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Join for FREE today! http://click.topica.com/aaaacFbz8SnrbAjwjxa/ads08.focalink.com/SmartBanner/page?16514.14 ------------------------------------------------------------ __________________________________________________________________________ The Internet Anti-Fascist: Tuesday, 21 Mar 2000 Vol. 4, Number 24 (#405) __________________________________________________________________________ CONTENTS Action Alerts AFAA #104: "Virtual Vigil" To Protest Paramount / Dr. Laura, 21 Mar AFAA #105: NY & Washington D.C.: U.S. & NATO Out of Kosovo, 24 Mar 00 Obituaries Sam Walters, Presente: Memorial Service Defense Campaigns And Prisoner Support International Committee to Defend the Chattanooga 3, "Support the Appeal of the Chattanooga 3," 17 Mar 00 Declan McCullagh, "Mattel sends me a subpoena, wants politech reader list," 19 Mar 00 International Action Center, "Why you should become an organizer for Mumia's Madison Square Garden event on Sunday, May 7th" 14 Mar 00 FTP Supplement: Dr. Laura and Homophobic Propaganda: Part 2 What's Worth Checking: 15 stories -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANTI-FASCIST ACTION ALERT #104: "Virtual Vigil" To Protest Paramount & Dr. Laura; Online Action Coincides With Real-World Protest on March 21 14 Mar 00 Washington, DC - A coalition of civil rights and educational organizations will hold a virtual vigil on Tuesday, March 21st to protest Paramount Television's intent to give anti-gay activist and radio personality Dr. Laura Schlessinger a TV talk show this fall. The online action will coincide with a "real world" protest at the gates of Paramount the same day, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. PST, in Hollywood, California. The vigil and protest organizers - StopDrLaura.com, the Horizons Foundation, and HateWatch.org - are asking concerned netizens to send in photographs of themselves holding up signs of protest, that will then be displayed on the StopDrLaura.com Web site beginning on March 21st. The protests come in the wake of mounting criticism against Paramount and Ms. Schlessinger for refering to gays and lesbians as "biological errors," deviants, and pedophiles. "We want to give the entire Internet community the chance to add their voices to the protest," said John Aravosis, an Internet expert in charge of StopDrLaura.com's online strategy. "With our virtual vigil, civil rights advocates worldwide can use the Web to tell Paramount that prejudice doesn't pay." The organizers are asking those interested in adding their protest photo to the virtual vigil to email a photo to [EMAIL PROTECTED] by Monday March 20. A name (first and/or last), city and state of residence, should be included, if possible, in order to personalize the photos - though none of that information is required. Ideas for photos include individuals or groups of friends wearing StopDrLaura.com t-shirts, and/or holding up creative - yet respectful - signs protesting Paramount's intent to air the show. TO BE CONSIDERED, THE SUBJECT OF THE PHOTO MUST BE PROTESTING IN SOME WAY, EVEN WITH A HOME-MADE SIGN WILL SUFFICE. The top 5 entries - selected entirely at the whim of the vigil organizers - will receive a free StopDrLaura.com t-shirt (but to win, you must provide a name, address, and phone number, and t-shirt size). Because of the high volume of online and offline interest in this effort, and the necessity of limiting the size of the Web site, event organizers can not guarantee that all photos will eventually be posted to the Web site. In addition, no photos sent to StopDrLaura.com will be returned. While email is the preferred option, photos (along with names and city/state) may also be sent in by snail mail to: S. Williams Attn: StopDrLaura.com 1718 M Street, NW #308 Washington, DC 20036 John Aravosis <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> - - - - - ANTI-FASCIST ACTION ALERT #105: U.S. & NATO Out Of Kosovo International Action Center 14 Mar 00 IN WASHINGTON D.C.: Friday, March 24th @ 4pm Gather for a "PICKET for TRUTH" at the National Press Club, 14th and ‘F’ Streets NW MARCH for JUSTICE at 5pm Past the Washington Post and on to the White House for a candle light vigil. IN NEW YORK: Friday, March 24 Times Square--Armed Forces Recruiting Station (43rd St. and Broadway) Following the rally: March for Truth to the New York Times and Ch. 7 The war is not over. On the 1st anniversary of the criminal US/NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, demonstrate to demand: U.S./NATO OUT OF KOSOVO * No New Bombing of Yugoslavia * Stop fascist KLA terror against all peoples of Kosovo and Yugoslavia. Tens of thousands of US and NATO (KFOR) troops occupy Kosovo today. What is the result? Over 250,000 Serbs, Roma people, Turks, Egyptians, Albanians and others have been driven from Kosovo by methods of KKK-style vigilante violence carried out by the so-called Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). KFOR solders turn a blind eye to the destruction and desecration of all cultural and religious sites in Kosovo that is daily being done by right-wing Kosovo Albanians, mostly KLA members unsuccessfully transformed to the so-called KPF. The Pentagon is constructing a huge military base in Kosovo, and is now attempting to