subpoenas

Friends,
I-Witness Video has been served with two subpoenas by lawyers from the City of New York in connection with the 2004 Republican National Convention. The City has demanded every piece of paper, electronic file, and videotape related to the protests - even our copies of the tapes shot by their own NYPD!

We're fighting this gross abuse of subpoena power. Yesterday our lawyers at Schulte Roth & Zabel moved to quash both subpoenas.

See the website for our statement.
http://iwitnessvideo.info/blog/index.html

This is a link to today's New York Times article about the subpoenas.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/20/nyregion/20convention.html

We need your support to continue this important work. Let us know if you are interested in helping to document the presidential conventions in Denver and Minneapolis this summer. And if you can make a financial contribution at iwitnessvideo.info/contribute/index.html, it would be enormously useful at this time, to help us fight these subpoenas, and to continue our work opposing police misconduct.

In solidarity,
Eileen Clancy

e-mail: iwitness@iwitnessvideo.info
website: iwitnessvideo.info

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NOmadjik Media Bus ~ AFTER Tour

5 min. ~ Download iPod ~ Bandwidth Challenged
embedding options @ Revver An invitation for independent video journalists to get on the bus and a tour of our current facilities. Check out what 11 months of progress looks like on a school bus converted to run on waste vegetable oil and deployed to facilitate independent journalism focusing on grass roots movements while giving the middle finger to corporate media.

Related Links ::: Fluxview, USA DVD CLUB,
Mobile Broadcast News

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CCRB Report Recommends NYPD Discipline

6 min. ~ Download iPod ~ Bandwidth Challenged
embedding options @ Revver
An update regarding the video "Get That Camera!". The NYC Civilian Complaint Review Board has recommended command discipline for one officer and allowed 2 to skate by. The CCRB has NO authority to actually discipline police officers, their recommendations are sent to the Police Commissioner. I expect another letter in 2 years telling me no punishment will be levied against the fall guy.

Related Links ::: WATCH "GET THAT CAMERA!"

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LIVE Independent Media Network

Josh Wolf, a San Francisco activist and videographer wants to create a live video network, powered by citizens and cheap tech.

Related Links ::: Josh Wolf, Rabble TV, From the Frontline

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S 1959 “THOUGHT CRIME” Bill Is In OBAMA’s Hands

Online policing of politically unreliable web sites (Senate Bill S-1959) will bring to the US internet what Yahoo has already brought to China: Internet related censorship services and jailed dissidents. It also will apply to real life demonstraqtions of dissent that are generally accepted and ineffectual.

The bill, (S-1959) misleadingly called the Homegrown Terrorism and Violent Radicalization act of 2007 is a thought crime bill. The bill was passed in the house under a curious suspension of the rules usually reserved for non controversial issues like the naming of a post office.

A Senate Vote is imminent. Obama sits on the Senate committee responsible for moving it forward or sending it back to nazi Germany. As of December 27, 2007, Obama says he hasn’t yet decided how he will vote.

The bill is being pushed by the Pentagon through it’s think tank, the Rand Corporation. If passed it will be another step toward completely totalitarian fascist "democracy".

Related Links ::: Better Bad News

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Happy Human Rights Day

Witness: "The Hub" is the world's first participatory media site for human rights.

Through the Hub, individuals, organizations, networks and groups around the world are able to bring their human rights stories and campaigns to global attention and to mobilize action to protect and promote human rights.

Related Links ::: The HUB

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Josh Wolf: Freedom of the Blog

Use the Open Tools link in the video player to navigate to specific topics within the video.

Related Links ::: Josh Wolf, Commonwealth Club, Fora TV

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Press Arrested for Filming Hot Pig on Bear Action

Monday October 22nd, at least 59 people had been arrested taking part in the No War No Warming direct action taking place all day on capitol hill. Protesters used creativity in staging their demonstrations to bring attention to the need to end the war in Iraq, and to focus our energy on solving the problem of global warming." Polar Bears for Solutions blocked entrances and sidewalks around the Cannon House office building on capitol hill in Washington DC.

