The U of MN, that is...
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Crooks and Liars » Audio of Larry Craig’s Bust!
Crooks and Liars » Audio of Larry Craig’s Bust!
Craig is a naughty and NASTY boy.
Just call him Vanity 1
Craig is a naughty and NASTY boy.
Just call him Vanity 1
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Sudan pledges $300 million to rebuild Darfu
But some critics say security is the prime issue after the atrocious attacks on African Union troops stationed in Darfur as security, known euphemistically as "peacekeeping" (see Farscape).
U.S. Plans Biggest Terror Drill Ever, Three Fictional "Dirty Bombs" To Go Off In Portland, Phoenix And Guam - CBS News
U.S. Plans Biggest Terror Drill Ever, Three Fictional "Dirty Bombs" To Go Off In Portland, Phoenix And Guam - CBS News
What are those boys up to?
The last "biggest terror drill ever" was just just before 9-11-01, and involved planes going into buildings.
What are those boys up to?
The last "biggest terror drill ever" was just just before 9-11-01, and involved planes going into buildings.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Republicans prepped for 2008 voter disenfranchisement
Thanks, Eric Kattan, for this link detailing how republicans are going to 'cage' voters of color -- again.
Obama: Eliminate all nukes
Blacklogic is boycotting the 2008 elections and all campaigns because elections in this country are now a sham, two have been stolen, hence there's no leg for democracy to stand on in this country. Moreover, all the candidates are lackeys for the Council on Foreign Relations/Trilateral Commisson/Military/Industrial Complex. Nonetheless, the elimination of nuclear weapons being proposed by a (longshot) presidential candidate is news worth passing on at least.
Monday, October 01, 2007
Books: America's Terror War on America - Newsweek Entertainment - MSNBC.com
Many of these new books are finally starting to ask questions the authors should have asked decades ago during the Reagan Adm.
With two stolen elections under our fascist belt, there is no doubt the USA has phased-out democracy's most important trait -- free elections.
But, these attacks on the Constitution, and our blind acceptance of them, shows you how tolerant all Americans -- conservative and so-called liberal -- are of fascist principles as long as it keeps white privilege going a little while longer. That is the tacit reason the Pelosis and Reids have aided and abetted this criminal administration -- they too are benefactors of the regime.
With two stolen elections under our fascist belt, there is no doubt the USA has phased-out democracy's most important trait -- free elections.
But, these attacks on the Constitution, and our blind acceptance of them, shows you how tolerant all Americans -- conservative and so-called liberal -- are of fascist principles as long as it keeps white privilege going a little while longer. That is the tacit reason the Pelosis and Reids have aided and abetted this criminal administration -- they too are benefactors of the regime.
Chicago police again mired in scandal - Yahoo! News
Chicago police again mired in scandal - Yahoo! News
Dig the part about the "99.9 percent" of officers who allegedly aren't corrupt.
Without a doubt, the police, military, mercenary outfits like Blackwater USA and other careers of this type are as much, if not more, of a haven and finishing school for racist and violent people with an axe to grind against others in society, whether Blacks, Latinos, GLBT, and Natives and especially now Arab descent persons.
It will be too late when the nation wakes up to this fact: There are no checks in place to prevent violent racists from careers in criminal justice because criminal justice as practiced in the USA is a function of a violent and racist agenda in the first place.
Dig the part about the "99.9 percent" of officers who allegedly aren't corrupt.
Without a doubt, the police, military, mercenary outfits like Blackwater USA and other careers of this type are as much, if not more, of a haven and finishing school for racist and violent people with an axe to grind against others in society, whether Blacks, Latinos, GLBT, and Natives and especially now Arab descent persons.
It will be too late when the nation wakes up to this fact: There are no checks in place to prevent violent racists from careers in criminal justice because criminal justice as practiced in the USA is a function of a violent and racist agenda in the first place.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Navy barracks shaped like swastika
The Navy says it will spend about $600,000 to remodel the offensively shaped housing, but my question is why?
If the shoe fits....
When America went fascist
The writer pinpoints the day in 2000 when the Supreme Court rammed GW down our throats despite his electoral loss(es).
I propose that the actual coup began in November 1963 in Dallas Texas when several assassins, including the DRIVER of the presidential limo, blew President Kennedy's skull to pink mist.
I propose that the actual coup began in November 1963 in Dallas Texas when several assassins, including the DRIVER of the presidential limo, blew President Kennedy's skull to pink mist.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Police offer jobs to recruits failing anti-racism test | the Daily Mail
Police offer jobs to recruits failing anti-racism test | the Daily Mail....
