Volunteers Vow to Continue Efforts, Demand End to Border Militarization

On Tuesday, August 11 No More Deaths volunteer Walt Staton (who is also an editor with Arizona Indymedia) was sentenced to 300 hours of community service and 1 year unsupervised probation by federal Magistrate Jennifer Guerin. Staton was convicted on June 3, 2009 for littering, after placing clean bottles of drinking water along known migrant trails in the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge (BANWR). Staton is also banned from entering the refuge for one year.

Staton, who is moving to the LA area next week to begin seminary school, stated that he will continue to support No More Deaths' life-saving work, and believes that both humanitarian groups and the government should pursue the most effective tactics possible to prevent needless suffering and death along the border.

Since the mid-1990s, U.S. border policy has been focused on channeling unauthorized migration into remote and fragile desert areas. This has resulted in more than 5,000 deaths along the U.S./Mexico border, and damage to protected wildlife habitat. Since 2001, officials with BANWR have refused to approve permits for humanitarian activities on the refuge.read more>>>

For more information visit: www.nomoredeaths.org
See also: "Land managers and humanitarian organizations caught in the crosshairs" (below)

13 Humanitarian Volunteers Ticketed on the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge

On Thursday, July 9th, as temperatures soared above 95 degrees, 13 humanitarians were cited for littering on the Buenas Aires National Wildlife Refuge, 118,000 acre grassland that borders US/Mexico, and approximately 45 miles southwest of Tucson. The dying season, which steals the lives of approximately 250 migrants in the Tucson Sector every year, weighed down on the 40 faith based individuals who looked on as members of clergy, teachers and students placed one gallon jugs of water on four different active migrant trails.

Just two days prior, the body of a migrant man was discovered on the refuge, the second this fiscal year. His body was found by Border Patrol off of Cemetery Road in the southwest corner of the refuge.

In an attempt to pressure land manger, Michael Hawkes, to increase water availability to migrants, volunteers with No More Deaths and Samaritans, stood in solidarity on the dusty shoulder of Arivaca Road, while others placed jugs of water along migrant trails. In June, No More Deaths sent an open letter to Mike Hawkes at BANWR and to Ken Salazar, Secretary, Department of Interior, requesting a meeting to discuss cooperative efforts to save lives on the refuge. Several attempts were made by NMD to discuss the measures outlined in the letter; however, Hawkes declined a formal meeting... read more>>>

Tribes and Others Call for Congressional Action to Protect Sacred Places

Flagstaff, AZ -- On Monday, June 8th 2009, the Supreme Court denied the petition by Tribes & Environmental groups to hear the case to protect the holy San Francisco Peaks.

For nearly a decade, the Save the Peaks Coalition, Tribes, Environmental groups, and community members lead an effort to stop the Snowbowl ski area’s plan to expand it’s development on the Peaks, and make snow from treated sewage effluent. The ski resort operates on the Holy Mountain through a lease by the United States Forest Service, which sanctioned the proposed development in 2004.

“The Supreme Court, the Forest Service, and the Flagstaff City Council have all failed us.” Stated Jeneda Benally of the Save the Peaks Coalition. “In this day and age, we are still denied our basic civil and human rights by the U.S. government. We have no guarantee for the protection of our religious freedom. This case was important to insure religious freedom in the United States of America. Our own courts have failed the American people once again.” read more>>>

Demonstrators demand immigration reform, an end to raids and to 287(g) agreements

Phoenix, AZ- Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in downtown Phoenix on February 28 to protest Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and policies that critics argue violate basic human and civil rights. Organizers estimated the number of marchers at more than 5,000; soon after the march began, Phoenix police blocked traffic to Central Ave. and allowed demonstrators to fill the street, because of their overwhelming numbers (the march had lacked a permit).

Among the demands voiced by demonstrators was that the federal government end 287(g) agreements and stop the raids of workplaces and immigrant neighborhoods. The 287(g) agreements allow local law enforcement to arrest people if they are suspected of being in the U.S. without proper documents. Critics point to recent actions by Arpaio as evidence of these agreements' vulnerability to abuse.

"Recently the nation witnessed the ritual humiliation of migrants in a spectacle evocative of some of the most horrific episodes of human history," stated Pablo Alvarado, Director of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network. Last month Arpaio intensified his on-going escalation of attacks against Latinos by segregating the county jail and parading hundreds of immigrants shackled in a chain-gang into "tent city", an urban internment camp surrounded by armed guards, razor wire and electric fencing.

