Personal account of police brutality here in Rochester
I left work at the University of Rochester at 9:10 PM, pulled into the parking lot on Chili Avenue next to phone booth/liquor store (closed) and Sunoco gas station to make phone call. About 5 minutes after parking, a Gates police car quietly pulled directly behind me and put on flashing lights. He went to his car and came back indicating that he needed to tow my vehicle because of suspended registration….even though everything else was in effect.
I turned and got back into the vehicle and no sooner did I take my seat when the passenger front door opened and an officer LEAPED across the seat and started trying to yank the keys out of the ignition. Instinctively I turned to reach and ask, "what are you doing?" when the driver door opened and two officers yanked me by the collar and threw me violently to the ground. I was kicked and roughed up while on the ground. I recall a knee or foot in my back and my hands were eventually forced behind my back and handcuffed extremely tight. I was told to stop resisting and was told to walk to the police car. Shocked and dazed I layed still, on the ground, and they said they would help me. I was grabbed by the arms and dragged. My shoes and the knees of my pants were evident of the dragging. Once I got to the patrol car I was on my knees still dazed. They insisted I get up and still dazed they helped by grabbing my waist..one officer grabbed my employee ID badge and did a triple take when it read University of Rochester employee. I told him he had a legitimate girl and not a criminal; he reported his finding to his colleague, who grabbed my U of R badge the Officer did a similar triple take to see I was a employee of a major employer. Nevertheless, one officer grabbed me by the hair from one side of the police car while the other pulled me up and threw me in and slammed the door on my legs. The main officer who did the arrest and who was particularly abusive was Martin Verbakel. On the ride to the police station I reminded this officer that I had scars on me from this assualt and his remark was I already had some scars so this did not make much difference. I also tried to make him understand I was a chronic pain sufferer, but to no avail.
Black Panther and Former Angola 3 Prisoner Robert Hillary King to Speak
Come hear Robert Hillary King’s powerful story and learn about the campaign to free his Angola 3 comrades Albert Woodfox and Herman Wallace, who are still serving life sentences despite much evidence of their innocence.
What: Robert Hillary King, Black Panther and former member of the Angola 3
When: Saturday, April 11, Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Where: First Universalist Church of Rochester, 150 S. Clinton Ave.
Free and Open to the public
In 1970, a jury convicted Robert Hillary King (also known as Robert King Wilkerson) of a crime he did not commit and sentenced him to 35 years in prison. While locked inside Louisiana’s notorious Angola State Penitentiary, an 18,000-acre former slave plantation, he became a member of the Black Panther Party, organizing prisoners to improve conditions. In return, prison authorities beat him, starved him, and gave him life without parole after framing him for a second crime. He was thrown into solitary confinement, where he remained in a six-by-nine foot cell for 29 years as one of "the Angola 3." In 2001, the state of Louisiana grudgingly acknowledged his innocence and set him free.
Additional Information: Angola3.org | Angola3Action.org | Aid and Abet | Angola 3: 36 Years of Solitude | A3grassroots.org | Robert Hillary King's website | King's Candy: A New Orleans Kitchen Vision | The House that Herman Built | Angola 3: Black Panthers and the Last Slave Plantation | The Real Cost of Prisons Project | Prison Radio | Life in Solitary Confinement: 12,775 Days Alone | USA: Amnesty International calls for immediate end to prolonged solitary confinement of Louisiana prisoners Herman Wallace and Albert Woodfox | Prison Activist Resource Center | Critical Resistance | The Critical Resistance - INCITE! Statement on Gender Violence and the Prison-Industrial Complex
From Sodus, NY: Sister Luci Romero Describes Intense Police and Border Patrol Repression--Calls for Ongoing Solidarity
Sister Luci Romero, introduced by Sodus Church Watch founder Dr. Lory Ghertner, discusses the current situation for the migrant community in Sodus. She describes intense police and Border Patrol repression and calls for ongoing solidarity from Anglo neighbors and supporters. Dr. Ghertner and Sister Lucy are very worried about increased Border Patrol activity, including the detention of farmworkers and their families this week. There are unconfirmed reports this weekend of a large processing plant raid in Wayne County. Sister Luci also reported on her view of a heroic teacher’s actions whereby a pregnant mom returned back home to her children. The woman had been detained coming out of her doctor’s office by local police and taken into custody by Border Patrol.
There were two additional interviews conducted in the church parking lot with recording problems. Apologies to Nichole, a lifelong resident of Sodus and Petra, a migrant worker who wishes for reforms that will allow her friends to simply live without fear and anxiety every day. We will return and do the interviews inside!
Audio: Audio Interview with Sister Luci Romero [.ogg format] | [.MP3 format]
Additional Information: Report of large immigration raid at Wolcott (Wayne Co) processing plant | Indy TV Episode #2 Immigrant Rights in Rochester, NY | Indy TV #7 Human Trafficking in the Context of Immigrant Rights
Wackenhut, Lies, and Videotape: or what happens when "They just don't want their pictures taken"
A Rochester Indymedia videographer was accosted by a Wackenhut security guard contracted to the federal building during the 6th anniversary protests of the Iraq war.
