As the longest running festival of its kind, the UCSC Women of Color Film and Video Festival has sparked dialogue across communities – locally, nationally, and trans-nationally – by providing a platform for critical explorations at the intersections of race, nation, class, gender, ethnicity, and sexuality. The festival took place March 14th and 15th at UC Santa Cruz along with spoken word and hip-hop on Friday night at the Hide Gallery in Santa Cruz. The space of the Festival has always served to promote collaborative organizing not only among students from various disciplines, but also among professors, campus research units, and the local community. It has become a much anticipated and acclaimed event for its commitment to visual expression, scholarship, activism, and pedagogy.

This year’s festival, bodies in flight: migration and transit, brought together cultural productions by U.S.-based women of color and women internationally that speak to issues of migration and dislocation associated with a range of global developments, including but not limited to: histories of colonialism and enslavement, the expansion of “transnational” and “global” capitalism, and the ongoing empire/nation-building ventures of U.S. militarism. Conceiving of “cultural production” as a broad and dynamic category of activity, this year’s festival featured not only film and video screenings, but also performance, multimedia artwork, and discussions facilitated by representatives from Bay Area community organizations. Festival organizers aim to engage participants, and all members of the UCSC community, in an interrogation of current immigration debates as they interface with questions of sexuality and gender-based asylum, incarceration, rights discourses, and the formation of categories of race, sexuality, gender and nation. Read More

On Tuesday, February 19th, in a ruling unrelated to the pending US Third Circuit Court decision, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court rejected death row journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal’s appeal of a 2005 ruling by Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge Pamela Dembe, which denied Abu-Jamal’s Post Conviction Relief Act (PCRA) petition, on grounds that it was not "timely." Mumia Abu-Jamal was convicted—many believe falsely—of killing Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner, and his trial was riddled with improprieties.

This recent PCRA petition was based on affidavits by two witnesses who did not testify at the original 1982 trial: Yvette Williams and Kenneth Pate. Yvette Williams states that key prosecution witness Cynthia White told her that she had been coerced by police into giving false testimony against Abu-Jamal. Other defense witnesses have given similar accounts of Cynthia White’s coerced testimony. As Amnesty International has documented, White’s alleged eye-witness account was altered, as each subsequent account given to police further served to support the prosecution scenario used to convict Abu-Jamal. Kenneth Pate says that prosecution witness Priscilla Durham confided to him that she had lied in court when she stated that she heard Abu-Jamal confess at the hospital. Even before Pate’s affidavit, Durham’s account was seen as very suspicious. The alleged “hospital confession,” where Abu-Jamal reportedly declared, “I shot the motherf***er and I hope the motherf***er dies,” was first officially reported to police over two months later, by hospital guards Priscilla Durham and James LeGrand and others. Only 2 of these five witnesses were called by the DA: Gary Bell (Faulkner's partner and “best friend”) and Priscilla Durham.

Many are concerned that recently discovered crime scene photos have been largely ignored by the corporate media, while the media has already reported on this rejection by the state Supreme Court. Mumia's case is rapidly approaching its end, as an appeal for a new trial is pending. A decision is imminent, and emergency demonstrations in response to the outcome have already been scheduled. Robert R. Bryan, Mumia's attorney, said, "If the federal decision is favorable, then the Pennsylvania Supreme Court judgment will be moot. Otherwise, I plan to seek relief in the U.S. Supreme Court. I will not rest until Mumia is free. "

Report with responses to the court's decision | PDC press release on PCRA denial | PDC: Fact Sheet Presents Evidence of Mumia Abu-Jamal’s Innocence | Indybay's recent coverage of Mumia Abu-Jamal | Journalists for Mumia Abu-Jamal | NYC Coalition to Free Mumia | San Francisco Mobilization to Free Mumia | Educators for Mumia | Mumia’s Radio Essays | PDC's links to legal affadavits and declarations | About "Murdered by Mumia"

On Wednesday, February 20th, students at D-Q University which is California's only tribal college, reported that Yolo County deputies had begun arresting them for allegedly "trespassing" on campus. As many as four students were taken to the Yolo County Jail, and it is believed that more arrests may follow. Students are calling for support from the community, and are asking for people to come out and witness the deputies' actions. D-Q University is located at 33250 Road 31 in Davis.

In 1970, groups of Native Americans and Chicana/o students from several universities and colleges organized themselves to lay claim to a decommissioned military installation. Their goal was to create a learning environment through the unified cultures of the indigenous peoples of the Americas. Since students and members of the community started a revitalization process in 2005, dozens of students have remained on campus and have been able to organize workshops and classes based in Native Philosophy and Cultural Revitalization. They are committed to the pursuit of an indigenous education while working towards the future as they honor the past.

