Los Angeles Indymedia : Activist News

January 28, 2010: Severe Ice Storms and Freezing Temperatures Have Knocked Down 3,000 Utility Poles – Tribal Residents Have Been Without Electricity, Heat and Running Water for Six Days.

EAGLE BUTTE, S.D. – The Chairman of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe has declared a State of Emergency in central South Dakota, an Indian reservation approximately the size of Connecticut with nearly 15,000 Tribal members. The Tribe is still awaiting Presidential disaster declaration.

Days of ice storms and strong winds have downed over 3,000 utility poles across the reservation. Thousands of already impoverished tribal residents have been without electricity or heat for five days, with wind chill factors well below zero. Experts estimate it may be as long as a month before all areas have electricity restored.

“Making matters worse,” said Tribal Chairman Joe Brings Plenty, “the loss of electricity has also knocked out the Reservation s aging water system. We have no running water on the entire Reservation, it is also affecting of Reservation communities such as Faith, whose water is supplied from pipes running through the Reservation.”

Help needed!

More information: DISASTER DECLARED ON THE CHEYENNE RIVER SIOUX INDIAN RESERVATION IN SOUTH DAKOTA by Larry Smith | | More on American Indian Airwaves (February 1, 2010, 8pm). Listen here

Ojore Lutalo, (Black Liberation activist) was pulled off an Amtrak train in La Junta, Colorado on his way home to New Jersey this past Tuesday. He was arrested and charged with, “Interfering with Public Transportation”. Train passengers alleged that Ojore had made “terroristic, [sic] threats against the train”.

Ojore has denied the charges, saying that he was having a conversation with a friend on the phone at the time. Ojore has been released and is out on $30,000 bail. He is currently staying with friends in Denver. Those who wish to help should contact Denver ABC for information.

Many see the arrest as suspect coming just days after Ojore’s appearance at the Los Angeles anarchist book fair. The arrest also follows an interview with Ojore aired on the local Pacifica station KPFK on Monday. Latest from the Newswire: Ojore Lutalo Update and Support by Mapache LA ABCF | | OJORE LUTALO ARRESTED | | VIDEO: OJORE SPEAKS ABOUT HIS ARREST ON AMTRAK & THE BOGUS CHARGES

HOLLYWOOD - For the second consecutive year, Los Angeles anarchists organized a bookfair, which, in addition to facilitating exchanges between vendors and literature-hungry readers, also provided an array of panel discussions, workshops, and most importantly, quality interactions with fellow activists in the liberation movement.

From the newswire: Anarchist Book Fair – short report & photos by A | | Full report: Actions + Conversations + Intersections 2010: Second Annual Los Ángeles Anarchist Bookfair (part one) and Actions + Conversations + Intersections 2010: Second Annual Los Ángeles Anarchist Bookfair (part two) by Rockero

VIDEO: Videos from the L.A. Anarchist Bookfair by anarcho paparazzi | | AUDIO: Audio from the 2nd Annual Los Angeles Anarchist Bookfair and Audio from the 2nd Annual Los Angeles Anarchist Bookfair (part 2) by Rockero

En Español: Acciones + Conversaciones + Intersecciones 2010: Segunda Anual Feria del Libro Anarquista (primera parte) y Acciones + Conversaciones + Intersecciones 2010: Segunda Anual Feria del Libro Anarquista (segunda parte) por Rockero

RELATED: OJORE LUTALO ARRESTED GOING HOME FROM LA ANARCHIST BOOKFAIR by LA-ABCF

Despite the heavy rain, 24 people took part in an emergency vigil for Haiti at the Downtown Federal Building, Thursday eve, Jan 21. The vigil's purpose was asking people "to donate money to go to grassroots women and their families, and therefore communities, rather than to thieving elites and their corrupt NGOs." One very dedicated participant had been waiting for us since noon when the weekly vigil for Haiti usually takes place.

Signs said “Haiti – Help Not Occupation. Return Aristide,” and asked people to question “Where is the Red Cross?” and to consider supporting earthquake victims through HaitiAction.net. Many signs simply called for humanitarian aid to take precedence over a U.S. Military presence. Others condemned the ongoing occupations in both Haiti and Honduras.

It was reported that other emergency vigils for Haiti were being held around the world including ones also organized by the Global Women’s Strike in London and in Philadelphia protesting that survivors are dying as the US military blocks food, water and medical supplies from getting through, and calling on the US to prioritize getting help to grassroots communities. And Haiti Action Committee has called a vigil in San Francisco on Monday, January 25.

Full story and photos: Emergency Vigil in Support of Haiti by Ross Plesset

LOS ANGELES, Wednesday, January 20, 2010 - Despite heavy rain, a group of about 30 people attended a demonstration for the freedom of political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal. The last-minute action was organized by anti-racist activists who were reacting to the overturning of a judgment that favored the condemned journalist.

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals had overturned Abu-Jamal's death sentence, finding that the judge in the case had failed to properly instruct members of the jury to consider possible mitigating circumstances during sentencing. However, the Supreme Court overturned the lower court's decision, opening up the possibility that Abu-Jamal, who has always maintained his innocence, could return to death row. Full Report: Free Mumia! Los Angeles Rejects High Court Ruling by Rockero | | En español: ¡Libertad Para Mumia! Los Angeles Rechazó el Juicio de la Corte Suprema por Rockero

RELATED: FREE MUMIA! by Echo Park Community Coalition