PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

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Rustbelt Radio for Dec. 21, 2009 Pittsburgh Indymedia: Rustbelt Radio 2009-12-22 4:19 AM
On today's show: The Climate Summit in Copenhagen ends after 2 weeks, We'll bring you both local and global updates on the event, Drilling in Marcellus Shale is set to begin in Western Pennsylvania, The battle to Save the Carnegie Libraries comes to a head, Pittsburgh Police Officer Gene Hlavac is once again involved in a domestic dispute and more in our local and global headlines. (audio/mpeg)

Czech President Klaus: Global Warming Not Science, but a 'New Religion' Fox News 2009-12-21 7:10 PM
As the Copenhagen Climate conference comes to a conclusion amidst riots by demonstrators and scrambling by policymakers, Czech President Vaclav Klaus has a message for the world: Global warming is a "new religion," not a science. (text/plain)

Defeat U.S. War on Afghanistan and Iraq! Internationalist Group 2009-12-21 1:01 PM
On December 1, President Barack Obama officially announced a massive escalation of the U.S. war on Afghanistan, tripling the number of American military personnel there since Obama took office. This move marks a decision by Washington to continue the colonial occupation of Afghanistan indefinitely, and with it the bloody slaughter of the Afghan people. Obama’s claim that he would “begin the transfer” of U.S. forces by mid-2011 was just sucker bait for gullible liberals. “Afghanistan Is Now Obama’s War,” proclaimed the media from New York to London to Mumbai. But Afghanistan has been the Democrats’ war since the moment it was launched, in September 2001, and together with the war on Iraq, it is a bipartisan imperialist war. No one in Washington thinks the Afghan puppet army will be able to handle the Taliban. The actual U.S. strategy is not to defeat the Taliban but to weaken it enough so that elements of the Islamists can be brought into a political deal. It is striking that in the United States, a majority of the population is turning against the war even though there hasn’t been a major national antiwar march in more than two years – ever since the start of the last presidential election campaign. At protests following Obama’s announcement of more troops to Afghanistan, organizers carefully avoided any signs mentioning the president by name. Our Internationalist contingent, in contrast, carried signs including, “Hey Obama, How Many Kids Did You Kill Today? Defeat Imperialist Slaughter in Afghanistan, Iraq.” (text/html)

TVA Coal Fly Ash Disaster 1 Year Anniversary and Videos Matt Landon 2009-12-20 12:54 AM
On December 22, 2008 the largest coal fly ash disaster in the world occurred in Roane County, Tennessee along the banks of the Emory River at the Kingston Electric Coal Plant which is owned and operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). (text/plain)

A statement of facts about Chris Boette A Pittsburgh Anarchist 2009-12-19 11:38 PM
FOR UNLIMITED DISTRIBUTION (text/html)

From Pittsburgh to Copenhagen: Actions for the Earth in Solidarity with the COP15 Proteste Anonymous 2009-12-17 5:50 PM
The United Nations COP15 Climate Conference is taking place in Copenhagen (from December 7-18, 2009). In Pittsburgh, individuals from a variety of local networks organized multiple actions with a diversity of tactics to stand in solidarity with the protesters in COP15 and to demand solutions to the suffering of our planet and inhabitants. (text/html)

who do you trust with your personal info Anonymous 2009-12-16 10:16 AM
who do you trust with your personal info (text/plain + 2 comments)

Their Hands Touch the Reins Sudhama Ranganathan 2009-12-13 1:34 PM

With the elections this past November the country was transfixed on which way the wind would blow politically. Would this be a referendum on President Obama and Democrat policies? Would the Republican party make a comeback? Would the Tea Party protests make a difference this time around? Would Sarah Palin have an impact? (image/jpeg)

Gathering and March in Solidarity With Those Resisting COP15 various 2009-12-10 8:13 PM
Gathering in support of real action to address climate change, and in solidarity with those resisting the COP15 summit. (text/plain)

more troops to Afghanistan Mike Perry 2009-12-10 8:22 AM

more troops to Afghanistan (image/jpeg)