Related Links ::: The DC Bears, Why Not News, No War No Warming

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Birthdays Celebrated in Oaxaca: RIP Brad, Viva Oaxaca

Ironically it appears that the revolution in Oaxaca and Brad Will were both born on the 14th of June. Brad would have been 38 this year, Oaxaca is 1. AUDIO

Investigator of Brad Will's Death Shot Twice

Related Links ::: KBOO ~ Portland, Brad Will . org,
Friends of Brad Will, The Unapologetic Mexican

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Cop Killer Confesses

Arnold Beverly's Confession

Arnold Beverly, NOT MUMIA, killed the cop. He explains the facts and details of what REALLY happened. - Video from the Partisan Defence Committee.

From Death Row, Mumia Abu Jamal (part 2 of Mondays video)

From Death Row, Mumia Abu Jamal (part 3 of Mondays video)

ALL OUT IN PHILLY MAY 17th

Related Links ::: Partisan Defense Commitee, FREE MUMIA NOW!, Mo' Mumia

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Mumia's Last Chance ~ Freedom or Death

Mumia Abu-Jamal is a Peabody award winning journalist who smashed a ring of corrupt police. Just a few months later, he was arrested, tried and convicted (by an all-white jury). The charge: killing a cop. Mumia is innocent, and he embodies everything good about the American Free Press.

His final chance at freedom is approaching. If he is not granted pardon, he will either be executed, as he is on death row, or he will spend the rest of his life in a cage.

What are you going to do?

Related Links ::: More about Mumia, Gonzo Muckraker

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1st Amendment Right to Assemble... nice while it lasted

Download Now ~ high res, full screen versions HERE ~ embedding options HERE

The NYPD now requires a permit for any public gathering, or 'parade', of 50 people or more. Section 1A of the city ruling defines a parade as "any march, motorcade, caravan, promenade, foot, or bicycle race, or similar event of any kind, procession or race which consists of a recognizable group of 50 or more pedestrians, vehicles, bicycles, or other devices move by human power, or ridden or herded animals proceeding together upon any public street or roadway."

This "redefinition" is Explicitly Prohibited in 1st Amendment.

"Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble ..."

This video shows how they intend to regulate free assembly while physically infringing upon the free press by following a typical monthly bike ride through Manhattan. ~ Critical Mass 3-30-07

Come out today in solidarity with the Radical Homosexual Agenda to challenge this unconstitutional change in rules for public gatherings.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you're in NYC you can help challenge this "redefinition" TODAY
PARADE WITHOUT A PERMIT! Thursday, April 19th, 4PM at City Hall
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Related Links ::: Times Up!, Critical Mass Tickets, Glass Bead Collective, Radical Homosexual Agenda

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The War on Journalism

6 minutes ~ IPOD ~ Download the Full Screen Version
Bandwidth Challenged, or on U2B
other embedding options exist here or here

This video is dedicated to Independent Journalists worldwide who've paid a price for seeking the truth ... some more than others. ~presente

HOW TO TAKE ACTION

It's not like this is the 1st time ...
CBS 2 Investigates: Videotape Cops At Own Peril

In the last three years, there has been an increase of 25% in civilian complaints against the NYPD. In the last two years, there has been an increase of 12% in lawsuits filed against the NYPD for false arrest, assault, excessive force or other wrongdoing.*

Related Links ::: Let Them Talk, Reporters Without Borders, Friends of Brad Will, Free Josh Wolf, Witness, "Why I did not leave Nazi Germany in time", Al Crespo's PBS Photo Journalism Video, Guilty of Independent Journalism, Who will police the NYPD?, Failing to Protect, IFEX, IFJ, Off-Center, I Witness Video, Brad Will's last Stand ~ VIDEO, Brad Will Vigil ~ VIDEO, Bloggers Beware, CyberJournalist.net, The Center for Citizen Media

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Brad Will's Last Stand

Click Image ~ Watch Video ~ mp4 16 minutes ~ Spanish Language Torrent ~ U2B ~ download

This is the last footage of a well respected colleague and good friend of many of my good friends. I knew Brad only as ships passing in the night but knew of his many adventures through the stories his good friends have told ... and will continue to tell. The video is provided by the Oaxaca IndyMedia Center. It shows his skill as a videographer as he runs with the crowd, backward away from gunfire, in order to "get the shot" of the people running... through his lens you can hide with him under a truck to "get the shot" of the group that likley included his killer... He died rollin' tape for justice ... I guess that's as good as it gets these days ...

In some mainstream articles about this event they describe it as a "shoot out" ...
I guess so, a shoot out between guns and a video camera ... guns have won the fight but the wars not over...

MONDAY Oct. 30th Call to Action!