transform the Ukraine, the second largest republic in the former Soviet Union, into a NATO satellite to threaten Russia and secure the oil riches of the Caspian Sea. One year ago, the US and NATO began a massive bombing campaign against Yugoslavia, dropping 23,000 bombs and missiles which killed thousands of innocent civilians, all in the name of protecting "ethnic minorities." This is the same government which let the killers of Amadou Diallo walk free. Today, the threat of a new US/NATO attack on Yugoslavia looms, as General Wesley Clark accuses the Yugoslav government of rebuilding its military forces. While the US gives the KLA free rein to attack Serbian and Albanian civilians in Mitrovica and southern Serbia, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright accuses Yugoslavia of "interfering" in its own internal affairs. Join us on March 24th to "Picket for Truth" at the National Press Club. Let’s send a message to the mass media in this country: STOP THE LIES!! Then, "March for Justice" to the White House to demand the indictment of the war criminals Clinton, Albright, Clark, Cohen and the others. Sponsored by the International Action Center, for more information: Wash DC: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 202-588-1205 NY: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 212 633-6646 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- DEFENSE CAMPAIGNS AND PRISONER SUPPORT Support the Appeal of the Chattanooga 3 International Committee to Defend the Chattanooga 3 17 Mar 00 INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE TO DEFEND THE CHATTANOOGA 3 P.O. Box 11422 Chattanooga, TN 37401 Contact: JoNinal M. Abron <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Lorenzo Komboa Ervin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> March 17, 2000 Dear Chattanooga 3 Supporters: We received word today that the Tennessee Criminal Court of Appeals has upheld the 1994 disruption conviction of Lorenzo Komboa Ervin. In 1993, Lorenzo and seven other Black civil rights activists were charged with disruption for holding a sidewalk demonstration in downtown Chattanooga to protest the refusal of the Hamilton County Grand Jury to indict the law enforcement officers responsible for choking Black motorist Larry Powell to death. The protest was held at the same time and nearby the location of a police memorial service, which is why the original charges of disturbing the peace were changed to the more serious charge of disruption, a misdemeanor which mandates a six-month prison sentence. Lorenzo was one of two of the eight protesters who were convicted. He appealed his conviction on the grounds that the disruption statute violates the First Amendment right of free speech. In the friend of the court brief he filed in support of Lorenzo's appeal, Professor Dwight Aarons, of University Tennessee College of Law, made a strong legal argument that the disruption statute is unconstitutional. Had the Criminal Court of Appeals overturned Lorenzo's conviction, it was possible that the current disruption charges against the Chattanooga 3-- Lorenzo, Damon McGee and Mikail Musa Muhammad (Ralph P. Mitchell)--might be dropped. The Chattanooga 3 are charged with disrupting a May, 1998, meeting of the Chattanooga City Council. Now that Lorenzo's 1994 conviction has been upheld, we expect Hamilton County District Attorney Bill Cox to try the Chattanooga 3 as soon as he possibly can. Lorenzo will continue the fight to have his 1994 conviction overturned and will now take his case to the Tennessee Supreme Court. The ACLU of Tennessee told Professor Aarons, Lorenzo and me that it would file a friend of the court brief on Lorenzo's behalf if the case went to the state supreme court. We expect the ACLU to keep its word and need your help. Please e-mail Hedy Weinberg, Executive Director of the ACLU of Tennessee, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, - - - - - Mattel sends me a subpoena, wants politech reader list Declan McCullagh 19 Mar 00 Mattel's attorneys have sent me a subpoena. Mattel, which sells CyberPatrol, has a problem: It wants to know exactly who's been downloading a program that reveals CyberPatrol's list of off-limits web sites. Now, I never mirrored this "cphack" utility. But I did post the addresses of mirror sites to the politech list and the politechbot.com web site -- and that information source seems to be what attorney Irwin Schwartz is worried about. Schwartz copied system administrators at MIT, which is where the list lives. Naturally I have no intention of revealing the identities of politech readers to Mattel or anyone else. Nor is a subpoena sent via email usually viewed as proper service, at least where I come from. I've set up a web site to keep track of all these documents and developments: <http://www.politechbot.com/cyberpatrol/> - - - - - Why you should become an organizer for Mumia's Madison Square Garden event on Sunday, May 7th International Action Center 14 Mar 00 The upcoming Day for Mumia at Madison Square Garden Theatre on Sunday, May 7th is one of many important actions that are being undertaken on an emergency basis to win broad support for winning a new trial for Mumia Abu-Jamal. We believe the May 7th event has far-reaching potential to help the Mumia movement reach