Under the flowering jacaranda trees in Tel Aviv’s Levinsky park, clusters of men lounge on the grass smoking cigarettes, making desultory conversation or dozing. A few perch on children’s swings, some push battered bicycles. A whiff of stale urine hangs in the air.

Beneath the restless boredom, there is a new mood: wariness. Since an anti-migrant demonstration last week turned ugly and violent, these men – many of whom fled in fear from their homes in sub-Saharan Africa – are fearful once again. The display of naked racism in what is routinely described as a diverse and liberal city also shocked many Israelis.

Around 1,000 people marched through an area of south Tel Aviv in which migrants are concentrated, chanting “blacks out” and holding signs calling for expulsion. Shops serving the migrant community were smashed up and looted; dark-skinned men were threatened. A member of the Israeli parliament told the crowd: “The Sudanese are a cancer in our body.”

The protest followed a spate of reports in the Israeli media of a “crime wave” – including alleged rapes, assaults and robberies – blamed on migrants. Just a few days earlier the prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, had warned that a flood of “illegal infiltrators” was threatening Israel’s identity.

In recent weeks, Molotov cocktails have been thrown at apartments housing African migrants. One firebomb was hurled into the yard of a kindergarten.

“I’ve never seen anything like it before,” says Oscar Olivier, 45, who fled from Kinshasa 18 years ago. “It was a surprise, but in some ways it was also foreseeable. Some politicians have been orchestrating this, inciting violence and hatred, for months.”

“I guess I never caught that bug where you’re only supposed to care about your own country or your own local area. To me, 49 decapitated Mexicans is just as bad as 49 decapitated Americans and I know if there were 49 decapitated Americans in the street anywhere in the country, it would be like 9/11 all over again. It would be the largest news story for years - if it just happened once - but it happens time and time again in Mexico… and I guess as long as Americans aren’t getting decapitated, apparently the rest of the country, and especially our media, couldn’t give a damn and that’s part of what’s sick and wrong with this country’s media. And so, we march on as if nothing is wrong, as if everything is hunky dory, as if the war on drugs makes sense and hasn’t created these grotesque gangs that grow larger and more grotesque by the day - and it’s not because of the drugs. It’s because the drugs are illegal.”
Cenk Uygur commenting on the 49 bodies that were recently found decapitated in Mexico and on the continued War on Drugs, which has claimed over 62,000 lives since just 2006 (via mohandasgandhi)
nefariousnewt:

thepeoplesrecord:

Alan DeWayne Blueford Murdered by Oakland Police Department 
At or about midnight, May 6, 2012, Alan and 2 friends were standing on the corner of 90 th and Birch Street waiting for “some girls in a white chevy,” Alan described to his father, Alan Blueford, during a phone call. After the phone call, police officers approached Alan and his friends, with guns drawn. The police officers had been called to respond to another incident, but decided to stop Alan and his friends when they saw them because they “believed the young men had a concealed weapon.”
Alan ran down Birch Street, away from the police officers.
Approximately two blocks down Birch Street on the 9200 Block the officer chasing Alan murdered him by shooting him 3 times. The officer also shot himself.
Although, Alan had his brown wallet with his ID, Oakland Police Department never called to tell his parents he was shot and killed.
Alan’s two friends were detained for over 6 hours. After their release, one of the young men had the traumatic task of calling Alan’s parents and telling them Alan was shot and killed by an Oakland Police Officer.
Initial reports put out by OPD, stated that “a suspect” (Alan) and a police officer exchanged gun fire and the officer was shot in the stomach by the suspect and the suspect was shot by the officer. Both were said to have been rushed to Highland Hospital where Alan died and the police officer was expected to recover. OPD also included in their reports witness statements who said they saw Alan shooting. OPD reported that they retrieved Alan’s firearm at the scene.
Later OPD changed their story to state that the officer was shot in the leg and an investigation was in process to determine whether the officer was wounded by “friendly fire.”
Only one of the officers chased Alan.
What we now know is that Alan Blueford never shot the police officer, at the police officer, or anyone else. OPD changed their story yet again, admitting and confirming that THE OFFICER SHOT HIMSELF.
We also know that Alan was never rushed to Highland Hospital. Only the police officer. Alan’s body lied in the streets for approximately 4 hours.
Alan was shot multiple times by the police officer.
The family has reason to believe that Alan never had a firearm.The family has reason to believe that Alan never caused the officer to be threatened. Alan’s body can be described as a shorter stature (approximately 5 ft 6 ½ inches) and thin built (140 lbs).
•
When Alan’s family learned of the claimed circumstances surrounding Alan’s death, we all knew that the facts were not true! Additionally, because they never called to confirm his death, we were sadly left with hope that the unnamed “suspect” was not Alan. He was joy to many people. We are suffering from a great loss.
Now OPD claims that the “victim” (no longer suspect) was a convicted felon on probation. His family will simply respond by saying felony probation does not describe Alan’s character. To describe Alan, you have to share that he 1] was a Christian; 2] worked with the disabled children at Skyline, one of whom described “Al” as his “bestfriend”; 3] began his mornings at Skyline High School by praying with his Godmother and Supervisor; 4] passed out candy at hisgrandmother’s every Halloween; and 5] was well known by his family and friends as a respectful young man. But even more important is the fact that when the police officers decided not to respond to the call, but rather to bother Alan and his friends, all they knew is that they were 3 African-American young men. That’s why Alan was murdered.
Alan’s family is seeking justice for his death. We are determined to have this “incident” thoroughly investigated and all wrongful parties prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We ask that all of you support us by calling the City Councilman for District 7, Larry Reid, at 510-238-7007.
Via Occupy Oakland

