Disability Group Protests Discriminatory Bookstore (tags)
Following numerous instances of discrimination against the disabled at an Orange County Barnes and Noble bookstore, equal rights advocates decide to boycott
Sonja Trauss is No Anarchist (tags)
You'll see her name and organization SF BARF associated with some upcoming state legislation.
Ariz. law enforcement: Marijuana shouldn't be legalized (tags)
Ariz. law enforcement: Marijuana shouldn't be legalized
Occupy United Way! Group founded and manifesto published (tags)
Grassroots activists and public education advocates take on the United Way for its complicity with the corporate education reform cabal!
Wikileaks Scientology Crimes Motivated (tags)
The world-wide phenomena known as Wikileaks has captured the fascination of citizens and governments alike, but what was the motivation for human rights and freedom of speech advocates to launch the Wikileaks organization? A documentary covers the foundations of this phenomenally beneficial organization.
FILVET WIDOWS PRESS RIGHTS, BACK LAWSUITS (tags)
The lawsuits were borne out of the deep frustration, anger and longing of veterans and families to seek recognition and justice. The US Congress failed to deliver justice and so people have the right to seek the power of the courts to tell Congress to do its job.” That was the response sent by three veterans groups to this writer’s blog last Nov. 17 that discussed the repercussions of lawsuits filed by Filipino World War II veterans, their widows and supporters on Capitol Hill. The rejoinder bore the names of Dolly Castillo, Coordinator of the Filipino-American WWII Veterans’ Widows of Washington in Seattle, WA; Maria Galang, President of the Association of Widows, Advocates and Relatives for Equality (AWARE) in San Francisco, CA; and Jovy Alejandrino, Vice President of the Senior Pilipino-Americans for Community Empowerment (SPACE) in Los Angeles, CA.
JFAV Updates November 29, 2010 FILVET WIDOWS PRESS RIGHTS, BACK LAWSUITS (tags)
“The lawsuits were borne out of the deep frustration, anger and longing of veterans and families to seek recognition and justice. The US Congress failed to deliver justice and so people have the right to seek the power of the courts to tell Congress to do its job.” That was the response sent by three veterans groups to this writer’s blog last Nov. 17 that discussed the repercussions of lawsuits filed by Filipino World War II veterans, their widows and supporters on Capitol Hill. The rejoinder bore the names of Dolly Castillo, Coordinator of the Filipino-American WWII Veterans’ Widows of Washington in Seattle, WA; Maria Galang, President of the Association of Widows, Advocates and Relatives for Equality (AWARE) in San Francisco, CA; and Jovy Alejandrino, Vice President of the Senior Pilipino-Americans for Community Empowerment (SPACE) in Los Angeles, CA. In our blog, we reported how some key supporters on Capitol Hill, principally Hawaii Senator Daniel Inouye, chairman of the influential appropriations committee, were hurt by the lawsuits that appeared to criticize shortcomings in the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation (FVEC) bill which provided a single lump-sum payment for surviving veterans here and in the Philippines.
Africa advocates to Obama; don't recognize Kagame election (tags)
President Obama said, in his 2009 speech in Accra, Ghana, that America should support strong institutions and not strong men. However, in the case of Rwanda, this has been no more than rhetoric. Rwandans, like most Africans, cheered Obama’s election, hoping that it might signal a new, more peaceful and cooperative relationship between the U.S. and Africa, but Obama has expanded AFRICOM, the U.S. Africa Command, and now he remains silent as Rwanda’s strongman, President Paul Kagame, prepares a sham presidential election to retain his brutal grip on power.
JFAV/AWARE Marked USAFFE Day, July 26, 2010 in LA (tags)
“ Old soldiers never die, we want equity” That was the battle cry of scores of veterans, widows, relatives and advocates from the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) and the Association of Widows, Advocates and Relatives for Equality (AWARE) who marked the 69th year of the United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) Day, July 26, 1941 with a community forum in LA. The commemorative event was held last Monday , July 26, 2010 at the Silver Lake Medical Center (SLMC) ground floor at the Cafeteria, 1711 W. Temple St. Los Angeles, CA 90026 .
San Mateo Congresswoman Speier to Introduce New Equity Bill (tags)
In an effort to keep the fight for full equity alive, Filipino veterans and their advocates met with United States Congresswoman Jackie Speier in her San Mateo office last Friday. After the meeting, the veterans and their advocates felt they found a champion in Speier, a Democrat running for reelection in California’s 12th District. In an exclusive interview with Balitang America, Speier said, “In January of next year, if I’m reelected, I’m going to introduce a bill that would give all Filipino veterans from World War II the same equal rights for benefits. That means the veterans will receive pensions and their widows and heirs will receive these benefits should they pass away.”
