indymedia.us main features
Updated: 16 min 10 sec ago
Video: Memorial Day 2010
Another member of Veterans for Peace, Chapter 72, Harvey Thorstad reminds the crowd of the tragedies of war, but not just the fallen and physically maimed soldiers, or even their families, but those tens of thousands who have returned emotionally scarred by what they have witnessed and in which they have participated. Thorstad recounts examples of what happens in war, soldiers killing innocent civilians and having to live with this the remainder of their lives.
War is hell for many reasons, most of which have no relevance to one's life until those heavy circumstances arrive, often squeezing heart, mind and soul out into streams of homelessness, drug addiction, and the inability to cope with civilian life.
War is hell for many reasons, most of which have no relevance to one's life until those heavy circumstances arrive, often squeezing heart, mind and soul out into streams of homelessness, drug addiction, and the inability to cope with civilian life.
Cooper Union Student Shot in Face and Loses Eye in Demonstration in Israel
31 May 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
American activist loses eye after being shot in face with tear gas canister
31 May 2010: An American solidarity activist was shot in the face with a tear gas canister during a demonstration in Qalandiya, today. Emily Henochowicz is currently in Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem undergoing surgery to remove her left eye, following the demonstration that was held in protest to Israel’s murder of at least 10 civilians aboard the Gaza Freedom Flotilla in international waters this morning.
21-year old Emily Henochowicz was hit in the face with a tear gas projectile fired directly at her by an Israeli soldier during the demonstration at Qalandiya checkpoint today. Israeli occupation forces fired volleys of tear gas at unarmed Palestinian and international protesters, causing mass panic amongst the demonstrators and those queuing at the largest checkpoint separating the West Bank and Israel.
“They clearly saw us,” said Sören Johanssen, a Swedish ISM volunteer standing with Henochowicz. “They clearly saw that we were internationals and it really looked as though they were trying to hit us. They fired many canisters at us in rapid succession. One landed on either side of Emily, then the third one hit her in the face.”
Henochowicz is an art student at the prestigious Cooper Union, located in East Village, Manhattan.
The demonstration was one of many that took place across the West Bank today in outrage over the Israeli military’s attack on the Gaza freedom flotilla and blatant violation of international law. Demonstrations also took place in inside Israel, Gaza and Jerusalem, with clashes occurring in East Jerusalem and Palestinian shopkeepers in the occupied Old City closing their businesses for the day in protest.
Henochowicz lost her left eye after being shot directly in the face with a tear gas canister
Tear gas canisters are commonly used against demonstrators in the occupied West Bank. In May 2009, the Israeli State Attorney’s Office ordered Israeli Police to review its guidelines for dispersing demonstrators, following the death of a demonstrator, Bassem Abu Rahmah from Bil’in village, caused by a high velocity tear-gas projectile. Tear-gas canisters are meant to be used as a means of crowd dispersal, to be shot indirectly at demonstrators and from a distance. However, Israeli forces frequently shoot canisters directly at protesters and are not bound by a particular distance from which they can shoot.
Israeli occupation forces boarded the Mavi Marmara, one of six ships on the Freedom Flotilla at 5 a.m. this morning, opening fire on the hundreds of unarmed civilians aboard. No-one aboard the ships were carrying weapons of any kind, including for defense against a feared Israeli attack in international waters. At least 9 aid workers aboard the ship have been confirmed dead, with dozens more injured. The assault took place 70 miles off the Gaza coast in international waters, after the flotilla was surrounded by three Israeli warships. The Freedom Flotilla, carrying 700 human rights activists from over 40 countries and 10,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid, was headed for the besieged and impoverished Gaza Strip. The Israeli blockade on Gaza, combined with the illegal buffer zone, has put a stranglehold on the territory. 42% of Gazans are unemployed, and food insecurity hovers around 60% according to figures from the Palestine Centre for Human Rights.
http://palsolidarity.org/2010/05/12604/
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
American activist loses eye after being shot in face with tear gas canister
31 May 2010: An American solidarity activist was shot in the face with a tear gas canister during a demonstration in Qalandiya, today. Emily Henochowicz is currently in Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem undergoing surgery to remove her left eye, following the demonstration that was held in protest to Israel’s murder of at least 10 civilians aboard the Gaza Freedom Flotilla in international waters this morning.
21-year old Emily Henochowicz was hit in the face with a tear gas projectile fired directly at her by an Israeli soldier during the demonstration at Qalandiya checkpoint today. Israeli occupation forces fired volleys of tear gas at unarmed Palestinian and international protesters, causing mass panic amongst the demonstrators and those queuing at the largest checkpoint separating the West Bank and Israel.
“They clearly saw us,” said Sören Johanssen, a Swedish ISM volunteer standing with Henochowicz. “They clearly saw that we were internationals and it really looked as though they were trying to hit us. They fired many canisters at us in rapid succession. One landed on either side of Emily, then the third one hit her in the face.”
Henochowicz is an art student at the prestigious Cooper Union, located in East Village, Manhattan.
The demonstration was one of many that took place across the West Bank today in outrage over the Israeli military’s attack on the Gaza freedom flotilla and blatant violation of international law. Demonstrations also took place in inside Israel, Gaza and Jerusalem, with clashes occurring in East Jerusalem and Palestinian shopkeepers in the occupied Old City closing their businesses for the day in protest.
