The anarchists are coming: Media scare tactics unfounded, anti-RNC groups say

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With the Twin Cities set to host massive protests, an influx of media and thousands of Republicans and supporters, local corporate media are looking to fuel fears that things could get out of control. One activist group being targeted — they say, unfairly — is anarchists. They state that their plans do not include violence and that both their message and tactics are willfully misunderstood. Last week, WCCO aired a report on local anarchists that said they “hope to cause chaos” and are “a group bent on destruction.” The station superimposed images of property destruction while discussing the group’s plans. That group is the RNC Welcoming Committee, an umbrella group of anarchists and anti-authoritarians organizing resistance to the Republican National Convention. Continue Reading

This Is What Democracy Looks Like?

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The chants rang out: “Who is a terrorist?” with the reply echoing, “Bush is a terrorist!” “This is what democracy looks like” – with the reply “Bush is what hypocrisy looks like!” Bless their hearts; people are angry and fed up with war and occupation. The need to vent their anger at the geo-political realities certainly seems necessary as the war for oil and domination continues in its fifth year – with signs that it might not abate until our military is completely broken or our political “leaders” grow some spine and stand up to the Administration. I remember hearing Dick Gregory, the great humanitarian, civil rights activist, and comedian say during the protests against the Vietnam War, “If democracy is as good as we claim it is, we won’t have to shove it down others throats with the barrel of a gun. If it is so good, people will steal it!” The notion of going to war to establish “democracy” in the Middle East is preposterous. But chanting epithets on a street corner in south Minneapolis at noon on a sunny October day didn’t make me proud that “this is what democracy looks like” when it is coupled with angry personal taunts at the President or his policies. Continue Reading

Students rally for people of Myanmar

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By using Facebook, campaign supporters can post photos outlawed by the junta. On Sept. 28, the main Internet link in Myanmar was cut and many of the country’s newspapers were forced to halt production after the country’s military regime threatened further anti-junta protesting. In 1989, the military regime changed the name of the country from Burma to Myanmar. News outlets differ on which name they use. Continue Reading

Iraq demonstration on September 22

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Last Sunday there was yet another anti-Iraq war demonstration at the capital, the second one in a week. The numbers were smaller and the crowd was different from the 1500 demonstrators who showed up a week earlier. Last Sunday there was yet another anti-Iraq war demonstration at the capital, the second one in a week. The numbers were smaller and the crowd was different from the 1500 demonstrators who showed up a week earlier. Continue Reading

Saffron Revolution marches on despite violence

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It’s been amazing watching resistance to the junta in Burma grow: tens of thousands of saffron-robed monks, nuns, and student supporters taking to the streets in peaceful protest against an oppressive 19-year military dictatorship and the high prices and restricted freedoms that have come with it. Now riot police are kicking back.

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