On this week's show...
* Rustbelt Radio talks to local non-profit Global Links about shipping medical supplies from Pittsburgh to needy hospitals in other parts of the world.
* Global Justice activist and author Vandana Shiva speaks about Creativity, Compassion, and Social Change
* two stories from Philadelphia: an annual punk festival is shut down by police, and unions take on the telecom giant Verizon
* a small town in Pennsylvania is imposing extreme new laws against immigrants
* and more in our local and global headlines
Welcome to this week's edition of Rustbelt Radio, the Pittsburgh Independent Media Center's weekly review of the news from the grassroots, news overlooked by the corporate media.
On today's show...
Rustbelt Radio talks to local non-profit Global Links about shipping medical supplies from Pittsburgh to needy hospitals in other parts of the world.
Global Justice activist and author Vandana Shiva speaks about Creativity, Compassion, and Social Change
two stories from Philadelphia: an annual punk festival is shut down by police, and unions take on the telecom giant Verizon
a small town in Pennsylvania is imposing extreme new laws against immigrants
and more in our local and global headlines
Rustbelt Radio airs live every Monday from 6-7pm on WRCT 88.3FM in Pittsburgh, PA, every Thursday from 11am to noon on WARC-Meadville from the campus of Allegheny College, and every Saturday from 5-6pm on WVJW Benwood, 94.1 FM in the Wheeling, West Virginia area. And we're now on WPTS 92.1FM from the campus of the University of Pittsburgh, also Saturdays at 5pm.
We're also available on the internet, both on WRCT's live webstream at W-R-C-T dot ORG and for download, stream or podcast at radio dot I-N-D-Y-P-G-H dot org.
We turn now to local headlines.
Headlines
Local News
[2:30] Former Mayoral Candidate Jailed For Ethnic Intimidation
Tom McPherson, a 46 year old painting contractor from Milvale, was charged with ethnic intimidation, simple assault, making terroristic threats and disorderly conduct after welcoming his new neighbor to town by brandishing a pistol and shouting racial slurs. He was jailed on August 5 but released shortly afterward. In 2005 McPherson ran as a Republican candidate for mayor of Millvale. He earned 250 votes.
Reportedly, 34-year-old Earl Ross, a black man, had moved into a house in the next block with his girlfriend and two children. Ross was waiting for a friend who was helping to move a refrigerator when McPherson, who is white, appeared and began yelling. Police said at one point he went inside his house and returned wearing a gun on his hip, which he then took out of the holster.
When local Columnist Mike Seate of the Tribune Review heard about the incident he knew McPherson’s name sounded familiar. Seate, a black journalist, had received hate-calls from McPherson on numerous occasions:
Mike-Seate01 (20)
Rustbelt Radio asked Mike Seate for his perspective on the case:
Mike-Seate02 (40)
Despite the incident, Ross, the neighbor McPherson threatened, says he is going to stay in the new neighborhood. McPherson is scheduled to appear before District Justice Robert Dzvonick Aug. 24 at 1 p.m.
[3:00] Sinking Mon-Fayette
As public support for the Mon Fayette Expressway sinks, so does A 17-mile section of the Expressway that opened four years ago in southern Allegheny County. The expressway cost $588 million to build and the the state Turnpike Commission has spent $619,749 since 2004 to repair sinking pieces of the toll road. The highway is collapsing because of mine subsidence. Officials say they could fill in the collapsing mines with fly ash but the cost would be very high. A Department of Environmental Protection mining engineer told the Tribune Review that filling mines with fly aash could cost as much as $75,000 per acre.
The Turnpike commision is not requesting that the contractors pay the cost of the highway failure because they already knew the risks involved whith building a weighty road over mines.
Heather Sage of Penn Future, a statewide public membership environmental organization expressed concern that the road was built despite commisisoners knowledge of the high risks involved with it.
* monsinking1.ogg: monsinking1.ogg 1:00
Penn Future along with many other grassroots organizations have opposed the construction of the Mon Fayette Expressway from the get go. Sage told us that the expressway would drastically reduce the quality of life of the retion in regards to health, air, environment and economic competiveness. She elaborated on how the Mon Fayette expressway is a financial drain for both this region and all of Pennsylvania:
* monsinking2.ogg: monsinking2.ogg 1:00
That was just Heather Sage of Penn Future speaking about the financial costs of the Mon Fayette Expressway. You can go to pennfuture.org to find out more information about the expressway and also to listen to podcasts about the MFE and other environmental issues in the region.
