#occupyca

#YoSoy132 Blockades Mexico's Largest Media Company; Support Them At #OccupySaks!

Posted on Aug. 2, 2012, 4:39 p.m. EST by OccupyWallSt 

On July 26, 2012, members of the #YoSoy132 movement and other Mexican social movements held a siege of Televisa, Mexico's largest TV broadcaster and media conglomerate. Afterward, the following statement from the Student Assembly was read (translated by OccupyWallSt.org):

Closing remarks from the siege of Televisa

The symbolic and peaceful siege of Televisa is an historic and unprecedented accomplishment, the first action directly resuming our program of struggle, particularly our number one point: the democratization and transformation of the media and dissemination of information, as our letter states: "We fight against media monopolies and oligopolies that concentrate and manipulate information, particularly in the current electoral context where collusion between political parties and media companies is evident." We note that the current model of commercial media, represented by Televisa and TV Azteca, are excluded from society and civil organizations in general. We believe that only the socialization and collective management of the media will allow for a true open media and guarantee the right to information and freedom of expression.

Summoned by shame, indignation, and suffering, we are here today at the gates of the media company which has been tasked to misinform and manipulate the Mexican people.

#YoSoy132 is a nonpartisan, nonviolent, autonomous, anti-neoliberal social, political, and student movement independent of the parties, candidates, and organizations who respond to an electoral program -- a democratic movement where decisions emanate from the local and general assemblies which has transcended the electoral situation and continues to be organized and to fight to profoundly transform Mexico, to act as a counterweight to any decision and policy that violates the rights and interests of our people.

We have taken to the streets and now surrounded the pack of lies which Televisa represents, and we are developing the cohesion and organization of the people by raising awareness and organizing to fight for: The democratization of media, information, and its dissemination; changing the education system, science, and technology; changing the neoliberal economic model, changing the national security model; promoting participatory democracy in connection with social movements; and changing the healthcare model.

Although this demonstration was entirely peaceful, as is the struggle of this movement, there was an unnecessary deployment of police elements that stopped us by surrounding the perimeter of Televisa's installations and extended the fence to the adjoining streets, impacting the roadways and the free movement of residents. After 24 hours of the massive fence, we demonstrated a high degree of organization and unity of effort between the YoSoy132 movement, the People's Front in Defense of the Earth, the EMS, the CNTE, and the other social organizations for successful completion of the first action agreed in the framework of the National Convention against Taxation, held in Atenco. This convention has the clear objective of defending democracy, preventing the imposition [of presumed President-elect Peña Nieto], and seeking profound transformation of the current state of Mexico.

The protest was sparked in large part by the"victory" of Peña Nieto, whom social movements claim was elected via fraud and manipulation, with only the vote of a tiny percentage of Mexico's total population. Peña Nieto is of the PRI, the party that ruled Mexico autocratically for 70 years. The National Commission of Human Rights has documented that Peña Nieto was directly responsible for violating the human rights of the people of Atenco in 2006 as they demonstrated for their land rights against neoliberal expansion. The events occured while he was the governor of the state of Mexico and included abuses by his security forces such as torture, illegal detentions, mass rape, and murder.

For background on #YoSoy132, who continue to draw tens of thousands to street demonstrations, see here. To support them locally, come to this event this Tuesday in New York:

Occupy Saks Fifth Avenue (Direct Action Against Carlos Slim)

Telecommunications magnate Carlos Slim is responsible for overcharging Mexico's rural poor over $129 billion. Slim owns TELMEX, a formerly public company that is now his private monopoly thanks to the neoliberal policies of the Mexican government. Carlos Slim, the richest man in the world, continues to build his telecommunications empire on the backs of Mexico's poor and crippling the nation's economic development. We will not stand for such abusive practices that exploit people just so that the richest man in the world can get richer.

Join Mexico's Dos Paises Una Voz, Yo Soy 132, labor & Occupy Wall Street activists as we confront Slim at Saks Fifth Avenue, where he owns the largest private stake. We will bum rush the store, and flood it with the 99% on August 7th at 4:30 PM....

