Prophet and Loss Stanley Aronowitz, Nicholas Powers and Arun Gupta on Obama’S First Year

Issue #145, January 8 – 28, 2010 The Indypendent A Free Paper for Free People

Prophet and Loss Stanley Aronowitz, Nicholas Powers and Arun Gupta on Obama’s First Year. Page 8

TIM DURNING Left Behind: Bloomberg to Close Schools, p3 Gitmo Meets NYC, p6

Flower Power to Nuclear Power, p14 indypendent.org 2 January 8 – January 28, 2010 The Indypendent and the the and (nyc.indymedia.org). children’s newspaper the projects: volunteer other three Indypendent The media. own their produce to people en- couraging by press corporate the a to create alternative true to people empowering to dedicated awards, Alliance Media a is Indypendent The roots media production. production. grass- media roots fostering to dedicated is that international network an (indymedia.org), movement Indymedia global the with affiliated is which the Indypendent The clarity. and content length, for articles to edit right the globally. and locally people of lives the affect — social and political lens, economic, — critical power of a systems how exploring through culture and news at look that submissions accept We missions. lar simi- with organizations from advertising and benefits sales, merchandise grants, donations, 50 than more of Win- ner project. this in participated ac- have media tivists and artists journalists, citizen 650 than more 2000, Since management. website provide and fundraise distribute, photos, take design, draw, edit, write, report, who volunteers of network a by produced is It 200,000. of more readership than to and online our print 17 published newspaper a times year on Fridays day a and us onJoin Facebook, My UNTEE Vo Sarah Secunda, John Tarleton, Tarleton, John Secunda, Sarah N N Kane, Alex Hinderaker, Andrew Heglar, Mary Gorelick, Burke, Aulisio, Mike E Baumer, Pat Bennett Arnerich, Bailey, Mark Steven Alcoff, Sam Seth Fisher, Fisher, Seth Steven Wishnia and Amy Wolf. Amy and Wishnia Steven l Frank Frank o i len Davidson, Tim Durning, Durning, Tim Davidson, len l cholas Powers, Keren Sadan, Ann Schneider, Schneider, Ann Sadan, Keren Powers, cholas or, Judith Mahoney Pasternak, Brian Ponto, Ponto, Brian Pasternak,Mahoney Judithor, G A N e f run Gupta: [email protected] Gupta: run e ne t o w J

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t events and taking action shots. documenting around still is son SNAPSH and thirst as weapons as hunger thirst and using a crime is genocidal This materials. building many and equipment rification pu- water equipment, medical and needed medicine fuel, stuff, food as such products taining O 212-777-6028 • bluestockings.com Bluestockings, 172 Allen St African-American president. dictions attendant to the election of an exploring the hopes, fears, and contra poetry and provides a critical dialogue inauguration, Kahlil Almustafa reads 18 Auc AN R 7pm • Free Mo •door $10/$20 M 5-7 DYPENDENT i The Indypendent The cameras that see to happy I’m their smashed, had Marchers Freedom of number a that ing and the great photos! After hear- update detailed the for Thanks 1: Jan. IndyBlog, Cairo,” from ration Decla- March: Freedom “Gaza 212-860-6001 x22 • [email protected] 8th St, 22nd Fl, Ste 2203 North Star Fund tion in public housing. RSVP by Jan. 14. their perspectives on resident participa dent leaders and policy experts will offer IN P BRIEFING: RESIDENT PARTICIPATION 10-11:30am • Free WED JAN 20 solidarity activists were not allowed to cross the border. PHOTO: ELLEN DAVIDSON DAVIDSON ELLEN PHOTO: border. the cross to allowed not were of activists majority The solidarity Strip. Gaza the enter to right the for Egypt, Cairo, in protest March Freedom Gaza 2009 INDYPENDENT and Remi Kanazi, editor of 212-904-1282 • indypendent.org Brecht Forum, 451 West St and cash bar. situation in Palestine. Hors d’oeuvres from Gaza, who will discuss the current o n e n the one-year anniversary of Obama’s

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r e T visit indypendent.org. that starts Feb. 1. For more information, tions for its Spring Reporting Internship r EDUCAT Mayor Bloomberg is working working is Bloomberg Mayor 30: Dec. Blog, Indy- Day,” Cold Bitterly a on School Protests “NYC Heated Draw Closings to Responses 12:30-2pm • Free THU JAN 28 212-777-6028 • bluestockings.com Bluestockings, 172 Allen St ments in Venezuela. organizers will discuss grassroots move Venezuelan activists, land reformers and itors of this collection of interviews with R 7pm • Free SUN JAN 24 CATION app fri JAN 22 blogspot.com grassrootseducationmovement. 718-601-4901 • [email protected] 17 East 79th St Michael Bloomberg’s home. takeovers. Rally located in front of Mayor by the proposed closings and charter of the 22 school communities affected port• F the students, parents and teachers M 4-6:30 THU JAN 21 ED RALLY: PROTEST BLOOMBERG’S p he Indypendent eporting E o A U r C DING: l t i ATION POLICY. Come join and sup