Raising Consciousness M. Burton Brown 2009-12-09 10:16 PM
Raising Awareness (text/plain + 1 comment)

Mumia Abu Jamal and Angela Davis M. Burton Brown 2009-12-09 10:09 PM
Staunton Lynd, Angela Davis & Mumia Abu Jamal M. Burton Brown Angela Y. Davis is a living witness and participant in the historical struggles of a contemporary era. Professor Davis is known internationally for her ongoing work to combat all forms of oppression. All of her life, as a student, professor, writer, scholar, activist and organizer, she has been actively engaged in the struggle for human rights. It was not until 1969 that Professor Davis came to national attention: at the time, her flight from authorities while on the FBI's Most Wanted List, infamous 1972 trial and subsequent accquittal by an all-white jury, became international news. Since her acquittal, Professor Davis has made the abolition of the death penality, the release of political prisoners and the elimination of the Prison Industrial Complex the primary focus of her campaign against injustice. Ten years after Angela Davis' acquittal, noted Philadelphia journalist, Mumia Abu Jamal's political activities, along with his personal and collective stance against institutionalized racism and police brutality placed him, like Angela Davis, in the line of fire. Mumia Abu Jamal was sentenced to Pennsylvania's death row for the murder of a member of Philadelphia Law Enforcement. In light of clear violations of his Constitutional Rights, in a highly political and publicized case, Mumia Abu Jamal's battle to obtain a new trial has become a unifiying theme for individuals and social justice organizatons in the United States and abroad. I met both Angela Davis and Mumia Abu Jamal in the summer of 2006. Professor Davis was the recepient of the Merton Award. As the newly hired Development Director of the Thomas Merton Center for Peace & Justice, it was my job to oversee and coordinate the annual award ceremony. The planning for the awards dinner usually began six months in advance. I was fortunate to have an experienced dinner committee and several dedicated college interns to assist me. However, I knew as a director, whatever went wrong would be my responsibility. Although, I spent most of my day working against systemic injustice, I often attended university-sponsored social justice events in the evening. One university event I attended would increase my knowledge of the infamous Mumia Abu Jamal and challenge my committment to raising awareness about the disparities in the American criminal justice system. Staughton Lynd, noted civil rights attorney, was in Pittsburgh at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) to lecture on the state of race relations in the United.States. Before Staunton entered the lecture hall, the facilitator informed attendees that there would be a special introduction from Pennyslvania's death row. The lights were lowered and an image of Mumia Abu Jamal appeared on the screen. I was familiar with his ongoing fight for a new trial, and aware that he recorded for Prison Radio, yet I'd never actually heard his voice. I listened to Mumia Abu Jamal's articulate and insightful introduction of Staunton Lynd from Pennsylvania death row and concluded that he was eloquent, knowledgeable and a teacher. As I sat in the darkened lecture hall at CMU, I couldn't help but wonder what might have been. What if Mumia Abu Jamal had been able to teach college courses like former Weather Underground member Bill Ayers and Professor Angela Davis? The lecture was well-attended by local activists, students and the curious. Staunton Lynd spoke about his efforts in the civil rights movement and how, at one time, he experienced a level of "reciprocal interaction" among persons of color and whites which, asserted Lynd, was no longer evident in current social movements in the United States. Lynd called on the audience to work to "re-establish the solidarity" that existed for a period of time in American history. In the twilight years of his life, and with a wealth of knowledge and experience behind him, Staunton Lynd challenged a new generation to carry on the legacy of political protest and cultural interaction that must exist to bring about social change. I left the lecture hall that night in deep thought. I was moved by both Mumia Abu Jamal's plight and Staunton Lynd's lecture on cultural interaction and solidarity. I wondered how I could help raise awareness about Mumia Abu Jamal's fight for a new trial. The next day at work, I was scheduled to attend a political event for former Steeler wide reciever and Republican candidate for Pennsylvania Governor, Lynn Swann. With his entourage running behind schedule, I arrived at the event and found Swann and his wife in the parking lot, alone except for the driver. I stopped the candidate, and after getting a few photographs, asked him if he was familiar with the Mumia Abu Jamal case in Philadelphia. Swann