Thursday, September 4, 2008

• Community Activist Weighs in on Charges Against the RNC 8
• Deconstructing Sarah Palin
• Race, Women and Sarah Palin
• Republicans and Immigration
• Sheriff Fletcher Spells out Infiltration Tactics against the RNC Welcoming Committee
• Hurricane Gustav Evacuees Make Their Way Back Home
• More than 400,000 Displaced as a Result of Violence between Pakistani Military and Taliban

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Community Activist Weighs in on Charges Against the RNC 8

As of air time, 320 people have been arrest; 135 are charged with felonies, the most common charges include conspiracy to riot and criminal damage to property. Minnesota state's Patriot Act. Monica Bicking, Eryn Trimmer, Luce Guillen Givins, Erik Oseland, Nathanael Secor, Robert Czernik, Garrett Fitzgerald and Max Spector were all processed yesterday on terrorism charges which could result in up to 10 years in prison. FSRN caught up with Michelle Gross from Communities United Against Police Brutality, who sat through the Ramsey County Courthouse felony calendar, and says the charges are a sham.

Deconstructing Sarah Palin

Sarah Palin accepted her party's nomination for Vice President last night. Palin used her time on stage to attack her opponents and promise to produce more energy domestically. But critics worry that her claims don't hold water. FSRN's Tanya Snyder was on the floor watching the speech.

Race, Women and Sarah Palin

Our Karen Miller has been speaking with different groups about supporting Sarah Palin. We speak with out reporter Karen Miller, who takes a look at women, race and the vice presidential candidate.

Republicans and Immigration

The Republican Party has spelled out its new platform on immigration. It cements the policies of the more hard-line faction of the party, calling for an enforcement-only policy backed by increased border controls. FSRN's Leigh Ann Caldwell has the story.

Sheriff Fletcher Spells out Infiltration Tactics against the RNC Welcoming Committee

FSRN's Aura Bogado headed down to the Ramsey County Jail yesterday, where a few hundred supporters were camped out, waiting for their friends and loved ones to be set free. Many charged with misdemeanors were released yesterday on their own recognizance. She spoke with Sheriff Bob Fletcher about the terrorism charges against the RNC 8, and about the tactics that his officers, along with federal authorities, used to infiltrate and gather intelligence on the RNC Welcoming Committee.

Hurricane Gustav Evacuees Make Their Way Back Home

Evacuees from Hurricane Gustav began their exodus back into New Orleans and nearby parishes on Wednesday. FSRN's Dolores M. Bernal reports on how evacuees dealt with being away from home and how they'll try to get back on their feet after many of them missed going to work for almost a week.

More than 400,000 Displaced as a Result of Violence between Pakistani Military and Taliban

The Pakistani government summoned the US Ambassador in Islamabad today to protest a cross-border raid that killed as many as 20 civilians in Pakistan's tribal belt Wednesday morning. The Bush Administration has not commented, but a Pentagon source told Reuters that the soldiers who were dropped into Pakistan by helicopter were US Special Forces targeting suspected Al Qaeda militants. It's the first publicly acknowledged ground assault within Pakistani territory by foreign troops based in Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, the Pakistani military is waging its own campaign against Taliban influence in Northwest Pakistan. Violence there has displaced more than 400,000 people in the last three months alone. The displaced live in about 40 temporary camps near the city of Peshawar. FSRN's Afridai Afridi visited one of the camps. FSRN's Max Pringle brings us his report.