For any of you, out there, who feel you live in a post-racial America, I give you yet another exhibit in the continuing series: The Destruction of Black Male Youth. Black men, especially young black men, are being systematically murdered or incarcerated, usually by law enforcement officials or those allied with them physically or morally.
For every outraged white person who is “tired of being called a racist” because “they are not like that,” I submit that we, as white Americans, are just as culpable as if we held the gun or the jailhouse key in our hand, where we do not speak up, where we do not demand justice, where we do not seek restitution, where we do not attempt to even the badly disjointed scales in our country. Every young, black man who dies increases the stain upon us, that we do not speak up. Sleep easy if you can, for I won’t; too much innocent blood has been spilled defending my privilege, and I want it stopped.

nefariousnewt:

thepeoplesrecord:

Alan DeWayne Blueford Murdered by Oakland Police Department

At or about midnight, May 6, 2012, Alan and 2 friends were standing on the corner of 90 th and Birch Street waiting for “some girls in a white chevy,” Alan described to his father, Alan Blueford, during a phone call. After the phone call, police officers approached Alan and his friends, with guns drawn. The police officers had been called to respond to another incident, but decided to stop Alan and his friends when they saw them because they “believed the young men had a concealed weapon.”

Alan ran down Birch Street, away from the police officers.

Approximately two blocks down Birch Street on the 9200 Block the officer chasing Alan murdered him by shooting him 3 times. The officer also shot himself.

Although, Alan had his brown wallet with his ID, Oakland Police Department never called to tell his parents he was shot and killed.

Alan’s two friends were detained for over 6 hours. After their release, one of the young men had the traumatic task of calling Alan’s parents and telling them Alan was shot and killed by an Oakland Police Officer.

Initial reports put out by OPD, stated that “a suspect” (Alan) and a police officer exchanged gun fire and the officer was shot in the stomach by the suspect and the suspect was shot by the officer. Both were said to have been rushed to Highland Hospital where Alan died and the police officer was expected to recover. OPD also included in their reports witness statements who said they saw Alan shooting. OPD reported that they retrieved Alan’s firearm at the scene.

Later OPD changed their story to state that the officer was shot in the leg and an investigation was in process to determine whether the officer was wounded by “friendly fire.”

Only one of the officers chased Alan.

What we now know is that Alan Blueford never shot the police officer, at the police officer, or anyone else. OPD changed their story yet again, admitting and confirming that THE OFFICER SHOT HIMSELF.

We also know that Alan was never rushed to Highland Hospital. Only the police officer. Alan’s body lied in the streets for approximately 4 hours.

Alan was shot multiple times by the police officer.

The family has reason to believe that Alan never had a firearm.
The family has reason to believe that Alan never caused the officer to be threatened. Alan’s body can be described as a shorter stature (approximately 5 ft 6 ½ inches) and thin built (140 lbs).

When Alan’s family learned of the claimed circumstances surrounding Alan’s death, we all knew that the facts were not true! Additionally, because they never called to confirm his death, we were sadly left with hope that the unnamed “suspect” was not Alan. He was joy to many people. We are suffering from a great loss.

Now OPD claims that the “victim” (no longer suspect) was a convicted felon on probation. His family will simply respond by saying felony probation does not describe Alan’s character. To describe Alan, you have to share that he 1] was a Christian; 2] worked with the disabled children at Skyline, one of whom described “Al” as his “bestfriend”; 3] began his mornings at Skyline High School by praying with his Godmother and Supervisor; 4] passed out candy at his
grandmother’s every Halloween; and 5] was well known by his family and friends as a respectful young man. But even more important is the fact that when the police officers decided not to respond to the call, but rather to bother Alan and his friends, all they knew is that they were 3 African-American young men. That’s why Alan was murdered.

Alan’s family is seeking justice for his death. We are determined to have this “incident” thoroughly investigated and all wrongful parties prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We ask that all of you support us by calling the City Councilman for District 7, Larry Reid, at 510-238-7007.

Via Occupy Oakland

For any of you, out there, who feel you live in a post-racial America, I give you yet another exhibit in the continuing series: The Destruction of Black Male Youth. Black men, especially young black men, are being systematically murdered or incarcerated, usually by law enforcement officials or those allied with them physically or morally.

