This week, we will be presenting highlights of Rustbelt Radio stories from the Fall of 2006 including...
* A Proposed Casino for the Hill District faces opposition
* the legal struggle over Hazleton, Pennsylvania's trendsetting anti-immigrant legislation
* Veterans of the war in Iraq visit Pittsburgh on the Uprise Counter Recruitment Tour
* Anti-affirmative action backlash and voter fraud shape Michigan's election results
* and more headlines from recent shows
But before we begin, during our best-of show we always remind our listeners that our program is produced entirely by volunteers and we depend upon donations of equipment and funds to continue. If you can support us with recording equipment, computers, or funds for these supplies, please call 412-923-3000, or email us at radio@indypgh.org, or donate on our website, radio.indypgh.org.
You can also help with Rustbelt Radio and other independent media projects by getting involved with the Independent Media Center! We are organizing a workspace for media making at our office on Penn Avenue, where we'll be leading workshops for volunteers to learn how to make radio, TV, and online news! Also, we will be offering internships with Rustbelt Radio starting in January of 2007. If you enjoy listening to the show and would like to learn more about what happens behind the scenes, check out www.idealist.org for our internship listings.
Welcome to the Best of Rustbelt Radio, the Pittsburgh Independent Media Center's weekly review of news from the grassroots; news overlooked by the corporate media. This week, we will be presenting highlights of Rustbelt Radio stories from the Fall of 2006 including...
A Proposed Casino for the Hill District faces opposition
the legal struggle over Hazleton, Pennsylvania's trendsetting anti-immigrant legislation
Veterans of the war in Iraq visit Pittsburgh on the Uprise Counter Recruitment Tour
Anti-affirmative action backlash and voter fraud shape Michigan's election results
and more headlines from recent shows
But before we begin, during our best-of show we always remind our listeners that our program is produced entirely by volunteers and we depend upon donations of equipment and funds to continue. If you can support us with recording equipment, computers, or funds for these supplies, please call 412-923-3000, or email us at radio@indypgh.org, or donate on our website, radio.indypgh.org.
You can also help with Rustbelt Radio and other independent media projects by getting involved with the Independent Media Center! We are organizing a workspace for media making at our office on Penn Avenue, where we'll be leading workshops for volunteers to learn how to make radio, TV, and online news! Also, we will be offering internships with Rustbelt Radio starting in January of 2007. If you enjoy listening to the show and would like to learn more about what happens behind the scenes, check out www.idealist.org for our internship listings.
Rustbelt Radio airs live every Monday from 6-7 PM on WRCT 88.3 FM 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 can be heard 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 highlights of our radio headlines from the past few months.
Headlines
[2:00] Biodiesel
Biodiesel is a liquid fuel made from vegetable oils or animal fats that can be used equivalently with petrochemically derived diesel. On September 15th, Brent Baker of the New York-based company Tristate Biofuels, spoke in Pittsburgh at Carnegie Mellon University about their new venture to create a biodiesel generation facility in Brooklyn. Their factory will eventually produce five million gallons of biodiesel per year.
Currently, most industrial biodiesel production facilities use virgin vegetable oil produced directly from a single seed source, such as crushed soybeans or mustard seeds. But the Tri-State Biofuels plant will use only recycled waste cooking oil. For our September 18th show, we recorded Brent's talk as he described the environmental and economic benefits of biodiesel fuel. Today we have an excerpt from that show:
You can hear more of Brent Baker's talk at CMU on the September 18th edition of Rustbelt Radio.
[3:00] Hazleton anti-immigrant legislation
Rustbelt Radio has been reporting on Hazleton Pennsylvania’s Illegal Immigration Relief Act, since it was initially passed in July of 2006. The law would make illegal the acts of hiring undocumented workers, renting property to undocumented people, providing goods and services to them, and aiding in the establishment or continuation of any day labor center. On November 13, we gave an update on the situation in Hazleton:
Hazleton new (1:55)
The Hazleton local government has raised over fifty thousand dollars to defend the ordinances, and refuses to disclose the identities of the donors to that fund, many of whom do not live in Hazleton. The Times-Leader, a Northeastern Pennsylvania newspaper, has sued the town government to require the release of the donors' names. The Times Leader is arguing donors' names should be public to make their possible motivations for contributing more transparent. The newspaper's suit argues that no individual’s privacy is superior to (quote) the right of the public to know the government of Hazleton is operating in the interests of the public (endquote), rather than in the interests of the donors.
