Feature Archives

Around 50-60 members from Modesto and surrounding community came out in force to protest the police murder of Sammy Galvan, and continued harassment of various communities by the Modesto Police Department. First rallying in front of the Modesto Police station, and then marching through downtown, marchers called for justice for Sammy, and for others in Modesto who had died at the hands of Modesto Police. Marchers then later gave speeches and talked about the various issues facing the community. A running theme is that police are using the excuse of gangs to harass, kill, and arrest people on fake charges. Read report by DAAA Collective here. Read speech by DAAA Collective member here.

“I’m an anarcho-syndicalist. This is what we do. For me, this is another day at work.”, says IWW organizer Harjit Gill in the cover story of the Sacramento based newspaper 'News and Views'. The article details history of the IWW, it's current move toward organizing more service industry jobs, and it's vibrant history. For the full article and pictures, go here.

Can you hear it? In Salida, something new is being heard at 106.1fm. A new Low Power FM (LPFM) radio station serving the Salida community has finally been granted a permit to broadcast by the FCC. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for our community.” Rev. Sandy Johnson stated. “We will be able to broadcast informative, educational and diverse programming not heard on the radio in our area.” Programming ranges from news and talk oriented shows to local and independent music. The station officially began broadcasting August 17th, 2004 and is actively seeking independent programming and funding support. “The airwaves belong to the people, not the corporations. This is a unique and rare opportunity for us to have a microphone to share educational and entertaining programming with the community.” Programs include Democracy Now!, Indymedia feeds, local Pagan programming, interviews with people on local issues, and Counter Spin, (just to name a few). Read full story here.

Since 2000, 8 people have died at the hands of the Modesto Police Department. The majority have been people of color, (police have only been hurt in one incident with a jewel theif, and sustained only small injuries), and have all taken part in Modesto's poorer areas. The most recent victim of the Modesto Police Department has been Sammy Galvan, who was shot to death in August 2004. Police responded to a domestic disturbance call in which Sammy and his girlfriend had been fighting, and Sammy according to police came out with a small Swiss Army knife. According to the two police officers, he attacked them, (although no officers were hurt), and Sammy was then shot in the chest, and then died. But neighbors tell a very different story, according to a Modesto Bee article in August 26th, 2004. "They came out of the car. They saw him there. He just sat there, and all of a sudden they shoot him," Tony Martinez said. Galvan was holding a small Buck pocketknife, Martinez said, but made no threatening moves at all: "This guy was standing there in one spot." According to Tony, about 15-10 people watched the event happen, although police claim there were hardly any onlookers. A community protest has been planned for January 15th in Modesto. More info here.

12/27/04: Modesto's DAAA Collective is expanding it's various social programs due to the continued actions of various churches to drive homeless people out of Tower Park. Food Not Bombs will once again be feeding in Tower Park, and the collective will also be starting up Mutual Aid, a free clothes program once again. The local group is also helping to organize a Modesto protest against the inauguration of President Bush. More info here.

Chemicals and copyrights made two big wins in Fresno in late November. As the Fresno City Council decided to take no action on challenges that a recent order all but banning medical cannabis in Fresno violates state Proposition 215, two blocks away the Fresno County Board of Supervisors voted to approve a pro-biotechnology resolution brought forward by the Fresno County Farm Bureau. To many the two issues may seem somewhat unrelated, but to those concerned with the increasing influence of corporations and government officials looking to protect their guns and butter at the cost of our health, the issue is one and the same. Both actions by elected officials came in reaction to increasing attempts to provide medicine and ban dangerous products. While this might not necessarily mean that you should worry about genetically engineered pot being sold on the street, there is still cause for concerned. Read full story here.

12/23/04: Nurses from University Medical Center (UMC) were on strike today. The one day strike was called by nurses who are members of the California Nurses Association (CNA) to pressure management to bargain in good faith. The company is offering a 2% salary increase and the nurses want at least 5%. A standardized pay scale and an improved pension plan are also being sought by striking workers. This is not the first time UMC workers have been out on strike to get this contract settled. Nurses were out on strike last month too. See that story here.