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- F o . r - - - u m Participants in the December December the in : Participants sipa.columbia.edu 606 W 122 St MU Columbia and Russia. powers of China, the European Middle East and the emerging world Hiro on the relationships between the Institute will present this lecture by Dilip 212-904-1282 • indypendent.org [email protected]. tion and to get an application, email us at ethics. RSVP required. For more informa news writing, interviewing, research and will cover the basics of media criticism, J LECT That’s crazy! That’s racist. reforms his that calling and doing for him slamming are protesters these and cation at get a a kids chance edu- good poor sure make to off butt his n hw ay epe al for bait-and-switch. this fall people many how ing amaz- It’s privatization. to lude pre- a as sector public the ing defund- of strategy classic right-wing the It’s cronies. charter school their to buildings the over hand and schools these off finish they when saviors be to themselves proclaim then and fail to schools up set Klein Joe Y and Bloomberg Mayor B 6 WORKSHOP: IN 1-5:30pm •Sliding $10-$30 Scale SAT 212-874-5210 • nysec.org 2 W 64th St New York Society for Ethical Culture home.att.net/concert.html. For tickets and a full lineup, visit pmnnyc. to benefit the People’s Music Network. niversary of the Peoples’ Voice Café and line a concert to celebrate the 30th an Choir and emma’s revolution will head VOICE CAFÉ. Lavender Light Gospel CONCERT: IN HONOR OF THE PEOPLES’ JAN 29 7:30 pm • $15 dooradv/$20 FRI o o urna rk City School Chancellor Chancellor School City rk L

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a p ess 51 Christopher 51 Brooklyn Ave., an o d o a o 17 17 2 e est i e r er the Department’s plan, the schools D n e r m meet i t o dle r l ellence r n 222 W. 134th 222 St., W. Manhattan t hea s w l t ademy h d f c

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E O l w w A Jamaica (Queens) High School student speaks at a Dec. 16 16 Dec. a at speaks student School High (Queens) Jamaica A e : K arents, educators and community activists are mobilizing to to mobilizing are activists community and educators arents, high 16 including schools, 21 save that public schools, the N o S R “They dropped a bomb on the schools without any notice,” said said notice,” any without schools the on bomb a dropped “They Publichearings are being theeach of affectedat held schools Critics of the closings say that the affected schools enroll a dis- a enroll schools affected the that say closings the of Critics “They don’t play the same game with every community,” The D The TheJan. 26meeting the of Panel on “Jan. 26 will be ground zero in this fight,” McDonald said. McDonald fight,” this in zero ground be will 26 “Jan. c nounced it will begin to phase out in 2010. in out phase to begin will it nounced Save the of leader a and parent Queens a McDonald, William “The closings. school the opposes that group a Coalition, Schools principals didn’t know. The teachers didn’t know. The parents know.” didn’t this month in advance of a Jan. 26 meeting of the city’s school boardfinalwherea decision will be made. Grassroots stration outside of Mayor Bloomberg’s rally against her school’s closing. P closing. school’s her against rally won’t accept any more new studentsacceptnewmore any andwillcomplete-won’t shut be oncely the current students graduate. number proportionate of special needs students while receiving favored per charter than schools resources student fewer private by Mayor Michael and Bloomberg D in com- schools target primarily the closings that note They also color. of munities saidVanessa Sparks, formera member the of District 28Com- munity sion on Jan. 21. underperforming. AT AT I Closings School Bloomberg Ire Draw By John Tarleton P Sho 14 Jan • 6pm Bloomberg and Klein. 14 Jan • 6pm 12 Jan12 • 6pm 11 Jan11 • 6pm replaced the old city school board Brooklyn Tech High in School in 2002,Fort Greene. will be held school at closings face an uphill voting12the sevenBoard’s members. of battleStill, opponentsthe of as Bloomberg appoints school closings they say are not giving up. grassrootseducationmovement.blogspot.com. see more For Jan11 • 6pm Jan12 • 6pm Jan13 • 6pm Jan13 • 6pm Jan13 • 6pm Jan19 • 6pm Jan21 • 4-6:30 11 Jan11 • 6pm 26 Jan • 6pm l a- N Loca ited D Confi- n P U Y tionalPolice a N N rk. o Y w e

N spying. Whether or not the et The NYPD in action during : n C . N D’s D’s eavesdropping applications P R Times also reported that the city Y lance N l rkers since 9/11. Apparently without i o e ocs Raises Y v ennisfox jibullah Zazi, Intel detectives showed his r d a . D w u N e S N w Jersey. blog e the Jersey shore, Intel detectives conducted a sting N D lacks jurisdiction, without informing the FBI or st September, the Intelligence Division disrupted an n P a wsday about the New York City Police Department n In the fall of 2008,Infallthe of complainedKelly Attorney to Gen- In the town of Carlisle, in western Pennsylvania, they At Cohen’s direction in the fall of 2007, Intel detec- O InBoston, Intel detectives infiltrated church a meeting Meanwhile, Kelly and Cohen based Intelligence Divi- L Back in 2008, the Y e ions at Kennedy airport for 40 minutes by searching the 2004 Republican National Convention. The department was also quite busy before the convention. PHOTO: Co STANT them for weapons — violating diplomatic protocol, and disregarding protests from officialsof the State Depart- ment, Secret Service and the Port Authority police. eralMichael Mukasey that thefederal government need- lessly delayed the tives delayed the Iranian delegation to t the investigatedlocalexplosivesthetheftbeforepolicethe of chief asked them return to to after the 2004 Madrid train bombing. N local authorities. of scuba shops before local authorities leave asked them to of a protest group called the Society,Black Tea and then were nearly arrested for speeding after initially refusing identifyto themselves Massachusetts to state police. sion detectives overseas to rival the FBI.mostnotableachievement succeedingwas inbeing Perhaps faster their thaninterviewtheBureau to theSpanish because of legalbecauseconcerns. of Mukasey respondedKellythat was acting “contrary the to law.” FBIinvestigation perhapsintothemostserious terrorism threat to informing the Bureau, which had been tracking terror-ism suspect photo photo to one of their informants, a Queens imam, who tipped off Zazi. The Bureau was forced and the imam to before learning arrest the extent the of plot. Zazi had spent $8.2 million in settlement costs and legal fees growing out of Intel’s N from 1995 to 2005. He is the author of dential:andCorruption Power inthe Country’s Greatest PoliceForce (ThomasDunne Books, 2009). This article originally appeared atnypdconfidential.com. police department releases the secret spying documents or settles with the protesters, that cost is going grow. to Leonard Levitt wrote the column One Police Plaza for C Spy N D P had Intel Unit Y ) N U L C Y D knew it. of N P P.D. Secret,’ the P.D. . NYPD . Y . NY tional Convention ion ( C a n N y Kelly and his new- N a U RN R chard chard Sullivan affirmed a i . R C S. Attorney’s office, find an- berties . i RN publican U L about e d ’em Over! ’em d R The New York Times revealed that rope to secretly monitor people who r u e E rk rk Civil o w Y asked exactly what Intel had learned, and rkers will never see those secret files? secret those see never will rkers o U til then, one no outside the D to release to D 2,000 pages secret of documents, w Y n P L e D’s Intelligence Division turn over the documents. the over turn Division Intelligence D’s U Y C of Po w w P N e ) at Madison) at Square Garden.

