AltWeeklies Wire
Brandon Darby: FBI Informant & Common Ground Co-Foundernew
A cofounder of the Katrina relief organization Common Ground is revealed as an FBI informant, leaving members angry — and wary.
Revolutionary to Rat: The Uneasy Journey of Brandon Darbynew
At first glance, Brandon Darby seems a typical Austin lefty activist. But ask around Austin activist circles, and a more contradictory portrait emerges.
Austin Chronicle |
Diana Welch |
01-26-2009 |
Policy Issues
Is California's Gay-Marriage Ban Sparking a New Generation of LGBT Activists?new
Misty Harvey has become a gay-rights leader by default. When Prop. 8 passed last month in California -- taking away same-sex marriage rights given to state residents in May -- Harvey sought a way to protest.
Pittsburgh City Paper |
Marty Levine |
12-08-2008 |
LGBT
Battling Scientologynew
The idea of locking legal horns with the notoriously litigious Church of Scientology might be enough to cool the ardor of some critics. But that's not Gregg Housh's style.
Boston Phoenix |
Chris Faraone |
10-16-2008 |
Religion
Police Raid Homes in Advance of RNCnew
The Ramsey County Sheriff's Department and St. Paul police -- working under the direction of federal agencies, including the FBI -- began raiding homes of protesters throughout the metro. Before the weekend was through, authorities would arrest six people and detain dozens more in a preemptive strike against would-be RNC rabble-rousers.
City Pages (Twin Cities) |
Matt Snyders |
09-04-2008 |
Civil Liberties
Pa. Gov. Ed Rendell is Urging a Stronger Effort to Enforce Anti-Sweatshop Policiesnew
Pennsylvania is the first state to pledge its support for a proposed anti-sweatshop consortium, made up of states, counties and municipalities from across the country. "Rendell has taken the leadership of states nationally," says Kenneth Miller, who has long been active in local anti-sweatshop campaigns.
Pittsburgh City Paper |
Adam Fleming |
07-28-2008 |
Business & Labor
Environmental Icon to Plead Guilty to Arson and Conspiracynew
Tre Arrow's decision last week to plead guilty to the longstanding federal charges comes as a blow to his fellow activists, some of whom have spent years fighting for his release while Arrow proclaimed his innocence.
Willamette Week |
James Pitkin |
05-28-2008 |
Crime & Justice
Are Immigrant-Rights Activists Back in the Crosshairs of Federal Agents?new
A volunteer with the Samaritans immigrant-aid group, Kathryn Ferguson, finds herself in federal court after being handcuffed and cited by a Bureau of Land Management agent in the tough hills along the border. That January encounter was followed by at least two more run-ins with BLM and Fish and Wildlife Service agents a few weeks later.
Tucson Weekly |
Tim Vanderpool |
04-24-2008 |
Immigration
Farmworkers Draw Student Supportnew
This spring, North Carolina college students have delved into the world of undocumented workers, bringing back stories about the complex culture and economic realities, staging local protests at a national restaurant chain and hosting educational events on campus.
INDY Week |
Juliana Hanson |
04-17-2008 |
Business & Labor
The Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility Takes on Everything from GMOs to Greenhouse Gasesnew
The group was born out of Apartheid South Africa and a group of Protestant shareholders who asked General Motors to reconsider its extensive investment in the country. Executive director Laura Berry talks to us about the ensuing 37 years, and how they group uses shareholder power to influence a host of issues.
San Antonio Current |
Elaine Wolff |
04-16-2008 |
Business & Labor
Two Young Filmmakers Document Philly's Crime Epidemicnew
"By the Numbers," a new public service announcement by filmmakers Alec Sutherland and Todd DosSantos and a local organization called the Anti-Violence Partnership, is just a minute long, but it's well worth watching.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Tasneem Paghdiwala |
04-14-2008 |
Crime & Justice
New Mexico Prison Activist Plans New Group for Familiesnew
Tilda Sosaya's new group, Prisoners and Families United, is the successor to the Committee on Prison Accountability, which eventually went under in 2002 amid internal divisions. "I feel that prisoners and their families still need a voice," she says, adding that the "fundamental purpose" of the group will be to organize released prisoners and their families.
Santa Fe Reporter |
David Alire Garcia |
04-11-2008 |
Crime & Justice
Quebec Promises to Match Funding Raised for Green Campus Causesnew
The provincial government will match the funds raised by campuses in Quebec -- some $250,000, most of it raised at Concordia -- that were aimed at projects that would reduce carbon emissions.
Montreal Mirror |
Samer Elatrash |
04-11-2008 |
Environment
Testing the Right to Rantnew
As a developer sues neighborhood activists for defamation, a new law protecting citizen journalism gets its first day in court.
Chicago Reader |
Michael Miner |
04-07-2008 |
Media
In Vermont, War-Tax Resistance Dies Hardnew
Five years into an unpopular war, the practice of withholding federal tax payments in protest isn't entirely dead.
Seven Days |
Mike Ives |
04-04-2008 |
War