The lawsuit challenging the ordinances’ legality will go to trial in late January 2007. Meanwhile, the struggle over the ordinances has assumed national significance, as over 50 municipalities across the country have created copycat legislation based on the ordinances. The verdict in the case challenging the ordinances will set a legal precedent that will be closely watched by these other municipalities.
[7:00] Uprise Counter Recruitment Tour
This past fall, veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were arrested at the Pentagon after leaving information on the harmful effects of depleted uranium. As a result of this arrest, the veterans decided to gather together and create the Uprise Counter Recruitment Tour. On this tour, the Vets and Counter Recruitment Organizers brought the realities of the war in Iraq to the American people. They also shared stories regarding the lies and tricks of military recruiters, and creative actions taken to counter recruitment efforts. Rustbelt Radio brings you a segment from their tour stop in Pittsburgh:
uprise
That was just Toby Hartbarger (hart-bar-gar), a former soldier in Iraq, speaking at the Uprise Counter Recruitment Tour, which visited Pittsburgh on 0ctober 14th. For more information about the tour, log on to www. uprise tour. org. And for the full story, you can listen to our October 16th show.
[2:00] Plan B
On August 24, the Food and Drug Administration granted non-prescription status to the emergency contraceptive 'Plan B.' Plan B, also known as the "morning after pill" will now be available without a prescription for women eighteen years of age and older.
To find out more about the effects of this legislation on movements for reproductive justice, we spoke with Ericka Fricke from Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania.
On December 6th, also known as Emergency Contraception Day, over three hundred-fifty Planned Parenthood clinics around the United States distributed free packets of Plan B to community members. Despite Plan B's official non-prescription status, high prices, age restrictions and the refusal of certain pharmacists to sell the drug still create barriers to access. The CVS pharmacy chain sells Plan B for $44.99 a dose. The requirement that those purchasing Plan B present an official photo ID as proof of age also makes Plan B inaccessible to those without documentation.
You can hear more of this story on the September 18th edition of Rustbelt Radio.
Intro
You are listening to Rustbelt Radio, the Pittsburgh Independent Media Center's weekly review of news overlooked by the corporate media.
This week, we are sharing some news highlights from this past Fall.
[4:45] Argentina Disappearance
In the summer of 2006, Argentina began trials for those accused of human rights abuses during the seven year 'dirty war' of the 1970's and 80's. On September 18th, a high ranking Police official was formally sentenced to life in prison. Rustbelt Radio aired this piece on our September 25th show.
argentina clip
No one has heard from Julio Lopez since September 18th when he was last seen in his home. Despite a nationwide manhunt, authorities still have no clues regarding his whereabouts. Trials continue for other officials involved in the dirty war. However, President Nestor Kirchner is pressing the justice system to move more quickly to prosecute the cases and provide justice for the families of the estimated 30,000 people who were killed or disappeared.
[4:40] Take Back the Land
The city of Miami is threatening to evict over 35 residents who have been living in the Umoja Village Shanty-town. In November, we interviewed organizers of this Shanty-town. These interviews are excerpted from the November 6th edition of Rustbelt Radio.
* takebackthelandbest.ogg: 4:30
For more information about Umoja Village and their possible eviction go to takebacktheland.blogspot.com
[5:50] Shell to Sea
On October 2nd, Rustbelt Radio reported on the successful blockade of a proposed natural gas refinery site in County Mayo, Ireland. The next week, we reported on Shell’s success, with the help of Irish police, in pushing past protesters to resume work on the construction site.