Y showing how it spied on groups planning legal or yet a third time, a federal judge has ordered the N Y ting that the FBI had failed to protect the city be- w let’s step back and examine how all this might Dec. 14, District Judge District Dec. Judge 14, C N o o n N N

N mire, formerly of the In February 2003, after police arrested 274 peo- FederalJudge Charles Haight reprimanded who Kelly, In the fall of 2003, Kelly and Cohen began sending N Thusbegan revamped and Cohen’s Kelly’s Intelligence The In court papers known as the “Cohen Declaration,” A more cynical interpretation would be that releasing In an apparent last minute decision on the eve of dis- That decision, by police department and city lawyers, But will Police Commissioner Intel- for Commissioner Deputy and will Kelly In short, O “Inhundredsreports of stamped ‘ N The spying became public knowledge in March 2007, The departmentThe maintained protesters’arreststhethat b e R has consulted, rogue “a entity.” ple who demonstrated ligence against Division the tors Iraq detectives in war, their Intel- questioned of cells, the demanding their to schools protes- know they friends had the belonged attended, and names to, what they what thought of Israel organizations politicaland Palestine, and where they had been on 9/11. they affiliations, what promised that such questioning would end. Intel detectives on secret forays out-of-state, where the fore 9/11, Kelly stated 9/11, fore in 2002, pro-feel to have we “We tect ourselves.” Division,law whichnumbercreated, of a of inthewords enforcement officials, a mini-CIA but — guards without to ensure safe- it didn’t break the law and become, in the words of a terrorism expert with whom the

Ause Thisbeganapparentpower abuse of with Commissioner Kelly’s response to the horror of the 9/11 attacks, when he expanded the department’s long dormant Intelligence Division under Cohen, a 35-year veteran the of CIA. F By Leonard Levitt Court Order on Secret R Court on Secret Order Questions Han 2008 order by Federal Magistrate James Francis, IV that the ly appointed $165,000 special counsel, Katherine Ann Cohen had argued that releasing documentscompromisewoulddepartment eventhe harmand redacted secret the fight against terrorism. the documents would embarrass him and Kelly, reveal- ing that the Intelligence spying Division’s might not only beenhave inept and misguided, illegal. but covery on Dec. 12, 2006, after two years the police department of had citedlitigation, this spying to justify the arrests 1,806 of protesters the at led to the revelation of the Intelligence Division’s secret spying. L protests at the 2004 other legal doing dodge avoid so? to de- documents “secret their abandon Cohen so David ligence protesters the against case their lose therefore and fense,” that ( Intelligence Division chronicled the views and plans people of who had no apparent intention of breaking the Times the recordslaw, reported. show,” the comehave about. planned protest to the at sought to see the documents, Kelly and Cohen revealto them. refused when Jim Dwyer of Inteldetectives citiestravelledacrossthis to country, and to Canada and questioned whether many of those protesters had beenillegally detained. and detentions stemmed from whatsion detectives had Intelligencelearned from their spying. Divi- But when the 4 January 8 – January 28, 2010 The Indypendent per day, mostly pre-cooked food with lim- with food pre-cooked mostly day, per meals 860,000 about serves which system, the in dents more. and gratin, pineapple jus, au dip French fajitas, chicken nachos, bean veggie black organic salad, local spinach organic melts, roasted first menu: the lunch reported week’s breathlessly media the l Sixth Ave. & 9th St. St. Ave. &9th Sixth Branch Market Jefferson Library YorkNew Public St. Mercer 206 Books St. Mercer 178 Food Turkish Zerya 156 Rio No ABC St. Crosby 126 Works Housing St. 172 Allen Bluestockings floor 10th St. Wall 120 -99.5FM WBAI 14 Below Where do I get my copy of W Ro Nancy By F forChange: Recipe Healthy School Food, healthyschoolfood.org. Food, School Healthy for Coalition York New NY. Ithaca, Program, Snack &Vegetable Fruit Fresh of Courtesy PHOTO: oca Such Such a would feast be out of reach for stu- E oo R a lynfoodcoalition.org/group/schoollunchreform. teachers that will coordinate a mobilization around transforming school food. Join us: brook forchange. We areaiming trainingtowardAprilalateMarch/early session forparentsand agendasschool-basedset and teachersandtoparentsandcity-wide priorities theirabout from hear to effort organizingall-out anplanning are Weclasses. their in grow andlearn to readybeneed to theyfood the get students theirsee to wantmembers, who 5,000 than meals, many positive local changes are possible even within the old framework. fundingformulas, limit the branch of Department the of city’s Education that handles school changeto schoolHarvestpolicies. arcanefood While federal regulations, especially paltry which is active Food lyn Coalitionin (BFC), 10 neighborhoods,Brooklyn is City working with Local food activists are also looking to make direct change here in New York City. The Brook TeachersNYC Meals =Healthy +Food Activism i vington St. St. vington st 7th St. St. 7th st The BFC is also working with the teachersthe moreunion’s with alsois workingwith Green BFC Schools TheCommittee, l Washington, D.C., last January, January, last D.C., Washington, in school private a at class began Barack hen d Gr th N St. e m w e Y r o rk City public school school public City rk 155 First Ave. 155 First City New the for Theater 58 Co-op Food Street 4th 451 St. West Forum Brecht W. 44th St. St. W. 44th 413 Domus Ave. Tenth 777 Coordinators Conservation Housing 537 St. W. 59th Network Neighborhood Manhattan 14 O o b th E . 4 ama’s daughters daughters ama’s to 96 to th St. St. th u ps th S T

