Rustbelt Radio for October 16, 2006
[1:45] Intro
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...
- the Uprise Counter Recruitment Tour makes a stop in Pittsburgh
- Amy Goodman speaks in Pittsburgh on her Breaking the Sound Barrier tour
- three weeks after Pamela Lawton and her 7 year old daughter were stopped and threatened with guns by Pittsburgh police officers, now she's being charged with disorderly conduct
- and more on Chiapas, the student-farmworker alliance, freedom of information, and civil disobedience by deaf students, in our global headlines
Rustbelt Radio airs live every Monday from 6-7 PM on WRCT 88.3FM in Pittsburgh, PA, and again on Tuesday mornings 9-10 AM. We're also on Pacifica affiliate WVJW Benwood, 94.1 FM in the Wheeling, West Virginia area, on Thursdays from 6-7 PM. And we're on WPTS, 92.1 FM from the campus of the University of Pittsburgh, Saturday mornings from 9-10 AM.
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
[8:15] Lawton Fingerprinting
Pamela Lawton received a summons in the mail charging her with disorderly conduct three weeks after an incident in Shadyside in which she claims Pittsburgh Police officer Eric Tatusko drew his gun on her 7-year-old daughter Joshalyn. According to Lawton she and four children in her car were kept on the side of the road for 1/2 an hour while officer Tatsuko had his weapon drawn and threatened to blow her daughter's brains out. They were allowed to leave after Lawton was charged with an insurance violation.
While community activists and outraged citizens are calling for officer Tatusko to resign or be fired, it is Pamela Lawton who is being charged with a crime and had to go in for fingerprinting at the Municipal Building. On Friday October 13th Lawton along with over 70 supporters went to the Municipal Building. Those in attendance held a small rally denouncing police brutality and racial profiling.
Recounting his own experiences of police brutality, Dr. Peters of the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary called on everyone to support Ms. Lawton in her fight for justice:
Stressing the role of artists in political struggle, poet Nate James "sang America" to the crowd
As a fellow mother, local hiphop producer Da button Pusha expressed her concern for the community's children in the face of police brutality.
People complied with DabuttonPusha's call to action and accompanied Ms. Lawton to her fingerprinting inside the building where they were flanked by a long line of police officers. Lawton was told by one officer that she would have to be fingerprinted alone. Supporters said they would not allow that to happen and eventually her attorney was allowed to accompany her.
Pamela Lawton has a hearing on October 25th and people are urged to come out once again to show their support. Additionally many will gather October 22nd at Freedom Corner in the Hill District at 3PM for the National Day Against Police Brutality.
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.
[2:45] Gallaudet University
Police in Washington, DC have arrested 135 students at Gallaudet University, the only liberal arts college for the deaf in the United States. The students had occupied the campus for three days in protest of the appointment of Dr. Jane K. Fernandes as University President. A statement issued by the occupying students at the beginning of the occupation stated [quote] "Students at Gallaudet University are concerned by the hasty and unfair search process that led to the selection of the current President-Select, Dr. Jane K. Fernandes. Students at Gallaudet University are deeply hurt by the University's strategic plan to oppress student voices by ensuring that their access to Gallaudet University Interpreting Services would be denied." [unquote]
The choice of Provost Fernandes to be the next university president has provoked opposition from student, faculty, and alumni associations. Some have criticized the selection process - pointing out that all three of the final candidates were white. Others have criticized Fernandes herself, arguing that she failed to address the campus's lack of diversity during her tenure as provost. One issue that is also being brought up is that of 'audism' - oppression against those who are deaf. Fernandes only learned American Sign Language as an adult, and many students feel that she is disconnected from deaf culture.
Protesters against Fernandes blocked access to the campus for three days, forcing the university to cancel all classes as well as close its primary and secondary schools for the deaf. Rather than cede to the students' demands, the University's administration, under the direction of Dr. Fernandes and acting University Presendent I. King Jordan, ordered campus police- the majority of whom do not know sign language and lacked effective means of communicating with the demonstrators- to arrest the protesters and turn them over to DC's Metropolitian Police.