a new level of recognition. Mumia's name needs to quickly become a household word in working class communities. The most powerful factor that can win a new trial, the one capable of making the government step back from this "fast track" execution, is the organized force of millions of outraged people from every community. This is the urgent task of our movement. Right now, however, millions of potential supporters barely know of Mumia and the facts of the case that clearly cry out for a new trial. All of our demonstrations and militant actions have been the cornerstone of this burgeoning movement. But we must quickly employ additional tactics that exponentially increase awareness. This is the primary motivation for the May 7th event at the Garden. The Garden is a world-recognized venue. A large cross section of notable personalities, celebrities, civil rights and women's rights leaders, literary figures and elected officials are coming together at the Garden on May 7th . This visibility will serve as a powerful tool to receive mass media attention and to popularly communicate the message of Mumia's case to millions of people who are not yet engaged in this battle for justice. No one event will win a new trial for Mumia but the May 7th rally inside Madison Square Garden will be a qualitative step forward to reaching beyond the already existing activist movement. Hundreds of grassroots organizers will be working to build the event at the Garden. Those fighting rampant police brutality, racism and the death penalty understand that Mumia's case can be signal turning point and a catalyst for a new movement. Thousands of people from around the country will be traveling to New York to participate. We urge all those attending the February 19 conference to energetically organize for this activity. Become a volunteer, set up a May 7th organizing center in your college, high school, union or community group. Help distribute leaflets and sell blocks of tickets. This will be an exciting next two months. There is a great deal of work to be done. The whole world is watching to see whether the progressive forces in the United States can find the will, determination and the tactical creativity to reach the broad public in a way that validates that the power--real power--is in the people. May 7th Day for Mumia Mobilization 39 W. 14th St, Suite 206 New York, NY 10011 Tel: (212) 633-6646 Fax: (212) 633-2889 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] CHECK OUT THE NEW SITE www.mumia2000.org International Action Center 39 West 14th Street, Room 206 New York, NY 10011 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] web: www.iacenter.org CHECK OUT THE NEW SITE www.mumia2000.org phone: 212 633-6646 fax: 212 633-2889 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- OBITUARY Sam Walters! Presente! 1917-1999 March 26, 2000, noon Brecht Forum, 122 W. 27th St., 10th floor Sam Walters, veteran of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade and life-long revolutionary, died in Havana, Cuba on December 5, 1999. Sam's photographs "The Civil War in Spain: A View from the Ranks" will be exhibited. 718-398-2810 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Internet Anti-Fascist:Monday, 20 March 2000 FTP Supplement #156 (#404): Dr. Laura and Homophobic Propaganda: Part 2 CONTENTS 0) Contents of earlier supplement(s) 8) Statement from <stopdrlaura.com>, press release, 11 Mar 00 9) Anti-Violence Project, "More on Dr. Laura's attack on Internet Free Speech/young girl," 13 Mar 00 10) John Aravosis (NY Daily News), "Keep Dr. Laura Off Television," 13 Mar 00 11) Adam Buckman (NY Post), "Who'll Watch Her?," 14 Mar 00 12) GLAAD (press release), "GLAAD Calls On Paramount To Terminate Relationship With Laura Schlessinger: Move Cpmes After Schlessinger Recants Apology," 15 Mar 00 13) GLAADAlert, "GLAAD Endorses Paramount Protest!," 16 Mar 00 14) HateWatch, "HateWatch Supports Protests of Dr. Laura," 16 Mar 00 15) E Online, "GLAAD Cracks Dr. Laura: Is she or isn't she?," 17 Mar 00 16) Lynette Rice (Entertainment Weekly), "A proposed Dr. Laura TV show outrages gay activists," 17 Mar 00 17) People Magazine, "Radio Provocateur Dr. Laura Schlessinger Raises a Ruckus with Controversial Talk About Gays," 20 Mar 00 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT'S WORTH CHECKING stories via <ftp://ftp.nyct.net/pub/users/tallpaul/publish/story5/> AP, "Va. Court To Rehear Nationwide [Racial Discrimination] Case," 3 Mar 00, "The Virginia Supreme Court on Friday agreed to reconsider its decision to throw out a $100 million judgment against Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. in a racial discrimination lawsuit filed by a fair-housing organization. On Jan. 14, the court ruled 4-3 that Housing Opportunities Made Equal could not bring its lawsuit because it was not injured by Nationwide's alleged discrimination against minorities in issuing homeowners insurance. HOME petitioned for a rehearing, which the court granted in a one-sentence order. The court did not give a reason for its decision." <1466.txt> CNN, "NAACP leader: prosecute African-American suspect 'like any other hate crime'," 11 Mar 00, "The president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People said Friday that the case against an African- American charged