The confrontations in October were just a few events in a struggle that has been going on for years. Shell, in conjunction with Statoil and Marathon, announced plans in 2000 for a natural gas pipeline and refinery in this remote region of Western Ireland. Planning for the project went ahead rapidly until local citizens became aware of it and started asking questions.
Some of the residents organized ‘Shell to Sea’ – a network of concerned citizens whose goal is to draw attention to the planned Corrib gas project. The local residents who oppose the gas refinery believe Shell has been deceptive about safety and environmental hazards. Shell to Sea has also raised questions about the role of government in relation to citizens and corporations.
Vincent McGrath, an active participant in the Shell to Sea campaign, and one of the "Rossport Five," discusses the perceived safety risks:
* shell1.ogg (0:19)
Shell began preparing the Ballinaboy site for construction in January 2005. Five Rossport residents were jailed in June 2005 for disobeying a court order not to interfere with construction of the gas pipeline. The day after the men were arrested, other locals stopped construction at the Ballinaboy site and refused to allow Shell vehicles in or out. The five men who were arrested, now known as The Rossport Five, were released in August 2005. The group entered into negotiations with Shell in October of 2005, however, in 2006 Shell announced its plans to re-start construction in the fall of 2006.
On September 26, Shell crews were frustrated in their attempt to enter the construction site by local supporters of Shell to Sea. The following week, Shell succeeded in pushing past protesters to resume work on the construction site. Construction crews were escorted onto the site by one hundred seventy gardaĂ (gar-dee) –Irish police officers – past a group of one hundred protesters and members of Shell to Sea.
One of the ways the Shell to Sea campaign drew attention to the Corrib gas project was their picket of the proposed construction site. Maureen McGrath describes how the picket at Ballinaboy began, the day after her husband and four other men were arrested for preventing Shell trucks from using a road through their community.
* shell2.ogg 9 seconds
The Shell to Sea campaign has also raised questions about the proper role of the state in the relationship between people, government and corporations. More on this, from Andy Story of the Center for Development Studies at University College Dublin
* shell3.ogg 2:10
Shell has continued construction on the Ballinaboy site. Shell to Sea and their supporters have continued their protests at the site and around the country. Friday, November 10, was the anniversary of the assassination of nine Ogoni people. They were executed by the Nigerian state for campaigning against the devastation of the Niger Delta by oil companies, including Shell. Shell to Sea organized a peaceful mass protest at the Ballinaboy site to commemorate the day. Their action was met with violence from the police, resulting in the hospitalization of two protesters.
For up to date information on the campaign and for more background information, you can visit Ireland Indymedia and the Shell to Sea campaign online, at www.indymedia.ie and www.corrib sos.com.
Features
[13:00] Casino on the Hill
Throughout the fall, Rustbelt Radio reported on the proposed casinos for the City of Pittsburgh. The Isle of Capri casino, slated to be developed in the Hill District, has faced the most vocal opposition. On September 11th we aired a half-hour special that delved into the Casino issue. Here is an excerpt from that special.
* casinobestof.mp3: 13:00
On Wednesday December 20th, the Pittsburgh Gaming Control Board will approve a license for one of three casino firms vying for the City contract. Over one hundred Hill District residents and supporters gathered at Freedom Corner on December 16th to protest the casino and vowed that their battle would not stop on December 20th, even if Isle of Capri is granted the license. To listen and read continual coverage of Casinos in Pittsburgh go to www.indypgh.org
[7:00] GLSEN and LGBTQ Teens
A report from the research department of GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network, revealed that homophobic language and violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, and transgender teens are commonplace in high schools in the state. The report, entitled 'From Teasing to Torment: A Profile of School Climate in Pennsylvania', was released on September 26th, 2006.
Findings showed that ninety-three percent of Pennsylvania students reported hearing homophobic remarks from other students. Thirty-seven percent noted that faculty and staff rarely or never intervened when homophobic remarks were made in their presence.
Twenty percent of students reported being physically harassed or assaulted in the past year. And out of that group, one half never reported the incidents to a teacher, principal, or other staff person.
