Report Back from City School Board Meeting 4/28/09 – Another Long and Frustrating Evening

Several people spoke eloquently during the public comment period at this evening’s school board meeting against changes in board policy that would increase military recruiters’ access to student information. Speakers included students, a city school teacher, parents, peace activists and veterans. Rochester City Students for a Democratic Society was in the house, some members speaking and some with colorful signs saying “protect student privacy” and “no military in our schools.”

Additional Information: Report Back: Rochester City School Board Meeting on Student Privacy and Military Recruiters | School Board Military Recruiters and Student Information | Rochester City School District: Answer to Parents, Not Marines

On Wednesday, April 22nd, Activists Against Racism Movement (AARM) held our second event focused on building an ongoing, working relationship between the community and members of the media. This event was part of our campaign to work together with media representatives to counter perpetuation and reinforcement of individual and institutionalized racism by mass-media. We want the media to become a more positive force that can help produce solutions for outstanding socioeconomic, political, and cultural issues and problems within our local, regional and national communities.

Between 50 and 100 people attended the event, which featured small group discussions surrounding basic questions about racism — what racism is, how racism affects people and who is racist? This event was a follow up to a previous night organized by AARM on Februrary 25th.

The main focus of the night was to begin a conversation on racism — a conversation that AARM intends to keep going. AARM interviewed several people present, including both community members and media representatives, to get their perspectives on the night. We present those to you because we think it's critical that this discussion happens on a much larger scale.

The Backbone Campaign will be in Rochester from April 23-25 for workshops and a "Procession for the Future", which is a creative organizing tool to inspire, educate and train students, youth and concerned citizens to be more effective activists in this critical time.

What is the Procession for the Future?
The Procession for the Future is a touring parade, using high production value art and spectacle to animate our aspirations and deliver a compelling progressive vision for the country. The 20+ plus giant puppets and inflatables portray a set of progressive policy priorities such as: Fair Trade, Living Wage Jobs & Healthy Local Economies, Climate Stabilization, Ecological Sustainability & Renewable Energy, End of War, Dismantling of Empire & the Military Industrial Complex, Election Integrity & Renewal of Democracy, Housing, Education and Health Care for All, Humane & Fair Immigration Policy, Celebration of Diversity & Elimination of Racial Disparities, and Governmental Accountability and Transparency.

Workshops will include Creative tactics and Art for Social Change, Drumming for demonstrations, sick screening, freeway banner making and puppet making. Go to the Backbone Campaign's website for dates and times of events.

Free Workshop:
Friday April 24, 2009 from 5:00pm to 8pm at Lattimore 201 University of Rochester Creative tactics and arts for social change, DIY silkscreening, freeway banner build and more

Procession for the Future:
Saturday April 25, 2009, Noon at St. Joesph’s House of Hospitality 402 South Avenue1:00pm parade up South Avenue to Lutheran Church of Peace at 125 Caroline Street Rally, Music and activist training to follow

On the evening of April 15, three activists were handing out literature and holding signs protesting war spending in front of the IRS building on East Ave. in Downtown Rochester. One of the demonstrators climbed a tree and held a sign that read "Cut War Spending."

With little to no negotiation skills, the first two officers to arrive at the scene threatened to taser Emily from the tree and place her under mental health arrest if she didn't comply with their orders to get down. Shortly thereafter, they called in six others police cars and two firetrucks to the scene. Three police officers used a firetruck ladder to get to Emily in the tree. One officer pepper sprayed her in the eyes at point blank range and forcefully removed her from the tree.

Before the Emily was removed and arrested, Mary, who was holding an anti-war tax sign under the tree that Emily was sitting in, was arrested for trespassing. Ben and Jake were arrested after chanting, behind police lines, "No Justice, No Peace! Fuck the Police!" Ted was arrested after asking the officers what the charges were against Ben and Jake.

Video: Arrests on Tax Day

Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13

Additional Information: 5 Arrested in front of East Ave. Tax Building (w/ Video Link) | Protest War Spending Today | Personal account of police brutality here in Rochester | Lies! Lies! Lies! Wackenhut Security Guard Caught Lying on Film while Accosting Rochester Indymedia Videographer

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.