Though this article is from and about the UK, this has been the norm rather than the exception here in the US since the inception of "policing" -- more like 'occupying'.
Though this article is from and about the UK, this has been the norm rather than the exception here in the US since the inception of "policing" -- more like 'occupying'.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Thursday, September 13, 2007
US military moves to control Africa outright
This is the cost of negating a Human Rights/Pan Africanist awareness to the civil rights dialog of the past...we have taken our eyes off of our common humanity and in the meantime, imperialist, genocidal nations are still raping the resources of the MotherlLand.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Shock Doctrine
A good look at how the CIA's electroshock experiments translated to the our collective shock of 9-11.
Suckas
Suckas
Monday, September 10, 2007
CUAPB Statement on Critical Mass Incident
"CUAPB CONDEMNS ATTACK BY MPD ON CYCLISTS; POLICE ACTIONS WILL NOT DETER FREE SPEECH Editor's Note: CUAPB has been heavily involved in securing the legal rights of the people brutalized and/or arrested during last night's Critical Mass bicycle ride. What follows is a statement we released to the media earlier today.
In the aftermath of this attack, we urge people to get to the next meeting of the Minneapolis city council's so-called 'free speech' working group, which will be held on September 12 at 11:00 a.m. in room 333 of city hall.
At this point, most of the arrestees have been released on bail and will have their first appearance in court on October 1, 2007. We will keep you posted on the progress of legal defense efforts for the Critical Mass 19. Communities United Against Police Brutality strongly condemns the violent attack by Minneapolis police on bicyclists riding as part of last night's Critical Mass.
For simply enjoying the beautiful weather by riding their bicycles legally down the street, these riders were subjected to beatings, false arrests, clouds of noxious chemical irritant, destruction of their property and wholesale violations of their rights. As a result of this unprovoked attack, nineteen were arrested, including a number of bystanders. Some individuals were tasered while handcuffed. Eight people were beat"
In the aftermath of this attack, we urge people to get to the next meeting of the Minneapolis city council's so-called 'free speech' working group, which will be held on September 12 at 11:00 a.m. in room 333 of city hall.
At this point, most of the arrestees have been released on bail and will have their first appearance in court on October 1, 2007. We will keep you posted on the progress of legal defense efforts for the Critical Mass 19. Communities United Against Police Brutality strongly condemns the violent attack by Minneapolis police on bicyclists riding as part of last night's Critical Mass.
For simply enjoying the beautiful weather by riding their bicycles legally down the street, these riders were subjected to beatings, false arrests, clouds of noxious chemical irritant, destruction of their property and wholesale violations of their rights. As a result of this unprovoked attack, nineteen were arrested, including a number of bystanders. Some individuals were tasered while handcuffed. Eight people were beat"
MPD going after cyclist/protestors
The Minneapolis Police Force has been off the rails for a long, long time, becoming more and more reliant on brutality and oppression of our Constitutionally guaranteed right to freedoms of speech and assembly. The new police chief has wasted little time in demoting several qualified officers of color and women from positions as precinct commanders and inspectors (Lt. Lee Edwards, 4th Pct, Valerie Wurster, 3rd, to name two.) Chief Tim Dolan now has the all white boys club we weren't too long removed from.
Now they are going after activists gearing up to protest the 2008 Republican National Convention here in the Twin Cites, and the lockdown has already begun, because, while activists are prepping and honing their rights, law enforcement agencies and the weak-kneed mayors (Rybak) and city councils that let them violate our rights with impunity are honing their draconian 'talents' as well.
This following is a statement from Communities United Against Police Brutality issued Sept. 1 -- I was Missou for the weekend and this was my first time hearing about what happened to the riders of the monthly Critical Mass ride:
Now they are going after activists gearing up to protest the 2008 Republican National Convention here in the Twin Cites, and the lockdown has already begun, because, while activists are prepping and honing their rights, law enforcement agencies and the weak-kneed mayors (Rybak) and city councils that let them violate our rights with impunity are honing their draconian 'talents' as well.
This following is a statement from Communities United Against Police Brutality issued Sept. 1 -- I was Missou for the weekend and this was my first time hearing about what happened to the riders of the monthly Critical Mass ride:
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Free the Jena 6:
BLACKLOGIC condemns the local Jena law enforcement agencies and supports the rights of all six Black youths being lynched down south in 2007.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
The Raw Story | Nugent defends right to threaten Democrats during his concerts
Media refuses to take Nucklehead has-been Nugent to task for terroristic threats against fellow Americans.