. R e 209 W. 23rd St. W. St. 209 23rd Branch Muhlenberg Library YorkNew Public 104 W. 136th St. St. W.104 136th Branch Cullen Countee Library YorkNew Public 518 St. W. 125th Branch Bruce George Library YorkNew Public St. 9 W. 124th Library Branch Harlem Library YorkNew Public &Broadway 114th St. 96 ve Branch Morningside Library YorkNew Public a meals and are a richsourceaareofbuyingandmeals power. billion seven over serve — combined lunch and breakfast programs— food schoolally, lion of them from low-income families. Annu- students31millionday,everythan 17.5 mil- $11billion per year on school meals for more 2015. set- through policy government ting legislation nutrition child reauthorize to prepares Congress as healthily, eat dren we now, But schoolchil- all sure to make chance havethe government. federal the by supplied guidelines outmoded and sources re- inadequate to due value nutritional ited b h fdrl oenet urnl spends currently government federal The a o

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s dypendent ? to t 156 St. & Amsterdam &Amsterdam 156 St. Books Sister’s Uptown 310 Seventh Ave. 310 Seventh Gallery Video U Tea Lounge Ave. DeKalb 248 Brooklyn of Tillie’s Cortelyou 1022 Vox Pop 30 BAM 200 Museum Brooklyn Brooklyn

n R ion St. & Seventh Ave. &Seventh St. ion L E a fayette Ave. fayette a stern Pkwy. Pkwy. stern em —N.R. R d . a - - ke Sch Bedford Ave. & Bedford Verb Café Ave. Seventh 57 Ave. Fifth 249 Shop Coffee Ozzie’s 25 Fourth Ave. Fourth 25 Library St. Pacific Branch St. Pacific Library Brooklyn St. Fulton 900 Hardware Community Sisters Ave. Myrtle 505 Café Pillow Ave. Bedford 308 Videology ate a free, nutritious breakfast and lunch lunch the and in program breakfast nutritious free, a ate cre- to year each more $16to billion billion the $12 of about cost would day. It school part regular as it including and all for free food school making by participating from children poor deters that stigma the remove cessed foods. and fruits, with less reliance on fatty and pro- providingveggiesmore andagriculture local tappingpreferencestopork.The would shift anti-biotic-ladenhormone-andand and beef corn and wheat soy, modified genetically of fromabsorbing agribusiness’s overproduction lookingto shift that government money away vibrant,movementschoolgrowingfoodA is cost of war in Iraq and Afghanistan. and Iraq in of war cost monthly the be to co- projected is This, incidentally, America. in Food School Fixing of author Poppendieck, Janet our planet: planet: our of health the on impact big a have also can be acceptable. considered longer no should inaction kids, among obesity and diabetes of epidemics growing With food. junk and salt sugar, fat, the off much are they more to likely eat and to more — vegetables lay systems food themselves, studying food cooking and growing — curriculum the through food to introduced health. overall kids’ on impact big a have also can cannot hungry. are they if well learn children framework: new a added advocates anti-hunger and educators time, commodities. farm surplus purchase LUS to government 1935 in federal a way as for the established were programs meal School S decades. When Congress takes up amending up takesCongress Whendecades. havedominatednation’s the foodpolicies for represents lobby agribusinessG corporate the members congress state Farm easily. come HT changebelieveiswecanbut This itin,won’t F estimates. ous to according vari- gas emissions, greenhouse of percent 37 to 15 for responsible is farming, animal factory and transportation long-distance equipment, farm heavy izers, fertil- pesticides, oil-based with replete tem, i u g School food activists are also working to working also are activists food School O at school meals more nutritious Providing r v p erhauling the school meals program program meals school the erhauling i n R e Co search has shown that if kids are are kids if that shown has search Bi O N g . 5 u m