On September 30, we visited a community workshop on safe space and spoke with three local youth active in GLSEN Pittsburgh. This piece originally aired on October 2nd.
For more information on GLSEN, visit www.glsen.org.
For research on outreach and education to LGBTQ teens and their allies outside of urban areas, you can visit the Attic Youth Center's Bryson Institute page at www.brysoninstitute.org
[4:30] Michigan Affirmative Action Proposal
On Tuesday November 7th, fifty-eight percent of voters in Michigan cast ballots in favor of a proposal to end affirmative action. Groups in support of Proposal Two included white supremacist organizations such as the Ku Klux Klan and the Council of Conservative Citizens. BAMN which stands for By Any Means Necessary, is the name of an organization which vocally opposed the inclusion of Proposal Two on the Michigan ballot. The group derives its name from a phrase popularized by Malcolm X. BAMN uncovered evidence of voter fraud against Michigan's voters of color during the campaign for Proposal Two.
On November 17, we spoke to Shanta Driver, an organizer with BAMN, on the movement to defend affirmative action. Rustbelt radio aired this piece on November 20th.
On December 4th, over 7,000 people gathered in front of the US Supreme Court in Washington DC, to speak out against the attack on affirmative action and in support of Brown v. Board of Education, a landmark 1954 decision that outlawed racial segregation in public schools. In March 2007, BAMN plans to hold a national conference on the New Civil Rights Movement in Los Angeles, California.
Thursday, November 2, the federal police attempted to occupy the Benito Juarez Autonomous University in violation of Mexican law, which prohibits the incursion of law enforcement into autonomous universities unless requested by the university. The University is the home of Radio Universidad, voice of the APPO. In response to a call for help made on air by the host of radio APPO, neighbors and students surrounded the federal police. The federal police withdrew after a six hour siege.
On Saturday, November 25, what was supposed to be a peaceful eight-mile march from the offices of Governor Ulises Ruiz to the Oaxaca City Center ended in violent confrontations and a five hour battle between police and protesters. Two hundred arrests were made. Fifty people were reported missing, and are believed to be ‘disappeared’ by the federal police and paramilitaries. There are allegations of torture and sexual abuse of arrestees.
The radio station used by the APPO was a target of the police from the occupation in October until November 29. A member of the Pittsburgh Organizing Group was in Oaxaca when the Federal Preventive Police entered the city. He describes what happened when federal police attacked protesters in the Oaxaca central square, and cut the power to Radio APPO, also known as Radio Universidad.
oaxaca2.ogg [1:15 ]
The APPO surrendered the University owned radio station on November 29, the day after the Federal Preventive Police entered the Benito Juarez Autonomous University in Oaxaca and took over a barricade called ‘Cinco Señores.’ Cinco Señores was the last line of defense for the radio station. Without the protection from this barricade, it was only a matter of time before the PFP entered the University to attack Radio APPO. With this in mind, the APPO surrendered the radio station to University officials.
Solidarity demonstrations and occupations of Mexican embassies and consulates have been organized in dozens of cities around the world. Another day of solidarity has been called for December 22.
Ending
[1:00] Outro
[ Outro Music ]
Thanks for tuning in to Rustbelt Radio here on WRCT Pittsburgh, WVJW Benwood and WPTS Pittsburgh.
Our hosts this week are Carlin Christy and Matt Toups . This show featured the work of Carlin Christy, Diane Amdor, Andalusia Knoll, Jessica McPherson, and Vani Natarajan. This week's show was produced by Donald Deeley. Special thanks to all of our hosts, producers, and contributors.
You can get involved with Rustbelt Radio! We need more field reporters, copy editors, audio technicians, and other volunteers. To contact us, or to send us your comments, email RADIO at I-N-D-Y-P-G-H dot ORG.
We also need your help to keep our volunteers equipped with the tools they need! In-kind or monetary donations are welcome, please call 412-923-3000 or visit our website.
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!
Stay tuned next year for another edition of Rustbelt Radio, the Pittsburgh Independent Media Center's weekly review of news from the grassroots.
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