Media scrutiny is reserved strictly for Hip Hop, I guess.
Media scrutiny is reserved strictly for Hip Hop, I guess.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Thursday, August 23, 2007
USA and Venezuela: Worlds Apart
Guess which one actually embodies a democratic society, and which one does not.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
White Americans Happier
Duh! Ya' think?
Of course they're happier...the purpose of the United States is the misery of everyone who ain't white, so why the frick wouldn't they be happier?
Of course they're happier...the purpose of the United States is the misery of everyone who ain't white, so why the frick wouldn't they be happier?
Monday, August 20, 2007
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Monday, August 13, 2007
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Iraq contractors a reckless force? - Conflict in Iraq - MSNBC.com
Iraq contractors a reckless force? - who frickin' woulda' guessed?
If these folks were really patriotic, they would have stayed their arses in the military instead of profiteering off the death...to paraphrase one of the enlisted soldiers interviewed for the story.
If these folks were really patriotic, they would have stayed their arses in the military instead of profiteering off the death...to paraphrase one of the enlisted soldiers interviewed for the story.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Friday, August 10, 2007
Writer wishes for another 9/11
Damn Stu, why don't you join the frickin' PNAC neo cons then?
This is f)*&^#! reasoning from a so-called leftist, and serves to reveal their latent inclinations of white privilege to steer attention away from the issue that this is what the world is fundamentally rebelling against.
What is most sick about this article and the pov in particular is that it gives the shadowy figures who create/facilitate such tragedies as 9/11 permission to do so again. (Yes, we think it was an inside job). Bush, his fellow chickenhawks, and the rabid, private armies they've employed are more than capable and willing to heed this bitch ass writer's request for another 9/11, or similar tragedy, and that's supposed to be a good thing?
So when we are all united under false pretenses, according to Stu Bykofsky, we're supposed to be better off?
WTF?
This is f)*&^#! reasoning from a so-called leftist, and serves to reveal their latent inclinations of white privilege to steer attention away from the issue that this is what the world is fundamentally rebelling against.
What is most sick about this article and the pov in particular is that it gives the shadowy figures who create/facilitate such tragedies as 9/11 permission to do so again. (Yes, we think it was an inside job). Bush, his fellow chickenhawks, and the rabid, private armies they've employed are more than capable and willing to heed this bitch ass writer's request for another 9/11, or similar tragedy, and that's supposed to be a good thing?
So when we are all united under false pretenses, according to Stu Bykofsky, we're supposed to be better off?
WTF?
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Monday, August 06, 2007
Prescott Bush and the Plot against America
High crimes and misdemeanors run wild in the Bush Family.
They practically gallop!
(Thanks CG and FK)
They practically gallop!
(Thanks CG and FK)
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Saturday, August 04, 2007
Right to assemble threatened in, and by, Minneapolis and it's city leaders respectively
BLACKLOGIC was one of several activist's to receive this posting a TCs activist about the big brother stylings of the RNC, and their efforts to make the constitutionally guaranteed right to assemble at their upcoming convention in 2008 impossible by requiring permits. The Mpls city council has thus far been complicit in this effort to restrict our rights -- again.
What follows is the email in it's entirety with contacts of all the "RNC Working Group Members" in Mpls:
Subject: the right to protest threatened in minneapolis
[My apologies for any double-postings... even so, please forward this to fellow activists and organizers!]
Hello friends,
There seems some sort of conspiracy over at City Hall. Several people, including myself, have tried to call and emailed several different offices today, and prior. We are trying to understand what is being done by the so-called RNC Free Speech Work Group, and where they are in the drafting of a new ordinance to require permits for public rallies (see below).
We have spoken to individuals in the City Coordinator's office, the Mayor's office, and the offices of Councilmembers Gordon, Ostrow and Schiff. We believe (though there are conflicting reports) that the Free Speech Work Group will have it's next meeting on Wednesday, August 8 from 11am to noon. We suspect that these meetings are CLOSED to the public, and this is why we are not getting a straight answer from most the people we speak to. It is outrageous that a committee purportedly working to protect our free speech (in particular during the 2008 Republican Convention), would be meeting in secret!
Some of you haven't received all the messages that have gone around on this, over the last week or so. To catch you up... The proposed permit ordinance is alarming: among other things, it criminalizes protests without a permit (and empowers a police officer to revoke a permit during the course of a protest at their own discretion). Participating in an unpermited public rally or meeting with more than 20 people would be a MISDEMEANOR offense. This policy is unacceptable. Current city policies have no such restrictions.