r bloated corporate food sys- food corporate bloated r F th St. th oo m U o o o n td tts codn to according States ited d d i t 496 Franklin St. St. Franklin 496 Branch Bedford Library Public Brooklyn St. 561 Pacific Branch Pacific Library Public Brooklyn Ave. 315 Fifth Café ’sNice St. 1014 Fulton Café Outpost Ave. Bedford 197 Café Blackbird Ave. Myrtle 192 Laundromat Spin Clear 940 Garrison Ave. Garrison 940 onx Point The b i l e r s M Free For All: All: For Free e a O U v . l er er S. S. s 1040 Grand Concourse Grand 1040 Arts the of Museum Bronx 3103 Ave. Third at 158th St. Co-Op Food Bronx South St. Intervale 928 Move the on Mothers Ave. &Brook 141st St. Park Brook O Reauthorization see nycforcnr.org. Nutrition Child for Alliance York City New the on information more For coalition.org). theBrooklynCoalitionFood (brooklynfood- forcoordinator general the is Romer Nancy plate! up to the to step Time happen. ing to do and more on what we do to make it on less what depends so success with As act. ultimate our causes, progressive other many we unless universal and nutritious healthy, programs meals the school make to needed funds extra the locate to al- Congress or press corporations Food” President that unlikely is it However, food. grown locally healthy, of advocate spoken First the in hunger childhood children. school our for up stand to Business, Small on on Clarke (D- Clarke and Means, and Ways on tee N also be pressing pressing be also Joint and Child its power to shape legislation to its liking. (See early deploy all will Food” corporate or“Big spring, winter this later programs (WIC) Children and Infants Women, for assistance supplemental the and nutrition school both (D- G N i U (D- Gillibrand Kirsten targeting be will SSU alliance the particular, In Pr includingthe School programs, nutrition school-based major the Protection Act sets rules and funding levels for Congress to do the right thing. right to dothe Congress R N food justice organizations have formed the the formed have organizations local justice of food dozens and district school largest ronmental issues. issues. ronmental envi- and health addressing groups as as groups well poverty and in- that anti-hunger movement cludes energized an face will well as WIC from 2010-2015. as Programs, Service Food Summer the and APE E r A e . b Pr e u Y President President This time, however, agribusiness-as-usual however, agribusiness-as-usual time, This For Complete Distro List: indypendent.org List: Distro Complete For S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Agriculture, on Committee Senate S. uhrzto t ps lcl ebr of members local push to authorization e w ama will buck the agribusiness and “Big “Big and agribusiness the buck will ama E trition and Forestry, and Chuck Schumer and Chuck and Forestry, Schumer trition N ) F , who chairs the the chairs who , d L Y Y ucation and and ucation N a o ) E dy Michelle dy Michelle u , who works on the Senate Finance Finance Senate the on works who , rk City Alliance for Child for Child Alliance rk City r trition Promotion and School N n og p E Email: [email protected] Email: Y c O onomic Committees. It will will It Committees. onomic NY Po NY ) b , who sits on the Committee Committee the on sits who , ama has pledged to end end to pledged has ama N R r L r e e O a for fr L p. Charles Charles p. w bor and Committee on on Committee and bor l u b 208 Bay St. St. Bay 208 Café Book Goes Everything Port Library YorkNew Public George St. Library YorkNew Public Staten I U N s nch,School Breakfast ama ama has been an out- Y a Phone: 212-904-1282 Phone: . o Y . os Commit- House S. U R rk has the nation’s ) n i m , who sits on the the on sits who , chmond Branch Branch chmond ited States, and and States, ited O e L b e i R brary Center brary ama is will- ama R

s e p a N p. l gl (D- ngel e u and and o trition trition Y L p v u ette ette nch le The Indypendent January 8 – January 28, 2010 5 The (Makers) Market at The Can (OA) Factory In concert with ORG .

joins joins ACTORY F Produced by Produced

Market AN C HE Visit our website for more infomation and sign up for weekly updates. communitymarkets.biz T Greens, roots & fruit Fresh baked bread Barrel pickles, salsa,

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The (Makers)

Farmers Market from our farmers’ greenhouses and root cellars and honey, & pastry, preserves cider & wine, and more THE MARKET THE (OA) CAN FACTORY AT Avenue at 3rd Street 232 3rd 11215 Gowanus, Brooklyn ~ ~ ~ Beginning January 10, 2010 Beginning January 10, SUNDAYS SUNDAYS 11am–5pm C M Y K CM MY CY CMY m- l E BCCC. Dec. 20, vera cited W i leader and n R N O A R lated agreed to sign a commu- e rk rk City make less than $10 per R o utilized a variety of tools to lever- Y encouraged its members to call and A r billionaire mayor pulled the plug w R u A e O R N iver iver Koppell. John Petro, urban policy Thebattle the armoryover could catalyze The next step in requiring retailers to pay KA Approximately 44 percent of retail workers workers retail of percent 44 Approximately Days before the vote, Bronx councilmem- “ l nity benefits agreement. a new living wage movement. labor and community outside activists the Queens protested Center Mall in O Pub- Institute Drum for the Major analystat said that, lic if Policy, passed, this ordinance “would completely change the way the city handles economic subsidy deals. It sends a clear message to companies that pay employees poverty-level their wages: If you want have will you subsidies, public from benefit to wage.” living a pay to Diane Krauthamer is assistant a communications at Department the Store Union. Retail, Wholesale and write letters to their councilmembers, urg- ing them not to approve the proposed project unless hurst. They demanded that the mall’s parent company, Macerich, require tenants to pay a living wage, allow retail unionintimidationwithouta join workers theirfrom to employer and provide more space to community functions. Most of the 3,100 retail workers in the mall areminimum wage paid despite around $48 million the in abatements tax Macerich received since 2004. living wages at projects that receive public is an subsidies ordinanceBronxby proposed Councilmembers Annabel Palma and G. the findings from this report as one reason he voted against the project. Additionally, KA age the politicaltheestablishmentopposing age into Bloomberg’s plan to redevelop the armory, including an independent traffic study that highlighted how the high volume of traffic increasedresultinmall thewouldconges- to tion and pollution in the surrounding communities. Councilmember Joel executive board member the of in on the armory because he is against a living wage for workers, even though this project was to receive tremendous subsidies,” said Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter, KA hour, according to the Fiscal Policy Institute.FiscalPolicythe according to hour, bers tried to strike a deal with the bergBloom- administration but the mayor scuttled negotiations, giving the council no kill to but the project. choice ) A A R R BCCC) U W N lated lated Compa- e nsists on Living Wage Jobs Living Wage nsists on RWDS R / I r e included 19 organi- m rthwest Bronx Com- A o strom R N o vera vera (D-Bronx) finally an- Northwest Bronx residents rally outside the Kingsbridge Armory in October. i F ? R y r development Alliance (KA o

e tail, Wholesale and Department arles m lated claims it could not ask future future ask not could it claims lated e watched in hushed suspense from embers of the KingsbridgeArmorythe of embers R e h , an alliance of Bronx residents, was clear with the Bloomberg ad- ion. It garnered support from doz- R R