[3:00] Hazleton, PA anti-immigration ordinance
The City of Hazleton, Pennsylvania has passed an anti-Immigrant City ordinance even more draconian then the Proposed House Resolution HR 4437. Titled the “City of Hazleton Illegal Immigration Relief Act,” the Ordinance states [quote] “That illegal immigration leads to higher crime rates, contributes to overcrowded classrooms and failing schools, subjects our hospitals to fiscal hardship and legal residents to substandard quality of care, contributes to other burdens on public services, increasing their cost and diminishing their availability to lawful residents, and destroys our neighborhoods and diminishes our overall quality of life” [unquote]
The Ordinance, passed by the City Council on July 13th, makes it a crime to [quote] “aid and abeit” undocumented persons, and defines aiding and abeting as [quote] “hiring or attempted hiring of illegal aliens, providing, renting or leasing real or personal property to illegal aliens . . . funding, providing goods and services to or aiding in the establishment or continuation of any day labor center or other entity providing similar services...” [unquote]
Hazleton's Ordinance is similar to the now-stalled House Resolution 4437; the proposal of that law on the federal level sparked protests drawing millions across the country.
Juan Santos posted on Pittsburgh Indymedia [quote] “Let’s make one thing clear; none of this is about 'illegal immigration.' It’s not even about immigration. . . . “There’s only one thing the 'immigration debate' is about: It’s about white nationalism.” [unquote] Santos goes on to state [quote] “The law recently passed by the Hazleton City Council in a 4-1 vote wasn’t the brain child of anyone in Hazleton. It’s a copycat measure based on a design by a xenophobe from San Bernardino, California by the name of Joe Turner.
Turner, age 27, is an angry young white man with a sneering manner who heads up a group of Minutemen-style thugs called Save Our State (SOS.) He was the author of the original Hazleton-style measure, one that recently failed to get on the ballot in his home town.” [unquote]
If there was any doubt, Mayor Lou Barletta of Hazleton made this statement: [quote] “Let me be clear, this ordinance is intended to make Hazleton one of the most difficult places in the U.S. for illegal immigrants.”
The law is scheduled to go into effect on September 13th, but Hazleton Latinos are already being targeted by their neighbors. More than 300 workers have been dismissed and the American Pork processing plant and the VanHoekelen Greenhouse have closed their doors due to a lack of available workers.
On the weekend of July 29th, an envoy of leaders from the PA Statewide Latino Coalition and Jobs with Justice found the words “KKK” and “Spics” prominently graffitied in the town. Latinos have had their business vandalized with rocks thrown through their windows and many Latino families report that city employees stopped picking up their trash from the curb three weeks ago. Signs on bar fronts warn that they serve “Legals only” and that customers must “Speak English or Leave.”
[1:30] Verizon Protest in Philly
Friday, over 150 protesters gathered outside the Verizon store in Philadelphia and marched to the Verizon business offices located in the Bell Atlantic Towers, chanting "Verizon, Union busting’s gotta go!”. This was the latest installment of the Philly Jobs with Justice (JWJ) year long campaign to get people to "Hang up on Verizon" . JWJ undertook the campaign because Verizon has used "illegal tactics of harassment, intimidation and hiring" to stop their workers from forming a union. On Friday, JWJ was joined by 100 students from "United Students Against Sweatshops (USAS) who were in town for their annual summer retreat.
Rachael Wilson, a USAS organizer and Senior at the University of Buffalo, beckoned protesters to cheer if they had a cell phone. In response to the roar from the crowd, she said, “You ask, what can we do as students. Well, we know that marketing for cell phones are targeted at students. We need to make a pledge to give our business to those companies who are respectful of workers. Together, as workers of the world, we are bigger then any corporation. Hang up on Verizon!”
Verizon has been using the strength gained through their merger with MCI to put more pressure on their workforce. Former MCI employees, who fear losing their jobs, are forced to do work that was previously done under union contracts. Tom Crawford, Vice President of Communications Workers of America’s (CWA) Local 13000, challenged the anti-union attitude of Verizon and argued, “CWA built this company. It put Verizon in the position to buy out other companies like MCI.”