We need to shine a light on what this committee is doing, and stop them from passing this restrictive ordinance. This message is to alert you to what is going on. While we work to confirm these facts, please discuss with your organization how to respond. The National Lawyers Guild is sending in a letter opposing the ordinance. The Anti-War Committee and Communities United Against Police Brutality are planning to do the same. I will forward our letters when the drafts are final. I would encourage your organizations to send in letters as well. I will include helpful contact information below.
If we can determine whether this meeting is really happening next week, it could be very important to have a presence there. Please pencil it in on your calendar (Wednesday 8/8 @ 11am). Again, I will send out a confirmation when I can get it, probably sometime on Monday.
In solidarity,
Jess Sundin
Anti-War Committee
612.272.2209 (cell)
Free Speech Work Group Members:
Mayor R.T. Ryback (member, free speech work group)
(612) 673-2100
rt@minneapolis.org
Police Chief Tim Dolan
(612) 673-3787
police@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
City Attorney Jay Heffern
(612) 673-2010
cityattorney@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
Department of Civil Rights Director Michael Jordan
(612) 673-3012
Michael.Jordan@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
Teresa Nelson, American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota
* note: she has raised criticisms of the proposed ordinance
651-645-4097 x122
tnelson@aclu-mn.org
Ward 1 Paul Ostrow (chair)
(612) 673-2201
paul.ostrow@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
Ward 2 Cam Gordon (alternate)
(612) 673-2202
Cam.Gordon@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
Ward 10 Ralph Remington
(612) 673-2210
Ralph.Remington@ci.minneapolis.mn.us Other councilmembers:
Ward 3 Diane Hofstede
(612) 673-2203
Diane.Hofstede@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
Ward 4 Barbara Johnson
(612) 673-2204
Barbara.Johnson@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
Ward 5 Don Samuels
(612) 673-2205
Don.Samuels@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
Ward 6 Robert Lilligren
(612) 673-2206
Robert.Lilligren@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
Ward 7 Lisa Goodman
(612) 673-2207
Lisa.Goodman@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
Ward 8 Elizabeth Glidden
(612) 673-2208
ElizabethGlidden@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
Ward 9 Gary Schiff
(612) 673-2209
Gary.Schiff@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
Ward 11 Scott Benson
(612) 673-2211
Scott.Benson@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
Ward 12 Sandy Colvin Roy
(612) 673-2212
Sandy.Colvin.Roy@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
Ward 13 Betsy Hodges
(612) 673-2213
Betsy.Hodges@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
PROPOSED ORDINANCE:
CHAPTER 462. PUBLIC RALLIES
462.10. Purpose. The purposes of this chapter are:
(a) To protect the rights of all people to the orderly freedom of expression, speech and association guaranteed by the U.S. and Minnesota Constitutions;
(b) To impose reasonable time, place, duration and manner restrictions on such expression, speech and association so as to protect the public's safety and access to public buildings and spaces.
462.20. Definitions. For the purposes of this chapter, the terms defined in this section shall have the following meanings:
Business Licensing. All staff from the Business Licensing Division of Regulatory Services, all other City staff that have been assigned to coordinate on the processing and issuance of public rally permits, and all staff from other political subdivisions who are working in cooperation with City staff on the processing and issuance of public rally permits.
Person. A single person, group of persons, firm, partnership, association, corporation or other entity that intends to announce, conduct or hold a public rally.
Public Rally. A group activity involving 20 or more people including but not limited to a demonstration, meeting, assembly, protest, vigil, parades, solicitations or other gathering that takes place on public property for the purpose of expressing views or opinions. Public rallies do not include lawful picketing that has no affect on the flow of pedestrian or motorized traffic on sidewalks, streets and allies.
462.30. Public rally permit required. No person shall announce or hold any public rally prior to obtaining a public rally permit from Business Licensing. There shall be no charge for a public rally permit. Failure to obtain a permit prior to holding a public rally shall be a misdemeanor.
462.40. Written application and process. Business Licensing shall create a written application and procedures for the processing and filing of public rally permits and shall make those documents available to the public physically and electronically. Any person seeking a public rally permit shall submit an application to Business Licensing. The application shall inquire about the precise time, duration, anticipated number of persons and location of the public rally, and shall inquire about other information as deemed necessary by Business Licensing. The application shall clearly set forth all of the requirements that applicants must comply with in obtaining other licenses, permits, or other permissions for the proposed public rally. At any time prior to a scheduled public rally, reasonable time, place, duration and manner conditions may be place on the permit by Business Licensing, only upon written findings of the necessity of such conditions.
