Feature Archives

Animal Liberation activists from the central valley joined forces in five days of protests, covering nine shows Wednesday through Sunday, against Ringling Bros. (Feld Entertainment Inc.) Circus, calling it the "cruelest show on earth." A coalition of Fresno activists, Fresno Voices for Animals, was joined by the Modesto-based Direct Action Anti-Authoritarian collective to call attention to Ringling's continuing use and abuse of wild animals in its "family based" extravaganza.

On the Fourth of July, CodePink and Gold Star Families launched the nationwide fast, calling for the U.S. government to bring our troops home from Iraq--FAST.

In California, hunger strikers are also focusing on Assembly Joint Resolution 36, which opposes the Iraq war and was introduced by Lonnie Hancock. This measure would memorialize the President and Congress to restore the balance between the federal government and the states by limiting federal control of the California National Guard to cases where there is an insurrection or a declaration of war under the US Constitution.

Sacramento activist Victor is one of about 3,000 nationwide fasting as part of a political statement to Bring the Troops Home Fast , but unlike many others, he was initially denied a permit to express his right to do so.
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On Tuesday, July 11, responding to the recent Israeli siege on Gaza and humanitarian crisis resulting from the US-Israeli imposed starvation campaign of the Palestinian people, demonstrators rallied in support of the Palestinian people at 16th & J Streets in Sacramento. The local demonstration, initiated by the National Council of Arab Americans and Sacramento Area Peace Action, was held in conjunction with similar protests taking place throughout the country.

Organizers with Direct Action Anti-Authoritarians (DAAA) Collective, and Aztlan Rising, held a counter protest against the anti-immigration group Save Our State, (SOS). The two groups started on opposite sides of the street, and then counter protestors crossed, and both groups were mashed together. It was documented that white power activists were in attendance at the demonstration.

Fishing, farming, and environmental groups attended a packed Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board meeting on June 23 to oppose a controversial action that would allow for the continuing decimation of Central Valley rivers and the already imperiled Sacramento Delta. Despite the huge showing of opposition, the Board voted to allow a 5 year extension of waivers that allow for agricultural operations to pollute the waterways of already damaged ecosystems in the Valley.Delta In Crisis | Read More

On June 22nd, the city of Fresno stepped up its campaign against the homeless. City workers and police officers plowed down E Street, razing an encampment and destroying dozens of peoples possessions, despite efforts of the owners to save them. In the past, Fresno has run bulldozers through the camp-- demolishing everything in their paths-- although some residents have learned to quickly move their belongings out of harm's way. This time, however, it was not as easy to avoid the cleanup crew's aggressive attack, as police prevented some people from removing their valuables.

Past Coverage: 1, 2, 3, 4

The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board held a June 22nd hearing on the issue of agriculture waivers. The Regional Water Board voted to extend a waiver for irrigated agriculture which would allow 8 million acres of farmland to keep polluting the waters with pesticides and fertilizers without any accountability. In spite of protests, in 2003, the Board issued waivers for waste discharges from irrigated farm land. That waiver, which was adopted under pressure from powerful San Joaquin Valley agribusiness interests, provided for the establishment of “voluntary coalitions” comprised of farmers to establish voluntary programs to address massive pollution of Central Valley waterways. People planned to gather by 8:30am on the hottest day of the year so far for press conferences and protests.