From A Journalist's Feet To Our Frustrations

Muntadar al-Zaidi, a journalist for the Cairo-based Al-Baghdadia TV, threw his right shoe at George W. Bush's head.


As he set the loafer aloft, he shouted, "This is a farewell kiss, you dog!" Bush ducked, narrowly avoiding impact. Al-Zaidi proceeded to throw his left shoe: "This is for the widows, the orphans, and those who were killed in Iraq!" The second shoe missed, as well, and al-Zaidi was wrestled to the ground and kicked and beaten out of the hall in which the press conference with Bush and Iraqi PM Nouri al-Maliki provided the scene for this dramatic act.

Al-Zaidi is still being held by Iraqi officials on unspecified charges. His network has issued a statement demanding his release and likening his continued detention to "the time of the dictator era when violence, random arrests, mass graves, and ignoring of general freedoms existed".

Al-Zaidi's shoes missed G.W., but they have hit the frustrations of millions around the world on the head. A symbolic action; a real and outraged reaction. This action resonates with the fantasies of so many, aggrieved and apalled by the catastrophes inflicted by one ruthless man's administration. I think a lot of us have wondered what we would say, how we could express adequately our contempt for this man, if we found ourselves in the same room with him. I've also often wondered how those who do find themselves in a room with him (like journalists) contain their rage. And if they couldn't, what could they say that would represent the magnitude of grief inflicted? Nothing would be enough. Shoes are as good as anything.

We'll be following al-Zaidi's case, adding our voices to the demand that he be released.

Sources for this piece are Democracy Now! and the NY Times.

Homeless People + Peopleless Homes = People at Home

Bill pointed this out on Common Dreams and I thought I'd cross-post it. This project, undertaken by a single activist in Florida, achieves the visionary with simplicity and immediacy. Basically, it's just a project of setting up squats in foreclosed homes for homeless families. The activist, Max Rameau, says "Homeless people across the country are squatting in empty homes. The question is: Is this going to be done out of desperation or with direction?" Read about it here.

Give A Damn

Very sad news this morning: legendary folk singer and civil rights activist Odetta has passed away at the age of 77. I just became aware of and inspired by Odetta and her music over the past couple of years. Some friends and I were lucky enough to get the chance to see her perform two summers ago when she stepped in to replace an ill performer at the Prospect Park bandshell's summer series. She was captivating. And energizing. She had been ill herself, but perched there on a stool at the edge of the stage like a graceful bird, swaying and clapping to her songs about everything from human rights to riding the Rock Island Nine, she exuded energy. And just a kind of contagious excitement about being here, together, making music.

At 76, Odetta was still speaking out for the rights of oppressed people. She was generous with her experiences at her concert, speaking and singing about reproductive rights and honoring the history of her music with covers of Lead Belly and other blues pioneers. She got everybody singing, just like a good folk legend. When the audience was a little shy about their participation, she stopped singing and remarked in her deep unmistakable voice: "You cannot almost sing," to a burst of laughter, followed by a much stronger chorus.

So here's to a life devoted to making joyful and critical music, years of work for the liberation of the oppressed, and the kind of generosity that makes you "give a damn about your fellow man" as Odetta sang it.

The Good Morning Times

The New York City activist world is abuzz with a widespread media action today: the distribution of thousands of copies of a New York Times "Special Edition" featuring the bold headline "IRAQ WAR ENDS" along with "USA Patriot Act Repealed" and "Friedman: The End of Experts" (in which "Thomas Friedman" apologizes for presuming to be an intellectual authority and for his support of the Iraq war).

I got an email from a friend at Bluestockings Books yesterday asking for volunteers to help with a mystery action ("it's gonna be really good!") to come pick up bundles of material to distribute throughout the city. I'm in school up in Providence so, intrigued as I was, I couldn't participate. But when I got the press release today, and was able to check out the doppleganger of the NYTimes website these organizers created (check it out here) I was surprised and delighted.

The writers of the Special Edition (which is postdated July 4, 2009) have created a visionary document of hope. It's a sort of utopian projection on the future, but it's set so slightly in the future that for believability, and also perhaps as a hint at the very possible achievability of small - or even vast - progressive next steps, the turn of events the writers imagine are not a complete dissolution of systems of oppression, but a buoyant, if improbable, change of heart amongst the powers that be. In fake ads on the website, for example, ExxonMobil claims to have realized that "Peace can be lucrative" and applauded the end of the Iraq war as they pursue renewable energy. Meanwhile, American Apparel is unionizing because, as reads the picket sign held by the typical cult-of-the-"exotic"-15-year-old-girl model: "I have a VOICE, too!".

One of my favorite articles is "Streets Come Alive as Relief and Exuberance Greet End of Conflicts", in which demonstrations of joy in the streets are met with police efforts to make sure demonstrators have access to drinking water and places to rest. Police Commissioner Ray Kelly (and this is a laugh riot to New Yorkers on the left who are familiar with his real personality) says: "You know, everyone on the force, we're all just glad we're here to celebrate peace this time."

I wish I was in the city to see the reactions of commuters receiving this very special Special Edition. I don't know who the creators of this meticulously executed and lively collective imagining are, but if you read this: Imaginary Collective considers you an Imaginary Friend. Thank you!

-sunitadee

New Study Shows that Green Spaces Reduce Health Gab Between Rich & Poor

Hi there - just a quick post: I just read this article on the beeb about a study which proves that " green space does more than 'pretty up' the neighbourhood - it appears to have real effects on health inequality, of a kind that politicians and health authorities should take seriously."

check it out. maybe we need to link organizing and demands for healthcare and for green spaces more closely...

