Feature Archives

Despite the now mainstream awareness of the disaster status of global warming, the Federal government is right now aggressively pursuing the radical environmental community in Federal Grand Juries, essentially a revival of the McCarthy hearings. In the Grand Jury, even people not accused of committing any crime, simply of holding 'relevant information' ie. who do you know, what is your political affiliation, are stripped of their fifth amendment rights and can be jailed for years for simply refusing to speak or give information. The Grand Juries are unconstitutional and pose an extreme attack on Free Speech and space for dissent.

The Grand Jury is authorized only to obtain whether there is enough evidence for a trail to commence. However, they are carried on in secret without any admittance by the Federal Government. Therefore, the public is only made aware of their methods and very existence by those who are subpoenaed and put the word out.

Santa Cruz events: Dec. 8th: Films and Speakers at RCNV || Dec. 9th: Discussion, Workshops, Music and Food

see also: IMC-US: One Year Later: Oppose the Green Scare! || SF and Fresno Events to Support Green Scare Prisoners || Green Scare - Reflections in Green and Black

Jim Shetler, head of the negotiating team of the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), on November 16 announced a historic “agreement in principle” between federal and state agencies, NGO’s and the public utility over the terms and conditions of its 50-year license for its Upper American River Project. Photos

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastic, commonly referred to as vinyl, is one of the most hazardous consumer products ever created. On November 12th, the Raging Grannies demonstrated in the SF Bay area against PVC, which is found in shower curtains, consumer packaging, and even rubber duckies. Video & Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Update November 13th: The House has passed the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act with little discussion or dissent.

11/12: The U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote on the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (H.R. 4239) which could stop people from protesting or speaking out about cruelty to animals. While it claims to target violent protests, activists warn it could be used to ban even peaceful protests, letter-writing, or leafleting that make those who profit from the use of animals feel “intimidated” or “harassed,” or if actions result in "loss of profits."

A new study by a team of marine scientists outlined in the November 3rd edition of Science Magazine asserts a decline in marine biodiversity in the Earth's oceeans. Overfishing, pollution, and other environmental factors will wipe out the global seafood supply by 2048, if steep declines in marine diversity continue at current rates. But as FSRN's Vinny Lombardo reports, its not too late to change the outcome and protect ocean wildlife. Read more and listen to audio

On Saturday November 11th over 500 Berkeley residents and Bay Area environmentalists marched on the Pacific Steel Foundry calling for an immediate halt to the companies discharge of heavy metals into the atmosphere. Photos Pacific Steel Casting is known as a major chronic polluter, emitting noxious odors and toxic pollutants into the air-- the odors, which have been described as smelling like "burned brakes or burned pot handle," can be detected miles south of the facility.

California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) has organized several GE-free education and dialogue events to be held around the state, with Percy Schmeiser speaking. Schmeiser is the Canadian farmer whose canola fields were contaminated with GE seed, and who in turn was sued in 1998 by Monsanto. Tour dates include Monday, Nov. 13th in Santa Cruz; Tuesday, Nov. 14th at UC Berkeley; Thursday, Nov. 16th in Sonoma; Friday, Nov. 17th in Ukiah; Saturday, Nov. 18th in Pt. Arena/Manchester. Flyer All programs begin at 7 p.m.; proceeds will go to the Schmeisers' efforts to fight Monsanto and GE contamination, as well as to efforts to educate about the risks associated with GE crops.

Audio: "They [Monsanto] tried to do everything to destroy us"