462.50. Time for filing and processing public rally permit applications. (a) If an application is submitted one year or more prior to when a person intends to hold a public rally, Business Licensing shall approve or deny the application within sixty (60) days of the date the application is received, or the permit shall be issued.
(b) If an application is submitted at least ninety (90) days but less than one year prior to when a person intends to hold a public rally, Business Licensing shall approve or deny the application within thirty (30) days of the date the application is received, or the permit shall be issued.
(c) If an application is submitted at least seven (7) days but less than ninety (90) days prior to when a person intends to hold a public rally, Business Licensing shall approve or deny the application within five (5) business days of the date the application is received, or the permit shall be issued.
(d) If an application is submitted less than seven (7) days prior to when a person intends to hold a public rally, Business Licensing shall make every possible effort to approve or deny the application the same business day or within one (1) business day, but in all cases shall approve or deny the permit within two (2) business days, or the permit shall be issued.
462.60. Grounds for denying a public rally permit. Business Licensing shall approve an application and issue a public rally permit unless:
(a) the conduct of the public rally will interfere with the safe and orderly movement of emergency personnel or vehicles at the proposed location;
2. the location of the proposed public rally is inconsistent with the anticipated size of the public rally;
3. the proposed public rally would conflict or interfere with a previously approved public rally or other scheduled public activity at the proposed location;
4. the proposed public rally location is adjacent to and would unduly disturb a neighborhood based on the timing or identified activity of the public rally;
5. the proposed public rally may cause physical injury to persons or substantial damage to property;
6. the application is incomplete in some substantive way that would affect the safety of the participants in the proposed public rally;
7. The applicant has not complied with the procedural requirements contained in the application;
8. The applicant has not provided a bond or insurance certificate as required by Business Licensing;
9. The proposed public rally is prohibited by law;
10. The application contains misrepresentations of any kind;
11. The applicant refuses to execute an agreement, as may be required by Business Licensing, to reimburse the public for costs incurred in repairing or restoring any public property to its conditions prior to the public rally;
12. The proposed public rally will interfere with the operations of any governmental agency; or
13. It reasonably appears that the proposed public rally will present a clear and present danger to the public safety or health, or conflicts with security needs anticipated for the time and place of the proposed public rally.
Prior to denying an application for a public rally permit, Business Licensing will make every effort to assist the applicant in finding a suitable and safe location in the public domain that the proposed public rally can safely take place at. Business Licensing shall make specific written findings on all factors upon which an application for a public rally permit is denied. Business Licensing shall not make any findings or deny any application for any reason relating to the content of any proposed expression, speech, idea or other protected activity.
462.70. Appeal of denial of application for public rally permit. (a) An applicant shall appeal the denial of an application for a public rally permit within 5 business days of the denial. An appeal must be submitted on a form provided by Business Licensing. Upon receipt of an appeal of a denial of an application, the Assistant City Coordinator of Regulatory Services shall designate a three-person appellate panel to hear the appeal. Two panel members shall be Deputy Directors or Directors in Regulatory Services, and one panel member shall be a City Council member.
2. The appellate panel shall consider the appeal as soon as possible so as to allow further review by state or federal courts prior to the date of the proposed public rally. If the date of the proposed public rally is less than fourteen (14) days after the appeal was received, the appellate panel shall convene and rule within one (1) business day of the appeal.
3. The appellate panel hearing is not open to the public. At the hearing, the appellate panel may receive and consider all forms of evidence, including hearsay evidence, and may set reasonable limits on the number of witnesses that may be called by Business Licensing and by the appellant. The appellate panel may limit the hearing to one (1) hour to expedite its deliberation and ruling. The appellant may be represented by an attorney.
4. The appellate panel may reverse, affirm or modify the denial of an application for a public rally permit. Upon the conclusion of the hearing, the appellate panel shall notify Business Licensing and the appellant of when it will issue its ruling. The appellate panel shall make every effort to rule as soon as possible so as to allow further review by state or federal courts prior to the date of the proposed public rally.
462.80. Violation of permit conditions. If a person violates the conditions of any permit, the permit may be immediately revoked. It shall be a misdemeanor for any person to continue to engage in an activity for which a permit was required after the permit has been revoked, provided the person knows the permit as been revoked.
462.90. Rights granted to permit holders. Any person possessing a valid permit has the exclusive right to use the area or facility specified in the permit for the applicable time. It shall be misdemeanor for any person to refuse to leave an area or facility which has been reserved by a valid permit when asked to do so by the permit holder or by any public employee or official.