Everywhere is Anaheim

  Children speak out against police brutality.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aq3KEX-G57U 

Anaheim kids give firsthand accounts of police brutality

Last Saturday in Anaheim, California, police on routine patrol killed an unarmed person of color (Manuel Diaz), shooting him in the back in broad daylight. As a crowd of concerned neighbors gathered at the site to demand justice, they in turn were attacked by heavily armed police, who were recorded on video firing rubber bullets and pepper balls at close range into the crowd, which included women and children. In the ensuing chaos, an unrestrained police dog charged the crowd, mauling two people. Although police claim this was an accident, neighborhood witnesses disagree. Witnesses further report that, even as the events were still unfolding, police offered to buy footage from people's cell phones, apparently to cover up the incident. Later that same night, Anaheim PD shot and killed another person under suspicious circumstances. This is at least the sixth "officer-involved" shooting in Anaheim this year alone.

These are not isolated incidents; police violence is pandemic across the nation, and indeed the world. For people of color, poor people, immigrants, LGBTQ people, drug users, and other marginalized communities: EVERYWHERE IS ANAHEIM.

Although statistics documenting the number of "officer-involved shootings" (doublespeak for killings and attempted killings committed by police) are nearly impossible to find (we looked), marginalized communities everywhere know they are commonplace. We have not forgotten Sean Bell, Oscar Grant, Duanna Johnson, or the countless other victims of police violence. As long as power is concentrated in the hands of an (overwhelmingly racist, sexist, classist, and homophobic) elite, we continue to see police violence used against those of us at the margins.

Terrorized communities are left to ask: who polices the police, and why are police able to deploy lethal and potentially lethal force against unarmed people in the first place? In the wake of the horrific tragedy in Aurora, Colorado, where police were able to arrest a heavily armed suspected mass murderer without injury, why are police empowered to act as judge, jury, and executioner when it comes to people of color, poor people, immigrants, LGBTQ people, drug users, and other marginalized communities?

Enough is enough. Terrorized communities are standing up. Demonstrators, including members of Occupy Orange County and other regional Occupiers, have rallied outside the Anaheim Police Department headquarters and at Anaheim City Hall, in spite of the menacing presence of riot police throughout the city.

Manuel's parents have held vigils with hundreds of their primarily Latin@ neighbors and have pledged to file a lawsuit, saying their son was merely out with friends when he was murdered by the police – even as corporate media parrot phrases like "suspected gang member" (a label applied liberally by police to further profile, criminalize, and incarcerate people of color), and villify protesters by flashing images of property damage that pale in comparison to videos of police wantonly brutalizing civilians that instantly go viral online but are rarely shown on for-profit news outlets. Two officers have been placed on paid leave and the city has said they are conducting an independent review – but we know that justice rarely comes when the State is allowed to police itself.

We demand real justice and accountability; power must be restored to the people! From Anaheim to New York and beyond, the people must respond: No justice, no peace, disarm the police!

In Anaheim – even amidst escalating police violence – spontaneous demonstrations numbering in the thousands have continued to grow nearly every night since Manuel's murder. We encourage solidarity demonstrations everywhere else! See below for more info on actions:

In addition to spontaneous nightly demos, according to an event announced on Facebook event, weekly protests at the Anaheim police department are also being organized:

ANAHEIM PD IS CORRUPT: WE WILL NOT BE SILENT Sunday, July 29, 2012 12:00pm - 2pm Pacific Time Every Sunday we gather at the Anaheim Police Department 12 noon -2pm to bring awareness to the community in Anaheim and the surrounding cities of Orange County. Anaheim Police Department has gotten away with their lies, brutality, excessive force, racial profiling, misconduct and MURDER for far too long. Their corruption and blatant disregard for our HUMAN/civil rights will NO LONGER BE TOLERATED!! Join us ... stand up and let them here your voice ... we want JUSTICE, CHANGE, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND TRANSPARENCY.

A solidarity demonstration is being organized for tomorrow in San Francisco. via Indybay:

SF Solidarity with Anaheim against Ongoing Police Repression Thursday July 26, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM The Ferry Building in San Francisco

On Saturday, July 21, Anaheim police officers murdered 25-year-old Manuel Diaz by shooting him in the back & head as he ran from them. When Manuel’s friends, family & neighbors gathered to voice outrage over the murder, police responded with continued violence by shooting at the crowd, which included small children, with rubber bullets, beanbag projectiles, & by unleashing attack dogs.