asserted that he was unfamiliar with that particular case, but that he was aware of disparities in the criminal system. I was never quite sure if Lynn Swann really knew about the case or not. He appeared geniuine when he said he hadn't heard of the case. Nethertheless, I found Swann's assertion troubling, especially since Governor Rendell has been quite vocal about his belief in Mumia's guilt and desire for his execution. Before the Swann's said their goodbyes, the attractive and polished Mrs. Swann made sure to inform me that her mother had been on welfare, perhaps hoping that urban voters would relate to a tale of poverty, one generation removed. When I returned to work, I informed the in-house development team team that I wanted Mumia Abu Jamal to introduce Angela Davis in the same manner that I saw him introduce Staunton Lynd at Carnegie Mellon University. My idea did not take hold immediately. Many thought it would call for additional work when we already had so much to do. Others thought the time-frame (4 weeks) was not conducive to a successful outcome. Still others felt the technological aspects could be problemmatic. No one volunteered to assume responsibility for coordinating the introduction. With very real memories of how meaningful it had been for me to hear Mumia's voice for the first time, I agreed to take on full responsibility for coordinating the last-minute assignment. The first thing I did was contact Angela Davis' assistant on the West Coast to make sure that the civil rights icon wouldn't mind an introduction from Mumia. I was quickly assured by the assistant that Professor Davis would be thrilled to have Mumia introduce her at the award ceremony. I then contacted Carnegie Mellon University and spoke to the coordinators of the Staunton Lynd lecture. I learned there was a Free Mumia group on CMU campus. I was provided contact information for Mumia and the next thing I did was write Mumia a letter introducing myself, the Merton Center and requesting an introduction for Professor Davis. Within a week, I received a neatly handwritten letter from Mumia stating that he would be honored to introduce Angela Davis. Mumia provided everything I needed to facilitate the recorded introduction He included information on Prison Radio and requested that I send him specific material about Professor Davis and the Merton Center. He also asked for a deadline. I contacted Pittsburgh Independent Media and Prison Radio to assist in recording an introduction from Mumia, both organizations were more than cooperative. Everything was handled in a professional manner. Despite having to pull everything together at the last moment, the highly anticipated CD arrived in the mail a week before the awards dinner. We all listened to it several times in the office and everyone at the center was impressed. The day of the awards dinner, I was a little nervous. We held the event at the Sheraton Hotel and were expecting close to 700 guests. Angela Davis was the featured speaker and recepient of the 2006 Merton Award. I watched as members of Pittsburgh Independent Media ran through the intro a couple of times to make sure it was ready. Everything looked good and appeared to be on schedule. The event had been highly publicized, but only a handful of guests knew about the special introduction by Mumia Abu Jamal. After a dinner of creamed pasta, steamed vegetables and crusty bread, the lights were lowered and a large screen came up. There before the audience, larger than life, was the handsome face of Mumia Abu Jamal. The audience was caught off guard and when he began his introduction there was total silence in the room. Mumia only spoke for a few moments, but his insightful words resonated with the audience. He made a few pointed, but humorous references to the 43rd president of the United States that generated chuckles from the audience. After completing his introduction to thunderous applause and a standing ovation, (which he was unable to hear or see) Angela Davis stepped up to the podium and expressed genuine gratitude for Mumia's eloquent introduction and the enthusiastic response from the Pittsburgh audience. http://www.prisonradio.org/MertonMumiaAngela.htm Years of event planning and political organizing, has provided opportunities for me to experience many special events. Yet, I will always view the 2006 Merton Award Dinner as one of my most rewarding and successful events. Not only did I meet civil rights icon, Angela Davis, I also introduced the talented Mumia Abu Jamal to those who was unfamiliar with his case. I know my efforts do not match or compare to the efforts of someone like civil liberties attorney Staunton Lynd or civil rights icon Angela Davis, but I believe that perhaps, in a small way, I'd done something to raise awareness about Mumia Abu Jamal's fight for justice. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=568131&l=79c4191691&id=1277885164 (text/plain)

