An all white jury found former cop Robert Lawlor innocent of murdering 18 year old Jashon Bryant while on patrol in 2005.
Some reactions by Jashon’s family to the verdict:
“A policeman has license to kill black people in our neighborhood and get away with it” -Keith [...]
The turning away of the American public from the price being paid by veterans fighting two illegal and immoral wars is distressing. I, a combat veteran of Viet Nam, am in a constant state of hyper vigilance and rage over the complicit silence of the American public and the narcissistic [...]
Peace activists from across Connecticut convened in front of the Abraham Ribicoff Federal Building in Hartford Wednesday to protest President Barack Obama’s announcement Tuesday night that he will commit an additional 30,000 U.S. troops to combat in Afghanistan, with the caveat that soldiers will be brought home [...]
(Hartford) People with HIV/AIDS, AIDS advocates and activists around the state attended events on December 1, 2008, commemorating the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day. Hartford’s World AIDS Day event will take place on December 1st, 11 AM – 12, at the Connections Drop-in Center, located at [...]
Abe Bobman of Middletown Food Not Bombs discusses food activism and their recent battle with the health department.
Click here to download the MP3
[...]
Senator Lieberman: “Hear Our Prayers”
Clergy to deliver hundreds of prayer cards collected at a candlelight vigil for healthcare reform held outside Sen. Lieberman’s home to his Hartford district office today.
As the holidays approach, we need to remember those who live in a constant state of crisis. While retail stores prepare for the orgy of consumer purchases on Friday, non-profits who do good work are being ignored. The food pantry at the Spanish Speaking Center, located at [...]
We discuss the inaugural North American Anarchist Studies Network Conference in Hartford CT.
Click here to download the MP3
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Citing concern that opening a shelter so close to the city’s “business and entertainment” hub would be bad for business (amongst a host of other crazy reasons), members of the Hartford Business Improvement District (BID) are trying to railroad the city into rethinking its proposal to open [...]
While violence and gang activity in Hartford and other urban areas have been covered with gusto by the mainstream media, the underlying causes of these issues have not been examined. The Black and Latino Caucus will host a timely town hall meeting on the statewide education achievement [...]
We discuss the upcoming production of Howard Zinn’s play “Emma” coming to Charter Oak Cultural Center in Hartford. Cast and crew give their take on this historic play.
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[...]Governor M. Jodi Rell is attempting to eliminate detox beds in Hartford and Middletown along with closing Cedarcrest Hospital, High Meadows and other treatment facilities statewide as a means of addressing Connecticut’s budget deficit. Please call the governor’s office Monday-Friday 8 AM to 5 PM and tell her that the [...]
It is called the hurt locker. This is the place that all members of the military eventually visit. Combat veterans spend more time in it, but all veterans and especially medical personnel, are familiar with its infinite pain. The more skin you have in the game the deeper the hurt.
I [...]
(EFF) Secrecy surrounds law enforcement’s communications surveillance practices like a dense fog. Particularly shrouded in secrecy are government demands issued under 18 U.S.C. § 2703 of the Stored Communications Act or “SCA” that seek subscriber information or other user records from communications service providers. When the government [...]
Brian Baker from South Park Inn, a shelter in Hartford, Natalie Matthews and Sara Zucker from the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness discuss CT’s current homeless situation, in a time when the economy is making getting by a lot more difficult.
Jeff Bartos from the CT chapter of Iraq Veterans Against the War discussed his path to anti-war activism and his experiences at the G20 protests in Pittsburgh.
Click here to download the MP3
[...]
BREAKING NEWS: There are street gangs in Hartford. An internal police memo that was obtained by the Hartford Courant describes the gang activity in the city as an “infestation”, citing a total of 138 crews and 4,000 members, 800 of whom are under the age of 17. [...]
We discuss the upcoming Speak Out! for reproductive rights with Alyssa Derosa from Socialist Action, one of the organizers of the event.
Click here to download the MP3
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Yahoo! News recently began a series of articles under the label of “FACT CHECK,” which presents itself as watchdog over politicians and their tricks. Often, these articles seem much more like opinion pieces in disguise. Take for example this article: “FACT CHECK: Health Insurer Profits [...]
I am having sleepless nights and growing rage at the conscious ignorance and uncaring attitude of the general public and school administration about the underlying cause of the violence and incivility endemic in our schools and society. The absence of reporting on the dead and wounded in our two current [...]
On a creased blackened piece of aluminum foil a soft white mound of powder is laid, than a match is set under the foil while a man bends over the white smoke created and sucks in the undulating smoky snake, losing his pain and his memory. This man is chasing [...]
Long time Hartford activist, Steve Thornton, discusses the largest single protest in Hartford and Connecticut history – the Vietnam Moratorium – and what we can learn from it today.
Click here to download the MP3
[...]
George Orwell must be spinning in his grave….
The conviction of the SHAC 7–animal rights activists hit with “terrorism” charges for publishing a website and vocally, unapologetically supporting direct action–has been upheld by a U.S. appellate court. It is a landmark free speech ruling that lowers the threshold [...]
Governor M. Jodi Rell is in trouble. The New London Day broke the now well documented story last Thursday which has been supported by public documents, accusing her administration of using $ 220,000 of state funds to get political advice from University of Connecticut professor Dr. Kenneth [...]
