Around South End Press
Preserving Our Independents by Laura Pearson
An article by a former South End intern about South End Press and supporting independent publishing and arts. Originally in Is Greater Than. (continue reading)George Monbiot Wows the Green Living Show Via Longpen
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 04.28.07It is the first time I have seen a standing ovation for a video monitor. Margaret Atwood interviewed George Monbiot via Longpen, which was a challenge because the internet connection to Wales was a bit rough and she had to do a song and dance at the beginning until it got going and boy, with George on the line it got going. George noted that 1.5 metric tons of CO2 were saved, more than we should generate in a year. He speaks so well, answered Margaret's questions but also questions from the floor (continue reading)
South End Author Peter Gelderloos Arrested While Copwatching in Spain
On 23 April, 2007, Javier Mazas and Peter Gelderloos were arrested during the police response to a small demonstration organized by the Assamblea de la Okupacion (Squatters Assembly) on La Rambla, in Barcelona. At the demonstration, someone set off a petarda, a loud device designed to shoot flyers into the air. The police response was exaggerated, and they arrested one demonstrator. Peter, a US citizen, was arrested blocks away from the demonstration when police became suspicious based on his appearance. At the time, Peter was observing the first arrest and making sure police were not mistreating the detainee (continue reading)Third Circuit Appeals Court Sets Date for Oral Arguments in Mumia Case
by Dave Lindorff
http://www.opednews.com
Mumia Abu-Jamal, the Philadelpia journalist and former Black Panther activist who has been on Pennsylvania's death row since 1982, will finally have his appeal of his conviction heard by a three-judge panel of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, which set a date of May 17, 2007.
At that session, Abu-Jamal will argue that his original trial for the 1981 murder of police officer Daniel Faulkner was fatally flawed because of racial bias by the prosecutor in jury selection. He will argue that his conviction by that jury was improper because the prosecutor improperly was permitted to lessen jurors' sense of responsibility by assuring them that whatever they decided, the defendant would get "appeal after appeal" and so their decision "would not be final." He will also argue that his effort to appeal his conviction was damaged because his post-conviction relief act hearing was presided over by a judge who was clearly biased in favor of the district attorney. (continue reading)
Legal Update and Latest Brief on Mumia
from Attorney Robert Bryan
Dear Friends:
On July 20, 2006 we filed the Brief of Appellee and Cross Appellant, Mumia
Abu-Jamal, in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit,
Philadelphia. (Abu-Jamal v. Horn, U.S. Ct. of Appeals Nos. 01-9014,
02-9001.) This brief is of great significance concerning my client's right
to a fair trial, due process of law, not to be subjected to cruel and
unusual punishment, and equal protection of the law, guaranteed by the
Fifth, Sixth, Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
The issues the court is hearing are:
Claim 14 Whether Mr. Abu-Jamal was denied the right
(continue reading)
January 24, 2006
Legal Update on Mumia Abu-Jamal's Case
From the office of Robert Bryan, esq.
Re: Mumia Abu-Jamal v. Martin Horn, Pennsylvania Director of Corrections
U.S. Court of Appeals Nos. 01-9014, 02-9001 (death penalty)
Dear Friends:
Last month the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, Philadelphia, issued the most important decision affecting my client, Mumia Abu-Jamal, since his arrest nearly a quarter of a century ago. This is the first time any court has made a ruling that could lead to a new trial and his freedom. (continue reading)
January 19, 2006
BECHTEL VS. BOLIVIA: THE PEOPLE WIN!!
Dear Readers:
The people have won!!
This morning here in Bolivia, the Bechtel Corporation will sign an agreement
dropping its $50 million legal case against the people of Cochabamba –
for kicking Bechtel out in the 2000 water revolt. Instead of the fortune it
demanded, Bechtel will fly home with a token settlement of two shiny Bolivian
coins worth a total of thirty cents. One of the biggest, most powerful corporations
on Earth has been defeated by an army of concerned citizens all over the world,
including many of you. (continue reading)
ˇCochabamba! contributor Bolivia's New Vice President
December 19, 2005
The Morales Victory and Bolivian Social Movements
News from Bolivia indicates that Evo Morales of the MAS party (Movimiento Al Socialismo; Movement Toward Socialism) has been elected that country’s new president. This election is, among many other things, a further referendum on and rejection of the neoliberal policies that have dominated and impoverished Bolivia. There is already much debate within the strong Bolivian social movements over how Evo Morales and the MAS will respond to this mandate. (continue reading)