Like the community centers in Vancouver Canada, the guaranteed basic income could create public spirit and social cohesion cushioning the young, seniors and long-term unemployed facing brutal capitalism.
JFAV/AWARE REMEMBERS BATAAN DAY IN FACLA, APRIL 10 (tags)
“Old soldiers never die, they just fade away...” On April 9, 1942, the United States Army Forces Far East (USAFFE), the largest US army garrison in the Pacific, surrendered its 90,000 troops to the Japanese Imperial Army. More than 30,000 US Army and 60,000 Filipino soldiers of the Philippine Commonwealth surrendered after holding out for more than four months. This past Saturday, April 10, 2010, with over a hundred veterans, widows, and advocates in attendance, Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) and the Association of Widows, Advocates and Relatives for Equity (AWARE) remembered Bataan Day at the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) in Historic Filipinotown, Los Angeles, California. With the American and Philippine national anthems, the commemoration began with the acknowledgement of our mother nations for which these veterans had fought and sacrificed so much. Next, Pastor Sonny Rivera of the Walk by Faith Church of the Nazarene gave the invocation.
JFAV/AWARE REMEMBERS BATAAN DAY AT FACLA (tags)
“Old soldiers never die, they just fade away...” On April 9, 1942, the United States Army Forces Far East (USAFFE), the largest US army garrison in the Pacific, surrendered its 90,000 troops to the Japanese Imperial Army. More than 30,000 US Army and 60,000 Filipino soldiers of the Philippine Commonwealth surrendered after holding out for more than four months. This past Saturday, April 10, 2010, with over a hundred veterans, widows, and advocates in attendance, Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) and the Association of Widows, Advocates and Relatives for Equity (AWARE) remembered Bataan Day at the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) in Historic Filipinotown, Los Angeles, California. With the American and Philippine national anthems, the commemoration began with the acknowledgement of our mother nations for which these veterans had fought and sacrificed so much. Next, Pastor Sonny Rivera of the Walk by Faith Church of the Nazarene gave the invocation.
Citizens Fight Organized Crime Gangsters (tags)
Organized human rights groups have teamed up with victims of the notorious Scientology crime syndicate to fight back, among the latest advocates joining the fight being the collective known as "Anonymous," a collection of civil rights, human rights, and free speech rights advocates around the world, all of whom have managed to make great progress putting Scientology crime bosses and ringleaders behind bars, educating citizens around the globe so that Scientology now boasts less than 40,000 remaining customers world wide.
Claims delayed is Justice Denied (tags)
The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV), an alliance of veterans, widows, students and youth and community advocates in the United States and the Association of Widows, Relatives and Advocates for Equality (AWARE) in Los Angeles again raised it voice against the insidious and unfair propaganda of the DVA against the Filipino World War II Veterans. For us it is the fault of the DVA that they only projected 18,000 veterans to be filing pension claims under the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund. Now that nearly double that number -- or 32,795 applications.
JFAV/AWARE MARKED 65th LEYTE LANDING, on October 22 at the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical (tags)
The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV), an alliance of veterans, widows, students and youth and community advocates in the United States and the Association of Widows, Relatives and Advocates for Equality (AWARE) in Los Angeles marked the 65th year anniversary of the Leyte Landing on October 20, 1944 with a commemorative rites at the AWARE general assembly last October 22, 2009 at the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center Lecture hall.
HONOR OUR HEROES; AWARE MARKS 68th USAFFE DAY JULY 24 IN LA (tags)
“ Honor our Heroes, Remember their Heroism.’ Widows, advocates and veterans led by the Association of Widows, Advocates and Relatives for Equality (AWARE) in cooperation with the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center (HPMC) of Los Angeles commemorates the 68th year anniversary of the USAFFE Day, July 26, 1941 on Friday, July 24th at 9:30 AM at the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center Auditorium at 1300 N. Vermont St, Los Angeles, CA 90027. On July 26, 1941, the 70,000 Commonwealth Army of the Philippines was integrated into the United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) by an executive order of US President Franklin D. Roosevelt in preparation of an impending war in Asia in 1941.
