Feature Archives

The film "Legacy of Torture: The Ongoing War Against the Black Panthers" was screened at the Roxie Cinema in San Francisco on Sunday, January 28th. The screening was followed by a memorial tribute to John Bowman at the African American Cultural Center.

On January 23rd, New York Authorities in San Francisco announced the arrests and indictments of former Black Panthers in the 1971 killing of police officer Sgt. John V. Young-- despite the use of torture to obtain confessions. Constitutional Rights (CCR) Legal Director Bill Goodman said, "The case against these men was built on torture and serves to remind us that the U.S. government, which recently has engaged in such horrific forms of torture and abuse at places like Bagram, Abu Ghraib and Guantánamo, has a history of torture and abuse in this country as well, particularly against African Americans."

Activists have been after POM to stop needless animal testing since at least early last year. POM used the testing to try to help bolster their marketing claims regarding pomegranate juice. But the heat was turned up in December by underground activists. POM Wonderful has relented, and decided to stop conducting animal vivisection. POM's intentions to not contract the experimentation of animals out to other firms remains unclear.

On Thursday January 11th anti-war protests took place across the country to protest Bush's escalation in Iraq. In Palo Alto, community members gathered at El Camino Real and Embarcadero Road, to protest against "this amplification of an outrageous and illegal failed war that has already resulted in the deaths of over three thousand U.S. troops as well as hundreds of thousands of Iraqis". In San Francisco, there was an anti-war march starting at 5pm at Powell and Market Streets. Many other anti-war events took place around the Bay Area, including protests in Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, El Cerrito, Mountain View, San Jose, Petaluma, San Rafael, and Benicia.
Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Video | Report

On January 3, 2007, Supporters of Spc. Suzanne Swift rallied outside Fort Lewis, Washington to welcome the news that Swift had been released from military prison. Photos
On December 14 Swift was convicted by a summary court martial for missing movement and being AWOL after her charges of sexual harassment and assault went un-addressed by the military.

Thursday January 11th, 2007 was the 5th anniversary of illegal detention at Guantánamo Naval Base. Anti-war activists marched on the US prison in Guantánamo Bay to demand its closure, and protests took place in many countries around the world. In San Francisco, a "participatory protest," with street theater, leafletting, music, a reading of the names of detainees, and other non-violent adventures, was held on Saturday, January 13th from 1-3 pm in Union Square. Photos

The movement to impeach President George W. Bush is kicking into high gear with the beginning of the new Congressional term. Some advocates called for 500,000 letters to be sent to Nancy Pelosi on her first day as Speaker. Many believe that impeachment is the only way to bring the troops home. On January 6th in San Francisco, over 1000 people formed a giant human "IMPEACH!" sign at Ocean Beach. Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Video: 1 | 2

Photos from December 31st Impeachment rally San Jose.

Updated coverage of these protests

United for Peace and Justice has called for a massive mobilization in Washington, DC for Saturday, January 27th. UFPJ wants to tell the new Congress to "represent the truly nationwide peace majority." There will be local protests in Sacramento, Fresno, San Jose, and other locations. In San Francisco, there will be a Rally and March to End the War in Iraq - people will gather at 12pm at Powell and Market. The San Francisco rally and march will include a number of labor contingents. The march will go past Pier 31/33 to support IBU-ILWU/MMP workers, who are under attack by Terry MacCrae and Hornblower Tours.