462.100. Duties of permit holders. It is the duty of the permit holder to obey all laws and conditions on the permit, clean and restore the area used for the public rally to its original condition after the public rally has concluded, and to reimburse the City for all expenses incurred by the City to repair or restore any public property damaged by the public rally.
462.80. Other provisions not affected. This chapter does not alter, replace, modify or otherwise affect any other provisions in the Minneapolis Code of Ordinances.
462.90. Insurance required. Upon written findings only, Business Licensing may require an applicant to provide proof of insurance or a bond to alleviate identified risks associated with a proposed public rally.
462.100. Intergovernmental cooperation and coordination. Business Licensing staff is directed to coordinate and cooperate with other political subdivisions, including the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, to the fullest extent possible and as authorized by Joint Powers Agreements or other legal authority on the application process, permitting process, planning, coordination and all other aspects of scheduling and providing safe and available forums for public rallies.
What follows is the email in it's entirety with contacts of all the "RNC Working Group Members" in Mpls:
Subject: the right to protest threatened in minneapolis
[My apologies for any double-postings... even so, please forward this to fellow activists and organizers!]
Hello friends,
There seems some sort of conspiracy over at City Hall. Several people, including myself, have tried to call and emailed several different offices today, and prior. We are trying to understand what is being done by the so-called RNC Free Speech Work Group, and where they are in the drafting of a new ordinance to require permits for public rallies (see below).
We have spoken to individuals in the City Coordinator's office, the Mayor's office, and the offices of Councilmembers Gordon, Ostrow and Schiff. We believe (though there are conflicting reports) that the Free Speech Work Group will have it's next meeting on Wednesday, August 8 from 11am to noon. We suspect that these meetings are CLOSED to the public, and this is why we are not getting a straight answer from most the people we speak to. It is outrageous that a committee purportedly working to protect our free speech (in particular during the 2008 Republican Convention), would be meeting in secret!
Some of you haven't received all the messages that have gone around on this, over the last week or so. To catch you up... The proposed permit ordinance is alarming: among other things, it criminalizes protests without a permit (and empowers a police officer to revoke a permit during the course of a protest at their own discretion). Participating in an unpermited public rally or meeting with more than 20 people would be a MISDEMEANOR offense. This policy is unacceptable. Current city policies have no such restrictions.
We need to shine a light on what this committee is doing, and stop them from passing this restrictive ordinance. This message is to alert you to what is going on. While we work to confirm these facts, please discuss with your organization how to respond. The National Lawyers Guild is sending in a letter opposing the ordinance. The Anti-War Committee and Communities United Against Police Brutality are planning to do the same. I will forward our letters when the drafts are final. I would encourage your organizations to send in letters as well. I will include helpful contact information below.
If we can determine whether this meeting is really happening next week, it could be very important to have a presence there. Please pencil it in on your calendar (Wednesday 8/8 @ 11am). Again, I will send out a confirmation when I can get it, probably sometime on Monday.
In solidarity,
Jess Sundin
Anti-War Committee
612.272.2209 (cell)
Free Speech Work Group Members:
Mayor R.T. Ryback (member, free speech work group)
(612) 673-2100
rt@minneapolis.org
Police Chief Tim Dolan
(612) 673-3787
police@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
City Attorney Jay Heffern
(612) 673-2010
cityattorney@ci.minneapolis.mn
Department of Civil Rights Director Michael Jordan
(612) 673-3012
Michael.Jordan@ci.minneapolis
Teresa Nelson, American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota
* note: she has raised criticisms of the proposed ordinance
651-645-4097 x122
tnelson@aclu-mn.org
Ward 1 Paul Ostrow (chair)
(612) 673-2201
paul.ostrow@ci.minneapolis.mn
Ward 2 Cam Gordon (alternate)
(612) 673-2202
Cam.Gordon@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
Ward 10 Ralph Remington
(612) 673-2210
Ralph.Remington@ci.minneapolis
Ward 3 Diane Hofstede
(612) 673-2203
Diane.Hofstede@ci.minneapolis
Ward 4 Barbara Johnson
(612) 673-2204
Barbara.Johnson@ci.minneapolis
Ward 5 Don Samuels
(612) 673-2205
Don.Samuels@ci.minneapolis.mn
Ward 6 Robert Lilligren
(612) 673-2206
Robert.Lilligren@ci.minneapolis
Ward 7 Lisa Goodman
(612) 673-2207
Lisa.Goodman@ci.minneapolis.mn
Ward 8 Elizabeth Glidden
(612) 673-2208
ElizabethGlidden@ci.minneapolis
Ward 9 Gary Schiff
(612) 673-2209
Gary.Schiff@ci.minneapolis.mn
Ward 11 Scott Benson
(612) 673-2211
Scott.Benson@ci.minneapolis.mn
Ward 12 Sandy Colvin Roy
(612) 673-2212
Sandy.Colvin.Roy@ci.minneapolis
Ward 13 Betsy Hodges
(612) 673-2213
Betsy.Hodges@ci.minneapolis.mn
PROPOSED ORDINANCE:
CHAPTER 462. PUBLIC RALLIES
462.10. Purpose. The purposes of this chapter are:
(a) To protect the rights of all people to the orderly freedom of expression, speech and association guaranteed by the U.S. and Minnesota Constitutions;
(b) To impose reasonable time, place, duration and manner restrictions on such expression, speech and association so as to protect the public's safety and access to public buildings and spaces.