with killing three white men and critically wounding two others should be treated 'like any other hate crime.' In a letter to Attorney General Janet Reno, Kweisi Mfume said, 'Although the majority of hate crimes in this country tend to be against African Americans, in this instance the man charged in these murders, Mr. Ronald Taylor, is an African American. I implore you to use the full power of your office to prosecute Mr. Taylor equally and as aggressively as you would anyone else charged with perpetrating a hate crime'." <1467.txt> AP," Hackers shut down Brazil Agency site," 16 Mar 00, "Computer hackers invaded and shut down the web site of the government's telecommunications regulatory agency for nearly six hours, an agency official said Thursday. Cyber-pirates from the United States and Canada flooded the National Telecommunications Agency's site with 600 hits per second in the first 90 minutes of the attack, which began Wednesday morning, said Flavia Magalhaes, an agency representative." <1468.txt> Amnesty International, "Acquittal of former death row inmate -- one more reason for abolition," 17 Mar 00, "Yesterday’s acquittal of former death row inmate Joseph Nahume Green -- the third such case this year -- shows yet again how the US capital justice system may be killing innocent people, Amnesty International said today. Joseph Green is the 87th condemned prisoner since 1973 to be freed from death row after evidence of their innocence emerged." <1469.txt> Reuters, "Jospin Unveils Plan to Tackle French Racism," 18 mar 00, "French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin unveiled a raft of measures on Saturday to fight racial discrimination. Speaking just days after an official study said racist attitudes were hardening in France, Jospin said the government would introduce laws to counter discrimination from the workplace to nightclub doors." <1470.txt> AP, "Montreal protest of cops killing homeless man leads to 100 arrests," 18 Mar 00, "Hundreds of people protesting against alleged police brutality broke windows at a police station and damaged shops and cars in downtown Montreal on Wednesday. Riot squads broke up the demonstration and arrested about 100 people. ... Targets of the estimated 400 protesters, some wearing masks, on Wednesday night included McDonald's restaurants, a bank, a police station, and vehicles parked along downtown streets. No injuries were reported." <1471.txt> Steve Lawrence (AP), "Brothers Accused of Synagogue Arsons," 18 Mar 00, "Two white supremacist brothers already charged with murdering a gay couple have been accused of setting fire to three synagogues and a medical center that houses an abortion clinic. Benjamin Matthew Williams, 32, and James Tyler Williams, 29, have been in jail since July, when they were arrested in the shootings that month of Winfield Mowder and Gary Matson. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. The latest indictment, returned Friday, accuses the brothers of conspiracy, arson and destruction of religious property. The charges carry up to 235 years behind bars." <1472.txt> Kent Faulk (Birmingham News), "KKK vows to fight for Fort Payne march," 9 Mar 00, "A Ku Klux Klan leader said his group will fight for the right to march through downtown Fort Payne in June after being denied a parade permit. 'That is one of our First Amendment rights, and they are not taking away my rights,' said Don Romine, imperial wizard of the North Georgia White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. Fort Payne City Council members voted unanimously Tuesday to deny the group a march permit." <1473.txt> Doug Brown (Inter@ctive Week), "HUD Secretary Andrew Cuomo Targets Internet Hate," 18 Mar 00, "The Department of Housing and Urban Development Thursday announced that - together with a coalition of Internet, civil rights, religious and community organizations, and members of the business community - it will lead a national effort to fight hate and discrimination on the Internet. To help launch the national fight against online hate and discrimination, HUD will donate $200,000 to create a task force charged with designing strategies to reduce hate and discrimination on the Internet while preserving free speech. The task force will hold public meetings around the country to develop a plan of attack." <1474.txt> LA Times, "Ex-Leader Warns of Rising Anti-Semitism," 19 Mar 00, "Ruth Dreifuss, who served last year as Switzerland's first Jewish or woman president, warned in a newspaper interview against a 'creeping acceptance' of anti-Semitism in the country." <1475.txt> * * * * * In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. __________________________________________________________________________ FASCISM: We have no ethical right to forgive, no historical right to forget. (No permission required for noncommercial reproduction) - - - - - back issues archived via: <ftp://ftp.nyct.net/pub/users/tallpaul/publish/tinaf/> ----Public Service Announcement ---------------------------- Do Good. Mentor a child. Call 1-877-BE-A-MENTOR http://click.topica.com/aaaad8bz8SnrbAjwjxa/www.savethechildren.org ------------------------------------------------------------ _________________________________________________________ Enlighten your in-box. http://www.topica.com/t/15