In attendance on Friday were members of Local 13000, two locals politicians running for office; Mayoral candidate Jonathan Saidel and Maria Quinonez Sanchez, candidate for City Council. Of course the biggest presence came from the students of USAS. Over 100 students came out in support of the workers in Philadelphia. Some came from as far away as California and Texas chanting “What’s Disgusting? Union Busting!” More information about JWJ actions against Verizon can be found at www. philly jwj .org
[:30] Philly Punk Festival Shut Down
Pointless Fest, the annual four day punk show in Center City Philadelphia, was shut down Friday night by a police action that began, according to varying eyewitness accounts, with some combination of overzealous security guards, confrontational punk kids, and violent, angry police. The police action culminated in lines of officers clearing Chestnut Street of confused concert goers as a police helicopter hovered overhead. At least two people were taken away in ambulances, and more then five were arrested; at least one of those arrested was charged with aggrivated assult of a police officer, a felony. While the complete reprocussions remain unclear, the remaining two days of the festival were cancelled.
Wrapup
For more on local news, you can visit pittsburgh dot I-N-D-Y-M-E-D-I-A dot org.
[ HMB BREAK RUSTBELT - 0:20 (fades down 0:10 in to start global intro) ]
Global News
Intro
You are listening to Rustbelt Radio, the Pittsburgh Independent Media Center's weekly review of news overlooked by the corporate media. We turn now to news from other independent media sources around the world.
[2:00] Direct Action in Derry
On Wednesday 9th August Anti War protesters in Derry, Ireland, stormed into the local plant of US missile manufacturer Raytheon. They were protesting against the use of Raytheon technology by the Israelis used in their attacks in Lebanon.
After eight hours in occupation of the plant nine protesters were arrested by the PSNI and were charged with "Unlawful Assembly" and "Aggravated Burglary" when they appeared in court Thursday August 10th.
Anti-war organizers have been active in Derry over the past months initiating the “black shamrock” campaign this past St. Patrick’s Day. Instead of the traditional “wearing of the green” participants sported black shamrocks to signify their opposition to Irish involvement in what they see as imperial war efforts in Afghanistan, Iraq, and now Lebanon.
A statement issued Tuesday August 8th by the Ireland Peace and Neutrality Alliance said: [quote] The war in the Middle East, the use of Shannon Airport in that war & the possibility of direct involvement of Irish troops in that war means that for the first time since 1914-18 Irish troops will be fighting and dying in an imperialist war. Dermot Ahern & Willie O’Dea should think long & hard before making such a commitment with Irish lives;.
Ever since the decision of the current…Government to support the invasion & occupation of Iraq Ireland has not been a neutral state but an active ally of America’s new imperialism. The Irish Government is not content with having destroyed Irish Neutrality; it now proposes to send Irish soldiers as part of an "international" force to Lebanon, the purpose of which will be to fight side by side with the Zionists against the Lebanese resistance who are fighting to reclaim their own land. [endquote]
Again, that was a press release from the Ireland Peace and Neutrality Alliance.
[5:00] Lebanon Convoy August 12
On August 12, at 7 am, Lebanese from throughout the country and international supporters who came to Lebanon to express solidarity gathered in Martyr’s Square in Beirut, planning to form a civilian convoy for humanitarian aid to the south of Lebanon which has been heavily destroyed by Israeli bombs. August 12, the international day of protest against Israeli aggression, was also set to mark the beginning of a civillian Campaign of Resistance in Lebanon.
Ali Bektac, an independent journalist, has visited numerous bombing sites in Lebanon. Many areas in southern Lebanon are without gas, electricity, water, food, or medicine. Bektac describes the dire situation that inspired the civilian convoy:
Ali-Bektac01 (2:24)
Bektac also further explained the causes of isolation from humanitarian aid in southern Lebanon, and how Israel controls the flow of aid into the country:
Ali0Bektac02 (1:30)
That was Ali Bektac from Lebanon speaking about the need for aid to reach the South. Organisers and participants of the Campaign of Resistance on August 12 were turned back by police who advised them that it was unsafe to travel any further than the checkpoint at Neama, about 20 km south of Beirut. Campaign spokesperson Rasha Salti said [quote] We are currently meeting and discussing our next move, It is likely, though not definite, that it will be the organisation of another civilian convoy. Either way, we will be taking action very, very soon. [endquote]
[6:30] Come Hell and High Water: Rebuilding and Roller Derby in New Orleans
In New Orleans, residents citywide were recently invited to participate in a process being called the Unified New Orleans Plan for rebuilding neighborhoods destroyed by flooding. Those in attendance expressed a variety of differing views on the progress in New Orleans so far and the contemporary process for reconstruction:
New Orleans 1 (2:25)
One resident expressed frustration with the disorganization of the meeting and the involvement of private firms and foundations:
New Orleans 2 (2:00)
Meanwhile, the kind of all-inclusive democratic participation and organization that some feel is lacking in the Unified New Orleans Plan is being expressed by one group of New Orleans women in a totally different way. The resurrection of roller derby in New Orleans signifies a kind of rebirth for women still coping with the aftermath of Katrina.
