Los Angeles Indymedia : Activist News

DENVER Mon, August 25, 2008 – The Democratic National Convention begins today in Denver and LA Indymedia reporters are in Denver to cover street protests and counter-convention events throughout the week. Sunday morning saw about 1,000 people march from the State Capitol Building to the Pepsi Center. Later in the afternoon decentralized protests snaked their way though the downtown area briefly occupying some street intersections. Reports from Denver: Report and photos from DNC in Denver | DNC Rally, Stop the War by Marcus

UPDATE: Tues, August 26th – Police violence brought an end to peaceful protests in Denver Monday night. There are numerous reports of unprovoked police attacks on peaceful demonstrators. Pepper spray reported used by police. Hundreds of people were penned in near the Civic Center Park and many arrests occurred there during the anticapitalista march. VIDEO: DNC Protest, Monday August 25, 2008 – Denver | Webcam video of some of Monday Night’s Arrests in Denver

UPDATE:Wed. August 27th - There were some tense moments at the Unconventional Denver convergence space this morning when police set up a perimeter around it and attempted to enter and search the building. Security at the space demanded a search warrant when police asked to enter the space. Legal aid was called to the scene immediately where video and written accounts were taken. Police were unable to obtain a warrant and left after some time, but not before arresting 2 activists outside the center. It is unclear what the charges were. Fears of a full scale raid were raised later in the day when police parked multiple SUVs and other vehicles with multiple detachments of riot police outside the center. But no raid occurred. At this time the center is open and operating.

In the afternoon a Rage Against the Machine concert concluded with fans marching to the Pepsi Center. Rage band members are said to have joined the march the march lead by Iraq Veterans Against the War. An Estimate 3,500 people took part in the march.

About 50 vets who have served in Iraq marched in full uniform to the Pepsi Center and demanded that the police let them in to speak to Obama. The stand off with riot police and uniformed veteran made for an ironic image. The vets stood their ground and there are reports that two of them were allowed into the convention and were able to deliver their list of demands to someone on the Obama campaign staff. The Iraq war veterans are demanding that Obama, if elected, order an immediate end to the war and bring all troops home.

There are unconfirmed reports of a few arrests of protesters during the march but no details on the charges. At a Critical Mass ride 3 people were arrested; it is unclear what the charges were. There have been no reports of police violence on the scale of Monday night's unprovoked police attack at the civic center park. About 120 known arrests of protesters have been made so far this week. Tomorrow is the last day of the convention and more protest actions are expected. From the news wire: DENVER Under Police Siege by Marcus | Cell phone photos of IVAW/Rage march in Denver

Latest news: DNC in DNV Dispatch from the streets of denver

MP3 audio: DNC in DNV - Eye Witness to Police Violence

For more Indymedia coverage see: IMC-US and Colorado Indymedia

August 12 was the one-year anniversary of the kidnapping of Haitian human rights activist Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine. Thus, the Ad Hoc Working Group for Haiti stepped up its pressure on the local Brazilian consulate—in conjunction with actions around the world, including ones in England, Guyana, and Haiti itself. Between 20 and 22 demonstrators were counted, and a 92-year-old passerby raised her walker in support

Story and pictures: Local Actions on One-Year Anniversary of the Kidnapping of Haitian Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine by Ross Plesset

August 20, 2008 – A coalition of immigrants right groups are calling for a national day of protest at ICE detention centers nationwide this Friday, August 22nd. At issue is the brutality of recent ICE raids against immigrant communities and workplaces as well as inhumane conditions and human rights violations at ICE detention centers. Coordinated demonstrations are planned for 4 pm Friday afternoon at ICE centers around the nation.
From the Newswire: LA area ICE Detention Center Locations
More information from the calendar: Stop the raids protest/vigil fight for migrant rights by Tania Torres

LOS ANGELES August 19, 2008 - Four so called “undocumented students” called the “Underground Undergrads” spoke at a community forum last week at Remy’s on Temple, in historic Filipinotown. The Forum sponsored by the UCLA Labor Center and Remy’s on Temple Art Gallery featured the UCLA undocumented immigrant students who told their stories on how undocumented students get by and the problems they face.

From the Newswire: Out Of The Shadows - Underground Undergrads Speak Out by the Echo Park Community Coalition

LOS ANGELES, August 12, 2008 - The Alliance-Philippines (AJLPP) based in the United States calls on the US-Arroyo Regime to stop its military offensives against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) armed forces in the Central Mindanao areas and resume peace talks now. According to media sources in the Philippines, more than 160,000 people have been affected by the fighting between the AFP and the MILF in six towns of central Mindanao. At least 60 AFP troops have been killed since the week-old fighting erupted. From the Newswire: STOP THE MILITARY OFFENSIVES, RESUME PEACE TALKS NOW! by AJLPP

Update: AJLPP Calls for The Resumption of Peace Talks, Warns of US Intervention