Civil Liberties / Human Rights

This article discusses how to detect police spies, in the flesh, in their vehicles and how to observe their tactics, as well as a historical perspective on the use of spies. It is also very critical of community policing groups like Cellular On Patrol and the alumni of the FBI's National Citizens' Academy, who practice harassment tactics against American citizens, sometimes to the point where their victims commit suicide.

Interview with Chuck Collins, director of the Institute for Police Studies' Project on Inequality and the Common Good, conducted by Scott Harris

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Steve Downs of Project SALAM, Support And Legal Advocacy for Muslims, was the featured speaker at a meeting of Progressives In Action at the Grapevine Restaurant on April 12. The subject of the presentation was pre-emptive prosecution in America. Much, but not all of it is aimed at Muslims and Arabs. Downs stood in front of three large boards displaying the names of people who have been pre-emptively prosecuted. The three boards displayed 150 names.

Interview with Dr. Deborah Richter, president of Vermont for Single Payer, conducted by Scott Harris

Citizens driving or walking to work, that must past DHS X-ray scanners on buildings and utility poles, could be exposed to radiation several times a day.

Interview with Michael Jacobson, executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, conducted by Melinda Tuhus

On April 8, 2011, the Ravenwood 7 appeared before Judge Thomas R. Morse. Judge Morse convened with the defendants' lawyers and the district attorney and offered the 7 a deal: six-month adjournment in contemplation of dismissals (ACDs) and eight hours of community service attested to by any not-for-profit corporation. The Ravenwood 7 accepted the conditions. As long as they do their community service and the judge receives proof before July 1st, they will not have to come back to court.

Interview with Andrew Kroll, reporter with Mother Jones and associate editor of TomDispatch.com, conducted by Scott Harris

The Ravenwood 7 were back in Judge Johnson's court this morning with their individual attorneys.

At 11am, Judge Johnson called up each of the seven, conferred with their attorney and then set another court date. All in all, a very quick visit to court.

Judge Johnson recused herself and transferred the cases to Judge Morris to be heard on April 8, 2011, at 9:30am.

March 29, 2011

After almost a year of being stonewalled by Fannie Mae (the current owner of 9 Ravenwood), today and the day after the eviction of the family and 7 were arrested in protest, Fannie Mae came to the table to begin negotiations with the family. This afternoon Catherine Lennon of 9 Ravenwood Ave was on a five-way call with 3 officials from Fannie Mae and staff person from Congresswoman Louise Slaughter's office who arranged the call. According to Ms. Lennon the dialogue was very positive and that Fannie Mae vowed to work with her to get her home back. They stated that the first step was to get the family's records of current income and would continue to work from there. In addition, Take Back the Land Rochester received calls today from both Senator Chuck Schumer's office and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand saying that they would also be stepping up efforts to intervene on the family's behalf. You can find Congresswoman Slaughter's press release below.

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