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This seemed like a reasonable request as the the as request reasonable a like seemed This KA KA Still, the mood was bittersweet. Though “This is a historic moment in the City After After four years of building a grassroots h nd the City Council wanted. nies, was slated to receive more than $60 mil- $60 than more receive to slated was nies, million $310 the for subsidies taxpayer in lion project. to the tenants pay 1,200 or so retail workers more Armory” the at “Shops proposed in the hour. per $7.25 of wage minimum the than ministration about the community’s vision: a binding community that included a mixed-use with benefits development agreement recreation and community space; schools on the surrounding property; union construction jobs with apprenticeship opportunities businesses for-profit and residents; Bronx for hour an $10 of wage living a workers pay that or- to right their for respect and benefits with ganizeunion. a the lead developer, project’s Store ens of elected leaders, including the Bronx City entire Council delegation. zations led by the munity and Clergy Coalition ( and the churches and labor unions, was formed in 2005 after the Bloomberg launched its administrationredevelopment plan for the armory. By 2009, KA a wanted, that the council would go against go councilinwanted,thethat would support the of people.” the vote marks a shift in the political land- scape as Bloomberg begins his third this term, was not quite the victory that KA nounced the project’s defeat by a vote of 45-1, 45-1, of vote a by defeat project’s the nounced chambers. the throughout rang cheers Council,” said councilmember Charles Bar- ron (D-Brooklyn). “I can’t remember big project like any this that the mayor initially the visitors gallery above the City Council chamber on Dec. 14. movement to advocate responsible development in their they community, looked on as councilmembers voted on Mayor Bloomberg’s Michael plans to turn the Kingsbridge Armory, a 575,000-square-foot fortress-like a low- into Bronx, structure in the northwest wage shopping mall. When Council Major- ity M By Diane Krautha Victory in the Bronx in the Victory C We PHOTO: C 6 January 8 – January 28, 2010 The Indypendent face charges of terrorism. charges face the to extradited be to person first the is Hashmi crime, lower Manhattan. in Center rectional F Sa By Facing 70Years inPrison for at relations international in degree master’s a operatives in Afghanistan. thenbardelivered thesesupplies QaedatoAl The weeks. coupleofa for apartment Hashmi’s in coats rain- and socks waterproof store to Babar, Junaid acquaintance, an allowedknowingly the there, living l oca Hashmi moved Hashmi to any of convicted be to yet has he Though Hashmi was arrested in in arrested was Hashmi L o confinement at the Metropolitan Cor- Metropolitan the at Fahad confinement Syed solitary in held years been has 29, Hashmi, three almost or ndon Metropolitan Metropolitan ndon m l Alcoff U . S. government thatBa-S. claims U n U ited States from Britain to Britain from States ited . . oenet lee he alleges government S. L o ndon ndon in to 2004 earn U L n iversity. While While iversity. o ndon in June June in ndon of paper. ly member each week, using only three pieces topermitted write one letter to a single fami- only is monitoring.He electronic 24-hour to lowed to attend group prayer and is subjected punishment.” usual un- and “cruel of prohibition the Amendment’s violate that being conditions is in held Hashmi say Supporters the 2007. in to extradited arrest his was since and jail in been has He walls. prison behind from activity criminal ganize or- to able still kingpins mafia for reserved usually rules restrictive (SAMs), Measures Administrative Special government’s the to prison. in 70 years to up face could he convicted, If jury. grand a to testimony Babar’s on based 2006 These types of restrictive conditions have conditions restrictive of types These al- not is Hashmi Muslim, practicing A subjected is Hashmi trial, awaiting Still U n ited States States ited E i ghth ghth U . S. S. the CenterforConstitutionaltheers, teach- includeshis Hashmi’scasearound up beliefs up at trial. political his signals bring to intends it indictment that government’s the evidence, and withhold to prosecutors expect observers trial, At once. least at postponed been has it but year, this early court federal severity. of level new a indicates case Hashmi’s but onterror,” “war the under common become “ridiculous.” committed to Muslim and antiwar causes. deeplywasHashmi’srolehecantandin life, demanding that the SAMs be dropped. been holding weekly vigils for months and are h cmuiy f upr ta hs risen has that support of community The in begin to expected is trial Hashmi’s His brother, Faisal Hashmi, calls the charges Prior to his arrest, activism played a signifi- N e w Y o rktheater community. Theyhave R i ghts and ghts C Fahad’s trial, visit freefahad.com. about more out find To thawaction.org. to go vigils, upcoming about information For equal rights for all citizens,” Kanazi said. necessary:therestitution ofcivilliberties and ists, we continue to demand the change that is human rights that characterized the Bush Bush repeated. the being is era characterized that rights human for disregard the that concerned is vigils, ly week- the in participant and poet American Bush years continueyearsunderBush nity,” Faisal said. commu- Muslim the in activist well-known a was He that. thanearlier Iraqembargo on He was active against the war, and against the lothing “ “He was an activist for the Muslim cause.Muslim thefor activist an was“He R U e i aai a rmnn Palestinian- prominent a Kanazi, mi n otntl, h wrt set o the of aspects worst the fortunately, O b ama. As activ-As ama. The Indypendent January 8 – January 28, 2010 7

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 17

It doesn’t have to be this way. be this to have doesn’t It t

Funds to benefit The Indypendent and Gaza relief.