Click here to see photos from the march.

Thousands are expected to join Phoenix march on Feb. 28 to demand an end to racist policing, abuse and state terrorism in Arizona

Word is coming in of people from across the state and the country who are mobilizing for the demonstration, endorsed by the Phoenix New Times, Zach de la Rocha (of Rage Against the Machine) and the National Day Labor Organizing Network.

Saturday February 28th
9:00am at Steele Indian School Park (Phoenix)
South Entrance (3rd St & Indian School).

If you come to Phoenix for the protest, also check out the 8th annual Local to Global Justice Teach-in that weekend. www.localtoglobal.org

Despite harrasment, activists refuse to allow law enforcement entrance

A day after a successful protest at the Tucson headquarters of the U.S. Forest Services and the end of the annual Earth First! organizer's conference, federal agents attempted to raid a house where a number of participants were staying and detained and harassed activists. The law enforcement was a mix of ICE agents and local police, maybe some plainclothes agents from other agencies as well. Since all of the occupants of the house appeared to be U.S. citizens, the immigration enforcement relevance was particularly odd. Law enforcement apparently showed up and asked questions, but the occupants didn't cooperate and wouldn't let them in, and they had no warrant.

None of the cops had official vehicles, just civilian cars (1 pickup and 3 SUVs) of various types with normal civilian plates. Within about 90 seconds of an Arizona Indymedia reporter arriving on the scene with a camera, all of them pulled out and left - this after a stand off that had lasted up to an hour. They claimed they'd be back with a warrant. Members of the Tucson community have begun meeting to plan an organized response to police intimidation of activists... read more>>>
Click here to read more about the Green Scare.

UPDATE 3/2: It has become apparent that some of those staying at the home at the time of the incident were present without the consent of the homeowner or their family. In an effort to promote respect and accountability in our community, a number of Tucson activists request, on behalf of the homeowner, that those involved make contact and offer understanding (if not apologies) for the feeling of betrayal and exploitation they have caused. read more>>>

Marchers block traffic, demand that government deny permit to mine the Santa Rita Mountains

Tucson, AZ - Early Tuesday morning dozens of intrepid Earth First!ers gathered at the Tucson headquarters of the U.S. Forest Service to demonstrate their opposition to the proposed Rosemont mine in the Santa Rita mountains. More than 50 protesters remained in front of the Forest Service for several hours, demanding that officials deny the permits necessary for mining to proceed. Prior to the demonstration, representatives of Chuk'shon Earth First! met with Forest Service officials, while traffic was briefly blocked on westbound Congress Street.

The Rosemont copper mine is currently undergoing review by the Forest Service, which under the undemocratic 1872 mining act has sole authority over the necessary permits. Thousands of residents of Arizona participated in the public comment period authorized under NEPA (which ended in August 2008) to voice their opposition to this project. If built, the mine would permanently damage critical wildlife habitat and migration corridors, along with destroying an area popular for recreation activities such as mountain biking, hiking and camping... read more>>> /// herephotos

For more information on the proposed copper mine and local resistance, visit Chuk'shon Earth First! and Save the Scenic Santa Ritas Coalition.

House Judiciary Committee calls for review of Maricopa County Sheriff

On February 12 the US House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary issued a letter to the Attorney General, Eric Holder, and the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, calling for a review of Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

The Committee members specifically cite Arpaio's overreach in regard to the Sheriff's Department 287g agreement and his recent forced march of undocumented inmates. They assert that Arpaio and his deputies have used the 287g agreement to legitimize his widespread use of racial profiling and violations of civil rights. Members are calling upon Attorney General Holder and Secretary Napolitano to open investigations into civil rights violations and misuse of the 287g agreement respectively.

Read More...

Sheriff Marches Immigrant Inmates to Segregated Tents

The procession was short, but dozens of protesters demonstrated their opposition nearby. Some inmates responded by raising their fists.

One individual was arrested while leaving. He faces a charge for Class III Criminal Trespassing. He was released later that night but must return to court.

Arpaio has been specifically targeting undocumented immigrants with sweeps and workplace raids. "I expect more arrests," Arpaio said. "I expect to put more tents up." (Associated Press). Recently, continuing media attention has been drawn over a video of a ski-masked Maricopa County Sheriff's officer arresting a mother of two crying kids during Arpaio's latest sweep in Buckeye in early January.

