Feature Archives

On Wednesday, May 6, several Women in Black members were holding signs of peace in the breeze way of the Fresno County Courthouse when they were confronted by armed Sheriff Deputies and threatened with arrest. One of the shotgun toting guards was quoted as saying "Guns don't kill people, people kill people."

After a 10-year hiatus, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is back at Stanford University. Rice has said she's ready for spirited debate, but she was recently caught on video being cornered by a student who demanded that she explain her role in authorizing torture. This week about 150 veterans of the fight 40 years ago to dislodge Stanford University from the War in Vietnam, called on Stanford to sever relations with the former Provost.

On March 30th, in response to President Obama's announcement of an escalation of the war in Afghanistan, an emergency action was held in front of the San Francisco Federal Reserve. Two dozen demonstrators protested the notion of Obama's "good war" and called for the complete withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan.

Activists took a stand for human rights in front of a Verizon Store in Santa Clara on March 30th. Verizon carries Motorola cell phones and accessories — Motorola makes military guidance systems and fuses used in a variety of bombs which they sell to the Israeli army. Demonstrators passed out flyers calling for a boycott against Motorola.

The U.S. Navy is facing criticism for its training operations on the Pacific coast. Environmental groups say some areas should be off limits to weapons testing. The Navy wants to use nearly the entire U.S. coastline for weapons and warfare training including under water bomb detonations and mining, and the use of aircraft, missiles and sonar. Environmental groups say the use of sonar and bombs has long-range effects on marine life.

Ten days after he was shot in the head by an Israeli Defense Force high-velocity tear gas canister, Tristan Anderson is still hospitalized, unconscious and on a respirator, following three surgeries in a hospital in Israel. His family's attorney has filed a formal complaint with the West Bank Israeli border police, demanding the immediate launch of a rigorous and independent investigation into the shooting. Friends of Tristan and Palestine held a rally and press conference on Thursday, March 26th at noon outside of the Israeli Consulate in San Francisco, addressing the beatings and arrests that occurred after the March 16th Solidarity with Tristan and Palestine demonstration.

On Monday March 16th, hundreds demonstrated at of the Israeli Consulate in San Francisco to hear speakers in support of Tristan Anderson and the people of Palestine. About 5pm, demonstrators marched to the intersection of Market and 5th. After demonstrating there for about an hour, many in the crowd marched back to the consulate where police attacked protesters with clubs and as many as six people were arrested. Other solidarity events are being held all over the world.