Archive - Feb 19, 2010

• Israeli troops use tear gas to suppress 5th anniversary protest of wall
• Frustration grows in Haiti as some communities wait weeks for aid and shelter
• Health insurance companies raise rates, Democrats respond
• Civil rights leaders call on Congress to address disparities in economic recovery
• North Carolina youth use art to draw attention to immigration reform

• Marjah offensive continues in Afghanistan
• Military coup creates uncertainty in Niger
• Sharp increase in childhood leukemia rates in Basra
• Indian Maoists on the offensive in Bihar state
• Black farmers settlement
• PA school district accused of spying via webcams
• Activist accused in Brad Will murder released

Lawmakers are in their home districts this week and immigrant rights advocates are using the chance to bring attention to immigration reform. Rallies were planned in San Francisco, Colorado and Cincinnati, Ohio. Many advocates support the bill of Congressmember Luis Gutierrez, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity Act. The bill includes the DREAM Act, which would allow young immigrants who meet certain requirements the opportunity to enlist in the military or go to college. It could also provide a path to citizenship.

A coalition of civil rights leaders and economists is criticizing the Obama Administration's job creation strategy and calling on congressional leaders to focus on the needs of poor people and people of color in the economic recovery. The NAACP, the National Council of La Raza, the Center for Community Change and the Economic Policy Institute are some of the groups that sent a letter today to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

Health care reform may be stalled in Congress, but health care costs are moving full steam ahead. The Obama Administration has sharply criticized WellPoint insurance for jacking up their rates – but they’re not the only ones charging more for premiums. Consumer outrage at the rate increases may be just what the Democrats need to get reform moving again. Tanya Snyder reports.

More than a month after the Haitian earthquake communities outside of Port Au Prince are only now receiving aid. And with heavy rains this week, shelter is more urgent than ever. One of those communities is in the Boutilier Mountain, south of Port Au Prince. The first delivery since the earthquake arrived today, and witnesses said an estimated 2,000 people gathered.

All over the West Bank Israeli troops use tear gas and sound bombs to suppress non-violent anti wall protests. Today people of Bil'in, a small Palestinian village in central West Bank marked the 5th year anniversary of their weekly struggle against the Israeli built wall on their lands. And once again, protesters were met with tear gas. FSRN's Ghassan Bannoura reports:

NOTE: While covering today's protests, Israeli troops shot Ghassan in the head with a tear gas canister. He had to seek treatment at a local clinic. He has a minor concussion, but says he is doing fine.