Related Links ::: Oaxaca IndyMedia, Much More INFO @ NYC IMC,
Join the Global Outrage @ your nearest Mexican Consulate Office,
Spanish TV VIDEO of the Aftermath of the shooting
VIDEO ~ Camera's or Guns part 2 & 3 here (on the right),
Spanish Only Version of Brad's Last Interviews

Electronic Blockade add a log to the fire

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DC Lawyer Arrested For Observing the New Orleans Police Department

Common Ground Legal Advocacy Committee
1415 Franklin Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70117
504-717-7324

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS CONFERENCE
9 AM Wednesday, October 18th
City Hall, 1300 Perdido St
Contact: Soleil Rodrigue, Legal Coordinator, Common Ground Relief, 504-717-7324

NOPD Arrests Washington D.C. based Attorney for Observing an Arrest
On Monday, October 16th two New Orleans Police Officers falsely arrested visiting Washington D.C. based attorney Miles Swanson for observing their conduct during an arrest. Today, Common Ground joins New Orleans residents, Safe Streets/Strong Communities and the New Orleans ACLU in calling for a transparent and accountable police force, and calling on Superintendent Warren Riley to take the lead in upholding citizens’ basic rights.

"Any false arrest is an egregious violation of basic rights," said Swanson, "but even more so if that abuse of power occurs as an attempt to terrorize and intimidate citizens away from ensuring professional police conduct." Swanson provides free legal aid to returning New Orleans residents, including bankruptcy counselling with the Pro Bono Project, and civil and criminal assistance with the Free Legal Clinic of Common Ground Relief.

"Those who are serious about transforming the image and substance of the NOPD must welcome citizen observation of officers' conduct, and call for the establishment of an Office of the Independent Monitor," states Soleil Rodrigue, Common Ground Legal Advocacy Committee Coordinator." Why are citizens who witness police behavior harassed and subjected to false arrest? Why are the records of these public servants being kept from the public? Don't the authorities themselves say 'You have nothing to worry about if you have nothing to hide?"

Related Links ::: End Police Harrasment Rally Oct 23rd. New Orleans,
Miles Swanson Kicks Ass and Saved Mine, Common Ground Collective

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YOU WORK FOR THE FEDS MFR!

Josh Wolf is in Federal Prison without bail to protect you from being used as a surveillance officer for the federal governmnet without your consent everytime you take a picture or turn on a video camera or jot down a note...

JoshWolf.net for much more info.
He's been jailed for contempt of court for refusing to turn over raw footage of a San Francisco protest. California law 'shields" reporters from persecution in this type of case; noting that requiring reporters to disclose such info turns every camera into a surveillance machine for the governmnet and would effectively ruin any reason for a subject to "trust" a reporter. However, this has been made a federal case because during the incident a cop car was in the vicinity of fire and the feds want to nail someone for it... federal money subsidizes the San Francisco police ...

From a fairly right slanted SFGate article
"Unless a journalist's right to withhold such material is recognized, "we're not going to have Mr. Wolf or any reporters covering protests," Fuentes told Alsup. "Confidential sources are not going to come forward. They're (journalists) going to be viewed as investigative arms of the government."

That statement is the bottom line here, folks.
CONTROLLING THE CORPORATE MEDIA ISN'T GOOD ENOUGH FOR THEM ANYMORE.

I don't know about you, but "Rasta don't work for no CIA".
Unless you enjoy working for the feds everytime you turn on a camera;
you should help Josh with a donation of time or money.

~solidarity,
FluxRostrum

PS > In the case that Josh's server cannot keep up with the traffic. You may also view his work and learn about the case HERE, HERE & HERE :-) ..!..

related links ::: Pre Prison Press Conference, Photo of the UNDAMAGED Police Car, access to reporters' telephone records, an extensive list of articles about Josh's case (scroll down to the comments), much commentary from out of touch mainstreamers, NY Times, a short video about witholding footage,
personal surveillance issues

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This Troop is Defending my Freedoms

In the spirit of supporting our troops I would like for anyone interested in Journalistic freedom to check out the story that is Unfolding RIGHT NOW in San Francisco. Josh Wolf is appearing before a FEDERAL GRAND JURY where he has been charged with contempt of court over his desire to not release "some" independent journalist video of cops choking and beating people at a G8 solidarity march in San Francisco that occurred last summer.