Further media and links: Parade of Injustice (video)
Immigrants get one camp. But which one is for you?
Stop Arizona. Stop Arpaio. Stop the Circus.
Joe Arpaio Goes Medieval, While Barack Obama's America is a Million Miles Away
Petition

Students from all three state universities mobilize to pressure lawmakers; Republican legislators say they plan to cut funding anyway

In a coordinated protest on Wednesday, January 28 more than 3,000 students from the University of Arizona, Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University gathered at the state capitol in Phoenix to pressure lawmakers to abandon proposals to cut 40% of the universities' budgets. The protest in Phoenix comes on the heals of campus protests that have been supported by the student governments and presidents of all three universities. A demonstration at the University of Arizona on January 20th drew more than 1,000 participants.

A 40% budget cut for higher education would cripple the state's universities, forcing massive layoffs and the closure of entire colleges and departments. Students would be forced to absorb much of the difference with a tuition hike estimated between $2,000 and $4,000 (this on the heals of already massive tuition hikes and university restructuring).

In addition to cuts to higher education, the legislature is proposing $900 million in cuts to K-12 education, where the state of Arizona already ranks 49th in the country on spending and childhood literacy. And in a related story, students in Nevada have also been engaged in protests against budget cuts and university restructuring.

Many university students, staff and community groups vow to continue organizing and pressuring the state until the integrity of education is ensured. To find out more about the student mobilization, visit www.speakupnowaz.org

Flagstaff protesters react to ICE terrorism, demand justice

Marching through the streets of downtown Flagstaff on January 21st, northern Arizona community members carried messages of democracy, liberty, and justice, demanding real change within our community. In the wake of recent ICE raids throughout northern Arizona, the January 1st murder of Oscar Grant III in Oakland, CA, the invasion and occupation of Palestine, and countless acts of oppression around the world, the day’s march signified a united voice against state oppression and a direct call for the community to come together for justice.

Beginning at 2:30pm, members of the NAU and Coconino High School MEChA Chapters, the Flagstaff Repeal Coalition, and other concerned community members gathered in Flagstaff’s Wheeler Park. Displaying colorful banners and signs, an unpermitted march began through downtown. The chants of “si se puede,” “the people united will never be divided,” and “what do we want? JUSTICE!,” echoed through the nearly empty business district. Returning to the Flagstaff City Hall, community members continued to voice their opposition to fascist laws and dictators including Joe Arpaio, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the complicity of most “representatives.”

Immigrant rights actions also took place on January 21st in Phoenix, Tucson and Washington D.C. A statewide Equal Rights march is planned for February 25th.

For more coverage, click here.

ASUA calls for demonstrations at all three state universities and the state capital on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week

In December of 2008 the Arizona Board of Regents voted to raise tuition at the three state Universities by more than $600.00 per student. While defenders of the tuition hike claim it will make the universities more "competitive", it comes on the heels of months of dramatic budget cuts and fiscal austerity measures that have included the firing of tenured professors and closing of academic departments and programs at all levels of the university system.

Now, with government on the verge of passing from outgoing Democratic governor Janet Napolitano to Republican secretary of state Jan Brewer, the Arizona House appropriations committee (under Russel Pearce) has put forward a budget proposal that would, effective immediately, cut almost 25% of the Universities' budgets. Since the universities have already spent about half their budget for the year, the cuts amounts to closer to a 50% cut for this year alone, with worse to follow next year. In the throes of the national economic crisis, the state, lead by Pearce, is making it clear that they intend to "balance" their budget on the backs of students and the long-term wellbeing of all Arizonans.

With an emergency meeting on Friday, January 16, the Student Body Presidents, Undergraduate and Graduate, at ASU, NAU and the University of Arizona have plotted a course of action calling for protests at all three campuses on Tuesday, January 20. For the University of Arizona, this will take place on the UA Mall in front of the Memorial Student Union.

There will also be a protest at the state capitol in Phoenix on Wed. For more information click here.

Community gathers to voice outrage

With over three weeks of increased bloodshed and on-going, neocolonialist oppression, the Flagstaff vigil was meant to show community solidarity with the people of the Middle East, recognizing that their lives are also being manipulated and destroyed by corrupt nations and corporations.

Due to the U.S. military support of Israel and the complicity of our representatives, including Barack Obama and the “Democratic Party”, this local action represents a larger solidarity movement against U.S. imperialism and the prolonged acts of genocide. Participants urged for an immediate cease fire, an end to the U.S. arms trade, and for both the United States and Israel to be held accountable for crimes against humanity.

Click here for more coverage and photos.