HONOR OUR HEROES; AWARE MARKS 6th USAFFE DAY JULY 24 IN LA (tags)
“ Honor our Heroes, Remember their Heroism.’ Widows, advocates and veterans led by the Association of Widows, Advocates and Relatives for Equality (AWARE) in cooperation with the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center (HPMC) of Los Angeles commemorates the 6th year anniversary of the USAFFE Day, July 26, 1941 on Friday, July 24th at 9:30 AM at the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center Auditorium at 1300 N. Vermont St, Los Angeles, CA 90027. On July 26, 1941, the 70,000 Commonwealth Army of the Philippines was integrated into the United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) by an executive order of US President Franklin D. Roosevelt in preparation of an impending war in Asia in 1941.
JFAV /WARE PROTEST WIDOWS EXCLUSION (tags)
LUMP SUM IS NOT EQUITY! Scores of activist and advocates led by the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) and the newly formed Association of Widows, Advocates and Relatives of veterans for Equality (AWARE) held a protest rally at the INS Federal Building in 300 Los Angeles St in downtown LA in commemoration of International Women’s Day last March 9 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM
ANTI WAR PEACE ADVOCATES MARCH A MLK DAY in LA (tags)
Marching at the largest Martin Luther King Jr Day-the 24th year commemoration last January 19, 2009 from Western to Leimert Park, hundreds of peace activist and anti-war advocates marched with thousands of people chanting: “ MONEY FOR JOBS AND EDUCATION. NOT FOR WAR AND OCCUPATION!” The more than 200 protestors marched under the lead banner of the Topanga Peace Alliance and Veterans for Peace and led by the Cuahtemoc Azteca Dancers banging their drums. They marched together with more than 400 different delegations, floats and marching bands representing all shades and political color all over Southern California marched past the mains stage located at Crenshaw Blvd.
JFAV ACTIVIST CONTINUE PROTEST ACTIVITIES (tags)
JFAV activists here continue their unrelenting advocacy in support of various causes and in protest of other issues even as the community savors Christmas and the advent of a new year. The Filipino Veterans Support Bill, or SB 3689 that passed the Senate hearings last November 17 remains as the foremost concern of the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV). Despite failing energy, living FilVets and their young advocates stay active on the road, making their presence felt in mass actions and community gatherings, and taking the opportunity to speak their minds.
Election Protection Advocates Demand More Ballots for LA (tags)
Election Integrity advocates are demanding LA County Registrar Dean Logan immediately print up enough precinct-marked ballots to guarantee a ballot for every one of LA County's estimated 4.3 million registered voters.
Coalition Demands Commitment to Quality Child Care at Bright Horizons (tags)
Los Angeles (CA) – Against a bright blue backdrop stating, “Bain Capital: Put Kids First ... Not Profits,” local coalitions of concerned parents, labor union members, community leaders and child care advocates will rally this Thursday, July 31, at 12 p.m. (noon) in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. The agenda includes an original song, street theater, comments by parents, religious leaders, elected officials and child care advocates and the issuance of three demands to the buyout giant Bain Capital. For every demand there is one key principle: improve the quality of child care.
Struggle Against Anti- Immigrant Laws and Discrimination- CDIR (tags)
The Coalition in Defense of Immigrant Rights (CDIR)-USA expresses deep concern that while the presidential campaign is going to its high gear, the anti- immigrant advocates are on the offensive. According to the CDIR, the anti-immigrant forces are trying to frame the Republican Party debates to focus on illegal immigration and some elements in different states are passing discriminatory laws against immigrants. Candidate Mitt Romney kept on calling the McCain proposal an “amnesty”. At the same time, the Democratic Party is quiet on the subject.
U.S. HIV infection totals increases by 50%, CDC indicate (tags)
Bloomberg News reports: The government's estimate of annual new HIV infections is likely to rise "as much as 50 percent," say patient advocates who are pressuring officials to speed the release of the new figures.
Stop SLAPPing Filipino environmental defenders (tags)
-Green progressive watchdog Kalikasan People's Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE) today noted the rise of lawsuits against environmment advocates, warning that this could be a dangerous precedent by large mining firms and landowning families to stifle opposition to their interests. In a press conference held at Quezon City, Kalikasan PNE National Coordinator Clemente Bautista presented three case studies of non-government environmental advocates, including individuals and organizations, facing a variety of SLAPP lawsuits from foreign firms accused of engaging in environmental and anti-people practices in communities where they operate.
