Feature Archives

Recentally, Arnold and other elites have denied "Tookie" Williams clemancy. Several last ditch efforts are underway in various cities to try and save Tookie from death.

Sacramento VIGIL FROM 11PM to 12:30AM December 12 State Capitol Building 11th & L Streets Contact: stellalevy@sbcglobal.net

Fresno Vigil begins at 5:30 PM December 12 in front of St. John's Cathedral Mariposa & R Streets, in downtown Fresno Contact: maria.telesco@att.net

Chico Silent Candlelight Prayer Vigil Children's Park - Downtown Begins at 7pm, December 12 contact: amylourunge@earthlink.net

On December third, there will be events around the world and country about political prisoners and prisoners of war. In Sacramento , organizers are putting on a film showing event, showing films on Charles Garry, a lawyer who has represented political prisoners like Huey P. Newton . They will also be showing a documentary about Assata Shakur entitled, "Yesterday is not to soon". In Modesto , local groups are putting on a teach-in and film showing about "Tookie" Williams . Sacramento event information here . Modesto information here .

Cindy Sheehan will be speak at UC Davis on November 21. Cindy Sheehan, the local peace activist and Gold Star Mother who has reinvigorated the anti-war movement throughout the country, will speak at the UC Davis Freeborn Hall on Monday, November 21, at 7:30 pm. When her son Casey was killed in Iraq in April 2004, Cindy Sheehan started to rally against the war. She began protesting in her hometown of Vacaville, California, and eventually camped out in front of President Bush’s ranch in Crawford, Texas demanding that he speak with her. After the president’s vacation was cut short due to Hurricane Katrina, Sheehan has continued to speak out against the war and Bush’s policies. Cindy Sheehan founded Gold Star Families for Peace, and has worked across the nation on a wide range of progressive causes. Tickets are $10 general, $5 students on sale at Freeborn Hall Box office. Proceeds will go to Gold Star Families for Peace. Sponsors include the Unitarian Universalist Campus Ministry, UU Peace & Justice Group, UCD Women's Resources and Research Center, Davis Peace Coalition, Davis Religious Community for Sanctuary and Code Pink Women For Peace. For information on tickets, parking and directions to Freeborn Hall, call (530) 752-1915. More info here.

On November 2nd, a peaceful, non-violent, and legal anti-war march in Chico brought a huge responese by Chico PD. A diverse group of about 80 activists marched thru downtown Chico, (on the sidewalks). The well organized and peaceful group was video taped by police. No less then 5 police vehicles followed the group as they did a 4 mile march to Congressman Wally Hergers Office. His office closed early, because of the protests. Report and pictures here.

Also, on Nov 7, over 300 Chico citizens showed up to protest when govenor Arnold Schwarzenegger pulled into town for some pre-election publicity. He visited the Cozy Dinner on Mangrove Ave, and apparently the only people that would wear a pro-Arnold sticker were allowed to be in the dinner. Hundreds chanted, "Go home Arnold!", as he arrived and quickly hid in the dinner. The audience also chanted "no 73, no 74, no 75, no 76, no 77". Very few pro-Arnold supporters were there. Report and pictures here.

The Bay Area Coalition to Fight the Minutemen called for an action to oppose the Minutemen Project's rally to gather public support for their attempts to harass poor, undocumented border-crossers and to announce their support of a new initiative that would establish a state border police in addition to the existing federal border patrol.

