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Headlines for Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Wed, 04/08/2009 - 14:51
- Length: 5:48 minutes (10.61 MB)
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Video evidence calls police response to protesters at the G20 into question
New video evidence showing police misconduct during the G20 protests has prompted and independent investigation in London. During the protests last week, police attacked a man who was walking home from work. Soon after the man collapsed and died. Now that officer may face manslaughter charges after video footage capturing the event was passed to the media. From London, Naomi Fowler reports:
The police version of events has changed as events have unfolded and in particular, since footage passed to the media by a concerned onlooker appeared on national TV. It corroborates the statements of witnesses who claimed police had assaulted Ian Tomlinson in an unprovoked attack. The footage clearly shows police hitting Tomlinson with a baton and pushing him violently to the ground as he walked away from them with his hands in his pockets. The police had claimed that protesters impeded access for medics. But the footage shows the police standing and looking at him as he lay on the ground and protesters came forward to help him. Police watchdog the Independent Police Complaints Commission appointed the City of London police force to investigate the incident, despite its officers having been involved. They may now appoint their own independent investigators. Some MPs are calling for an independent inquiry into the heavy-handed policing throughout the G20 demonstrations. Naomi Fowler. FSRN. London.
Journalist Roxana Saberi charged with espionage
The Iranian government has charged journalist Roxana Saberi with espionage. Saberi, who holds dual US and Iranian citizenship, has been in jail since February. Iranian new agencies are reporting that Saberi has pleaded guilty to all charges.
Uganda anti-terrorism force accused of torture
Uganda’s Joint Anti-terrorism Task Force unlawfully detains and brutally tortures suspects – that according to a new report released today by Human Rights Watch. The Task Force, more commonly referred to as JATT is a combined effort of the Ugandan military, police and other security forces to weed out members of opposition militias. Maria Burnett of Human Rights Watch says there is evidence that many innocent people have been subject to brutal custody. Burnett says the torture techniques include rubbing chili paste in the eyes, noses and mouths of those in custody, beatings and whippings. She says some of the anti-terrorism forces in Uganda have received funding and training by the US. Human Rights Watch is calling on the United States to make an inquiry into the extent of its connections with JATT and to take human rights abuse issues up with the Ugandan government.
Private prison in Texas found responsible in inmate death
A Texas State court of appeals has upheld a $42 million judgment against the GEO Group, a corporation formerly known as Wackenhut, in a lawsuit brought by the family of a man brutally murdered in the company’s Willacy County prison. FSRN’s Ansel Herz reports from Austin.
Gregorio de la Rosa was nearing the end of a six-month sentence in 2001 when he was attacked by two inmates. De la Rosa was beaten for about 20 minutes, while, according to the three-judge panel, prison officials stood by laughing and smirking. The judges called the GEO Group’s conduct “a disgusting display of disrespect for the welfare of others and for this state's civil justice system.” This is one of many recent setbacks for the GEO Group. Its West Texas Reeves County Detention Center was wracked by two riots in February. And another inmate died there of unnatural causes last month. Bob Libal of the advocacy group Grassroots Leadership says this a massive judgment against the GEO Group.
“I think every protest and lawsuit against the private prison industry makes public officials think a little harder about a decision to build a private prison. The GEO group in many ways exemplifies the problems of the private prison industry, and I think their problems are at the forefront of an effort to re-think whether we should be building private prisons and turning over prisons and detention centers to private corporations."
The GEO Group, which now operates 19 prisons in Texas, has seen three of its facilities in the state closed in the past two years. Several bills up for consideration in this legislative session seek to create new regulations over private prisons in Texas. Ansel Herz. FSRN. Austin.
Reno school district at fault in Muslim bullying case
And finally, a judge has ordered a Reno, Nevada school district to pay a 350-thousand dollar settlement to a Muslim girl who was bullied into drooping out of high school in 2004. After Jana Elhifny was bombarded with a death threat and physical harassment, she said she was too afraid to attend school. School administrators did not stop the bullying and told Elhifny to expect the treatment and advised her to not wear her headscarf.