FIRE Raids ICE Management Meeting, Delivers Notice of Deportation of ICE from Flagstaff

This thursday morning, December 4th, another group, Flagstaff Immigrant Rights Enforcement (FIRE), confronted ICE in a raid of their own, serving a notice of deportation to ICE representatives at an ICE Management meeting at the Flagstaff Radisson Hotel. Their press release indicates a determined plan for continued actions such as this.

Tribes & Environmental Groups Affirm Commitment to Protect Holy Mountain

Flagstaff, AZ -- On August 8, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a long awaited ruling today in the case to protect the environmental and cultural integrity of Arizona's San Francisco Peaks. The split decision overturned a previous court ruling and has temporarily denied attempts by tribes and environmental groups to stop Arizona Snowbowl Ski Resort from expanding development and making fake snow from treated sewage effluent on the holy mountain.

"The cultural survival of more than 13 Indigenous Nations is directly intertwined with the environmental integrity of the holy San Francisco Peaks," said Jeneda Benally, a volunteer with the Save the Peaks Coalition. "Today's decision not only places these ways of life in peril but sets the stage for an ecological and public health catastrophe. We have no choice but to uphold our commitment to protect the holy San Francisco Peaks," continued Benally.

The United States Forest Service manages the San Francisco Peaks as public land and has faced multiple lawsuits by the Navajo Nation, Hopi, White Mountain Apache, Yavapai Apache, Hualapai, and Havasupai tribes, as well as the Sierra Club, Flagstaff Activist Network, Center of Biological Diversity, and others after it initially approved the proposed ski area development in 2005... read more>>>

Stories and Photographs 2007-2008 Posted by Slain Tucson Activist

Posted below are links to all of the stories Sally Grace Eiler posted to AZ Indymedia over the two years she was in Oaxaca. Sally's memory will live on in the hearts of those who continue to struggle...

July 2007: Update on Oaxaca: news and photos,
August 2007: Oaxacan Women´s March; Memorial March, Oaxaca; Oaxaca... In defense of the forest and community life
September 2007: 11th years of imprisonment
October 2007: October in Oaxaca
November 2007: Nov.2nd, Oaxaca, one year after the All Saints Battle; November 25th, one year later
June 2008: Army out of Chiapas, Oaxaca, and the country!

More of Sally's photos from Oaxaca

Calendar of Upcoming Events for Taala Hooghan Community Center

All events are free unless otherwise listed. Donations are always accepted! Please contact us if you are interested in hosting an event or meeting.

Taala Hooghan needs volunteers to help keep the community space alive! If you're sick of seeing green spaces bulldozed and big boxes go up support and sustain the community based alternatives! Specifically, people are needed to staff, put on or help with events, do outreach, organize books, copy 'zines, table at other events and more! Volunteer as little or as much as you like.

Come check out 'zines, CDs, DVDs, Zapatista coffee & honey, and books on Indigenous issues, Feminism, Anarchism, and more... Infoshop is open Tues. - Fri. 4-8pm, Sat. 2pm-8pm.

Click here to see a list of upcoming events.

Arizona Indymedia Correspondent Murdered in Oaxaca

Marcella "Sali" Grace Eiler, activist and correspondent with Arizona Indymedia, was found dead last week in Oaxaca with signs of a brutal rape and murder.

Sally had lived between Tucson and Oaxaca since 2006. When in Arizona, Sally helped raise awareness and support for the struggle in Oaxaca, as well as engaging in solidarity work on the U.S. / Mexico border and in the Tucson community.

Although the situation surrounding her death is still coming to light, news of Sally's brutal murder has left many in the Tucson community in shock and struggling for answers. Several impromptu memorials have taken place since September 26, when we learned of her death, including one on Sunday that brought together dozens of people who were touched by Sally's life, either as an activist, a dancer, a friend, a fighter, a musician or artist.

Whenever Sally was in Oaxaca, she posted regularly to Arizona Indymedia. Unfortunately, in recent months we've been unable to publish her updates, because our website has been down due to technical difficulties. Sally Eiler's final story, Army Out of Chiapas, Oaxaca and the Country! was submitted on June 21, 2008. In the coming days Arizona Indymedia will post a features archive of Sally's stories and photographs.

More coverage: Justice for Sali!, Hasta Siempre, Sally Grace, Mexican Activists Turn Over Mexico City Man to Police in Sally Grace Eiler Murder Case

Update: On September 30th, the day Sali would have turned 21, a march was held in Oaxaca demanding justice for Sali and an end to violence against women.