Abortion foes open Buffalo protests
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - Activists on both sides of the abortion issue noisily
clashed on the steps of a federal courthouse Sunday, the first day of a
week-long campaign by abortion foes. Speaking over the shouts of abortion
rights advocates, Operation Rescue National Director Flip Benham restated
plans to use Operation Save America to spread their message at clinics,
schools and bookstores in the Buffalo area throughout the week. Protesters
will denounce abortion, child pornography and teen sex. Local and national
organizers have sent out 60,000 invitations and Operation Rescue has
encouraged people to "storm the gates of hell" in Buffalo from April 18 to
25. Whether followers would obey a court order to remain 15 feet to 60 feet
from specified doctors' offices, clinics and hospitals remained uncertain.
Protesters who invade the established buffer zones may face contempt and
trespassing charges carrying penalties of up to two years in prison.
Although organizers have said Operati! on Save America would be more
prayerful and peaceful than the similar Spring of Life protests here in
1992, there were isolated incidents of pushing and shoving as demonstrators
jockeyed for space on the courthouse steps. ###
Rain forest advocate wins award
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - An African man who has devoted his life to protecting
the world's second-largest tropical rain forest is among this year's seven
winners of the Goldman Environmental Prize. Also among the recipients of
the 10th annual Goldman awards being awarded Monday are two aboriginal
women who have campaigned against an Australian uranium mine and a man who
exposed environmental and human rights abuses under Burma's military rule.
The awards are the world's largest for grass-roots environmentalists and
are presented each year to coincide with Earth Day. Winners are selected
from nominations submitted anonymously by 21 environmental organizations
worldwide and experts representing more than 30 nations. For list of
winners see full story
<http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2559220863-852>
Fuel cell vehicle being developed
DETROIT (AP) - DaimlerChrysler AG and Ford Motor Co. are partnering with
oil companies, a fuel cell company and the state of California to develop a
demonstration fleet of environmentally friendly vehicles. By 2001, the
partnership will provide 10 fuel cell passenger cars and several buses, The
Toronto Globe and Mail reported. All will be powered by fuel cells made by
British Columbia-based Ballard Power Systems Inc. Ballard, the automakers,
California and at least two oil industry giants plan a Tuesday news
conference on the steps of the Capitol building in Sacramento, Calif., to
announce the deal. The electric vehicles will rely on low-grade gasoline
instead of batteries. See full story
<http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2559220069-e07>
Chicago plans rooftop gardens
CHICAGO (AP) - City officials want to add a new architectural element to
Chicago buildings - green rooftops. That's green as in grass, flowers and
other plants. The city environment department plans to plant gardens atop
several city buildings this summer as part of a U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency program studying ways to help cool cities and reduce
smog. Dark-roofed buildings - along with miles of pavement - absorb the
sun's rays, making Chicago a huge heat island and adding as much as four to
six degrees to city thermometers, said William Abolt, acting commissioner
of the city environment department. Hotter temperatures increase smog by
forcing electric plants to work harder and emit more pollution, city and
EPA officials said. See full story
<http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2559214404-ccf>
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