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Abolish Private "for profit" Prisons
ahma_daeus
A “SINGLE VOICE PROJECT” is the official name of the petition sponsored by: The National Public Service Council To Abolish Private Prisons (NPSCTAPP)
THIS PETITION SEEKS TO ABOLISH ALL PRIVATE PRISONS IN THE UNITED STATES, (or any place subject to its jurisdiction)
The National Public Service Council To Abolish Private Prisons (NPSCTAPP) is a grass roots organization driven by a single objective. We want the United States government to reclaim sole authority for state and federal prisons on US soil.
We want the United States Congress to immediately rescind all state and federal contracts that permit private prisons “for profit” to exist in the United States, or any place subject to its jurisdiction. We understand that the problems that currently plague our government, its criminal justice system and in particular, the state & federal bureau of prisons (and most correctional and rehabilitation facilities) are massive. However, it is our solemn belief that the solutions for prison reform will remain unattainable and virtually impossible as long as private prisons for profit are permitted to operate in America.
Prior to the past month, and the fiasco of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, AIG, Lehman Brothers, and now the “Big Three” American Automobile manufacturers, the NPSCTAPP has always felt compelled to highlight the “moral Bottom line” when it comes to corrections and privatization. Although, we remain confounded by the reality that our government has allowed our justice system to be operated by private interests. The NPSCTAPP philosophy has always been “justice” should not be for sale at any price. It is our belief that the inherent and most fundamental responsibility of the criminal justice system should not be shirked, or “jobbed-out.” This is not the same as privatizing the post office or some trash pick up service in the community. There has to be a loss of meaning and purpose when an inmate looks at a guard’s uniform and instead of seeing an emblem that reads State Department of Corrections or Federal Bureau of Prisons, he sees one that says: “Atlas Prison Corporation.”
Let’s assume that the real danger of privatization is not some innate inhumanity on the part of its practitioners but rather the added financial incentives that reward inhumanity. The same logic that motivates companies to operate prisons more efficiently also encourages them to cut corners at the expense of workers, prisoners and the public. Every penny they do not spend on food, medical care or training for guards is a dime they can pocket. What happens when the pennies pocketed are not enough for the shareholders? Who will bailout the private prison industry when they hold the government and the American people hostage with the threat of financial failure…“bankruptcy?” What was unimaginable a month ago merits serious consideration today. State and Federal prison programs originate from government design, and therefore, need to be maintained by the government. It’s time to restore the principles and the vacated promise of our judicial system.
John F. Kennedy said, “The time to repair the roof is while the sun is shinning”. Well the sun may not be shinning but, it’s not a bad time to begin repair on a dangerous roof that is certain to fall…. because, “Incarcerating people for profit is, in a word WRONG”
There is an urgent need for the good people of this country to emerge from the shadows of cynicism, indifference, apathy and those other dark places that we migrate to when we are overwhelmed by frustration and the loss of hope.
It is our hope that you will support the NPSCTAPP with a show of solidarity by signing our petition. We intend to assemble a collection of one million signatures, which will subsequently be attached to a proposition for consideration. This proposition will be presented to both, the Speaker Of The House Of Representatives (Nancy Pelosi) and the United States Congress.
Please Help Us. We Need Your Support. Help Us Spread The Word About This Monumental And Courageous Challenge To Create Positive Change. Place The Link To The Petition On Your Website! Pass It On!
The SINGLE VOICE PETITION and the effort to abolish private “for profit” prisons is the sole intent of NPSCTAPP. Our project does not contain any additional agendas. We have no solutions or suggestions regarding prison reform. However, we are unyielding in our belief that the answers to the many problems which currently plague this nation’s criminal justice system and its penal system in particular, cannot and will not be found within or assisted by the private “for profit” prison business. The private “for profit” prison business has a stranglehold on our criminal justice system. Its vice-like grip continues to choke the possibility of justice, fairness, and responsibility from both state and federal systems.
These new slave plantations are not the answer!
For more information please visit: http://www.npsctapp.blogsppot.com or email: williamthomas@exconciliation.com
To sign the petition please visit: http://www.petitiononline.com/gufree2/petition.html
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
William Thomas
National Community Outreach Facilitator
The National Public Service Council To Abolish Private Prisons
P.O. Box 156423
San Francisco, California 94115