Dr. Fernandes has stated repeatedly to the media that she will not step down. After the arrests of the protesters, however, major segments of the deaf community and the Gallaudet University community have added to those calling for her removal. A statement issued by the Gallaudet Faculty, Staff, Students & Alumni group states [quote] "The Faculty officers have called for Jane Fernandes to resign for the good of the University. The Gallaudet University Alumni Association has called for Jane Fernandes to resign for the good of the University.The National Association for the Deaf has called for Jane Fernandes to resign for the good of the University."[unquote] and states, after a list of grievances, that they feel that [quote] "The only resolution to this crisis is for Dr. Jane Fernandes to resign or be removed."
[8:00] Student Farmworker Alliance
On Saturday, October 14, farmworkers from the Coalition of Immokalee Workers left
Immokalee, Florida on a ten day mini-tour to Chicago, IL.
Farmworkers and members of the Alliance for Fair Food will be meeting with student, religious, labor, and community organizations along the way. They will also be picketing at local McDonalds restaurants, as part of the Coalition's Campaign for Fair Food.
Here to talk more about the mini-tour is a member of the Coalition.
The Campaign for Fair Food, and the campaign against McDonalds, follow on the heels of
the successful boycott against Taco Bell. Gerardo Reyes Chaves of the Coalition has more
on the Taco Bell boycott.
That was Gerardo Reyes Chaves of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, speaking about their mini-tour to McDonalds headquarters in Chicago, and the Campaign for Fair Food.
Thanks to Radio Consciencia for their interview with Gerardo. The Student Farmworker Alliance has called for "National Days of Action" to take place the last weekend in October, following the Coalition of Immokale Workers mini-tour to McDonalds headquarters in Chicago. You can join the SFA to picket the McDonalds on Forbes in Oakland, on Friday, October 27 at 4pm. For more information contact Crystal at 814.602.5943.
[2:15] Chiapas
The Mexican government is continuing its low-intensity war against Zapatista communities, reports the Philadelphia Independent Media Center. On August 6th, 2006 a force numbering around 260 - including state and federal security forces and many unidentified civilians- violently evicted the village of Chol de Tumbala (toom-ba-LA) in the Zapatista Autonomous Municipality of Trabajo .
An account on the Philadelphia Indymedia website states [quote] "They burned and bulldozed the houses, and destroyed clothes, kitchen utensils, dishes and fruit trees, before taking all the villagers' property, including the husked maize which is the staple of their diet. Three villagers were imprisoned, forced to sign documents saying they had left the land voluntarily, and then later released." [unquote]
The Chols have been fighting to reclaim their land since 1988, when they submitted a formal request to the Mexican Government that their homeland be returned. After years of legal fights, the government ruled in favor of the owners of the large cattle ranches that claim title to the land. In 1998, after it became clear that legal means were useless, about 30 families from neighboring communities and supporters of the Zapatista Army for National Liberation (known by it's Spanish acronym EZLN) began occupying the area.
On October 1st, in response to the destruction of Chol de Tumbala on August 6th, a Zapatista Council of Good Government organized 300 Zapatista men, women and children to reoccupy the village. On October 3rd, the Mexican government began helicopter flights over the area, prompting the human rights watchdog group Fray (fry) Bartolome (bar-to-lo-may) de las Casas to issue a public statement calling on the government not to use force against the Zapatistas camped at Chol de Tumbala.
The Mexican Government has a history of using deadly force against the Zapatistas, most infamously in 1997 when paramilitary forces working for the government killed 45 people attending church in the village of Acteal. Thus far, in Chol de Tumbala, the government is holding back; it has withdrawn its forces for now, but the situation remains tense.
For complete and continuing coverage, log on to the Philadelphia IMC's website at www.phillyimc.org.
