Headlines for Friday, June 5, 2009

• Dozens killed in clash between police and indigenous in Peru
• Protester killed in weekly West Bank protest of security wall
• Canadian court orders the return of Abousfian Abdelrazik
• Holder announces new plan to battle Mexican drug cartels
• BART officer ordered to stand trial for murder of Oakland youth

Dozens killed in clash between police and indigenous in Peru
In the Peruvian town of Bagua, clashes between indigenous protesters and police have left nearly 30 dead – and that number continues to rise.  From Peru, Pamela Cueva has the details.

Reporter:
The confrontation began early in the morning, and by afternoon nearly twenty indigenous people and nine police officers were dead, according to a hospital in Bagua.  The Amazon indigenous people initially blocked a main road to protest a law that would allow the government to sell Amazonian lands to private corporations. On the ground, things were tense, according to indigenous leader Zevelio Kayap.

The indigenous people have being on strike for the last two months, and are planning further mobilizations next week. Pamela Cueva and Alfredo Cuadros. FSRN. Lima.

Protester killed in weekly West Bank protest of security wall
International protests of Israeli security walls in the West Bank have turned violent once again.  FSRN’s Ghassan Bannoura reports.

Reporter:
The Israeli army killed a 36-year old Palestinian man and critically wounded a 15 year old.  This came during the weekly non-violent demonstration against the Israeli wall and settlements in the central West Band village of Nil’in.  Three other protesters sustained moderate wounds. In addition, five protesters were injured and dozens suffered from tear gas inhalation in a similar protest in the nearby village of Bil’in.  Participants in both protests welcomed the speech by U.S President Barak Obama in Cairo, as bearing a new rhetoric towards the peace process. But protesters want the rhetoric backed up by genuine pressure on Israel to accept peace based on UN resolutions.  Ghassan Bannoura, FSRN, Bethlehem.

Canadian court orders the return of Abousfian Abdelrazik
In a follow up to a story FSRN has been covering, Abousfian Abdelrazik, a Sudanese born Canadian citizen, has been unable to get home for 6 years - until now. Amy Miller has more from Montreal.

Reporter:
The Canadian government barred Abousfian Abdelrazik from returning home under vague claims of threats to national security.  But Abdelrazik received good news from A Canadian Court, which ordered the government to issue him an emergency passport.  Lisa Stepnuk an organizer with Abdelrazik’s support committee ‘Project Fly Home,’ spoke with FSRN:

While the return of Abdelrazik is being hailed as a victory, questions about whether he was tortured while in Sudan - and the involvement of the Canadian governments spy agency in denying his return - remain unanswered. Amy Miller, FSRN, Montreal, Canada

Holder announces new plan to battle Mexican drug cartels
The recent drug cartel wars in Mexican border towns have precipitated targeted violence and large death tolls. And there’s concern that violence will further spill into US towns. As FSRN’s Nick Layman reports from New Mexico, President Barack Obama’s administration announced a new initiative to prevent the drug cartel wars from crossing the border.

Reporter:
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and National Drug Control Policy director Gil Kerlikowske launched President Obama’s National Southwest Border Counter Narcotics Strategy in Albuquerque. The strategy is designed to reduce drug trafficking, along with weapons and cash flow across the US/Mexico border. Attorney General Eric Holder says the US will work with Mexican governments and is confident both nations will make progress.

The US will offer military-style training to Mexican and Central American authorities using US Department of Defense equipment. The director of national drug control policy will oversee the implementation of the strategy.  Nick Layman. FSRN. Albuquerque.

BART officer ordered to stand trial for murder of Oakland youth
A California judge has ruled that A former BART police officer must stand trial for murder in the shooting death of Oscar Grant.  The controversial incident was captured on video, prompting widespread protests in Oakland.  FSRN’s Africa Jones has more.

Reporter:
Oscar Grant died after he was shot in the back by Johannes Mehserle on New Year’s Day. Attorneys for Mehserle claimed that he intended to shock Grant with a stun gun. But the judge in the case said, “There is no doubt in my mind that Mr. Mehserle intended to shoot Oscar Grant with a gun and not a Taser." John Burris, the attorney for Grant’s family, said the ruling sends a positive message to the community.

The decision comes after 9 days of dramatic testimony, much of which outraged Grant’s family. Johannes Mehserle, who is out on 3 million dollars bail, will be arraigned June 18th. Africa Jones, FSRN.