Players talked about the organization of the sport:
Derby1 (50)
They also discussed the mentality of the New Orleans team:
Derby2 (40)
Those were skaters from the New Orleans Roller Girls team.
[2:30] Grand Jury abuses on West Coast
On May 18th in Eugene, Oregon, Jeff Hogg, a nursing student was held in contempt of court after refusing to testify to a federal grand jury. The feds wanted information about defendants in Operation Backfire-a string of arrests targeted at environmental activists over the past decade.
Hogg made a brief statement before entering the court in May. "I am being forced to choose between betraying social change movements or going to jail without committing a crime. It's not a fun choice to make, and it makes you question everything you believe in. But I won't be coerced by the government to give up my principles."
Hogg has since spent the past three months in jail. His attorney, Paul Loney, filed a Grumbles motion for his immediate release, arguing that since Hogg will never cooperate with the grand jury, there is no coercive value in keeping him in jail. His detention becomes punitive while he has not been found guilty of anything.
Hogg's case goes before the court for review tomorrow. There will be a rally outside the courthouse both before and after the hearing.
Meanwhile, two San Francisco Bay area activists have been re-subpoenaed by the grand jury. Nadia Winstead and Ariana Huemer originally appeared before a federal grand jury investigating Bay Area animal liberation and environmental activists in January 2006. Both asserted their Fifth Amendment rights to remain silent and later refused to testify when granted immunity. This grand jury is being viewed as an attempt to frighten activists and disable animal rights and other movements.
Federal grand juries targeting activists are often used as "fishing expeditions." They are tools with which federal prosecutors and investigators gather any information they can on activists, their associations and their activities. Answering even the most innocuous-sounding questions poses a grave threat to activists' ability to speak out against injustice and oppression.
Those subpoenaed to testify before grand juries are denied legal counsel during testimony. A witness who asserts the right to remain silent can face indefinite imprisonment. People can be subpoenaed for virtually any reason, and they can be interrogated in minute detail about their private lives and beliefs. Even minor misstatements caused by faulty memory can lead to perjury charges depending on how much pressure the government wants to bring to bear.
[5:30] Anti-Occupation Rally in DC
According to organizers more than 30,000 people gathered in Washington DC on Saturday August 12th, to demand an end to U.S. backed Israeli agression in Southern Lebanon. They also marched to demand an end to Israel's Occupation of Palestine and the U.S. occupation of Iraq. Over 50 Pittsburghers met up with busloads of people from Michigan, Florida, South Carolina, and 50 buses from NY City.
Dr. Ashraf Bayumi of the Egyptian committe against imperialisma nd zionism drew parallels between the attrocities commited by the U.S.and Israel in the Midle East and the social injustice that is perpetuated at home.
* dcegypt.ogg: dcegypt.ogg 1:20
Mahdi Bray of the Muslim american society freedom foundation.
urged the U.S. administration to treat all humans equally and value the lives of Muslims as much as they value the lives of people of other religions.
* dcmauri.ogg: dcmauri.ogg 1:20
In abhorrance of the images of children who have died at the hand's of Israel's bombs Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, of the Answer coalition defended the Lebanese Resistance.
2:00
That was just Mara Verheyden-Hilliard speaking in DC at the rally demanding an end to the occupation of Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine.
You can read more independent global news stories by visting indymedia: I-N-D-Y-M-E-D-I-A dot O-R-G.
Features
Intro
You're listening to Rustbelt Radio, the Pittsburgh Independent Media Center's weekly review of news from the grassroots.
