Tensions rise in US spring of resistance

TENSION is already rising in the USA ahead of massive protests planned against the the NATO and G8 Summits  from May 15 to 22.

With dissent on the rise, authorities fear a significant outburst of anger against the neoliberal showcase events.

They have moved the G8 meeting from Chicago to Camp David in Maryland and have been cranking up the machineries of repression.

Occupy protests, no matter how peaceful, are now being routinely attacked by  police, including the Occupy Wall Street anniversary demo in New York.

Said a statement on the OWS site on March 18: "Yesterday, on the 6-month anniversary of the original Occupation of Wall Street, #OWS went back to our origins.

"After a weekend of marches on Wall Street complete with spring training exercises, a St. Patrick´s Day march, street theater, floating tents, and dancing in the intersections, Liberty Square was re-occupied by thousands of Occupy supporters.

"Unfortunately, bringing back memories of November 15th, NYPD violently evicted us from our home once again while Occupiers were hugging old friends and celebrating the coming of spring in the park.

"According to the New York Times, 'scores' were arrested, and more injured, during the attack. Police used city buses to corral mass-arrested protesters. Media were not allowed to cover the events.

"After clearing the Square, NYPD placed barricades around the area - an act specifically barred by previous legal action. At least one person was taken to the hospital on a stretcher. We have also heard reports of seizures and broken bones.

"On Livestream, peaceful protesters are seen being tackled, punched, stomped, choked, hit with batons, and thrown against cars for no reason other than sitting down to peacefully protest inequality in a public park."

Despite the plutofascist clamp-down, OWS declares: "We will not let police repression stop us!"

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More rioting erupts in Canada

MORE rioting has broken out in Canada - this time in London, Ontario.

A TV van was set on fire and later exploded (see video) as around 1,000 young people torched vehicles and threw beer bottles.

It was the worst case of civil disobedience the city has ever seen, said London Police Chief Brad Duncan, according to 680 News.

The violence grew near the city's Fanshawe College and began with St Patrick Day celebrations.

The scenes of exuberant destruction follow the riots in Montreal  last week amid a rise of youth militancy in Québec.

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Happy kids in anti-police riot

MONTREAL anarchists are euphoric after an anti-police protest achieved spectacular impact.

Said a statement on Anarchist News Dot Org: "We flipped over a policecar on rue Sainte-Catherine. Prole stroll.

"Everyone was like WHOO! and happy kids were dancing on the chassis, happy cuz they were right to be happy. Banks got their windows broken. Fancy stores too.

"A lot of garbage got pulled into the streets, and pylons, and heavy signs. You know, the usual. But it's the moments when the pigs backed off cuz they were scared! It's the moments when you get away with political crimes in totalitarian Canada!

"It's the moments when the pig cruiser is flipped over and you're highfiving strangers becuz you're happy and they're happy and this is a moment to cherish. Prole stroll!

"LE 15 MARS, LA VENGEANCE. We could've done better, but we did what we did, and this was the one day when the pacifists weren't out in force and the people who get harassed by the police on a daily basis were letting loose and we got to share some knowing looks with some of the kids we haven't seen since this time last year. This was our day, our night. Prole stroll!

"Some comrades are in jail. Many people, perhaps not yet aware of the fact that we live in a surveillance society, did things that perhaps they should not have done with their faces unconcealed.

"What happens next is hard to say. Maybe the pacifists who got beaten with police batons when they sat in front of cops will have learned their lesson by now! And maybe anarchists can figure out a way to be half as badass as some of the people who were on the streets tonight.

"The city is begging the province for more help with the security crisis: student demos everyday with more to come, and now this, the biggest March 15 in years, prole stroll like we ain't seen outside of a hockey riot, what is sure to be a big embarassment to North America's crowd control experts.

"THERE IS SO MUCH MORE TO DO. Onward to March 22, onward to May Day, onward to the continental general strike and the infinite strike! Until neither the SPVM nor any other police agency nor any other institution of domination exist, our work isn't done.

"And to the kids who looted Future Shop and got some PS3s, MAD RESPECT. We GET what we can TAKE."

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St Louis occupiers attacked by cops

OCCUPY protesters in St Louis, USA, have been attacked by police as the neoliberal clampdown on dissent continues.

This weekend sees the Occupy The Midwest Regional Conference take place in the Missouri city.

But it started with St. Louis Police beating peaceful protesters with batons and arresting several at an encampment for conference participants.

