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Nicaragua: Land Grab on the Atlantic Coast: Part 1 (6/98)

Bill Weinberg June 2, 2005 Bill Weinberg

On the road to Puerto Cabezas, the cowboy country of Nicaragua’s central mountains slopes into the lush lowlands of the Miskito Rainforest – what’s left of it. For centuries, this region was an impenetrable jungle which protected the Miskito and Mayangna Indians from conquest. Just a few years ago, there was no road to the Caribbean coastal town. Now, Central America’s largest rainforest is shrinking faster than ever, and the Indians find themselves the guardians of what once was their protector. read more

Nonviolent Peaceforce Tries Unarmed Intervention (12/03

TOM BOSWELL June 2, 2005 TOM BOSWELL

Peace activist Donna Howard had plenty of time to reflect during the 14 months she spent behind bars after a 1996 Ploughshares action at a nuclear weapons site. Confined in five different jail and prison cells, what she thought about was space – political space.

"We have to build a system," she concluded, "a new tool that will help us keep from reverting to that tired old system of war." After her release, she returned home to Duluth, Minnesota, where she had founded a Catholic Worker community. Looking for others who shared her vision of a third party intervention force, she found a group of activists in the Twin Cities who had recently presented a proposal at The Hague Appeal for Peace in the Netherlands. read more

Accent on Diversity: 2003 Report (12/03)

Super User June 2, 2005 Super User

Evolution generates books, projects, and a radio play

Our 51st year of continuous publication has certainly been active. More than 60 features were published and distributed, and two previous articles won Project Censored recognition. Last year, TF moved to a quarterly schedule for its flagship periodical, while continuing to branch out into books and other media.

The year began with the release of Uneasy Empire, a manifesto on globalization and freedom by TF editor Greg Guma. It is currently being distributed by AK Press and Catholic Worker Books. As we go to press, our next book, Reign of Error, is at the printer. It’s a powerful collection of 110 illustrations by TF staff artist Dan Florentino, with accompanying text by 47 writers. Covering topics from media, globalization, crime, and big brother to oil, fundamentalism, the environment, and war, it’s a graphic guide for anyone who cares about the state and fate of the Earth. TF members will receive their advance copies before the end of the year; retail sales will begin in January 2004. read more

Prison Justice Alliance Takes Shape (09/03)

Super User June 2, 2005 Super User

The Alliance for Prison Justice (APJ), a human rights project initiated by TF, is making significant strides in its effort to advocate for prisoners and their families. Launched with a February 2002 conference attended by over 200 people, the group now has a Coordinating Committee, growing membership, part-time staff, and several projects.

Last year, APJ worked with Vermont’s Prisoners Health Coalition to collect information about health issues. Forums were held around the state, and prisoner views were solicited. A report will be available soon. This June, a part-time office assistant, Jennifer Berger, was hired, but additional funding is needed to maintain the position in 2004. read more

IRAQ, Is Take a Stand, by Tod Ensign (03/03)

TOD ENSIGN June 2, 2005 TOD ENSIGN

William Faulkner once wrote, “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” This certainly applies to current US policy toward Iraq. As the war drums in Dubya’s White House beat ever more loudly, GIs’ families are beginning to mobilize against another invasion.

During the first Gulf War, family members played an important role in sparking opposition within the military’s rank and file. Two families with children who have recently been sent to the Gulf War zone are leading efforts to establish a new anti-war organization, Military Families Speak Out (MFSO). read more

Repression Goes Local (6/02)

DIANE LANE June 2, 2005 DIANE LANE

Portland, Oregon, received national attention last December when its police bureau refused a request by Attorney General John Ashcroft to question 200 locals of Arab descent. Justifying the refusal, Portland officials cited a state law that prohibits police from collecting information on any group or individual without a “reasonable suspicion of criminal behavior.”

Despite the feeding frenzy, mainstream media omitted some relevant background on the city’s decision: During City Council hearings two months earlier, a coalition of organizations had pointed out potential violations of that law by members of the Portland Joint Terrorism Task Force (PJTTF). Citizens were demanding that either the city implement independent oversight or reject PJTTF’s annual reinstatement. read more