Feature Archives

Scott Kennedy of the Resource Center for Nonviolence in Santa Cruz co-led a delegation to Israel and the West Bank of Palestine from November 4–18, 2006. Ken Carlson of Santa Cruz was also on the delegation which was cosponsored by the Washington, DC based Interfaith PeaceBuilders and the Middle East Program of the national American Friends Service Committee (AFSC). Audio

Aaron Glantz reports (#3 Audio) that on the third day, Wednesday, February 7th, a mistrial was declared in the Lt. Ehren Watada court-martial. He was covering the trial in Fort Lewis, Washington, for KPFA and Free Speech Radio. Jeff Paterson's analysis of the situation after the mistrial.
Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | Audio: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

The Sacramento Coalition to End the War has been holding a "peace-in" at the district office of Rep. Doris Matsui since January 8th. The Coalition of dozens of peace, religious and veterans groups said it will not leave the office until Rep. Matsui publicly commits to vote against any supplemental funding for the war and occupation beyond the $70 billion budgeted for 2007.

On January 29th, Army prosecutors of Lt. Ehren Watada dropped two charges of “conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman.” These two charges—each of which carried a one year possible prison sentence—were based on interviews Lt. Watada held with Oakland-based independent journalist Sarah Olson and Greg Kakesako of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. In exchange for the dropping of the two charges, Watada agreed to testify that he made the comments attributed to him by the reporters. Watada still faces up to four years' confinement on three other charges. Sarah Olson will no longer be forced to testify.

The 4th anniversary of the US-led war on Iraq is being commemorated March 16th through March 19th. Local vigils took place on Friday and Saturday, and a big ANSWER march took place in San Francisco on Sunday. The SF march started with a rally at noon in Justin Herman Plaza. Around 1pm, protesters marched up Market St. for another rally in Civic Center Plaza. Protests took place in cities across California, including Eureka, Arcata, Chico, Sacramento, Fresno Walnut Creek, Palo Alto, San Jose, and Los Angeles, as well as around the country. 2007 is the 40th anniversary of the historic 1967 anti-war march to the Pentagon during the Vietnam War. On Saturday March 17th, people from around the country gathered in Washington, DC to march on the Pentagon and demand that the US get out of Iraq now.

On Saturday, January 27th anti-war protests were held around the US to tell the new Congress to "represent the truly nationwide peace majority." United for Peace and Justice organized the largest march in Washington DC, where over one hundred thousand anti-war protesters circled the US capital.
In San Francisco, there was a rally and march that started at Powell And Market and ended at Pier 31/33 to support IBU-ILWU/MMP workers, who are under attack by Terry MacCrae and Hornblower Tours.
Report | Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | Video: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Audio
In Sacramento, more than 100 people gathered at the intersection of Arden Way and Heritage Lane to protest the continued war and occupation. Photos
In San Jose, two hundred people lined the busy intersection of Stevens Creek Blvd and Winchester Blvd to protest the war. Photos: 1 | 2
In Fresno, there was a demonstration at the Peace Corner: Blackstone and Shaw. Photos: 1 | 2 | Video

Conscientious objector Spc. Agustin Aguayo will enter a plea February 2nd and begin trial March 6th in Wurzburg, Germany. So ordered a military judge on January 25th. Charges against Aguayo include desertion which carries a possible penalty of seven years. The Army is proceeding with this court martial despite precedents which give regular federal courts jurisdiction over CO cases and despite an appeal Agustin has pending before the D.C. Circuit Court.
Latest pretrial negotiations.