Just a few days earlier, on Wednesday, July 18, San Francisco officers murdered 32-year-old Oakland resident Pralith Pralourng near the Embarcadero. According to eyewitnesses, Pralourng was shot twice in the chest while hand-cuffed.

The pigs have made their intentions clear: they will murder people so long as they feel they can get away with it. They count on us to stand idly by so that they can continue their reign of terror. It’s time to stand up in solidarity with the people of Anaheim & voice our shared outrage over continued & violent police repression. The people will NOT stand idly by when the state’s violent arm of the police makes it impossible for us to live without fear that they’ll simply shoot us whenever they want.

To our comrades in Anaheim: Do not be afraid to revolt. The state and its police will continue to demand our subordination with such grotesque executions. In times like these, when our enemies are backed into a corner, our acts of refusal are unmistakable.

Solidarity with Anaheim! Fuck the Police!

The following call to action has appeared on Facebook for a solidarity demo in Harlem on Friday.

Justice For Manuel Diaz - Solidarity FTP March In Harlem

When: Friday, July 27, 2012 | 8:00pm Where: Corner of 99th and 3rd avenue 10029

This march will be in solidarity with those in Anaheim who were protesting the fatal police shooting on Saturday.

Cops shot non-lethal rounds toward men, women and children and unleashed a dog who charged toward a stroller during a clash with mostly Latino residents.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MST4RhWdlMQ Article: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/07/after-anaheim-shooting-and-melee-da-seeks-videos-photos.html

FTP marches are autonomous. There will be no one group giving directions or making rules. We will discuss and make decisions through consensus.

Bring banners, bandana's and protest shields if you like. We respect a persons decision to protest how they see fit but we ask you not to destroy any property that belongs to residents and the working class. Wear black.

To those who are interested in organizing, meet in the park at 7:30pm.

PAY YOUR OWN WAY TO DEATH JAPAN! OCCUPY TEPCO FOR PEETS SAKE! ABSOLUTELY DEADLY radiation levels found at Nuclear Reactor 1. The utility detected a record level of 10,300 millisieverts per hour. The measurement was taken 20 centimeters above the surface of a contaminated water puddle in the reactor's suppression chamber. This high level of radiation would be fatal for humans within 50 minutes. No broken parts were identified in the containment vessel during the survey.

The Government now owns 3/4 of the voting rights of TEPCO because the shareholders approved a Japanese gov't bailout so that TEPCO could pay compensation to the dying victims, while they raise utility prices and consumption taxes. PAY YOUR OWN WAY TO DEATH JAPAN! YOU PAY GOVERNMENT, GOVERNMENT PAYS TEPCO. TEPCO COMPENSATES YOU. YOU PAY HIGHER TAXES TO GOVERNMENT. TEPCO RAISES YOUR UTILITY RATES. OCCUPY TEPCO FOR PEETS SAKE! Computer hackers break into government and judicial computers and disrupt to protest new copyright laws.  Ohi Fault line apparently of no interest to trying to restart that nuclear plant.

Plutonium levels suggest fuel rods were shattered during hydro… Nuclear News by Region:

Joanna Macy - Nuclear Free California Rally  

Berkeley Rally for a Nuclear-Free California Citizens rally outside Berkeley City Hall before City Council considers a resolution to decommission California nuclear plants and transition to green non-nuclear generation sources. Speakers include Bob Meola, Member of the Berkeley Peace & Justice Commission and author of the resolution; Dan Ellsberg, former Department of Defense strategic analyst who released The Pentagon Papers and Fellow at the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation; Dan Hirsch, President of Committee to Bridge the Gap and former Director of the Program on Nuclear Policy at U.C. Santa Cruz ; eco-philosopher Joanna Macy; and Jackie Cabasso of Western States Legal Foundation and Nuclear Free California. The troubled San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station has the worst safety record in the country and has been shut since January 2012 due to malfunctioning steam replacement generators that threaten to keep it permanently shut. Both San Onfore and the Diablo Canyon facility are in earthquake fault zones, and have a long history of not taking seismic vulnerability seriously. California's spent fuel levels are among the highest in the country.  Both the rally and the resolution were sponsored by the Berkeley Peace & Justice Commission.