462.20. Definitions. For the purposes of this chapter, the terms defined in this section shall have the following meanings:
Business Licensing. All staff from the Business Licensing Division of Regulatory Services, all other City staff that have been assigned to coordinate on the processing and issuance of public rally permits, and all staff from other political subdivisions who are working in cooperation with City staff on the processing and issuance of public rally permits.
Person. A single person, group of persons, firm, partnership, association, corporation or other entity that intends to announce, conduct or hold a public rally.
Public Rally. A group activity involving 20 or more people including but not limited to a demonstration, meeting, assembly, protest, vigil, parades, solicitations or other gathering that takes place on public property for the purpose of expressing views or opinions. Public rallies do not include lawful picketing that has no affect on the flow of pedestrian or motorized traffic on sidewalks, streets and allies.
462.30. Public rally permit required. No person shall announce or hold any public rally prior to obtaining a public rally permit from Business Licensing. There shall be no charge for a public rally permit. Failure to obtain a permit prior to holding a public rally shall be a misdemeanor.
462.40. Written application and process. Business Licensing shall create a written application and procedures for the processing and filing of public rally permits and shall make those documents available to the public physically and electronically. Any person seeking a public rally permit shall submit an application to Business Licensing. The application shall inquire about the precise time, duration, anticipated number of persons and location of the public rally, and shall inquire about other information as deemed necessary by Business Licensing. The application shall clearly set forth all of the requirements that applicants must comply with in obtaining other licenses, permits, or other permissions for the proposed public rally. At any time prior to a scheduled public rally, reasonable time, place, duration and manner conditions may be place on the permit by Business Licensing, only upon written findings of the necessity of such conditions.
462.50. Time for filing and processing public rally permit applications. (a) If an application is submitted one year or more prior to when a person intends to hold a public rally, Business Licensing shall approve or deny the application within sixty (60) days of the date the application is received, or the permit shall be issued.
(b) If an application is submitted at least ninety (90) days but less than one year prior to when a person intends to hold a public rally, Business Licensing shall approve or deny the application within thirty (30) days of the date the application is received, or the permit shall be issued.
(c) If an application is submitted at least seven (7) days but less than ninety (90) days prior to when a person intends to hold a public rally, Business Licensing shall approve or deny the application within five (5) business days of the date the application is received, or the permit shall be issued.
(d) If an application is submitted less than seven (7) days prior to when a person intends to hold a public rally, Business Licensing shall make every possible effort to approve or deny the application the same business day or within one (1) business day, but in all cases shall approve or deny the permit within two (2) business days, or the permit shall be issued.
462.60. Grounds for denying a public rally permit. Business Licensing shall approve an application and issue a public rally permit unless:
(a) the conduct of the public rally will interfere with the safe and orderly movement of emergency personnel or vehicles at the proposed location;
2. the location of the proposed public rally is inconsistent with the anticipated size of the public rally;
3. the proposed public rally would conflict or interfere with a previously approved public rally or other scheduled public activity at the proposed location;
4. the proposed public rally location is adjacent to and would unduly disturb a neighborhood based on the timing or identified activity of the public rally;
5. the proposed public rally may cause physical injury to persons or substantial damage to property;
6. the application is incomplete in some substantive way that would affect the safety of the participants in the proposed public rally;
7. The applicant has not complied with the procedural requirements contained in the application;
8. The applicant has not provided a bond or insurance certificate as required by Business Licensing;
9. The proposed public rally is prohibited by law;
10. The application contains misrepresentations of any kind;
11. The applicant refuses to execute an agreement, as may be required by Business Licensing, to reimburse the public for costs incurred in repairing or restoring any public property to its conditions prior to the public rally;
12. The proposed public rally will interfere with the operations of any governmental agency; or
13. It reasonably appears that the proposed public rally will present a clear and present danger to the public safety or health, or conflicts with security needs anticipated for the time and place of the proposed public rally.
