"Sicko" reviewed
Rochester Indymedia asked for reviews of Michael Moore's new film "Sicko" via our working listserv for feature status on the website. We got two responses. Here they are.
Javier writes: Michael Moore's Sicko is a powerful attack on Corporate US and its insistence on making profit by any means necessary. This time the monsters are Health Insurance Companies and its victims, middle class US citizens who can afford to have a Health Insurance and unionized working class people that were able to gain that right from their companies. In order to understand his point of view we must analyze his political beliefs and know what type of public he's addressing. From my perspective, Michael Moore is a Liberal. For me, a Liberal is a left-wing reformist: his goal is to reform capitalism. This can be done by State regulations on private companies (like environmental) or the State taking control of indispensable services like education and health in order to provide these services on a non-profit base. That's why he presented countries labeled as Social Democracies like Canada, France and England. His classic sarcasm was pretty good while comparing these countries with the US, but still you can sense his conservatism, hopefully for the public he's trying to address, when he pointed out that high middle class doctor in England that could afford a BMW. Read the full review here.
Matt writes: "Sicko" is the latest documentary by muck-raking filmmaker Michael Moore. Those expecting a Republican-bashing film like "Fahrenheit 9/11" will find some of that here, but primarily this film attacks the corporations responsible for the deplorable state of health care in the United States. Nearly 50 million citizen have no health care, and while these people are certainly highlighted, "Sicko" mainly focuses on those of us that do have health care. Read the full review here.
Victor Toro Released on Bail
So real quick. Victor was detained in one of many random immigration raids, by ICE, which are very quickly becoming the standard in the continued racist anti-immigration strategies employed by the office of Homeland Security. Victor was detained with many others on an Amtrak Train. Yesterday, Tuesday July 10th, Victor was released on bail, and we received him here in the Bronx at "Sisters on the Rise". Of course Victor said that his arrest should not be used to focus on him as a figure, but rather to highlight the plight of immigrants and American civil society, in the wake of legislation and political postures , which threaten the civil and human rights of every single one of us, with further militarization and systems of control. Thank you all for your support, and immediate attention.
Chilean Activist Victor Toro Detained By Homeland Security in Rochester--Held in Auburn
URGENT! DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY DETAINS VICTOR TORO
The well known Chilean political activist, and former political prisoner Victor Toro (La Pena Del Bronx) has been arrested by a division of the Office of Homeland Security, today, Friday, July 6th, 2007. The arresting agency was the US Border Patrol. Victor Toro was detained in the city of Rochester, New York and at this moment has been transfered to and detained at the Cayuga County Jail in Auburn, NY. The complete address is:
Victor Toro (A88187516)
Cayuga County Jail, Cayuga County
7445 County House Road,
Auburn, NY 13021-8297
The Law Offices of attorney Carlos Moreno will file a request of habeas corpus and attempt to post bail.
We demand the immediate release of Victor Toro. We will send additional info once it is available.
El conocido activista politico y ex-preso politico chileno Victor Toro(La Pena Del Bronx) has sido arrestado por una agencia del Departamento de Seguridad Nacional the Los Estados Unidos(Homeland Security) hoy, viernes, 6 de julio, 2007. La agencia que efectuo la detencion se conoce como US Border Patrol(Patrulla Fronteriza). Victor Toro fue detenido en la ciudad de Rochester, New York y en estos momentos es transferido al centro de detencion Cayuga County Jail en Auburn, NY.
More Information: en Español | Victor Toro: Chilean Revolutionary | La Peña del Bronx Receives Union Square Award | message board post with Bail/Legal Defense info | VÃctor Toro: un mirista en Nueva York
Critical Mass Draws 70!
Friday, June 29—Tonight I took part in one of the most exhilerating things I’ve ever done with a group of people — my first Critical Mass ride. Here’s one definition.
Approximately 70 cyclists came out tonight for the ride, riding everything from fixies to road bikes, mountain bikes to hybrids. There was also an inline skater and a skateboarder. It was wonderful! We cruised through the lights, taking an entire lane and reveling in the rare feeling of security and confidence that is sometimes hard to find when commuting by bike here in the Flower City.
