Feature Archives

1/30/2005: Porto Alegre, Brazil - The fifth World Social Forum started as an expression of diversity in the world, with many voices that meet the universal wishes for tolerance, justice, peace and equality. And it closes according to these same wishes. But this Forum had the challenge of being more proactive in promoting common issues and proposing actions. It was completely self-organized. All the activities were developed by the participant organizations. Workshops and related events were held in 11 different areas where panels accepted proposals that were discussed. So far, there are 352 proposals from the panels. The proposals are being displayed today. They will be published in a way that movements, organizations and people can read and use them. The Forum helped to inspire many actions that will make organizations and individuals stronger and more organized, with agendas for the whole year. The dialogue and the meetings helped to establish a new world view for many participants and has opened new horizons for international solidarity. In 2006, the World Social Forum will be decentralized, operated in many places of the world. In 2007 it will be in Africa. Self-organized and democratic, the World Social Forum is created by organizations and people who want to build another world with peace, justice and equality. The theme of the World Social Forum is Another World is Possible. Read More

1/27/2005:The World Social Forum (WSF) got underway yesterday with a huge march in downtown Porto Alegre. The march was something between an international version of Woodstock and the biggest peace march you have ever attended. It was a festival as well as a political march with groups as diverse as the landless workers movement in Brazil, a contingent of GBLT activists from throughout South America, Korean trade unionists, members of the women’s movement, and Greenpeace in attendance. Read More

Fórum Social Mundial | The Participatory Budget | Cutting the Wire | The Global Media Democracy Movement | Pictures from the World Social Forum | Should the Anti-war Movement Support the Iraqi Resistance? | Bush Victory Made Possible by Cultural Oppression | Chavez Speaks at the WSF | Confessions of an Economic Hit Man | Venezuela’s Chavez Closes WSF with Call to Transcend Capitalism | Democracy Now Coverage 1   2

"Were you at the 2004 Biotech Protest in San Francisco on June 8th? Were you there early in the morning, that is prior to 7:00am? Do you remember the streets, in particular, 4th coming south from Mission down to Howard, being blocked off by the police? And/or do you remember seeing 3rd being blocked going north to Howard? A number of protesters are still facing charges for 'willfully and substantially blocking the free passage' of others when they sat down or stood in the intersections of 4th and Howard and at 3rd and Howard."

The legal team for the protesters who were arrested on the morning of June 8th, 2004 at the Reclaim the Commons "Shut Down San Francisco" protest are seeking witnesses for this case whose outcome, they think, will set a precedent on protest in SF. The protesters say that the police had already blocked the streets and therefore the protesters did not substantially block the free passage of anyone. They assert that the protesters were exercising their first amendment rights.

If you were there and can testify, or know someone who was there who could testify to the above, or if you have photos or video footage showing that the streets were blocked or showing police escorting people or cars by (showing that they could get by), you can contact Joanne at warwick_joanne (at) yahoo.com
Coverage of the protests in the morning of June 8th.

The G8, or group of eight most powerful nations in the world, will hold its annual summit in Perthshire, Scotland from July 6th-8th, 2005. Protesters have already been planning for months- the Dissent Network is calling for an international planning meeting in Germany on the Saturday 26th and 27th of February. The Peoples' Global Action Conference in Europe is calling for a global day of action on Wednesday, July 6th, 2005.
What is the G8? | UK Indymedia's G8 2005 Website | More Globalization-Related International Organizations

11/19/2004 Hooded anti-American marchers protesting an Asia-Pacific summit in Chile on Friday hurled Molotov cocktails and stones at police who retaliated with water cannons and tear gas. Police estimated the number of marchers at 25,000, but protest leaders said the real number was 70,000.
11/18/2004 "Police fought street battles for a second straight day today with university students protesting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Chile and the weekend arrival of US President George W. Bush. Protesters in downtown Santiago were sprayed with tear gas from jeeps and knocked to the ground with blasts from water cannon trucks."
11/17/2004: Chilean anti-riot forces and student protesters have clashed, three days before President George Bush's arrival for a weekend Asia-Pacific (APEC) summit.
Valparaiso Indymedia | Santiago Indymedia