Arrests of Occupiers from Occupy Oklahoma and St. Louis have been confirmed, says a report from Occupy Wisconsin.

Police refused to give protesters their badge numbers and were indiscriminately arresting and beating protesters who were simply exercising their 'First Amendment Rights'.

By 4am on Friday there were 14 occupiers in jail. One was said to be having seizures in prisonl. At least two had been brutality beaten by police.

It was also confirmed that batons, tasers and pepper spray had been used on the occupiers.

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Anarchists smash up fascist HQ

ANTI-FASCISTS in Greece smashed up the offices of a notorious extreme right-wing group on Thursday March 15.

Reports Contra Info: "Shortly after 13.00, a large group of anarchists and antifascists stormed the local offices of the neo-Nazi party Chrissi Avgi/Golden Dawn, located on Germanou Street, in the centre of the city of Patras.

"The fascist nest, which had been inaugurated just on Monday, March 12th, was completely smashed.

"Also, antifascist slogans were painted on most walls of the building which was provided for the neo-Nazi thugs, while their hatred material was set ablaze and dumped on the street. The comrades left the spot in a demo."

Golden Dawn are known for their brutal attacks on immigrants and for teaming up with riot police to attack protesters - yet more fascists finding common cause with neoliberalism as the two twisted ideologies merge.

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Revolt kicking off in Chile

 

CHILE'S youth rebellion against neoliberalism has kicked off again, after a summer holiday truce.

Thousands of students and school children took to the streets of Santiago to protest against the privatisation of education.

The authorities said their dissent was 'unauthorised' and used tear gas and water cannon to attack the youngsters.

More demonstrations are planned across the country in the weeks ahead.

Meanwhile, revolt continues in the Chilean region of Aysen, where the social movement has blockaded streets.

Reports Prensa Latina: "Social leaders, parliamentarians and inhabitants of the region of Aysen denounced on Thursday an excessive police repression in last few hours against people in this area of Patagonia.

"The Police 'is attacking innocent people with tear gas inside their houses, people that have nothing to do with the protests and barricades', noted Senator of the National Renewal Party Antonio Horvath.




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US veterans back cover-up claim - video

 
 
AMERICAN army veterans have backed claims of a cover-up over the latest massacre of civilians in Afghanistan.

Corporate media have obediently stuck to the official US damage-limitation line that one 'rogue' sergeant carried out the murders of 16 people, including 9 children, totally ignoring eye-witness reports of a group of drunken laughing Americans.

But the Veterans Today site draws attention to a series of inconsistencies in this account, including the fact that a vehicle would have been needed to transport the jerrycan of petrol needed for the reported burning of the victims' bodies.

Senior editor Gordon Duff talks in this video about a 'patsy' taking the blame for what happened and of the US bribing people to keep quiet about the truth.

And he writes on the website that "we can safely assume" the following points.

* More than one American was involved as no single soldier would have been allowed outside the compound, heavily armed with a vehicle.

* Gate security received authorization for the “mission” from the watch officer at the “Combat Operations Center” at the base, the 24 hour nerve center than coordinates both offensive and defensive missions for even the smallest commands.

* No “reaction force” was sent to investigate though this was right outside the gates.  Radio contact would have been attempted, and there would be recorded records of this and all other activities, as required by normal procedures.

Adds one user of the site: "I saw this story first thing this morning as one of the lead stories on my homepage. I spent much of the day looking for additional 'facts'...and of course found none. I believe your assesment is as close to the truth as I, or anyone else will likely encounter.

"There is an 'ill and atrocious wind blowing' around this 'incident'. The propaganda machine is already running at full speed. Sad and demoralizing beyond words."

Says another: "I’ve been out with several…..shit, maybe a hundred Iraq/Afghan vets drinking and also shooting out in the hills of Colorado. Mostly marines, a few Army rangers, 2 Seals and the bravest of the brave….medics.

"Boil them down after a few weeks of talking, they all say the same things. The same things my good buddy tells me his Nam buddies all told him – 'it became addicting, god help me?'.

 "I tend to agree with your assesment however, this happened on purpose. The group supported SF troops and it wouldn’t suprise me if another group was outside the wire conducting 'phoenix' type operations. Same thing with the timing of Iraqi atrocities when we felt we weren’t needed as much and were leaving amidst ‘success’. First reports were a Seal or two, then a nobody, well fed with Psychotics and other scrip meds."

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