Feature Archives

Fault Lines, the bi-monthly newsmagazine of Indybay, has just released another issue of radical political analysis and social commentary. Fault Lines #20 features exclusive articles on war resistors, squat riots, Climate Change, resistance to CAFTA, UC Berkeley's corporate sell-out and much more. Free issues of Fault Lines are available at various locations throughout the Bay Area.

Members of the Ghandi Peace Brigade and Code Pink have been holding vigil outside of Nancy Pelosi's San Francisco residence since March 11th demanding that the Speaker of the House stop funding the war. On March 13th, SF police ordered that Camp Pelosi tear down their tent but the activists are holding strong, refusing to leave, and they are asking others to join them. The Raggie Grannies have stepped in to offer support. A teach-in was held at 11:30am on March 14th at Pelosi's office in the SF Federal Building. On March 19th, several activists were arrested in the halls outside Pelosi's office after attempting to speak with her.

Several hundred activists turned out in downtown San Francisco on March 19 to mark the fourth anniversary of the start of the war in Iraq. More than 50 protesters were arrested taking part in "die-ins" that blocked Market Street throughout much of the afternoon. The die-ins began at noon at four locations along Market Street, including Civic Center and the corner of Montgomery Street outside the office of Senator Dianne Feinstein, a consistent supporter of the war. At the Montgomery intersection, 100 activists died-in on the sidewalk. At about 1 pm, half the group moved onto Market Street, blocking traffic for about half an hour. After several warnings, about 40 protesters lying in the street were arrested, including 76-year-old Pentagon whistle-blower Daniel Ellsberg. Eleven military family members and veterans were arrested by federal police at Nancy Pelosi's office after they met with Pelosi staff to express their opposition to Pelosi's plan to continue funding the War in Iraq,. The group included veterans who had served in Iraq and mothers whose sons are in Iraq now and others whose sons have served multiple deployments.

From March 1st though 6th, Shannon Young and Vladimir Flores, Oaxaca correspondents for Free Speech Radio News and Mal de Ojo TV, will be in Watsonville, Santa Cruz, San Jose and San Francisco to present a series of short films produced by Mal de Ojo TV. Indybay reporters Danielsan and Ariel will show photos and reportback on their recent experiences in Oaxaca City.

February 26th through March 2nd was a week of protest against the recent ICE raids, against guestworker programs, and in support of legalization. Every day, people gatheredfrom 11am to 1pm outside of San Francisco's Homeland Security/ICE Building at 630 Sansome St. Video: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Photos | Reports: 1 | 2
On Friday, legal workers, immigrant rights organizations, and labor unions came together for a march from 16th and Mission Streets, then filled the plaza at the front of the Federal building. 18 activists, including people of faith and labor leaders met with Nancy Pelosi's office, and when her office's response to community concerns and demands was insufficient, they sat in and were arrested. 1 | 2 | 3

An overflow crowd of family and friends of four of the San Francisco 8 packed the San Francisco courtroom of Judge Little on Valentine's Day. Although a formal bail hearing has not yet been held, Judge Little did lower the bail for Ray Boudreaux and Hank Jones from $5 million to $3 million, and the same as was set for Richard Brown and Richard O'Neal. A formal bail hearing and other motions were scheduled for Tuesday, March 13th.

The new film "Legacy of Torture," about the San Francisco 8, will screen at the Long Haul on Sunday February 25th . The evening will also include dinner and speakers about the SF 8, and updates about Eric McDavid, who is another California political prisoner in need of support.

Heather MacAllister was "a fucking sexy fat wicked smart intense and funny fierce femme." She died February 13th in Portland, Oregon after battling ovarian cancer for several years. She was 38 years old. On Saturday, February 24th the 7:00pm Goddess Rosary service was in memory of Heather, at HerChurch, 678 Portola Drive, San Francisco. On Sunday, February 25th, a Funeral/Mourning/Goodbye ritual was held at 1:30pm at Precita Park, corner of Folsom and Precita, followed by a procession up Precita to a wake at El Rio ( Report). Ms. MacAllister was the founder and artistic director of Big Burlesque and the Fat Bottom Revue, the first burlesque act exclusively featuring large-sized performers. She was an anti-racist and queer community organizer and activist.