The day after Thanksgiving is the busiest shopping day of the year in the United States, as it marks the unofficial beginning of the Christmas shopping season-- for most. But a growing movement observes Buy Nothing Day on that day, which in 2004 fell on November 26th. Adbusters has created JammerGroups, which can connect people with other activists in their areas. The lists are intended to be used to strategize, organize, and take action. If the new lists are successful, they will be used year-round in other campaigns. In an annual Buy Nothing protest, human sheep took to the streets in Union Square. Interview with Sheep

Buy Nothing-Related Posts to Indybay Over the Years:
2004: 1 | 2 | "Free" Starbucks Drink | "Free" Gap Gift | Sheep Street Theater
2003: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
2002: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6
2001: Summary | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7
2000: Summary | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

The Christmas Resistance website says, "Together, we boycott Christmas Shopping, Christmas decorations, Christmas cards, and every variety of Christmas Crap. We refuse to support the Holiday Industry. We show our love for friends and family by giving our time and care, not by purchasing consumer goods. We maintain the integrity of giving by giving spontaneously and from our hearts, rather than during a specified season."

Sometimes, in the East Bay after Christmas, there is a Tree Revolt: "The trees which are used in this necrophiliac ritual of bloodletting and waste are thrown to the curb; 'bring out your dead!' But the curb, my friends, is but one hop away from the streets."

Other ideas: Some are working for a New American Dream, in which people "live consciously, buy wisely, and make a difference." For those who must buy gifts, there are alternatives such as Global Exchange's Fair Trade Store, the KPFA Crafts and Music Fair on December 11th and 12th, 2004, supporting a worker-owned business, or giving the gift of a subscription to Fault Lines.

Overcoming Consumerism | Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping | Adbusters

November 3, 2004: Marin County voted yesterday to ban the cultivation of Genetically Engineered (GE) crops. Mendocino and Trinity Counties have already banned GE crops. Election results. Butte County, Humboldt County, and San Luis Obispo voted against similar measures.

"Despite the Farm Bureau's statewide misinformation campaign, the people in Marin have spoken: we do not want GE crops," says Ronnie Cummins, Executive Director of the Organic Consumers Association. The OCA says that Marin County forms an integral piece in a nationwide movement of local communities reclaiming their BioDemocracy, building local, organic communities dedicated to safe food, fair prices for farmers and long-term sustainability.

"Marin county's decision is the next step in creating a statewide ban on genetically engineered crops," according to Ryan Zinn, California Campaign coordinator for the Organic Consumers Association. "California's future depends on safe, organic, farmer centered food and agriculture." Sonoma and Alameda counties, as well as the city of Arcata, have similar measures in the works.

Californians for GE-Free Agriculture | Dangers of Genetic Engineering | Campaign to Label Genetically Engineered Foods | Pesticide Action Network | California Certified Organic Farmers

6/8/04: In a massive display of multi-agency overtime, city, state and federal police forces effectively shutdown the West Coast anti-G8 message and reasserted their hold on SF's main thoroughfares, at least for today. SF Reclaim the Streets had called for a mutant-themed anti-G8 Reclaim the Streets action in San Francisco today at 5 p.m. The sound system and costumed mutants gathered at UN Plaza, threw a stationary street party and then took to Market Street. Within a few blocks, however, a sizeable portion of the mass was encircled by SFPD, California Highway Patrol and Federal Protective Services. Officers reportedly offered the corralled demonstrators a chance to be either "cited and released" or arrested -- although when Freak Radio Santa Cruz correspondent Bradley attempted to leave the encirclement, he was beaten by police. Police ended up making around 150 arrests at 5th and Market Streets. Meanwhile, police attacked and beat with sticks a number of protesters, bystanders and a homeless man outside the encirclement. Several protesters were grabbed off the sidewalk and arrested for no reason at all, including several who had been photographing police violence. Police paddywagons blocked buses and trollies for over 4 hours. Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Video | Audio
After a few days, protesters who had been arrested at morning actions or the Reclaim the Streets began to report that they had seen and ?experienced brutality in the San Francisco County Jail.
Monday, June 6th, over one hundred people marched on the Mexican consulate to protest the continued detention and torture of demonstrators arrested at the ALCUE trade summit in Guadalajara, Mexico. Photos

The neoliberal policies of the G8 have faced popular protest ever since President Clinton instigated its formation in 1997. This year's summit on Sea Island, Georgia, was accompanied by state-imposed martial law, including a federal takeover of security throughout coastal Georgia. No G8 | Atlanta Indymedia