[8:00] Global Links
Global Links is a Pittsburgh non-profit dedicated to shipping much-needed medical supplies to a variety of locations including Cuba, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, Bollivia, Guyana, Jamaica and Haiti. Rustbelt Radio spoke with Special Projects Manager Angela Garcia, who told us more about the organization.
global links 1 [1:29]
Global Links is able to operate because of different paradigms surrounding medical procedures in the United States and elsewhere. Garcia explains:
global links 2 [1:55]
Getting medical supplies from Pittsburgh to target countries can be a lengthy process with many volunteers helping out along the way:
global links 3 [2:20]
Not all target countries are the same. The particular circumstances of each target nation determine what kinds of goods they can receive.
global links 4 [1:00]
Volunteers are an essential part of Global Links operations - Volunteers help to sort and pack needed medical supplies for shipment to hospitals serving the poor in developing countries. More than 65% of the medical supplies Global Links sends overseas are packed by volunteers. Opportunities to volunteer are available at the main office in Pittsburgh at 4809 Penn Avenue in the Bloomfield/Garfield neighborhood for individuals, groups, and corporate volunteer programs. In addition to volunteering your time you can also help to fundraise for Global Links efforts. For more information please contact the volunteer coordinators at 412-361-3424 or glvolunteer@globallinks.org. For fundraising ideas please contact Special Projects Manager Angela Garcia at 412-361-3424, extension 201 or agarcia@globallinks.org. The Global Links website is globallinks.org.
[15:30] Vandana Shiva
Vandana Shiva is a pillar of the Global Justice Movement. She is a founding member of the International Forum on Globalization, and author of “Water Wars: Privatization, Pollution, and Profit,” “Earth Democracy: Justice, Sustainability, and Peace,” as well as several other books. Last Week, she spoke at UCLA on the topic of Creativity, Compassion, and Social Change. Special thanks to Global Voices For Justice in Los Angels for recording the event.
That was Vandana Shiva speaking at UCLA about Creativity, Compassion, and Social Change. Thanks again to Global Voices for Justice in Los Angles for recording the event; for more information, you can visit their website at www.globalvoicesforjustice.org .
Ending
You're listening to Rust Belt Radio.
Calendar of events
And now we present the Indymedia calendar of events:
Tomorrow, Tuesday the 15th Pittsburgh Filmmakers will present the Pedal Powered Movie Tour. Artist, activist and biker Bill Brown will present a series of films as part of a 2,000-mile ride across the US. The subject of the films will be illegal immigration and US/Mexico border issues. This begins at 8:00 pm and is located on Melwood Street in Oakland. For more information log on to pgh filmmakers. org
This Thursday August 17th, the Latin American and Carribean Political Film Series will be screening Panteon Militar (pan-tay-on mee-lee-tar). This film explores the influence of German fascism on the Argentine military, Germany's extensive military assistance to Argentina, and the role of nationalism and ideas about "patria" in the military's brutal counter-insurgency campaign during the dictatorship. This event will take place at 7pm at the Thomas Merton Center, which is located at 5125 Penn Avenue in Garfield
Also this Thursday, Book ‘Em, Pittsburgh’s Books-to-Prisoners program, invites you to: READ ‘EM: prisoners’ poetry & letters. This event will present dramatic readings of prisoners’ letters & reflective poetry, enhanced by musical performers. A brief discussion of current prison issues will follow. You can receive a discount if you reserve your seat by email: This event will take place at 7:30 at the Pittsburgh Friends Meeting House, located at 4836 Ellsworth Avenue in Oakland.For more information contact aug17event @ yahoo. com
And this Saturday the 19th, come celebrate the first ever Haitian Art and Film Festival. The Pittsburgh Regional Haiti Solidarity Committee is partnering with Art from Chaos to host a one day event which will feature Hatian art, food, and film. This event will begin at 3pm and will be located at a new gallery space called Headquarters, located at 2629 East Carson Street. For more information contact Roslyn at rsh270 @yahoo.com
Outro
[ Outro music ]
Thanks for tuning in to Rustbelt Radio here on WRCT Pittsburgh, WARC Meadville, WVJW Benwood and WPTS Pittsburgh.
You can get involved with Rustbelt Radio! To contact us, or to send us your comments, email RADIO at I-N-D-Y-P-G-H dot ORG. All of our shows are available for download or podcast on our website at RADIO dot INDY-P-G-H dot ORG and this show can be heard again Tuesday morning on WRCT at 9 AM after Democracy Now!
Tune in next week at this time for another edition of Rustbelt Radio, the Pittsburgh Independent Media Center's weekly review of news from the grassroots.
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