Update from Feb. 21st | 5:53pm: News advisory | 2:20pm: Emergency at DQ University | 12:41pm: 3 DQU students arrested! | 6/25/2007: Native American Students at D-Q University Struggle to Save Student Representation | Indian Country: Struggling to reopen California's only tribal college | Davis Wiki: DQU | DQU on MySpace

On February 11, 2008, more than two hundred participants of the Longest Walk 2 embarked on a five-month journey on foot from San Francisco. They plan on arriving arriving in Washington, D.C. on July 11, 2008. Native American tribal leaders, religious groups, environmentalists, teachers, students, and people from throughout the world are joining the walk with its "peaceful and spiritual call to action to protect Mother Earth and defend human rights."
Audio: Native Americans Begin the Longest Walk 2

A rally and press conference was held at the University of California Berkeley, to commence the Longest Walk 2. Photos at the Tree Sit

The mission of the walk is to raise awareness about the planetary crisis by walking to reconnect with the land, increase respect for cultural diversity, stimulate dialogue about connections between nature and culture, and protect sacred lands and diverse spiritual practices.

2008 marks the 30th anniversary of the original Longest Walk of 1978 that resulted in historic changes for Native America. "In 1978, our communities faced many hardships such as non-existing religious rights and criminalization of our people who fought for cultural survival. This is why the Longest Walk was necessary," states Jimbo Simmons of the International Indian Treaty Council. "As Indigenous Peoples in the United States our environment and our cultural survival are directly correlated and are still imperiled today. This is why we must walk once again."

Thousands converged on the Nation's Capitol in 1978 to join efforts that defeated 11 pieces of legislation in Congress that would have abrogated Native American treaties. In addition to this success, the American Indian Religious Freedom Act (AIRFA) of 1978 was also passed.

Veterans of the original walk and younger generations alike have been clear that the 2008 Longest Walk is more than a commemoration. Open to people of all nations and cultures, the Longest Walk 2 is being organized by original walkers as well as the next generation of Native American activists. Walkers will be documenting issues impacting the communities they visit.

Read More | An Indigenous Spiritual Walk For Survival from Alcatraz to D.C. | The Longest Walk Call For Support | Longest Walk Northern Route receives permit

2/7 Santa Cruz Fundraiser with Dennis Banks | 2/8 Oakland Potluck and Registration | 2/9 Oakland Kickoff Concert | 2/10 Berkeley Benefit Show | 2/11 Alcatraz Sunrise Ceremony and Kick-off | Labor Solidarity: 2/11 Berkeley Rally, 2/12 Sacramento Rally and Press Conference

LongestWalk.org

Native Americans have been in the United States from the beginning, yet according to health and employment statistics, they, like other people of color, still have not achieved equality. For example, between 1998 and 2000 Native American infants in the United States were 1.7 times more likely to die than white infants in their first year of life.

The Lakota, on the Pine Ridge Reservation in North Dakota, who supported the culturally and politically nationalist American Indian Movement, faced brutal counter-insurgency tactics complete with FBI-armed and -trained death squads that murdered 61 political activists on the reservation between 1973 and 1976. As part of that terror war against America’s first nations, American Indian Movement member Leonard Peltier was framed by the FBI and remains in prison to this day. Read More

On January 10th, Boatamo Mosupyoe, Professor of African Studies at CSU Sacramento, spoke at the Veterans Memorial Building in Santa Cruz. Dr. Mosupyoe is an expert on mediation and interest-based negotiation, conflict resolution and civil society’s role in mitigating and resolving conflicts. Mosupyoe addressed Africa’s unique contribution to the growing appreciation of mediation and conflict resolution methodologies and ethics in addressing regional and world problems.

Her presentation included various South African case studies. Dr. Mosupyoe also serves on the Advisory Board of Global Majority in Monterey. She is a native of Tshwane, South Africa, received her PhD from UC Berkeley, and has published on a broad range of subjects, including Pan Africanism, ethnic studies, and “Mediation of Patriarchy and Sexism by Women in South Africa.” Read More and Listen to Audio

Hoopa, Calif. - The Hoopa Valley Tribe of northern California will not endorse the latest draft of the Klamath River Basin Restoration Agreement (KRBRA) released on January 15th because the agreement lacks adequate water assurances for fish. Despite being in the minority among the negotiators, Tribal Chairman Clifford Lyle Marshall said Hoopa would never waive its fishery-based water rights, as demanded by federal and other negotiators, in a deal providing no assurances for fisheries restoration.

