aclu.org

The men in this video were held at Guantanamo for years without charge and denied any meaningful opportunity to challenge the legality of their detention. But now they are finally free. This is their story. www.aclu.org

from: William Hughes

On Nov. 5, 2009, at the Palestine Center in Washington, D.C., an award-winning journalist, Mohammed Omer, presented a video that he had taken in January, 2005, at Rafah, Gaza Strip, near the Egyptian border. Mr. Omer, now 25 years of age, was born and raised in the Rafah refugee camp. See: www.webgaza.net His video dealt with some Palestian children attempting to post Palestinian flags on a huge Separation Wall, controlled by a security tower, operated by Israeli soldiers. A number of the children were killed by Israeli gunfire coming from the tower. During a Q&A session, Mr. Omer described what happened to the victims as a “war crime.” He also commented on, topics like: press freedom, self-censorship and an unpleasant experience that he had with CNN.
For more about the Palestine Center, go to “The Jerusalem Fund,” at: http://www.thejerusalemfund.org/ Mr. Omer is a correspondent for the “Washington Report on the Middle East Affairs” magazine. Check out: http://www.washington-report.org/ For the latest on the Human Rights crisis in Gaza, see the UN Report of Judge Richard Goldstone, at: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/specialsession/9/FactFindingMission.htm and http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/11/03/un-endorse-goldstone-report and
http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/report/impunity-war-crimes-gaza-southern-israel-recipe-further-civilian-suffering-20090702 and http://www.rafahtoday.org/news/todaymain.htm

In Afghaninstan the US soldiers are losing heart for a fight they feel their presence is only prolonging. Sean Smith spent a month embedded with the US Army's 501st Parachute Regiment in June this year. With inadequate vehicles, relations with Afghan security forces at a standstill and the constant threat of IEDs.

from: William Hughes

On Nov. 5, 2009, at the Palestine Center, in Washington, D.C., an award-winning journalist, Mohammed Omer, discussed the desperate human rights situation in Gaza--the result of Israel’s recent siege and military offensive. His presentation included his personal observations, interviews with the people of Gaza, his photographs and a video. Mr. Omer, now 25 years of age, was born and raised in the Rafah refugee camp. He spoke for over an hour, including the Q&A session. For more about the Palestine Center, go to “The Jerusalem Fund,” at: http://www.thejerusalemfund.org/ Mr. Omer is a correspondent for the “Washington Report on the Middle East Affairs” magazine. Check out: http://www.washington-report.org/ For the latest on the Human Rights crisis in Gaza, see the UN Report of Judge Richard Goldstone, at: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/specialsession/9/FactFindingMission.htm and http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/11/03/un-endorse-goldstone-report and
http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/report/impunity-war-crimes-gaza-southern-israel-recipe-further-civilian-suffering-20090702

from: William Hughes

On Nov. 3, 2009, on Capitol Hill, activists from the “Coalition for Free Gaza March,” personally confronted Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA,) just outside his office over the Goldstone Report. The Congressman then quickly rushed towards his private elevator. Afterwards, six activists strolled into Room 2221, Rep. Berman’s office, in the Rayburn Building, around 10 AM. There, they began reading the 575-paged UN Report of Judge Richard Goldstone. The Goldstone-authored document is highly critical of Israel’s recent military conduct in Gaza, labeling some of its action as “War Crimes.” Rep. Berman, who is Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, has introduced HR 867 in the House. Its purpose is to reject the report of the distinguished jurist, without giving Judge Goldstone a chance to personally testify before the Congress on his findings. HR 867 is due for a vote in the House later today. See, http://codepinkalert.org/article.php?id=5149 and
http://www.thepeoplesvoice.org/TPV3/Voices.php/2009/11/02/goldstone-tells-moyers-israel-guilty-of- and
http://www.miftah.org/Display.cfm?DocId=20823&CategoryId=5 and http://www.juancole.com/2009/09/goldstone-report-finds-israeli-military.html and http://www.boomantribune.com/?op=displaystory;sid=2009/10/29/111643/30 and
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/47449

from: William Hughes

On the evening of October 29, 2009, in Baltimore, MD, Richard Becker, an author, political commentator and activist, discussed his new book, “Palestine, Israel and the U.S. Empire.” He is on a national speaking tour. See for background: http://www.pslweb.org/site/
PageServer?pagename=PalestineBook
Mr. Becker is also the Western Regional Coordinator for the ANSWER Coalition. Check out: http://answer.pephost.org/site
/PageServer?pagename=ANS_homepage The venue for the book talk was at “Sweet Tooth Dessert Shop,” located near the historic Hollins Street Market. Ms. Ashley Sauers served as the moderator for the event. Mr. Becker spoke for about one hour and a half, followed by a lively Q&A session, which lasted another 30 minutes.

from: William Hughes

Activist/nurse Sharon Black, who is with the “Bail Out the People Movement,” shared her views on the need for a Single Payer health care system. She said health care is a “human right,” and shouldn’t be for profit and that the country is going through “a desperate period.” Ms. Black added: “The money is there. The war budget is bloated. The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer.” Ms. Black was one of the protesters who were picketing the office of CareFirst BlueCross Blue Shield, an insurance giant, at a Hi-Rise in Baltimore, MD, on Oct. 29, 2009. For background, see: http://bailoutpeople.org/ and http://mobilizeforhealthcare.org/

from: William Hughes

On Oct. 29, 2009, a protest action in support of Health Care for All was held at a 17-story tower, in Baltimore, MD, which houses the office of the insurance giant, CareFirst BlueCross Blue Shield. The demonstrators were advocating for a Single Payer system that puts the patients’ needs before corporate profits. A 15 ft. vampire, “Count Bleed-Ya-Dry,” made an appearance at the spirited rally. He represented the grasping Insurance Industry and he was roundly hooted by the protesters. A few of the activists shared their views on why we need a “single payer” health care system to become the law of the land. For more background, check out: http://mobilizeforhealthcare.org/

from: William Hughes

Sights and scenes from the protest action of Oct. 29, 2009, in support of Health Care for All. It was held, in Baltimore, MD, at the 17-story tower which houses an office of the insurance giant, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield. For background, see: http://mobilizeforhealthcare.org/

from: William Hughes

On Oct. 29, 2009, four activists, who support a Medicare for All solution to our healthcare crisis, were arrested in Baltimore, MD, for trespassing. They were engaged in a “patients before profits sit-in” at a 17-story tower, which houses an office of the insurance giant, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield. In this video, the four: Ms. Patty Courtney, Dr. Margaret Flowers, Dr. Eric Naumburg and Mr. Charles Loubert, explain their decision to choose arrest in order to serve a higher cause--the passage into law of a universal healthcare system that will serve all Americans. For more details on the Single Payer issue, the arrests and the exact charges placed against each defendant, check out: http://mobilizeforhealthcare.org/