NEW BRITAIN– In response to recent attacks and harassment of students of color at Central Connecticut State University, student leaders are planning a solidarity rally for this Wednesday, October 14th, from noon-1pm in the center of campus.
A group of more than 50 students originally met last month [...]
Peter James Barr talks about the Bicycle Enthusiasm Initiative, Recycle Bicycle, which helps youth learn to fix up and build bicycles in New Britain, CT.
Click here to download the MP3
[...]
Michael Moore’s latest documentary is a critique of capitalism- in mainstream theaters- pretty big deal. “Capitalism: A Love Story” starts off comparing the US to the Roman Empire- a fairly easy task. In addition to other commentary, the documentary seems to be focused on the anti-capitalist stance [...]
Activists and community residents took it to the streets in Hartford and Newington to protest Connecticut’s death penalty and Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s proposal to close Cedarcrest Hospital, a state run mental health and addiction treatment facility.
The death penalty abolition rally was held on Sunday at [...]
Israeli activist and author Uri Gordon discusses basic anarchist principles, Israeli resistance to the oppression of Palestinians and his book Anarchy Alive!
Click here to download the MP3
There will be a rally to protest Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s proposal to close Cedarcrest Hospital, a state run mental health & addiction treatment facility, on Tuesday, October 6 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM at Cedarcrest, 525 Russell Road in Newington. The rally is being sponsored by [...]
CT Network to Abolish the Death Penalty is sponsoring a death penalty abolition rally on Sunday, October 4 2:00 PM at the State Capitol. During the 2009 legislative session, Rep. Gary Holder-Winfield ( D-New Haven) sponsored a bill to repeal the death penalty which was passed by [...]
We continue our discussion on the life of three Puerto Rican brothers on and off the streets in Springfield MA, with author Tim Black. More info about the book: click here.
Click here to download the MP3
[...]By George D. Micewicz
It’s a fair statement to say that people should be free to do what they want as long as their actions don’t infringe on the rights of others. Laws are created to help ensure that people have the right to life and liberty. Most laws make sense. [...]
For updates on recent developments in the Food Not Bombs conflict with the Middletown Health Department, check out the Middletown Eye, which has been following the story closely.
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Why is a picnic a crime? For over 10 years Food Not Bombs volunteers in Middletown have prepared a free community meal on Sundays and shared it in front of the Buttonwood Tree book store. But since earlier this year, pressure from the authorities has escalated to [...]
Sociologist Tim Black discusses his new book, When a Heart Turns Rock Solid, about three Puerto Rican brothers on and off the streets in Springfield, MA over two decades.
Click here to download the MP3
[...]Advocates fighting against the closure of High Meadows in Hamden held a press conference on Friday at the Legislative Office Building to announce a victory in their battle with Governor M. Jodi Rell. High Meadows is a 42 bed Department of Children and Families treatment facility that provides regular and [...]
Forget about Al-Qaeda – you need to worry about Al Smith. Right-wing extremists have reemerged as the most serious threat to this country, however federal law enforcement officials have not placed as much emphasis on addressing their activities as those of Osama Bin Laden’s terrorist network. This may have something [...]
Interview with Scott Turner Schofield about transgender activism and his play “Becoming a Man in 127 EASY steps,” coming to Real Art Ways in Hartford, September 18 and 19.
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[...]We had been told, on leaving our native soil, that we were
Going to defend the sacred rights conferred on us by so many
Of our citizens settled overseas, so many years of our presence
So many benefits brought by us to populations in need
Of our assistance and our [...]
Here is the formal complaint submitted to the West Hartford Police Department, following the incident that occurred in late August when an interracial couple was pulled over by the West Hartford Police. The complaint is posted here as an open letter.
September 4, 2009
James J. Strillacci, Chief [...]
Peterson Toscano discusses his theatrical works and the themes of sexuality and gender, and his upcoming show “Transfigurations: Transgressing Gender in the Bible” at the Charter Oak Cultural Center.
Click here to download the MP3
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Governor M. Jodi Rell claims that her proposal to close Cedarcrest Hospital, High Meadows and cut numerous other state funded mental health and addiction services is designed to improve client care. Individuals working on the front lines, consumers of these services and their loved ones see money [...]
Governor M. Jodi Rell finally will allow the state to pass a biennium budget this week. Rell did not agree to sign the bill, but instead will wait five days to go by after the General Assembly passed it, therefore making it law. However, Rell [...]
On August 26, West Hartford Police officers initiated an unwarranted traffic stop and interrogation of an interracial couple who were driving through their town (See the post: “A Lesson in Privilege from the WHPD”). Call or email Chief James J. Strillacci and let him know that this type of [...]
Following the incident detailed below, I wrote this to share with friends. I realized, though, that other people might want to hear it and that it’s really quite relevant as a testimony to racial profiling in Hartford (and in general). So, here it is, in its unedited [...]
While the budget saga at the State Capitol appears to be nearing a conclusion, the fight to save treatment services in Connecticut is heating up. Community residents, activists and state employees gathered at Blue Hills Substance Abuse Services in Hartford on Wednesday to protest Governor M. Jodi [...]
A panel of activists discusses reproductive freedom in the wake of the Dr. George Tiller’s murder.
Click here to download the MP3
[...]kevin, David Samuels, dionno, dave rozza
