Headlines for Thursday, March 22, 2012

Military seizes Mali’s civilian government in coup

Military forces in Mali have seized power of the government.  FSRN reporter Amadou Timbine is in Bamako.  He says the coup happened last night amid a gunfight between mutineers and military loyal to President Amadou Toumani Toure. Toure has now been arrested, and Bamako is calm once again, but heavily armed soldiers are still in the streets. Officers in the military made the announcement over state television. “We have no intention of confiscating power and we solemnly promise to hand over power to a democratically elected president as soon as national unity and the country’s territorial integrity is restored.  The country is going through a critical time, so, we call on the people for reconciliation and forgiveness." The military is angry about the government’s handling of a Tuareg rebellion in the northern part of the country.

Indigenous leaders end anti-mining march in Ecuador’s capital

Indigenous protesters in Ecuador have reached Quito, the capital city, after a two-week march across the country. Representatives of Andean and Amazonian nationalities are protesting against the government's new mining and oil projects – and for their right to protect the environment. Irene Caselli reports for FSRN.

Representatives of Ecuador's fourteen indigenous nationalities reached the outskirts of Quito on Wednesday wearing their traditional feathers and weapons. In early March the government signed a 1.4 billion dollar contract to build Ecuador's first large-scale mine.  Another billion-dollar mine contract is expected to be signed soon.  The government says the projects will create thousands of news jobs. But protesters are worried the mines will pollute their land and rivers. Delfin Tenesaca is one of the organizers. “This is not development, it's counter-development. We don't know where we'll get our water from in our communities.  We don't know where we will find things to eat – if we destroy our environment.” Government representatives are due to meet protesters on Thursday afternoon.  Irene Caselli, FSRN, Quito

After Trayvon Martin killing, city leaders vote “no confidence” for police chief

Bill Lee, the police chief of Sanford, Florida announced today he will temporarily step down from his post, according to state media outlets.  This comes after City Commissioners last night passed a “no confidence” vote for the chief.  Lee has defended the department’s decision not to arrest George Zimmerman, the man who shot and killed an unarmed black teen walking in a gated community. The family of Trayvon Martin and community activists all over the country have called for Zimmerman’s arrest. People are mobilizing around the incident. “Trayvon Martin was you. Trayvon Martin did matter. I just want New York to know that we aren’t going to stop until we get justice for Trayvon.” That was Tracy Martin, Trayvon’s father. He spoke to activists and the press late yesterday at the so-called “Million Hoodie March” in New York City.  About 2000 people joined the demonstration. The US Justice Department is reviewing the case.

Vermont nuclear plant now operating without state license

Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant entered uncharted territory today, as its operations continued even after its state license expired.  The 40-year-old plant has received a 20-year license extension from the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission, but Vermont's attempts to shut down the plant have landed the state in court with the plant's owner, Entergy Nuclear.  Demonstrations marked the end of the plant's legal operation yesterday, and activists began a campaign of direct action today. FSRN’s Carl Etnier has the story.

While a Federal Court decision in January made it more difficult for the state to shut down Vermont Yankee, the nuclear power plant still requires a license from the state Public Service Board to continue operating - a license the plant doesn't have. The federal decision in January is under appeal, and two appeals of the plant's federal license are pending.  Meanwhile, activists staged a retirement party Wednesday for the plant that refuses to retire.  Debra Stoleroff, with the Vermont Yankee Decommissioning Alliance, cut and served a chocolate retirement cake for the plant. “We're sending it off in good style.” Direct action is occurring today both at the Vermont Yankee site in southern Vermont and at an Entergy office in White Plains, New York and corporate headquarters in New Orleans. Near the reactor site, activists estimated that 1000 people had massed by 1 pm. Carl Etnier, FSRN, Montpelier, Vermont.

LA Cannabis dispensary workers unionize

Cannabis dispensaries have been described as one of the newest sectors of the health care industry.  Today Los Angeles dispensary workers announced they are unionizing. FSRN’s Lena Nozizwe reports.

The same union that represents grocery store clerks will be representing workers at Los Angeles medical marijuana dispensaries. Mike Shimpock is spokesperson for United Food and Commercial Workers Local 770. He said the union only represents workers employed by legitimate businesses, and that dispensaries are no different. “It is also our opinion that this is a place for people who are sick to get their medicine. Whether they get their medicine at legitimate legal cannabis dispensaries or at some point from pharmacies, we also represent pharmacists. The dispensaries, in one way or another, are here to stay.” Shimpock says unionization will bring better training, less turnover, and more stability to this newly-minted sector of the health care industry. There are as many as 900 medical marijuana dispensaries LA County.  Lena Nozizwe, FSRN, Los Angeles.