Henochowicz lost her left eye after being shot directly in the face with a tear gas canister
Tear gas canisters are commonly used against demonstrators in the occupied West Bank. In May 2009, the Israeli State Attorney’s Office ordered Israeli Police to review its guidelines for dispersing demonstrators, following the death of a demonstrator, Bassem Abu Rahmah from Bil’in village, caused by a high velocity tear-gas projectile. Tear-gas canisters are meant to be used as a means of crowd dispersal, to be shot indirectly at demonstrators and from a distance. However, Israeli forces frequently shoot canisters directly at protesters and are not bound by a particular distance from which they can shoot.
Israeli occupation forces boarded the Mavi Marmara, one of six ships on the Freedom Flotilla at 5 a.m. this morning, opening fire on the hundreds of unarmed civilians aboard. No-one aboard the ships were carrying weapons of any kind, including for defense against a feared Israeli attack in international waters. At least 9 aid workers aboard the ship have been confirmed dead, with dozens more injured. The assault took place 70 miles off the Gaza coast in international waters, after the flotilla was surrounded by three Israeli warships. The Freedom Flotilla, carrying 700 human rights activists from over 40 countries and 10,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid, was headed for the besieged and impoverished Gaza Strip. The Israeli blockade on Gaza, combined with the illegal buffer zone, has put a stranglehold on the territory. 42% of Gazans are unemployed, and food insecurity hovers around 60% according to figures from the Palestine Centre for Human Rights.
http://palsolidarity.org/2010/05/12604/
Tens of Thousands March in Phoenix Against Arizona Race Laws and the Criminalization of Immigrants
In addition to SB1070, marchers held signs in opposition to HB2281, which forbids ethnic studies curricula in Arizona public schools; others spoke out against federal enforcement efforts such as 287(g) agreements, border militarization and the Obama administration's record number of deportations. Various proposals are circulating for continued resistance all summer long, including calls for a "freedom summer" and organizing in neighborhoods and communities across Arizona - building on ongoing boycott efforts and civil disobedience.
Photos: 1, 2; Video: 1, 2
Photos: 1, 2; Video: 1, 2
Ghost Bike Appears in Fairfax for Slain Cyclist
A ghost bike has appeared in Fairfax County at the location where 18-year-old Abdelouahid "Abdul" Chadli was killed by an SUV, on Friday, May 21. Coincidentally, May 21 was the Bike to Work Day, recognized in both the United States and Canada.
110 Deaths in the Arizona Desert as Obama Deploys 1200 National Guard Troops to the U.S./Mexico Border
Meanwhile, here in Arizona, 2010 is shaping up to be the deadliest year ever along the border. Tucson's Coalición de Derechos Humanos reports more than 110 deaths as of the end of April, a 71% increase over the same period last year - this despite the hottest and deadliest summer months lying ahead. More than 5,000 people have died crossing the border since the launch of Operation Gatekeeper in 1994. Rather than confront the politics of hatred and fear that have become ascendant in Arizona, the Obama administration is playing games with peoples lives, continuing to escalate militarization and violence in communities border-and nation-wide.
(See also: No More Deaths)
Groups Vow Legal Challenge Against Highway Widening Threatening Ancient Humboldt Redwoods
GARBERVILLE, Calif.- The Environmental Protection Information Center and the Center for Biological Diversity vowed an all out legal challenge against a highway-widening project that not only threatens the ancient redwoods of Richardson Grove State Park, but could also change the rural character of Humboldt County.
On May 19th, the California Department of Transportation filed official notice that the project was approved, but the agency has not yet made its final Environmental Impact Report for the controversial project available to the public. The highway project is widely opposed by local residents, business owners, conservation and Native American groups, and economists as unnecessary and damaging to the state park, the venerable old-growth grove and its wildlife, tourism, and the coastal communities of Humboldt County.
"Anyone who cares about California's redwoods and the rural charm of Humboldt County should weigh in to stop this disastrous project," said Kerul Dyer, Richardson Grove campaign coordinator for the Environmental Protection Information Center. "The old-growth redwood grove within the state park is supposed to be fully protected and not vulnerable to destructive projects like this one."
Read more | Richardson Grove Action Camp! May 28-30 at the Grove | Redwood Saviors or Cyber Criminals? Center Supporters Update Democracy | Day of Climate Action in the Ancient Redwoods | Save Richardson Grove! | Saving Richardson Grove
On May 19th, the California Department of Transportation filed official notice that the project was approved, but the agency has not yet made its final Environmental Impact Report for the controversial project available to the public. The highway project is widely opposed by local residents, business owners, conservation and Native American groups, and economists as unnecessary and damaging to the state park, the venerable old-growth grove and its wildlife, tourism, and the coastal communities of Humboldt County.
"Anyone who cares about California's redwoods and the rural charm of Humboldt County should weigh in to stop this disastrous project," said Kerul Dyer, Richardson Grove campaign coordinator for the Environmental Protection Information Center. "The old-growth redwood grove within the state park is supposed to be fully protected and not vulnerable to destructive projects like this one."
Read more | Richardson Grove Action Camp! May 28-30 at the Grove | Redwood Saviors or Cyber Criminals? Center Supporters Update Democracy | Day of Climate Action in the Ancient Redwoods | Save Richardson Grove! | Saving Richardson Grove
Anti-war activists challenge Obama at West Point graduation
Video of the rally and march is available at http://www.WBAIX.org
