Autonomous Music is excited to announce our 2nd limited edition print with 100% of the proceeds being donated to the Civil Liberties Defense Center. These Papadosio posters, limited to an edition of 100, are signed and numbered by the band, and screen printed by hand on high quality paper. […]
CLDC has signed the Solidarity Statement against the raids and Grand Jury (taken from nopoliticalprepression.wordpress.com):
On Wednesday July 25th, the FBI conducted a series of coordinated raids against activists in Portland, Olympia, and Seattle. They subpoenaed several people to a special federal grand jury, and seized computers, black clothing and anarchist […]
The U.S. General Services Administration Regional Director issued a letter of denial in response to a permit application submitted by Occupy Eugene members seeking to continue their public protest at the corner of 7th and Pearl Streets in Eugene, Oregon. Even more offensive: regardless of whether a single person wishes to hold a sign, beat a drum, or simply stand in silent protest for an hour, the government is now demanding that these individuals first ask permission to exercise their constitutional rights. On July 11, a member of Occupy Eugene received a citation with a brief arrest for continuing to exercise her right to be in the public space. CLDC will be fighting this citation in court.
As a result of the incredible perseverance and unwavering commitment of the Winnemem Wintu tribe, along with the overwhelming show of solidarity that so many activists from around the country provided to the tribe, the tribe was finally able to hold their peaceful coming of age ceremony June 29 - July 3. The event occurred with minimal disruptions and harassment, with the exception of some encounters with the Forest Service and law enforcement, who gave the Chief a citation. This is a major step, but the battle isn't over. They need the Bureau of Indian Affairs to intervene to fully protect the site and the ceremony by recognizing the Winnemem Wintu as a federal tribe.
This Spring Newsletter is one you will not want to miss. It includes updates on some of the most important courtroom decisions, some of the most frightening laws proposed and passed by the President and Congress, and some of the most inspiring successes of the Civil Liberties Defense Center and our allies. Join us in gearing up for an exciting summer by reading up on our springtime news!
Carl Mayer of CounterPunch discusses the decision of Judge Forrest, of the Southern District of New York in Manhattan, issued a ruling on May 16. He says that it will be regarded as a watershed moment in reversing a decade-long bi-partisan assault on civil liberties and the Constitution. Her honor took the extraordinary step of issuing a preliminary injunction and striking down as unconstitutional a provision of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would have allowed for the indefinite detention of United States citizens in military prisons without trial or counsel.
After nearly four years, Eugene's Exclusion law banishing people from the downtown infringes on a variety of civil liberties, including those to freedom of movement, legal representation, and equal treatment under the law, but does little for public safety. The DPSZ ordinance is scheduled to sunset this fall. However, as it has several times before, the City Council simply plans to hold a new series of meetings to examine whether to extend the law. The CLDC and Eugene community have repeatedly expressed outrage at the various hearings in the past. With your support, this pressure has helped deter the City from making the DPSZ permanent. That is why it is crucial that we keep up the momentum and continue to speak out. This law does not represent the needs or wishes of Eugene!
The CLDC is encouraging activists and organizations to utilize the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act to request documents and materials that the FBI may have accumulated about you or the group you are active in. Not only will this information assist activist communities in learning about and preventing unlawful government spying, but it will also shed light on the extent of surveillance that has been undertaken in your community. Shine a light on FBI activities by exercising your lawful right to these documents and information.
This article by Will Potter, from Green is the New Red, tells a disturbing story. Newly released FBI presentations show the flawed and misleading information the government is using to train agents to identify and investigate “domestic terrorist” groups such as “black separatists,” anarchists, animal rights activists, and environmentalists.