For every outraged white person who is “tired of being called a racist” because “they are not like that,” I submit that we, as white Americans, are just as culpable as if we held the gun or the jailhouse key in our hand, where we do not speak up, where we do not demand justice, where we do not seek restitution, where we do not attempt to even the badly disjointed scales in our country. Every young, black man who dies increases the stain upon us, that we do not speak up. Sleep easy if you can, for I won’t; too much innocent blood has been spilled defending my privilege, and I want it stopped.

In an all-too-rare show of bipartisanship, 15 Senate Republicans joined with the Democratic majority last month to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, the landmark 1994 law that is key to efforts against domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking.

Unfortunately, the lopsided 68-to-31 Senate vote halted G.O.P. opponents only temporarily. The House Judiciary Committee last week approved its version of the reauthorization bill, which not only omits improvements the Senate bill made to the law but also removes existing protections for immigrant women, putting them at greater risk of domestic and sexual abuse.

The Senate’s measure ensures that victims are not denied services because they are gay or transgender. It also strives to ensure that domestic violence crimes committed by non-Indian men in tribal communities are prosecuted. The Senate bill also would modestly expand the availability of special U-visas for undocumented immigrants who are victims of domestic violence. That move was supported by law enforcement to encourage victims to come forward and testify against their abusers.

The regressive House alternative removes these and other improvements, including new protections for students on college campuses. The House measure would eliminate a confidentiality requirement in current law that protects the identity of immigrant women who file domestic violence complaints against a spouse who is a citizen or legal resident and allows the women to apply for legal status on their own.

House Republicans claim there is a big fraud problem in this area, but there is no hard evidence of that. And their plan to end the centralized handling of these issues by a Vermont-based office would undermine the government’s ability to detect untruthful stories.

House members on both sides of the aisle who are serious about combating domestic violence must work to defeat this atrocious bill. If that fails, the Senate will need to insist on fixing it during the reconciliation process.

The New York Times editorial, “Backward On Domestic Violence.”

Would love to hear my Republican / conservative followers defend their party on this, please.

(via inothernews)

redcometsshinkiro:

sikssaapo-p:

pinklem0nade:

Picture of Attawapiskat’s Health Centre. 
Yes, this is in Ontario…
The graffiti reads “Get a Job” 

Let us share cultures

So you wish you were Native American because they seem so ‘cool’ to you. Well that’s great, we have wonderful health care.

redcometsshinkiro:

sikssaapo-p:

pinklem0nade:

Picture of Attawapiskat’s Health Centre. 

Yes, this is in Ontario…

The graffiti reads “Get a Job” 

Let us share cultures

So you wish you were Native American because they seem so ‘cool’ to you. Well that’s great, we have wonderful health care.

This is what just landed in my inbox

searchingforknowledge:

Dear MoveOn member,

On December 23, 2011, my goddaughter, Jasmine Thar, a 16-year-old African American, was shot and killed while in my mother’s front yard in Chadbourn, North Carolina.

When the shot rang out, Jasmine was preparing for a routine shopping trip and doing what most teens do—texting. Two others, my niece and myself, were also injured in the shooting.

The 23-year-old Caucasian male who fired the fatal shot from the house across the street was taken in for questioning,but he has not been charged with a crime of any kind.

Because he claims it was an accident, the police let him go—despite the fact that he admits he fired the shot and police found a Confederate flag and Nazi literature in his home.

The message being sent is that you can shoot and kill someone like Jasmine and get away with it by simply claiming it was an accident. That can’t be the world we live in.

That’s why we created a petition on SignOn.org to District Attorney Jon David, Attorney General Roy Cooper, and Assistant District Attorney Chris Gentry. The petition says:

We demand justice for Jasmine Thar, who was shot and killed. Three months after the shooting we still have no answers. We urge you to sign this petition to demand a lawful, thorough, and unprejudiced investigation from the SBI and sound judicial decisions from Columbus County District Attorney Jon David and ADA Chris Gentry.

Will you sign the petition? Click here to add your name, and then pass it along to your friends:

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=274217&id=39852-9173195-bfuEy%3Dx&t=3

Thank you.

–Treka McMillian

An accident. AN ACCIDENT. Does manslaughter not apply to fucking white people? And Nazi lit and confederate flags mean nothing in this post racial era?! SHE WAS 16, IN HER OWN FRONT YARD, AND WAS TEXTING!!!!!! Let a motherfucker whine to me about reverse racism.

Calling this an “outrage” doesn’t even begin to describe it.

“What we didn’t hear about was a how an African-American women who in the course of protecting herself from an abusive husband who beat her while she was pregnant, shot a gun that she legally owns into the air. No one was hurt, but she is now looking at 25 years. Yes indeed, you read that right, facing 25 years.. Her name is Marissa Alexander, she lives in Florida, is a mother of 3 and everyone should know her name and her case.The person who prosecuted her case is Angela Corey, the prosecutor in the George Zimmerman case.”