The full story is better appreciated by watching Josh's videos from interviews and press conferences that are available on his site. As an example of the ridiculous lengths to which our government is going to harass the politically vocal... One of the arrestees at this protest was actually charged with TRYING TO "LYNCH" HIMSELF. And Don't forget to check back tomorrow ... to see if he's in JAIL.

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Riding the Grand Jury to Hell and Back

Josh Wolf, a San Francisco activist vlogger, is having some .. issues .. with the FBI's definition of Journalistic Ethics. read about it

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Immigrant Uprising and the Group W Bench

NYC Immigration March from April 10th
Click to Download Guest Video from WBJordon 24 mgs 10.5 minutes

Littering Charges DROPPED Against the Blanco 3
I returned to court today for the second time to face charges of littering for my participation (as a videographer) in an Eviction related political demonstration at the Governor of Louisianna's House.

Prior to going before the judge our Cop was overheard gloating as he showed the DA & other cops the 24 8 x 10 glossy photos with the lines an arrows... These weren't just any ol'photos mind you... these photos were manufactured evidence. The photos the cops entered as evidence were of the evicted persons belongings scattered about in a heap of crap that .. well .. looked like trash. It did NOT, however, look anything like the "scene of the crime" which was a well organized Display of furnishings.

Since the cops had apprehended us before leaving the scene, given the nature of the action and the fact that the Evicted Persons Property was removed by the Governors grounds crew even before we were carted off to the interegation rooms.... the judge found that there was no way for them to prove our "intent" to litter and dismissed the charges against all 3. We were lied to by the cops on the scene when they said it was all on video (theirs). If they'd had video there would have been other questions asked of us on the scene, their pictures could have been much different and the 5 of us would have been in court.

We all shared an elevator on the way out of the court house. Gloating Boy had changed his tune... "nothing personal" ... "I got my job and you got..." he couldn't finish that sentence since he was the only one bought an paid for. NICE COPS LIE.
Previous Court Story, Video of Demonstration

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Littering Charge Continued to April 13th

I went to court today on Littering charges for filming this.

The citation was heard in Traffic Court. During the run up to the pleaing process the only person to instruct those about to plea was the DA. She repeatedly "informed" the defendants that with this many cases, a plea of Not Guilty would mean staying there till 4 or 5 (it was 10am at the latest). She also "informed" everyone a couple of times that the day before she had won all the cases anyway and that many people "think' they have a valid reason for their actions but that they aren't "legal" reasons. The message was clear don't plead not guilty unless you want to waste your day for nothing and end up paying more.

At one point she returned from the hall with the news that a couple of people had threatened to report her for the intimidation session, to which she laughed and made fun of them. This was followed by an extra 15 minute lecture about why what she was saying wasn't intimidation. However, during this lecture she made sure to reiterate the same statements as to the fruitfulness of pleading not guilty. During this time most in the court were wishing she'd just shut up and get on with it.

After pleading not guilty and realizing that I would be going to trail this very afternoon, I pulled her aside in the hall during a lull to inquire about the possibility of getting a contiuance. I said that I had thought today's session was going to be a plea and then we set a date for the hearing unless they dropped the charge. I asked about getting a continuance, because had I know that we would be going to trial TODAY, I would have been represented by the ACLU.

At the mention of the ACLU, she did a literal and figurtative 180; walking back into the courtroom in a continuous "No. No. no. no. no. NO. nO. No. nO. no. NO. No..." I chased after her asking: "What does that mean? NO, NO, NO, NO, No...?" She eventually turned and said "No continuance for the ACLU".

Later, in my absence, a little bird heard the following conversion between the DA and the Citing officer:

"I'm dieing to prosecute this, I hope they don't get a continuance. They said they were going to bring the ACLU into this."

"If they were going to demonstarte, fine; just don't dump garbage. They should've rung the doorbell and talked with her (the governor). She probably would've let them in ..... until they dumped all this crap."

Her reference to the the evicted tenats property as GARBAGE and CRAP is indicative of the larger problem of disconnecting from reality that must take place for otherwise sensible compassionate people to to do a job that requires they not look at the human cost of their actions.

... but. "that's a cute little sofa".

There's also something a little disturbing about a system that allows it's subjects to go into a court hearing armed only with the advice of the person whose job it is to convict them.

To be Continuanced... April 13th

Related Links ::: Demonstration at Governor's Mansion

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