Feature Archives

Proposition 85, the "Waiting Period and Parental Notification Before Termination of a Minor's Pregnancy" initiative, was rejected by California voters on November 7th, 2006. It would have amended California's state constitution to young women under the age of 18 from obtaining abortion care without government-mandated parental notification. Opponents of Prop 85 pointed out that California's adolescent pregnancy, birth, and abortion rates have declined in the last ten years. In San Francisco, pro-choice activists gathered November 8th to learn about the history of abortion laws, and to consider the possibilities that face the pro-choice movement in the future.

After escaping a second forced Iraq deployment via a window in Germany, medic Agustin Aguayo reported to a Mojave Desert army base to continue his fight for a conscientious objector discharge. He applied for the discharge in February 2004 - before he was sent to Tikrit, Iraq, for a year as a combat medic. He has unsuccessfully fought the Pentagon for a discharge ever since. Photos

SB 840, the 'Universal Health Care' bill, was passed by the California State Senate on Aug. 31, and would provide health care coverage to all California residents through a state-run, single-payer system, ending the need for private insurance companies.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s promise to veto Senate Bill 840 ensures that the health care system of California will remain privately run.

The struggle to free Pennsylvania death row political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal has reached a crucial juncture, and two events were scheduled for the Bay Area this week to raise awareness of and funds for his legal struggle. On Sunday, September 17th, a Night of Music and Poetry for Mumia Abu-Jamal will be held at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. This event, which will begin at 7:00pm, will include Boots Riley from the Coup and many others. The Labor Action Committee to Free Mumia held a rally at the Alameda County Courthouse on Friday, September 15th. Photos

Anarchist political prisoner Rob Los Ricos was released from prison this summer, after serving a sentence of seven years for hitting a police officer with a rock in Eugene, Oregon. He will be speaking at several Bay Area events between September 14th and 26th about his experiences in prison, what it takes to make it through, and the scene in Eugene (pre and post prison), amongst other topics.

Many events are being held around the Bay Area to commemorate the fifth anniversary of September 11th, 2001. Some will focus on mourning the lives lost, while others will question the official message about how and why 911 occurred; still others will stand in opposition to the deaths of 3,000 Americans leading to tens of thousands of deaths worldwide in wars against "terrorism." The 5th annual 9/11 Truth Rally and March was held on Saturday morning, September 9th. Report Emergent Sea 9/11: Artists of Color Speak Up 5 Years after 'Sep 11' was held Saturday night in San Francisco, with an evening of spoken word and music.

Californians for GE-Free Agriculture reports that SB1056, the bill that would have preempted local restrictions on genetically engineered organisms, failed to make it through the California Senate, and has died with the close of the legislative year. This is seen as a major victory. The Monsanto-backed bill was introduced last year after the passage of four county and two city bans on GE crops.