$10–20 at the door. Delicious food and cash bar. Delicious food and cash bar. $10–20 at the door. email [email protected]

i AT THE BRECHT FORUM, 451 WEST STREET

OrganizingNational, a for s

Single-Payer NOW! Everybody in. Nobody out. Single-Payer in. Everybody NOW! Z

or or www.Healthcare-Now.org visit involved, get To u

Single-Payer Healthcare System c

Every day, 120 Americans die from lack of healthcare. lack healthcare. of die from Americans 120 day, Every s i Healt are-NOW! d

DRINKS, MINGLING and DANCING TO FOLLOW! p e r

SPECIAL PERFORMANCE BY PERFORMANCE SPECIAL REMI KANAZI THE INDYPENDENT’S 8 January 8 – January 28, 2010 The Indypendent of War andWall Street Let’s Break from the Obama vote count was not remarkable compared to compared not remarkable was vote count them system. make the in to believe power the have He to voting. seemed in point little see they because stay awaylargely polls, from the chronically who youth pundits mobilize to ability the Obama’s was and pros the befuddled What West much ofinsurgent. the to the delivered also They Ohio. and Pennsylvania Virginia, like states in balance the tipping and cities the in door to door trudging campaign, his in volunteer the to thousands of the by woodwork out came mes- change, bold and hope his of sage to responding who, youth among appeal his was weapon not-so-secret Obama’s But campaign. the in early wagon had hopped on band- the Clinton politicians A ties old the old ideas. and with up fed be to country gauging the correctly grassroots, the for went Obama top, the at support little With dons. party traditional the outmaneuvered candi- dates, of gallery the in face fresh only the Obama, But politicians. Democratic major labor, and women’sorganized organizations most of backing the won Clinton lavish promises. making avoided carefully and hope com- and of gospel peace the preached steadfastly preparedness Obama policies, domestic liberal with bined military of traditional symbols main the evoked his opponent, Clinton, primary Hillary While life. ter bet- a about bring might just Washington in change regime that had people expectations high the to testament a is opponents cratic Demo- his than better belief that on seized lieved it would come to an end. Obama That P Aronow Stanley By f Obama had the advantage of being being of advantage the had Obama rican- tolerated only because many of us be- us of many because only tolerated was years Bush eight the of The night long hope. without live cannot eople A m erican, even though many black black many though even erican, by no means an exhaustive list, just a few dozen of the worst. enactedObamatheby administrationinbarelyyeara boggles imagination.the isfollows What have not elicited cackling glee from the Bush administration. The number of horrendous policies moneydecisionaupwards.hardredistribute Housethinkofwould toIt’s thatdo: White thisby namicorporateofbranding money andisvictory,doingtowas savvy electedit exactlywhat to to $14 an hour. pay,break time,raises, skilled worker positionsand chopping wages formany new hires inhalf provisionsrity and financingfor retiree health care,” plus agreeingto cuts in base pay, overtime tracts before Detroit got a bailout. United Auto Workers leaders complied, sacrificing“job secu- SummersLarry to argue, government“The cannot just abrogate contracts.” unspoolingbybloated a playedA.I.G. defenseforbonusesmonths, forthe of whichknewtion, bonuses on Financial Products employees for their performance The in Obama2008. administra- nowpercent Following this,80 A.I.G., ing). government owned,million rained in more than $400 I By Arun gupta Arun By Far from failures or mistakes, these episodes illustrate how Team Obama, which surfed a tsu- The problem was the feds had just demanded that auto workers abrogate their hard-won con- nearly crashed the world innecessitating 2008, a taxpayer bailout of billion$182.3 (and count- over the A.I.G. bonuses last March. Recall that extreme gambling by A.I.G. Financial Products dustup themaybeonecase Obamafencapsulates it the administration,is disasterthat the A i l though the overall overall the though tz e has left h o the building p the the to once belonged mantle That capital. nance fi- of party favored the been II, WarWorld of end the since has, aftermath. Party Democratic the The in apparent brutally become has rhetoric nimble and campaign ing became advisor. economic head, Obama’s chief Treasury last Clinton’s Bill Summers, and Lawrence ally, Geithner; Tim Federal a to went cru- secretary treasury the of position cial state; of secretary leading became Senate’s hawk, the perhaps Clinton, ary Hill- retained; was secretary, Bush’sdefense major his appointees. staff and by cabinet shown first was orientation business big and war basic its revealed tion disillusionment. deep of to The degree which the administra- Obama year a been has maverick. lapsed the McCain, John over victory easy relatively a Obama give helped blacks and youth voting of the proportion elections, past presidential several important political realities: Despite Despite realities: political important several individuals. wealthy and sponsors corporate from comes money this of most campaigns. election and oil apparatus 535run the party national to dollars of millions of hundreds need they other, the On cadres. political their of tion por- large a for and votes for both freedom black and ecology feminism, one of movements the on social new the and labor on rely they contradiction: hand, glaring Democrats a live the Meanwhile, incompetent. administratively and ideological anti-internationalist, narrowly is 1964, in takeover Goldwater the as back far as begun government. cast, Its of party a be to pretends ger of and no opposition lon- party a right-wing rich and wealthy. But the GOP has into sunk ht a osue b Oaas rous- Obama’s by obscured was What 2009 Obama, for voted who many For This contradictory existence accounts for accounts existence contradictory This R e publicans — the fabled party of the the of party fabled the — publicans R e serve bureaucrat and Wall Street Street Wall and bureaucrat serve A s ide from the unions, unions, the from ide P R o bert Gates, Gates, bert ar ty sue of this century. century. this is- of sue public defining the be may what address to attempt any thwarted systematically have who giants energy the of influence the as powerful as warming with global com- dealing to mitments ostensible crats’ tion. legisla- the on tune the called have companies insurance big the that the fact disguise cannot “reform” of healthcare version some to sponsor forced are ocrats ex- Dem- the that ample, For porations. cor- financial with, leading alliances and to, debts its on falls governance of weight Democrats’ the tives, House of House the in especially tion, delega- congressional “progressive” large a Democratic Party bow. Party Democratic the across rips that contradiction the of manifestation perfect the is Obama short, In poverty. Latino and black ing deepen- and joblessness, foreclosures rising burgeoning ignoring and virtually companies insurance and banks the out of bailing policy Bush the by continuing Depression Great the since crisis economic most profound the handled has ministration N o r are the Demo- the are r Continued on page Continued 10 R e presenta- governments in the region. for launching new wars against socialist Colombia, convenient in basesmilitary trationinked a deal in October for seven November. Most ominously, in election riggedhis adminis- recognizing the by Honduran coup, which Obama endorsed an independent agenda. And there is the drug warrior, but more likely for pursuing enthusiastic an beingallegedly not for slapped Bolivia with economic penalties,drug war. Months later, the White Housepartner”Mexico’s“fullin a calamitous April, Obama declared the United States strictions only for Cuban embargo Americans. 48-year-old againstLast Cuba, the Obama loosened lift a few re- would s LikeBush’s.” While many hoped Obama “Obama’s American Latin Policy Looks Even Backyard Empir A nd Time the Obama ad- Obama the magazine has concluded that e ’ apartment. York New a of size the garden etable veg- House White a get we Instead, infrastructure. green and structuring re- industrial fund to banks outbailed to focus on green technology and force automakers government-owned ture sit and a smart electrical grid, restruc- andpolitical capital to fund mass tran- Street rescue, Obama had the leverage stimulus,the auto bailout and the Wall the between out, points Klein Naomi thingthis promise wasButas snuffed. good a it’s maybe Okay, coal? clean and Biofuels coal. clean energy, and biofuels renewable weatherization, hybrids, plug-in in jobs green million the bus, Obama promised to create five E under thrown was Jones Van Before J Gr o b e T i

