning the law itself, but they can "tell it to the judge."

Right Wing

Tell it to the judge, surely he can "bring it on" for you

ICE raiding communities in sanctuary cities to pressure, retaliate

Submitted by Luke on Wed, 03/29/2017 - 23:39

On Friday, March 23, CNN released a report detailing a chillihng pattern of ICE raids aimed at sanctuary cities to pressure them to let ICE fish in their jails, and in one case to retaliate against Sheriff Sally Hernandez's in Travis County, TX for instituting a sanctuary policy. DC is still a sanctuary city according to Mayor Bowser herself, so similar assaults on immigrant communities here are possible.

Immigration

Emergency rally protests Trump's rollback of Clean Power Plan

Submitted by Luke on Tue, 03/28/2017 - 23:59

On the 28th of March, Trump signed an executive order killing outright the EPA's "Clean Power Plan" to limit CO2 emissions from electrical utilities. The same order ends a moratorium on new Federal lands coal leases, and weakens restrictions on fracking on Federal lands. The Sierra Club, Mom's Clean Air Force, and People's Climate Movement protested in front of the White House against what amounts to a War on the Climate by Trump.

Environment/Food/Health

Oil loaded into Dakota Access pipeline, Standing Rock Sioux seeking court ordered stop

Submitted by Luke on Tue, 03/28/2017 - 14:04

Update:Norway’s DNB Bank dumps Dakota Access Pipeline.

On the 28th of March, Energy Transfer Partners LLP loaded oil into the section of the Dakota Access pipeline under Lake Oahe. They are preparing to put the finished pipeline into service, no doubt delayed by repairs to last week's sabotage damage. The Standing Rock Sioux are not done fighting either: they are seeking court decisions to halt the flow of oil under the Missouri River and protect their water from contamination.

Elections/Legislation/Government

AIPAC protests Day 2

Submitted by Luke on Tue, 03/28/2017 - 00:40

On the 27th of March, at least three different actions were carried out against the AIPAC dinner gala at the Verizon Center. IfNotNow projected an image beginning at around sunset while Code Pink, Avaaz, and others set up on F st where most of the AIPAC delegates had to go to enter. Still another group set up alongside the arena on 7th st about a block further north.

Foreign Policy/Imperialism

Hordes of AIPAC delegates had to pass protesters to get to the building

Underground resistance fighters sabotage built sections of Dakota Access Pipeline

Submitted by Luke on Mon, 03/27/2017 - 13:40

On the 21st of March, RT Today reported that two sections of the partially-built Dakota Access pipeline had been disabled by warriors who appeared to be using cutting torches. In one place a hole was cut in the pipe, and a safety valve was melted down in another location. Energy Transfer Partners is whining about "coordinated physical attacks" as direct action ramps up.

Environment/Food/Health

Chaos at AIPAC: IfNotNow blocks entrances, JDL violence, protests continue anyway

Submitted by Luke on Sun, 03/26/2017 - 12:57

On the 26th of march, the progressive Jewish organization IfNotNow charged the doors of the Washington Convention Center and locked down to blockade both entrances to AIPAC's annual convention. The blockades did not last all day, but the protests did, even after JDL counterprotesters assaulted some of the activists on the scene. Both Jewish and Palestinan protesters stayed put to oppose AIPAC essentially the entire day.

Video including door blockades, JDL assault, and protesters drumming with sticks on the barricades

Foreign Policy/Imperialism

IfNotNow photo

Surviving DC Cherry blossoms out after half killed by chaotic climate

Submitted by Luke on Sun, 03/26/2017 - 00:38

The warm February and early March in DC this year was followed by snowflakes and a hard freeze just four days before the cherry blossoms were forecast to peak(70% bloom). Those blossoms that were the earliest to open (about half) were killed by the cold and many of these still hang from the trees after turning brown. The other half were not so far along, survived, and are not open. This video shot March 25, the day the blossoms were said to reach peak this year.

Video shot from moving bike of cherry blossoms around Haines Point

Environment/Food/Health

Philly Trump/MAGA rally containing known fascists shut down, march pursued

Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 03/25/2017 - 14:59

On the 25th of march, a MAGA(pro-Trump) march and rally drew a tiny turnout including known neo-Nazis. It was quickly confronted by masked-up antifascist activists who police allege set off smoke bombs. The outnumbered and outmatched Trumpers and fascists reportedly cancelled their rally "in fear of violence" and attempted to salvage their day with a march. A "blue lives matter" racist, pro-police website reported the rally cancelled, twitter reports show opposing marchers in the streets, ending with "MAGA march attempting to re-form.

Right Wing

Phlly's tiny MAGAt rally/march before being hammered by anti-Fascist activists (photo by Seth Cotlar)

Pages

Newswire

more