Before, during and after the ride, I interviewed riders using the Hipcast mobile audio blogging service, which allows you to post instant audio clips to a blog using your cell phone.
Adam | Ally, Ray, and Jenna | Dave | John | At the Liberty Pole | Monroe Ave, while riding out of the city | Dawn | Paul | Monroe Ave, while riding back to the city | Culver on the way to Park | Jason breaking away from the pack
See you on Friday, July 27, 6PM at the Liberty Pole!
Video! RCM: Getting Bigger Every Month!
Photos: Check out RocBike for photos.
More information: RocBike.com | Rochester Critical Mass MySpace | RocWiki Critical Mass Page | Rochester Critical Mass Google group | A Mass from the Past: RCM documents from 1998-2000 | Critical-Mass.info
Six queer-bashed. Police response? Brutality.
On June 1st, six people, some queer and some straight allies, in two different groups, were verbally accosted and beaten by 4 heterosexist/homophobic individuals in front of 312 South Goodman Street between Park and Monroe Avenues only to then be verbally accosted and physically brutalized by the Rochester Police Department who later arrived on the scene. The attackers used anti-queer slurs throughout the beating. One of the attackers used a metal pipe.
Approximately 15 cops arrived on the scene and let the attackers go—one still holding the metal pipe. When survivors, frustrated at the response of the police, demanded to know why the attackers were let go, police brutalized and arrested three of the survivors and verbally accosted the others.
Survivors at the scene and the following day demanded that police take accounts and write up reports but were denied. The FBI has since gotten involved with the case.
At a recent community forum, a spokesperson for the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley (GAGV) stated that the FBI involvement had nothing to do with the hate crime—rather the Feds were involved because of accusations of "police misconduct."
Currently, no charges have been filed against the 4 attackers—although they have been interviewed according to mainstream press. As far as the police brutality goes, 4 of the survivors have filed a civil rights lawsuit against the Rochester Police Department and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department.
A march and rally against hate crimes and police brutality is scheduled for this afternoon—4:30PM to 6:30PM—at the four corners of Monroe Avenue and South Goodman Street.
Photos from the June 26 March and Rally Against Hate Crimes and Police Brutality: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
Anti-War Activists Denied Access to Elected Representatives in Federal Building
On June 13, members of the local branch of Declaration for Peace struggled with Wackenhut security guards to get inside the Keating Federal Building in order to read the names of slain Iraqis and US soldiers.
At the action, the group planned to read the names of war dead outside the offices of Senators Clinton and Schumer, and to hand deliver a position letter to their the elected representatives. Before the group entered the Federal Building, Wackenhut security guards informed them they could not enter the building. Harry Murray, another member of the Declaration of Peace, informed the security guard of a legal ruling that had been made by a federal judge in Iowa based on very similar circumstances. This ruling affirmed citizens' right to access Federal Buildings. After some negotiation, security allowed the group inside the lobby. However, they were not allowed to move beyond the lobby and to their representatives offices.
When a member of the group asked if anyone was in Louise Slaughter's office to receive a letter, security said no one was in Slaughter's office. They were told they would need to mail the letter if they wanted Slaughter's office to receive it. Moments later, Mary Adams, a member of the group, called the office and reached a secretary confirming the suspicion that the security guards were lying to the group.
After reading the names of War Dead the group was told that they could not return and that they were "given a break today." Security told the group they had been disruptive and that the previously mentioned Iowa ruling didn't apply to Rochester, that "Judge Telesca rules this building." Read the full article here.
May After-Mass Double Feature Film Screening!
What: Rochester Indymedia presents "We Aren't Blocking Traffic, We Are Traffic: A film about Critical Mass" and "Return of the Scorcher" for our May After-Mass event!
When: Friday, May 25, 7:00PM
Where: St. Joe's House of Hospitality, 402 South Ave.
Rochester Food Not Bombs will be serving light snacks; discussion to follow the screening(s). St. Joe's is wheelchair accessible and the event is free and open to the public.
