Feature Archives

Yet another Federal Grand Jury in San Francisco targeting local activists has been convened. This time the apparent reason for the Grand Jury is to investigate the anti-G8 solidarity protest held in the Mission District of San Francisco on July 8, 2005, during which a local police officer was injured. Charges against three people in connection with the protest are pending in San Francisco Superior Court. Independent journalist and videographer Josh Wolf, a frequent poster to Indybay, has been subpoenaed to testify and to provide any notes taken and the full and unedited videotape recorded during the demonstration. The National Lawyers Guild is representing Josh Wolf and has filed a motion to quash the subpoena on several grounds including First Amendment journalistic protections and that the FBI is on an illegal "fishing expedition" aimed at aiding the separate local investigation by San Francisco police and prosecutors. On March 30th, a press conference was held on the steps of the San Francisco Federal Building before the hearing on quashing the subpoena. On April 5th, the judge in the case denied that motion. While Josh Wolf and his attornies are considering their next move, Josh urges people "to talk to your friends and neighbors about how the grand jury system (is) a vicious unconstitutional implementation of the law that is being used for political purposes."

At least two of those arrested July 8th are set to return to court on the 19th of May at 9am in Department 20 of the SF Hall of justice on 850 Bryant street. They are asking people to save the date, come to the courthouse, and show solidarity.

Press Conference Video | Report | Photos | Court Filings and Rulings: 1, 2

Josh Wolf's Grand Jury Documents · FBI Witchhunt.com Info on SF G8 Grand Jury
Indybay's 2005 G8 Coverage: San Francisco 1 | 2 · US · Scotland

Yet another Federal Grand Jury targeting local activists has been convened. The apparent reason is to investigate the anti-G8 protest held in the Mission District on July 8, 2005, during which a local police officer was injured. Independent journalist Josh Wolf, a frequent poster to Indybay, has been subpoenaed to provide his unedited videotape of the demonstration. June 15th update: Josh refused to testify or provide video evidence to the federal grand jury. Instead of being held in contempt, he was told by the prosecutor that he was free to go. Photos & Video

Over 50 hunger strikers and organizations held a seven-day protest in front of the Federal Building in San Francisco from March 21st through March 27th to protest against anti-immigrant laws. The protesters spoke out against Senator Arlen Specter’s bill (HR4437) that designates all undocumented immigrants as aggravated felons, allows for the indefinite detention of non-citizens, and criminalizes day-labor centers, churches, health clinics and all others who serve, help or work with undocumented immigrants. There were candlelight vigils at the Federal Building every day and a march on Monday March 27th.
Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | Audio: 1 | Video: 1 | 2

On March 25th, in what may be the largest demonstration in California history, over one million people filled the streets of Los Angeles to demand civil rights for immigrants. Photos On March 27th there were student walkouts state wide. Photos From Fresno

Read more | Immigrant rights news | San Francisco news

A christian right organization will hold a Battlecry event at San Francisco's AT&T Park at Third and King Streets on March 24th and 25th. Before the event they held a rally at City Hall on Friday, March 24th. At the rally talked about their plans to build a future for the country based on biblical values. A counter-rally was held Photos: 1 | 2 | Reports: 1 | 2
The values that the right-wing groups promote include wars against Muslim countries, with young "christian soldiers" doing the fighting, laws that take away women's rights to make decisions about their bodies, and other anti-sexual and homophobic ideas. Read more

Theocracy Watch | Globalization, Theocracy & the New Fascism | 2005 No Theocracy Day in SF | Talk to Action

Two films will be shown at the Roxie Cinema in San Francisco's Mission District on Wednesday, March 29th. “Leona's Sister Gerri” is an award winning film that tells the story of Gerri Santoro, who is the "real person" in the now famous photo of an anonymous woman on a motel floor, dead from an illegal abortion. The image became a symbol of why women's access to safe, legal health care is necessary. “The Last Abortion Clinic” is a film that gives demonstrates how the anti-abortion movement in states like Mississippi made access to abortion nearly impossible for poor women. The films will begin at 7:00pm.

BACORR, or Bay Area Coalition for Our Reproductive Rights, is a coalition of organizations and individuals who are working for reproductive rights.

The 12th Annual Radical Performance Fest was held on Friday and Saturday evenings, March 17th and 18th, at San Francisco's SoMarts, 934 Brannan (at 8th Street). This politically laced, and artistically creative event raised moneys to send local youth (ages 15-25) to the Art in Action summer camp. Artists on Friday night included Colored Ink, Olga Salamanca, Sparlha Swa, and more. On Saturday night, perofrmers such as Samsara, deep dick collective, and Joe Navarro graced the stage.

SoMarts Cultural Center | Blue Buddha's Basement

The artwork of Jason Justice is on exhibit at the Thoreau Galleries in San Francisco's Presidio. Jason Justice is a local activist and graphic designer. Dozens of patches, cards, picket signs, and posters that he designed for organizations such as the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, UniteHERE Local 2, Courage to Resist, and DanceSafe will be on display through April 20th. The Thoreau Galleries are located in the Thoreau Center for Sustainability on Lincoln Boulevard in the Presidio. Gallery hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday. Read more