More than 15,000 Immigrants March-Rallied June 24 (tags)
More than 15,000 immigrants and advocates militantly but peacefully marched last Sunday, June 24 in Hollywood to express their sentiments on the ongoing immigrant rights bill in the U.S Congress. Despite the oppressive heat and under the watchful eyes of hundreds of full armed police and county deputies, the more than an hour immigrant rights march occupied more than six blocks from Sunset Street to the rally site at Highland Street in Los Angeles. Although the march-rally was smaller than the earlier marches and rallies that numbered in tens of thousands, that saw police repression and threats of deportations and raids , immigrants and their advocates marched in militant, peaceful and festive mood
Trillanes probe asked to open safehouses, secret detention places in the Philippines (tags)
The Philippine human rights alliance KARAPATAN welcomed the planned probe on extrajudicial killings of former soldier and now senator-elect Antonio Trillanes. KARAPATAN Secretary General Marie Hilao-Enriquez said, "We laud Senator Trillanes for this move to put the Arroyo administration to task for the unabated extrajudicial killings." KARAPATAN likewise welcomes the pronouncements made by top anti-Arroyo military officials who said that they will provide the detained senator-elect with evidence once he begins work in the Senate next month.
Immigrants: 50,000 March for Immigration Reform (tags)
More than 50,000 immigrants and immigrant rights advocates filled the streets of Downtown Los Angeles on Saturday, April 7, 2007, to rally support for fair legislation for immigrants; and to protest against the recent White House plan that will further restrict the rights of immigrants across America. The March and rally was one of the largest in recent months and it further demonstrated the growing momentum of the immigration rights movement.
Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) Year-End Report, 2006 (tags)
The year 2006 was a fruitful and a meaningful year for Filipino World War II Veterans and their advocates. The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) started the year with a collective action and ended it with a Christmas celebration. JFAV was formed in December 16, 1998 in Los Angeles. It took over from the December 7 Movement (D7M) that started the veterans movement gfor recogntion, justice and equity campaign with the first mass action infront of the Westwood Federal building on Decmber 7, 1993. Now JFAV is composed of 32 youth and student organizations, 25 community organizations and 5 veterans organizations based in Southern California and a network all over the United States. We in JFAV take this opportunity not only to report our activities and greet our activist and advocates a new year, but to thank everybody for a year well done and accomplished!
Final vote on involuntary outpatient commitment bill AB 2357 held over until August 14 (tags)
Mental health clients mobilize last-minute letter-writing campaign to stop bill in Senate
FULL IMMIGRANT RIGHTS NOW! SUPPORT APRIL 10 NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION IN LOS ANGELES (tags)
People’s Community Organization for Reform and Empowerment (People’s CORE) and the Coalition in Defense of Immigrant Rights (CDIR) – Los Angeles calls on all immigrants and their advocates to support the National Day of Action, today, April 10 in 61 cities of the United States including our city- Los Angeles The People’s CORE and the CDIR call on all immigrant rights advocates, all immigrants and everyone who loves freedom and go all out for the May 1 Great American Boycott – A Day Without Immigrants and support the April 10 National Mobilization at Placita Olvera, 5:00 PM in downtown Los Angeles Let us all act to stop racism and build a new movement for and in defense of civil rights and human rights that are being trampled in the belly of this capitalist beast.
"People shouldn’t be afraid of their governments…governments should be afraid of their people." The following is a review of "V for Vendetta" by James Wolcott that appeared on the Vanity Fair website. It is surprising that there has not been more discussion concerning this film on Indymedia... perhaps this post can initiate the conversation. Read Wolcott's full review here: http://jameswolcott.com/archives/2006/02/the_red_and_the.php
CALLING ALL POLITICAL AND FREE SPEECH ACTIVISTS
THE SUMMER OF FREE SPEECH ON VENICE BEACH IS ABOUT TO BEGIN!
Transgenders: We Ho to March vs. Hate as No Cal Jury Deliberates (tags)
As a jury in Hayward decides the fate of 3 accused in the Transgender "Emmet Till" murder case, West Hollywood anti-hate activists will march Friday evening.
Abortion backers operate on illogic (tags)
Just remember this the next time you hear pro-abortion protesters talk about extremists against choice: They're inadvertently describing themselves.
U.S. Intelligence: Premature Extrapolation (tags)
Several of PNAC's most powerful advocates are now senior members of the Bush administration, including Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Lewis Libbey, Vice President Cheney's chief of staff, and Undersecretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz.
With the resistance of iranian people (tags)
The Charter of the Organization of Iranian People's Fedayee Guerrillas on the Treshhold of the Twent First Century
Holiday Homelessness Hype (tags)
Gotham’s mendacious homelessness industry is back in force. Mayor Bloomberg needs to set the advocates straight. 3 December 2002