11/30/2001:As the US military buildup continues around and in Afghanistan, some recent enlistees in the US armed forces are now applying for conscientious objector status, and one retired army officer questions the so-called "war on terrorism." Read an excellent interview with a former drill instructor on the military, propaganda and social control from 1988.

Meanwhile, hundreds of hate crimes have been committed in this country against Arabs, Muslims, Sikhs and anyone seen as resembling a "terrorist." On Sept 29, an Arab-American man was shot to death in his convenience store near Fresno. The man, Abdo Ali Ahmed, had received numerous death threats before being shot by an unknown assailant. Relatives and friends believe he was killed because of his ethnicity. In SF, when a hate crime was committed against a local business in the Mission District. Read about a teach-in on 10/27. See photos 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Since 9/11, thousands of people in the Bay Area have come together to mourn the loss of life, to protest the US going to war and our loss of civil liberites, and to create Hate-Free zones in our communities. More info: Middle East Children's Alliance | Arab-American Anti-Discrimination Committee. See Oakland youth of color speak out against racist scapegoating in Stronger Than Bombs