"What began as dam removal negotiations got turned into a water deal. PacifiCorp left the room two years ago and negotiations with the company have since been separate from this negotiation. The terms of this so-called restoration agreement make the right to divert water for irrigation the top priority, trumping salmon water needs and the best available science on the river," Marshall said. "Such an upside down deal threatens the goal of restoration and the Hoopa Tribe's fishing rights," Hoopa Councilman Joe LeMieux said. "We cannot waive the rights of generations to come. Dangling a carrot like this will not work for Hoopa."
Read More | Klamath Settlement Group Releases Proposed Restoration Agreement | Klamath Tribes Work with Neighbors to Solve Water Crisis | California Trout & Trout Unlimited: Klamath Agreement Sets Stage for Dam Removal

Lakota Sioux Indian representatives declared sovereign nation status on Wednesday, December 19th in Washington D.C. following Monday’s withdrawal from all previously signed treaties with the United States Government. The withdrawal, hand delivered to Daniel Turner, Deputy Director of Public Liaison at the State Department, immediately and irrevocably ends all agreements between the Lakota Sioux Nation of Indians and the United States Government outlined in the 1851 and 1868 Treaties at Fort Laramie, Wyoming.

“This is an historic day for our Lakota people,” declared Russell Means, Itacan of Lakota. “United States colonial rule is at its end!”

“Today is a historic day and our forefathers speak through us. Our Forefathers made the treaties in good faith with the sacred Canupa and with the knowledge of the Great Spirit,” shared Garry Rowland from Wounded Knee. “They never honored the treaties, that’s the reason we are here today.” Read More

Lakota Freedom Delegation | Lakota Withdrawal Letter, December 17, 2007 | Declaration of Continuing Independence (June, 1974)

On December 14th, over 200 people gathered in downtown Oakland for a lively lunch time protest against plans by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to demolish 4,500 housing units in New Orleans.
Photos | Video and Photos

The Housing Authority of New Orleans announced on November 29th that, in conjunction with the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, it was rescheduling the demolition of five public housing projects in New Orleans for mid December. As the demolition date approached, protests were organized around the US as well as in New Orleans itself to prevent the destruction of 4,500 units of public housing. On December 20th, there was a hearing in New Orleans on the demolitions. Police moved in and pepper-sprayed and tasered activists who attended and forced many out of City Hall. City Council voted unanimously to approve the demolitions.

Coverage from New Orleans: Police Attack Protesters With Mace, Tazers to Keep Them Out of City Hall | New Orleans Indymedia | Defend New Orleans Public Housing | Justice for New Orleans

Coverage on Indybay: New Orleans needs your phone calls NOW | Democracy Now: The Battle to Save New Orleans Public Housing | New Orleans Police Attack Peaceful March at St. Bernard | Activists Chained to Bulldozers in New Orleans | Coalition To New Orleans City Hall: Stop the Demolitions | Destroying Homes for the Holidays in New Orleans | March on Wall Street Save Our Homes: Photos and Commentary | Democracy Now: HUD Poised to Tear Down New Orleans Public Housing Developments | National Call Out: Come to New Orleans in December to Oppose the Bulldozers | Plea for Support from New Orleans | Past Indybay Coverage of New Orleans

On Monday December 10th, Supervisor Chris Daly hosted a hearing on the controversial San Francisco gang injunctions. Community members criticized the proposal calling it racist & ineffective. They called on the city to address the root causes of violence not the symptoms.

The hearing room, and the overflow room, and Daly's office were filled at 10am on a Monday morning with people who took time out from their lives to come listen and speak out on the impacts of the injunctions on Bayview, the Mission, and the Fillmore. Public comment lasted until 2:15 in the afternoon.

Attendees heard stories of police misconduct, racial profiling, gentrification, poverty, lack of resources, and failing schools. A woman told a story of the police storming her home on Thanksgiving day, pulling her out of the shower, forcing her to put her hands in the air at gunpoint as they beat her nephew for no crime committed, but having his name on a list of supposed "gang members". A young man came up to the podium with his wife carrying their sleeping 2-year old son, and said that he has no gang affiliations, no criminal record, a family and a full time job, but his name was placed on the list. "How do I get off this list?" he asked the Supervisors.

Photos From The Hearing | Task Force intimidation | The Gang Injunction, Gentrification & Depopulation | Homies Organizing the Mission to Empower Youth (H.O.M.E.Y.)