While videotaping, an unidentified, plainclothes security guard got right in her face—so much so that the camera only sees his chin. In addition, he intentionally fogged up the lens. He stated that the security guards on the lawn did not want to be photographed and that it was illegal to take video of the federal building.
As E.G. Smith's Guide to Rochester states, "Never trust a cop." And that goes for private security guards as well. That being said, we decided to investigate the guard’s claims.
Video: Rochester Indy Media Videographer Harassed by Federal Building Security | Another example of private security guards lying at the Federal Reserve
Additional Information: Is Photography Becoming Illegal? | Photography is Not a Crime-It’s a First Amendment Right | BART Police Shoot and Kill Man at Fruitvale BART Station | Pre-emptive Media Repression In Twin Cities Prior to Republican National Convention | ACLU Chronology of Pools, Parks, Beaches Photography Policy Request | Mapping the Police State: Police Cameras, Maps, and You! | National Preparedness: Technologies to Secure Federal Buildings
DIY Fest Presents Eating Local Year-Round
On March 28 Students for a Democratic Society hosted DIY Fest at Rochester's School Without Walls. The day-long event consisted on classes and workshops on topics ranging from solar power and civil rights to feminine hygiene and sustainable agriculture.
The class on sustainable agriculture, hosted by Elizabeth Henderson of Peacework Farms, dealt with how to grow and store locally produced plants to eat year-round, without relying on the national economy or its energy-intensive food distribution system. You walk into the supermarket and don't even know which food is in season.
Review: "My Name is Rachel Corrie"
I saw, “My Name is Rachel Corrie†which was put on by Bread and Water Theater. It tracked her life from when she was a child to when she was killed by an Israeli-operated bulldozer. Through her dialogue the the audience was able to see the rich relationships that developed between her and the people of Gaza whom she was trying to help. I appreciated that the Palestinians truly got to be humanized in this play. I find there is too much dehumanizing of them in in the mainstream media. When all is said and done I am grateful that this play came to Rochester.
Additional Information: Rachel Corrie Memorial Website | Wikipedia entry for Rachel Corrie | The Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice | In Memory of Rachel Corrie
Indy TV #26: Motherhood By choice, Not Chance
One of the most divisive issues in the US is reproductive rights—specifically abortion. Have you ever wondered about the history of abortion in the US? Was it illegal from the time this country was formed until 1973? Why were laws changed? What about religion and abortion?
These and other questions will be discussed in this week's edition of IndyTV. We're highlighting a film called Motherhood By Choice, Not Chance which can be found at The Power of Choice Project website.
March 19th: Rochester Anti-War Movement Steps Up Resistance
March 19th marked the six anniversary of the Iraq war. Over 150 people from a variety of groups come together, not only to show opposition to the war but to ratchet up resistance and create a new level of coordination and intensity in anti-war protest. Utilizing the Spokescouncil model, groups planned events covering the entire day, starting at noon and going until the night.
Part of what made the day a success was the amount of planning and critical thinking that the organizers put into it. Rochester Indymedia talked with the groups who held events on Thursday to let them explain their actions using their own words. Click the "More" link below for a full report.
Update: Take a look at pictures posted to the m19 mailing list: Update #2: Analysis and Reflection from the Anti-War Movement
Update #3:Video from the protests
Indy TV #25: "What is Anarchism?" Series: Prof. David White and Ben Dean-Kawamura
When members of Rochester Indymedia attended demonstrations against the Democratic and Republican National Conventions in Denver, Colorado and St. Paul, Minnesota late last summer, one of the striking conclusions we returned with was how the term "Anarchist" was being used by the media and law enforcement to demonize those organizing to challenge the political oligarchy represented at both conventions.
In this episode of Indy TV, we begin an ongoing series exploring the definitions and practices of Anarchism. Our guests are Professor David White of St. John Fisher College and Ben Dean- Kawamura. Professor David White terms himself a "career Anarchist" and was involved with the long-lived project "Anarchist Action of Rochester". Ben Dean-Kawamura is a long time local activist and a member of the Rochester Indymedia collective.
Video of Entire Episode
Medical and humanitarian mission to Gaza reportback (plus interview)
As soon as I entered the Unitarian Church on Thursday I was told they needed more chairs. I brought the chairs to the room where Dr. Ismail Mehr was presenting on his experience with the Islamic Medical Association of North America, which was overflowing with about 75 people. I took a seat at the doorway and watched him speak.
When I heard Dr. Mehr talk about the suffering and destruction that he witnessed I felt completely devastated. I think the almost everyone in the room was as well. Today I recorded Dr. Mehr talk about his experience in Palestine, click the links below to hear it.
- Intro, medical situation in Gaza, effects of the embargo on medical care, children in Palestine
Part 1 (ogg) - Part 1 (mp3) - Getting into Gaza, Egypt and Palestine, the effect of war on Gaza, white phosphorous
Part 2 (ogg) - Part 2 (mp3) - Leaving Gaza, ways to help, AMMG's future plans
Part 3 (ogg) - Part 3 (mp3)