Goodman, Salazar, & Kouddous Released, but Charges Remain

Democracy Now! has reported that Amy Goodman, Nicole Salazar, & Sharif Abdel Kouddous have been released after their illegal arrests last night. DN!'s release below:

September 01, 2008

Update: Democracy Now!’s Amy Goodman, Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar Released After Illegal Arrest at RNC

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 1, 2008

Contact: Mike Burke

UPDATE

Democracy Now!’s Amy Goodman, Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar Released After Illegal Arrest at RNC

Goodman Charged with Obstruction; Felony Riot Charges Pending Against Kouddous and Salazar

ST. PAUL--Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman and producers Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar have all been released from police custody in St. Paul following their illegal arrest by Minneapolis Police on Monday afternoon.

All three were violently manhandled by law enforcement officers. Abdel Kouddous was slammed against a wall and the ground, leaving his arms scraped and bloodied. He sustained other injuries to his chest and back. Salazar’s violent arrest by baton-wielding officers, during which she was slammed to the ground while yelling, “I’m Press! Press!,” resulted in her nose bleeding, as well as causing facial pain. Goodman’s arm was violently yanked by police as she was arrested.

On Tuesday, Democracy Now! will broadcast video of these arrests, as well as the broader police action. These will also be available on: www.democracynow.org

Goodman was arrested while questioning police about the unlawful detention of Kouddous and Salazar who were arrested while they carried out their journalistic duties in covering street demonstrations at the Republican National Convention. Goodman’s crime appears to have been defending her colleagues and the freedom of the press.

Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher told Democracy Now! that Kouddous and Salazar were arrested on suspicion of rioting, a felony. While the three have been released, they all still face charges stemming from their unlawful arrest. Kouddous and Salazar face pending charges of suspicion of felony riot, while Goodman has been officially charged with obstruction of a legal process and interference with a “peace officer.”

Democracy Now! forcefully rejects all of these charges as false and an attempt at intimidation of these journalists. We demand that the charges be immediately and completely dropped.

Democracy Now! stands by Goodman, Kouddous and Salazar and condemns this action by Twin Cities’ law enforcement as a clear violation of the freedom of the press and the First Amendment rights of these journalists.

During the demonstration in which the Democracy Now! team was arrested, law enforcement officers used pepper spray, rubber bullets, concussion grenades and excessive force against protesters and journalists. Several dozen demonstrators were also arrested during this action, including a photographer for the Associated Press.

Amy Goodman is one of the most well-known and well-respected journalists in the United States. She has received journalism’s top honors for her reporting and has a distinguished reputation of bravery and courage. The arrest of Goodman, Kouddous and Salazar and the subsequent criminal charges and threat of charges are a transparent attempt to intimidate journalists.

Democracy Now! is a nationally-syndicated public TV and radio program that airs on over 700 radio and TV stations across the US and the globe.

Video of Amy Goodman’s Arrest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYjyvkR0bGQ

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Amy Goodman & 2 other Democracy Now! Producers Arrested in MN

i've just received the word that Amy Goodman and two producers from Democracy Now!, Nicole Salazar & Sharif Abdel Kouddous, have been arrested while doing their jobs as journalists, covering the RNC demonstrations. It is outrageous that journalists are being persecuted by the St. Paul police while simply doing what we need journalists to do: report on dissent, resistance, and the diversity of real Americans' politics! The video of Goodman's arrest, available here, should satisfy any doubt that this arrest was anything but an illegal repression tactic. She was clearly not "rioting", was treated quite roughly, and arrested by a crew of cops whose nametags/badges do not seem to be visible at all.

Please see the Democracy Now! release below for more info/numbers to call.

Numbers to call

Sep 01, 2008 10:00PM EDT

The following is a release from Democracy Now! (http://www.democracynow.org)

ST. PAUL, MN -- Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman was unlawfully arrested in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota at approximately 5 p.m. local time.

Goodman was arrested while attempting to free two Democracy Now! producers who were being unlawfuly detained. They are Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar. Kouddous and Salazar were arrested while they carried out their journalistic duties in covering street demonstrations at the Republican National Convention. Goodman's crime appears to have been defending her colleagues and the freedom of the press.

Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher told Democracy Now! that Kouddous and Salazar were being arrested on suspicion of rioting. They are currently being held at the Ramsey County jail in St. Paul.

Democracy Now! is calling on all journalists and concerned citizens to call the office of Mayor Chris Coleman and the Ramsey County Jail and demand the immediate release of Goodman, Kouddous and Salazar. These calls can be directed to: Chris Rider from Mayor Coleman's office at 651-266-8535 and the Ramsey County Jail at 651-266-9350 (press extension 0).

Tom Walsh, 651-266-5735
Their info line: (651) 677 5115

Chief John M. Harrington
367 Grove Street
Saint Paul, MN 55101
(651) 266-5588

Assistant Chief Nancy DiPerna
Major Crimes Division
367 Grove Street
Saint Paul, MN 55101
(651) 266-5500

Assistant Chief Matthew D. Bostrom
Support Services and Homeland Security Division
367 Grove Street
Saint Paul, MN 55101
(651) 266-5545

Assistant Chief Tomas Smith
Operations Division
367 Grove Street
Saint Paul, MN 55101
(651) 266-5545