June 13, 2002
Karzai Declared President
Hamid Karzai, the U.S.-backed leader of the interim Afghan administration, can now call himself the victor of Afghanistan’s Loya Jirga. Karzai won the presidency after all his serious challengers bowed out of contention. He’ll assume office with the support of war-lords, multi-national oil companies and the United States. Fariba Nawa is in Kabul.
Effects of Earth First! Trial
Environmentalists involved in direct action campaigns rejoiced over Tuesday’s verdict in favor of Earth First! activists in their lawsuit against the FBI. However, with Bush unleashing the FBI to infiltrate dissident groups last month, some aren’t assured the verdict means the end of Cointelpro-style tactics by law enforcement. While the Redwood Summer car bombing of Judi Bari and Darryl Cherney gained a measure of national awareness and support over the last twelve years, those in the trenches of lesser-known Earth First! campaigns have endured violence hostility from law enforcement, and charges of terrorism. Leigh Robartes has more from the Northwest.
Protests at Southern Baptist Convention
Soulforce, an interfaith movement that confronts the anti-gay teachings of mainstream religions, demonstrated at the Southern Baptist Convention in St. Louis on Tuesday. Fifty people were arrested during the peaceful demonstrations. Lori Serb of the Urbana Independent Media Center has the story.
Welfare Reauthorization and Domestic Violence
President Bush’s proposed welfare reauthorization allots 300 million dollars towards marriage promotion to encourage women to marry, or stay in traditional two-parent relationships. Critics says this proposal will force women to stay in abusive relationships and, as Noelle Hanrahan reports, even when a women calls 9-11 for help, she may be left to die.