Prior to denying an application for a public rally permit, Business Licensing will make every effort to assist the applicant in finding a suitable and safe location in the public domain that the proposed public rally can safely take place at. Business Licensing shall make specific written findings on all factors upon which an application for a public rally permit is denied. Business Licensing shall not make any findings or deny any application for any reason relating to the content of any proposed expression, speech, idea or other protected activity.
462.70. Appeal of denial of application for public rally permit. (a) An applicant shall appeal the denial of an application for a public rally permit within 5 business days of the denial. An appeal must be submitted on a form provided by Business Licensing. Upon receipt of an appeal of a denial of an application, the Assistant City Coordinator of Regulatory Services shall designate a three-person appellate panel to hear the appeal. Two panel members shall be Deputy Directors or Directors in Regulatory Services, and one panel member shall be a City Council member.
2. The appellate panel shall consider the appeal as soon as possible so as to allow further review by state or federal courts prior to the date of the proposed public rally. If the date of the proposed public rally is less than fourteen (14) days after the appeal was received, the appellate panel shall convene and rule within one (1) business day of the appeal.
3. The appellate panel hearing is not open to the public. At the hearing, the appellate panel may receive and consider all forms of evidence, including hearsay evidence, and may set reasonable limits on the number of witnesses that may be called by Business Licensing and by the appellant. The appellate panel may limit the hearing to one (1) hour to expedite its deliberation and ruling. The appellant may be represented by an attorney.
4. The appellate panel may reverse, affirm or modify the denial of an application for a public rally permit. Upon the conclusion of the hearing, the appellate panel shall notify Business Licensing and the appellant of when it will issue its ruling. The appellate panel shall make every effort to rule as soon as possible so as to allow further review by state or federal courts prior to the date of the proposed public rally.
462.80. Violation of permit conditions. If a person violates the conditions of any permit, the permit may be immediately revoked. It shall be a misdemeanor for any person to continue to engage in an activity for which a permit was required after the permit has been revoked, provided the person knows the permit as been revoked.
462.90. Rights granted to permit holders. Any person possessing a valid permit has the exclusive right to use the area or facility specified in the permit for the applicable time. It shall be misdemeanor for any person to refuse to leave an area or facility which has been reserved by a valid permit when asked to do so by the permit holder or by any public employee or official.
462.100. Duties of permit holders. It is the duty of the permit holder to obey all laws and conditions on the permit, clean and restore the area used for the public rally to its original condition after the public rally has concluded, and to reimburse the City for all expenses incurred by the City to repair or restore any public property damaged by the public rally.
462.80. Other provisions not affected. This chapter does not alter, replace, modify or otherwise affect any other provisions in the Minneapolis Code of Ordinances.
462.90. Insurance required. Upon written findings only, Business Licensing may require an applicant to provide proof of insurance or a bond to alleviate identified risks associated with a proposed public rally.
462.100. Intergovernmental cooperation and coordination. Business Licensing staff is directed to coordinate and cooperate with other political subdivisions, including the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, to the fullest extent possible and as authorized by Joint Powers Agreements or other legal authority on the application process, permitting process, planning, coordination and all other aspects of scheduling and providing safe and available forums for public rallies.
Friday, August 03, 2007
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Nike settles Chicago race case for $7.6 million - U.S. Business - MSNBC.com
Boycott candidate Nike settles Chicago race case for $7.6 million
Still spending half your income to be like Mike?
Still spending half your income to be like Mike?
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
ABC News: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
The bridge actually links downtown Mpls to SouthEast Minneapolis...not St. Paul as mentioned in ABC's 'reporting.'
Eyewitnesses have told Blacklogic that the fatality number will likely be higher than seven. More on this as it develops.
Eyewitnesses have told Blacklogic that the fatality number will likely be higher than seven. More on this as it develops.
What WE already knew: US justice is not colorblind
"Is American justice colorblind? A new study finds that blacks on death row convicted of killing whites are more likely to be executed than whites who kill minorities. It also concludes that blacks who kill other minorities are less likely to be executed than blacks who kill whites. The authors of the report say their findings raise serious doubts about claims that the U.S. criminal justice system is colorblind."
"The findings, in short, show that we clearly value white lives more than those of Blacks or Hispanics."
"The findings, in short, show that we clearly value white lives more than those of Blacks or Hispanics."
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