[2:00] EFF
The Electronic Frontier Foundation's FLAG project announced on October 3rd that they are suing the Department of Justice for failing to respond to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. The online civil liberties group was seeking information about the FBI's latest electronic surveillance software, called DCS-3000.
The software is an evolution of the infamous Carnivore program. That program, when it was made public in the late 1990's, drew widespread criticism from civil liberties groups and from the press due to its ability to capture and read every email message that passes through the network it is attached to, and the unwillingness of the FBI to explain how it protected the rights of individuals who used those systems.
As the federal domestic law enforcement agency, the FBI is only chartered to address crime within the United States. As such, it is legally required to have a warrant to monitor communications.
The lawsuit announced on October 3rd is in response to the failure of the FBI to respond to a FOIA request seeking information on the newest generation of electronic surveillance software. This software would allow the FBI to monitor voice and data calls and transmissions.
FOIA, the Freedom of Information Act, requires government agencies to supply the requested information or supply a reason to withhold that information within 20 days of receiving a request. In this case, the Department of Justice simply ignored the EFF's request. The EFF said in a statement: "Transparency is critical to the functioning of our democracy, especially when the government seeks to hide activities that affect the rights of citizens. We have recently seen numerous instances where federal agencies have sought to conceal surveillance activities that raise serious legal issues."
Wrapup
You can read more independent global news stories by visting indymedia: I-N-D-Y-M-E-D-I-A dot O-R-G.
[2:15] Music Break: M.I.A. with Diplo- POP
Features
Intro
You're listening to Rustbelt Radio, the Pittsburgh Independent Media Center's weekly review of news from the grassroots.
[11:30] Uprise Counter Recruitment Tour in Pittsburgh
In September, Rustbelt Radio reported on veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, who had been arrested at the Pentagon for leaving flyers with information on the harmful effects of depleted uranium. After spending three weeks in DC, the vets, along with counter recruitment organizers from across the country, joined together to create the Uprise Counter Recruitment Tour. On this tour of the Rustbelt and Midwest, they are hoping to bring their message about the realities of the war in Iraq to the American people. They are also sharing stories regarding the lies and tricks of military recruiters, and creative actions taken to counter recruitment efforts.
Michael Cuzzore (cuh-zoar), originally from New Orleans, joined the Army in 1999. In 2002 he was sent to Qatar for 6 months. From there he conducted missions to Oman and Afghanistan.
While serving in Qatar, Michael became aware of the plans for the invasion of Iraq.
Toby Hartbarger from Indiana is another former soldier who is sharing his stories on the Uprise Tour. In 2002, he joined the army in a delayed entry program right out of high school. He remembers talking to a recruiter at lunch time in his school, and within a year of graduating, he was in Iraq. He spent the next 15 months there from May 2003 to August of 2004, policing Baghdad, Fallujah, Sadr (saw-der )City and other cities as well. His duties included conducting patrols, raids, and checkpoints. Toby shares his story:
Steve, another one of the veterans on the Uprise Tour, now suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. One day prior to their speaking engagement in Pittsburgh, he experienced a severe anxiety attack. Toby and Michael share what it is like to have anxiety attacks, as a result of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and how the government is responding to the multitude of soldiers who are returning home from battle with this disorder.
When asked whether his fellow soldiers criticized him for his anti-war activities and sentiments, Toby had this to say:
Soldiers coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan are often not the same person they were when they left the US. Toby and Michael gave advice to the audience for dealing with loved ones who have returned home from the war.
That was Michael Cuzzore and Toby Hartbarger of the Uprise Counter Recruitment Tour, who visited Pittsburgh last Monday October 9th. For more information about the Uprise Tour, log on to uprise tour. org. And to access information from the GI Rights Hotline, call 1-800-394-9544. Stay tuned to Rustbelt Radio in the coming weeks for success stories and strategies from the counter recruitment activists who are part of the Uprise Tour.