Critical Mass is a slow-moving, leaderless bicycle ride that meets at 6PM at the Liberty Pole in Downtown on the last Friday of the month—Ride Daily~Celebrate Monthly!
The Circus Comes to Rochester!
Lois Baum and her husband Greg are not your typical circus goers. As the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus came to Rochester's Blue Cross Arena last week, they skipped buying tickets. Instead, the couple brought picketing signs, leaflets, and coloring books to lead protests aimed at Ringling's [ab]use of animals.
Read the full article here.
Video: Circus Elephant Abuse | Ringling Elephant Abuse in Austin, TX
More Information: Animal Rights Advocates of Upstate New York (ARAUNY) | Circuses.com: The Circus is No Place for Animal Abuse | A List of Animal-Free Circuses | Portland IMC: Gearing up for getting down / Shrine Circus in town this weekend | Santa Cruz IMC: We Are All Animals; Circus Gatti Comes to Watsonville to Benefit the Police
"As NOT seen on T.V."--A benefit for Common Ground Relief of New Orleans
Come out for an evening of music, food, film, and information in an effort to raise money and awareness about Common Ground Relief and the struggle that continues in the Gulf Coast region.
What: Benefit show, film screening, and photo presentation about Common Ground and its relief efforts and struggles in the Gulf Coast Region presented by Rochester Indymedia, Social Action Network of RIT, and local activists who spent time in New Orleans aiding Common Ground
When: Sunday, May 20th, 5:30PM to 9:45PM
Where: St. Joseph’s House of Hospitality located at 402 South Avenue
Cost: $7 – No one turned away for lack of funds. All proceeds go to Common Ground Relief
Wheelchair Accessible
Schedule:
5:30PM: Doors Open
5:45PM: Music Starts (Tim Avery (folk), Break the Glass (indie rock), Syntax and Paradox (hip hop), more TBA)
8:00PM to 8:15PM: Rochester Food Not Bombs will serve a meal. (Everyone is encouraged to help prepare and cook food.) Shannon Holcombe will be sharing a photo presentation of her experiences while volunteering with Common Ground Relief.
8:15PM to 9:15PM: Documentary Screening of Welcome to New Orleans
9:15PM to 9:45PM: Discussion about the film, Common Ground, and action to take next
Read the press release here. Also check out New Orleans Indymedia, Common Ground Relief, and Common Ground Health Clinic.
Talking About Iran
We need to have our facts lined up when talking to people about why we think it would be an atrocity to invade Iran. Most people educated by the mainstream news are seriously misinformed about Iran. Here are some little known facts about Iran with links to primary sources.
• Ayatollah Khameini, Khomeini's successor, supports Arab League plan for Palestinian independence. This is a plan that Israel rejects, but it does recognize Israel as a significant entity. [1]
• Arab League absolutely opposes any attack on Iran. When you are told that the Saudis and United Arab Emirates (UAE) would like to see Iran "contained", they don't mean "destroyed". They have said that they will not support a US attack on Iran. [2]
• Iran was not in violation of standard International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) rules until the Security Council changed the rules on their behalf. Nor did Iran block inspections. It has withdrawn from an agreement made with EU a couple of years ago because US rejected this agreement. Iran also rejects the Security Council demand for total suspension of nuclear activities. Though this is not the normal standard for signers of the Nonproliferation Treaty like Iran, there is an expectation that the IAEA will monitor and enforce the new elevated standard for Iran. This is why they can say that Iran in not in compliance with the IAEA rules. [3] It is clear that Mohamed ElBaradei, Director General of the IAEA, is uncomfortable with this action. He has repeatedly suggested that there must be incentives as well as sanctions to deal successfully with Iran's situation, that Iran should be treated with respect, and that there is no immediate evidence that Iran is a threat. [4]
• Iran supports the Shiite Government in Iraq and they have consistently done so. [5] [6]
• Use of a Nuclear Bunker Buster to take out underground bunkers would be counterproductive and create much bigger problems than it resolves. [7]