Copenhagen Climate Vigil Thursday 12/10/09 rebecca 2009-12-08 4:54 AM
pittsburgh / copenhagen event (application/pdf)

Rustbelt Radio for December 07, 2009 Pittsburgh Indymedia: Rustbelt Radio Collecti 2009-12-08 3:34 AM
On today's show... Corporate Funded Cyber Security Research at Carnegie Mellon University, The Efforts to Save Braddock Hospital, An Emergency Rally Against War Escalation in Afghanistan, Coverage of the Honduran Elections, And more in our local and global headlines (audio/mpeg)

Chomsky as Chávez’s Clown Octavio Alberola 2009-12-06 9:03 PM

* This article criticizes the weak and untenable posture the celebrated North American linguist and essayist holds in support of the current Venezuelan government. It was originally published in Venezuela’s anarchist newspaper El Libertario www.nodo50.org/ellibertario, issue # 57. (image/jpeg)

To defend the right of social protest! El Libertario, Venezuela 2009-12-06 8:59 PM

* From Venezuela, a group of social organizations and human rights, students and academic groups as well as different individuals, launch this call for a campaign to defend the right to protest, which today is being systematically violated by the government of Hugo Chávez. This document was originally published in Spanish in El Libertario newspaper, # 57 (www.nodo50.org/ellibertario). (image/jpeg)

A promising, independent Palestine is quietly being developed, with Israeli assistance. tom gross 2009-12-05 5:01 PM
It is difficult to turn on a TV or radio or pick up a newspaper these days, without finding some pundit or other deploring the dismal prospects for Israeli-Palestinian peace or the dreadful living conditions of the Palestinians. Even supposedly neutral news reporters regularly repeat this sad tale. "Very little is changing for the Palestinian people on the ground," I heard BBC World Service Cairo correspondent Christian Fraser tell listeners three times in a 45 minute period the other evening. (text/plain)

Celebrating Winter Soltice With Indoor Cosmic Walk Karen Bernard and Benita Campbell 2009-12-04 12:45 PM
Local organizaztion, Dream of the Earth, invites everyone to celebrate the rebirth of light at Winter Solstice, and the ongoing birth of the Universe, with an indoor Cosmic Walk on Sunday, December 20, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Allegheny Unitarian Universalist Church located at 416 West North Avenue in North Side's Mexican War Street area. (text/plain)

Climate Research Unit Mike Rhodes 2009-12-04 12:57 AM
All of them have been on the receiving end of climate-change-related funding, so all of them must believe in the reality (and catastrophic imminence) of global warming just as a priest must believe in the existence of God. (text/plain + 2 comments)

Did You Tweet at the G20? Take Our Survey! Tapatio Development Team 2009-12-01 11:45 PM
The Tapatio Development Team would like all users of the tapatio system during the G20 protests to take our quick survey! http://comms.hackbloc.org/G20UserSurvey (text/plain)

Rustbelt Radio for November 30, 2009 Pittsburgh Indymedia: Rustbelt Radio 2009-12-01 12:38 AM
On today's show: in honor of December First's World AIDS Day, we take a look at AIDS in Malawi, and how US-led global economic policies exacerbate the crisis in Africa. (audio/mpeg)

Venezuela: Anti-police impunity activist assassinated El Libertario, Venezuela 2009-11-28 8:48 PM

* El Libertario, the Venezuelan anarchist newspaper, denounce the assassination of Mijail Martinez as the latest chapter in the Chavez government’s attack against base-level, autonomous, revolutionary and dissident organisations. (image/jpeg)

