oaxaca solidarity

For news on the situation in Oaxaca right now, see OaxacaRevolt.org, Indymedia, and Narco News. This past week, independent journalist Brad Will was killed by police bullets.

Folks have been sending around this link to participate in an electronic blockade of Mexican government websites.

we got issues

My contributor copy must have gotten lost in the mail, so I haven’t seen it, but the word on the streets is that We Got Issues is out.

There’s a book release event here in Oakland next Friday:

DATE: November 3, 2006

TIME: 6:30 pm

WHERE: C Marcus Books, 3900 MLK Jr Way

“A beautiful, proud, lyrical, loving, defiant, truth-witnessing, joyful chorus of voices, some louder than a bomb, some rarely heard, all wanting a better world–We Got Issues! is what democracy sounds like.”–Jeff Chang, author of Can’t Stop Won’t Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation

“From Sara Littlecrow Russell’s spellcasting Incantation poem to Hilda Herrera’s Transmogrified Visions dream, We Got Issues! is a mosaic of brilliant voices, bound together with intention and power.”–Inga Muscio, author of Cunt and Autobiography of a Blue-Eyed Devil

bbc poll on torture

In a recent survey conducted by the BBC recently about people’s attitudes on the use of torture in prisons, 59% of folks around the world expressed opposition and 29% responded that some torture is acceptable ” to save innocent lives” in the face of terrorism. According to this story,

Israel has the largest percentage of those polled endorsing the use of a degree of torture on prisoners, with 43% saying they agreed that some degree of torture should be allowed.

and

The Israeli figure conceals a stark difference in attitude within the country, split along religious lines.

A majority of Jewish respondents in Israel, 53%, favour allowing governments to use some degree of torture to obtain information from those in custody, while 39% want clear rules against it.

But Muslims in Israel who represent 16% of the total number polled are overwhelmingly against any use of torture.

The survey found the highest rate of opposition amongst responders in Italy, with 81% of those polled thinking that torture is never justified.

israel on asia, australia, and race…

According to Israel’s daily, Haaretz, their ambassador to Australia, in a visit to Israel,

said that due to what he characterized as the racial similarities between Israel and Australia, the two countries should work together to enhance ties with other Asian countries.

In an interview, he told the paper that “Israel and Australia are like sisters in Asia…We are in Asia without the characteristics of Asians. We don’t have yellow skin and slanted eyes. Asia is basically the yellow race. Australia and Israel are not — we are basically the white race. We are on the western edge of Asia and they are on the southeastern side.”

According to Australia’s The Age, the ambassador’s been recalled to address his comments, and Radio New Zealand reports that “a rival Israeli newspaper is carrying a report that the ambassador was misquoted.”

the white electric

Back in Providence for a visit. Feels nice, like returning to an old lover. Both familiar and changing: same streets, blocks, and corners, same friends behind the counter at the tea place and video store, comfort in fall briskness and the company of old friends; new campaigns emerging and growth in old ones, people moving around town, and old friends back in town.

sistas tellin’ it like it is

I’ve got a short film screening in a few weeks at a fundraiser for Third World Majority, a media justice org that recently hosted a weekend digital storytelling training for local women, trans and genderqueer organizers of color.

Here’s the info:

Third World Majority
proudly presents

Sistas Tellin’ It Like It Is!

Community Screening and Fundraiser
Friday * October 20, 2006 * 7 pm
YWCA * 1515 Webster Street * Oakland, CA 94612
$5-10 (no one turned away for lack of funds)

Performances by:
Roopa Singh * Dalit Diva * Katie Joaquin * NaR * and more!

Participating Organizations:
SFWAR * Justice Now * Gabriela Network * Youth Media Council
Youth Together * Center for Third World Organizing
Lyric * KPFA Radio * Okinawa Peace Fighters * Fierce * Shimtuh

salamat

This past week saw a slew of anti-immigrant and pro-military bills passed in the U.S. Senate and Assemby, including the authorization of 700 more miles of border fence and the removal of the writ of habeas corpus for people Bush detains outside of U.S. borders.

Tonight, I checked out Aimee Suzara’s theatre work in progress, Pagbabalik (return): a welcome breather. She and her cast and crew beautifully combine music, theatre, and movement to tell the story of Diwata, a young Fil-Am woman returning to the Phillipines for the first time.

Pagbabalik will continue evolving and growing until early 2007, and they’re fundraising to make that happen. Folks can donate via Aimee’s website or by emailing pagbabalik@aimeesuzara.net.