[16:00] Amy Goodman
Breaking the Sound Barrier, Amy Goodman, journalist and host of Democracy Now!, spoke in Pittsburgh on Saturday October 14 at Carnegie Mellon University. This event was part of her tour for her new book Static: Government Liars, Media Cheerleaders and the People Who Fight Back, which she co-authored with her brother, investigative journalist David Goodman. In her speech Goodman recounted actions taken by family members of people killed in Iraq, and spoke of the increasingly frightening political climate for large populations of people in the United States. Part of her talk focused on civil liberties and free speech as related to clothing.
That was Amy Goodman, host of Democracy Now! speaking at CMU. To hear her complete speech, you can go to indypgh.org or listen to WRCT on Thursday October 26th at 7pm. To learn more about the book and tour or listen to Democracy Now! go to democracynow.org or tune in every weekday morning at 8AM on 88.3FM
Ending
You're listening to Rust Belt Radio.
[2:00] Calendar of events
And now we present the Indymedia calendar of events:
- This Wednesday October 18, 2006 at 1:30 p.m., City Council will be holding a public hearing on a Proposed Resolution for Immigrants' Rights in Pittsburgh. This resolution was introduced in April of this year by the local organization Pittsburgh Friends of Immigrants. To be added to the speaker's list at the hearing, please call the City Clerk's Office at 255-2138. The City Council is located at 414 Grant St. For more information email: PFOI info @gmail.com
- On Thursday the 19th, Root Force will be presenting a puppet show and showing a brief film about Plan Puebla Panama. This will take place at 7:30PM at the Thomas Merton Center, 5125 Penn Avenue.
- On Friday the 20th, from 7 to 10pm, join the Pittsburgh YWCA in their "Week Without Violence." In honor of this week, the YWCA will host art-based approaches to peacemaking. This event features photography,a drumming and storytelling performance; and a shadow puppet show entitled "The Hardest Question Ever." This will take place at the Union Project, located at 801 North Negley Avenue in Highland Park.
- Rights and Responsibilities will host two events to commemorate the founding of the Black Panther Party. On Friday, October 20, from 5:30 to 8:30 pm, there will be a reception and exhibit opening at Artists Image Resource, located on Foreland Street on the North Side. The program continues Saturday, October 21st with two films to be shown at the Homewood Library Auditorium; "Black Panthers", and "The Black Panther Party and Beyond". That event will take place at 7pm and is located at 7101 Hamilton Avenue. For more information email aisha19@verizon. net
- On Sunday October 22nd, at 12 noon, there will be a rally and march against police brutality and racism. The event will begin at 12 noon in Friendship Park, at the corner of Friendship and Mathilda in Bloomfield, and is being called by the Pittsburgh Organizing Group. The march will proceed through Garfield into East Liberty, ending at the East Liberty Police Precinct.
- Later on Sunday there will be another anti-police brutality event, as a part of the national October 22nd Coalition. That event will begin at 3pm on Freedom Corner in the Hill District, which is at the corner of Centre Avenue and Crawford Street.
Outro
[ Outro music ]
Thanks for tuning in to Rustbelt Radio here on WRCT Pittsburgh, WARC Meadville, WVJW Benwood and WPTS Pittsburgh.
Our hosts this week are Andalusia Knoll and Carlin Christy with contributions from Morgan Ress, Diane Amdor, Daniel Papasian, and Matt Toups. This week's show was produced by Donald Deeley and Matt Toups. Special thanks to all of our hosts, producers, and contributors.
Every week Rustbelt Radio features music from the bands Filth, Hungry March Band, and Antibalas.
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.
radio.indypgh.org
Rustbelt Radio for October 16, 2006 (ogg vorbis)
by Indymedia Rustbelt Radio collective
Monday, Oct. 16, 2006 at 10:34 PM
radio@indypgh.org 412-923-3000 WRCT 88.3 FM
audio: 
ogg vorbis at 20.7 mebibytesaudio: ogg vorbis at 20.7 mebibytes
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