11/30: Call-in for Carrie! davenportgrandjury.wordpress.com 2009-11-28 8:12 PM
THIS MONDAY, November 30, CALL IN to Cronk’s boss, US Attorney Nicholas Klinefeldt, from 9am to 4pm to demand that they dismiss Carrie’s subpoena and release her immediately. Monday November 30, 9am-4pm CST, (515) 473-9300 (text/plain)

Filipino Workers Condemn Maguindanao Massacre APL & KONTRA WTO 2009-11-28 4:35 AM

APL dares gov’t to severely punish brains, perpetrators of Maguindanao massacre (image/jpeg)

Mumia’s Life Is On the Line: Mobilize Labor/Black Power to Free Him Now! Internationalist Group 2009-11-27 6:25 PM
The threat to Mumia Abu-Jamal's life is increasingly ominous. His lead attorney, Robert Bryan, warns: "There is an escalated effort by the authorities to see him die at the hands of the executioner. This is the most dangerous time for Mumia since his 1981 arrest." The U.S. Supreme Court has turned down Jamal's two appeals. If it were to rule in favor of the prosecution's appeal, this would open the way for Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell to issue a third warrant of execution, which he has vowed to do. Contrary to the misplaced expectations of many, the Obama administration is not about to save Mumia. Around the world, hundreds of thousands have marched for this courageous champion of oppressed. Trade unions representing millions of members have rallied to the defense of Mumia. It is urgent to expand this support into powerful labor/black action, appealing to the integrated union movement to join with the black, Latino and immigrant poor to demand that he be liberated. (text/html)

Mumia’s Life Is On the Line: Mobilize Labor/Black Power to Free Him Now! Internationalist Group 2009-11-27 6:23 PM
The threat to Mumia Abu-Jamal's life is increasingly ominous. His lead attorney, Robert Bryan, warns: "There is an escalated effort by the authorities to see him die at the hands of the executioner. This is the most dangerous time for Mumia since his 1981 arrest." The U.S. Supreme Court has turned down Jamal's two appeals. If it were to rule in favor of the prosecution's appeal, this would open the way for Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell to issue a third warrant of execution, which he has vowed to do. Contrary to the misplaced expectations of many, the Obama administration is not about to save Mumia. Around the world, hundreds of thousands have marched for this courageous champion of oppressed. Trade unions representing millions of members have rallied to the defense of Mumia. It is urgent to expand this support into powerful labor/black action, appealing to the integrated union movement to join with the black, Latino and immigrant poor to demand that he be liberated. (text/plain)

Philippines: Abduction and killings of journalists and politicians must be investigated Amnesty International 2009-11-27 6:19 AM

Amnesty International condemns the killings of at least 21 civilians, including journalists and members of a politician’s family, in the southern Philippines province of Maguindanao, the first reported killings linked to national elections to be held in May 2010. (image/jpeg)

March On Allegheny County Jail - Dec 5th GPAC 2009-11-26 5:04 PM
March On The Allegheny County Jail. Stand in solidarity with prisoners. Stand against all prisons. Please join us Downtown on Saturday, December 5th at 2:30PM SHARP at 1st Avenue and Ross Street to march to the Allegheny County Jail. We will march to Allegheny County Jail to show our contempt for the prisons and our solidarity with those locked inside. We plan to have a vibrant and uproarious demonstration to ensure those behind the thick walls can hear our message. (text/plain)

BTL:Obama's Double Standard Gives Some but Not All 9/11 Defendants Civilian Trials Distributed by Squeaky Wheel Productions http 2009-11-26 3:43 PM
BETWEEN THE LINES Syndicated Radio Newsmagazine (text/plain)

CUNY Protest Study Project Jody Ballew 2009-11-25 8:36 PM
Students, faculty, and staff at CUNY Queens College studied the civil rights issues around the Pittsburgh G-20 International Summit and the Criminalization of Dissent. 30 minute video clips. (text/plain)

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