There was a rally on the West Capitol steps in Sacramento on Saturday October 29th. It featured the founder of the Minutemen Project, Jim Gilchrist, and the legislative sponsors of the California Border Police Initiative, amongst others. About 600 people representing anti-racist groups throughout California arrived at the Capitol in busses and carpools from the Bay Area and the Central Valley to confront the Minutemen. Among those attending the protest against the vigilantes were Mexican American Political Association National President Nativo Lopez, former Green Party gubernatorial candidate Peter Camejo, and representatives from Bay Area Coalition to Fight the Minutemen, Deport the Migra Coalition, Zapatista Solidarity Coalition, Brown Syndicate, various anarchist collectives, and other statewide organizations. Three people were arrested Saturday at an anti Minuteman rally at the State Capitol, and two were treated for injuries. Photos | Press Release on Arrrests | Read more

Volante en Español | Flyer in English

Read more on Indybay's Immigrant Rights News Page and Indybay's Central Valley News Page | En Español

Hundreds of Foster Farms employees, upset about wages and working conditions, went on strike Tuesday at the company's largest chicken plant. Union leaders claimed that about 80 percent of the day shift stayed out and that much of the night shift would follow suit. "We need respect," said 19-year employee Juana Santiago of Atwater, who works in packaging. "We need better treatment from the foremen. There are people working 30 years getting $9.33 an hour. That's ridiculous." Walsh said the average wage is about $10.50 an hour, and health and other benefits bring total compensation close to $17 an hour. The workers are seeking 50-cent-per-hour wage increases in each of the next three years. Foster Farms has proposed no raise the first year, 15 cents the second and 20 cents the third. The employees rebuffed the company's offer in May and talks have been at a standstill since. They were represented by the League of Independent Workers of the San Joaquin Valley, which has since affiliated with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. "We want the company to be fair with us, that's all, and realize that we are human, not slaves," said Singh, who said he makes $9.28 an hour on the processing line. Workers also complained about high health insurance costs, favoritism by supervisors, short notice of overtime shifts, pressure to increase production, and threats against union supporters. "They treat us like product instead of employees, instead of people," said warehouse worker David Reos of Livingston, who has spent three years at Foster Farms. Read More | Interviews with Workers

View the Fresno Copwatch Oct 22nd Protest Video Here.

Saturday, October 22nd, 2005 was the 10th Annual National Day of Protest to Stop Police Brutality, Repression, and the Criminalization of a Generation. Police continue to brutally beat and kill people all over the United States, including in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina. Muslim, Arab, and South Asian immigrants are still being arrested, detained, and deported. Every year, people wear black on October 22nd to remember people who have died at the hands of the police. The October 22nd Coalition is part of the Stolen Lives Project, which documents cases of people who have died at the hands of law enforcement, and it says that murder by police is increasing. The "Presente" tradition of October 22nd | List of endorsers for October 22nd, 2005

In San Jose, some 75 people gathered for a rally and march in Emma Prusch Farm Park. Photos The protest was held in San Jose because over a dozen people have been killed by law enforcement in Santa Clara County in the two years since Cau Bich Tran was fatally shot by the San Jose police in 2003. New Stolen Lives Wall panels were made to include many of the people who have died in the last several years.

In Fresno, a Vigil For Lives Stolen by Police in the Valley was held on Saturday at 5:30 pm, at the park in front of the Main Library.
On Sunday, October 23rd, a Civil Rights Cookout will be held at the Idriss Stelley Foundation offices in San Francisco at 3:00pm.
On October 22nd, there was a Copwatch conference San Diego. In Los Angeles, 300 people attended a march that was stalled by a bomb scare. At around 4:00, there was a conflict between demonstrators and the police. Two teenagers were arrested. March organizers said, "It is time to hold the murdering police accountable for the stolen lives of our loved ones! We must stand up against this system’s war on the people here in Los Angeles and all over the world! It is time to demand justice for all Stolen Lives!" There was also a march to the police department in Santa Ana.
In New York City, 100 people braved the rain forecast to carry on with the scheduled protest. Photos Many carried hand-drawn signs with photos of loved ones who had been killed by police.

Many other cities held October 22nd protests: Greensboro, North Carolina; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Washington, DC; Cleveland, Ohio; and Milwaukee, Wisconsin were amongst them. Read more on the National October 22nd website

Past Indybay Coverage of October 22nd Protests