m Loss n D u rning banks and hedge funds? commercial estate, real Street, Wall date who raked in the most dough from candi-a from expectyoudo what But —a case textbook of securities fraud. value in plummet would they betting gage-backedsecurities whilesecretly mort- risky peddled that banks other and SachsGoldmanprosecuting than rather regulation, real resisting and abused, and used were funds TARP the how on stonewalling trading, risk high- Street’s Wall of more blessing pay, executive obscene interested defending in more been has istration admin- Obama The trillion. $23.7 enal phenom- a is risk at money estimates taxpayer watchdog program’s the billion, $700 “only” was Program lief While the original Troubled Re- Assets T Too Bi oo Bi g g

t t o o Jai Fai l l , their homes was percent of 23 as of Sep- value the than greater debt gage the number of homeowners mort- with Meanwhile,crisis. the lengtheningbe may which afford, can’t they homes for pay to continue they while scores wreckedcredit with left arehelpnent perma- get don’t who program Homeowners the in Citigroup. and Chase JPMorgan Fargo, Wells America, of Bank include program, the from lion bil- $21 than morevacuumed haveup which lenders, the of companies ent par- The industry.” lending subprime pants, 21 were “heavily involved in the partici- 25 top the Of servicers. loan are winners real The modifications. mortgage permanent received have homeowners 31,000 only December, of As program. Affordable Home ing m Mak- Obama’s under billion $75 serly mi- a to limitedishomeowners for lief re- bailout,bank the comparisonto In For A

D r e e c paign betrayed us. us. betrayed paign speak. could for change need immense this which through conduit the as seen was victory historical Obama’s desire. repressed of reservoir global a ated cre- inequality this and filth, of as metaphor a skin brown see to raised were We tion. exploita- capitalist and colonization Eu- ropean of result the are We history. our from to need hope. The for hope hicle comes their the ve- a but Obama in saw who politics, voters of millions electoral of is it as wary politics? us. Is this not the liberal version of faith-based Obama. test pro- won’t we but barricades, police down knocking streets the in be we’d this of any done and won had McCain John If stamps. food to turned and cities tent pitched cans siah. He was “The One” whom the people people the whom One” “The was He siah. mes- liberal our is Obama that was election presidential 2008 his surrounded that story the and story, another surrounds that story as bonuses in million $400 than let and stan of number the pled tri- Street, Wall into money public of ocean C Powers Nicholas By “Green “Green a us give would Obama hoped We him? in are!” whowe really is “This yelled, and arms my raised I celebration of midst the In whole. planet the us swallowed and through surged love great a as world the around ies cit- of streets the flooded People screamed. band. jazz a Waiting f l But the narrative-frames around his cam- his around narrative-frames the But left, the mean not does here “we” The Despite the evidence, we believe he’ll deliver A o year later, why do we still have faith faith have still we do why later, year s lem where cars honked like a wild wild a like honked cars where lem Har- in danced I victory? Obama’s itan be a ago we year that celebrated e N d e A w Deal.” Instead he poured an an poured he Instead Deal.” w woman climbed on a and hood climbed woman A . I.G. executives reap more more reap executives I.G. A U narrative-frame is the the is narrative-frame . S. troops in in troops S. Obama administration. the by abandoned were mortgages, lower to judges bankruptcy allowing asmeasures,such modest Even2011. tember and could peak at percent48 in km 50 ilo fo publicly funded billionfrom $500 skim dropped. As for the healthcare bill, it will fakeawithpublic optionthat wasthen payer replace single administration to The bipartisan tactic allowed the Obama supposedly waslican support needed. because rejected Repub- was system simplerand more effective single-payer sion.)Inthe case ofhealthcare, amuch rendered to virtually every heinous deci- BushingtheerawhenDemocrats sur- bipartisanshipthereofplentywas dur- pealbipartisanship.to (Never mind that ar goods.Second, hismain tactic istoap- sidize provide private public entities to THFirst,his economic philosophy is to sub- Thereis a method to Obama’s madness. H D ef e a o l A f rm A ghani- m eri- c ber 2008 2008 ber the parting Moses as Heston Charleston tor ac- of clips with rhetoric heavenly Obama’s juxtaposed One.” It “The entitled, ad paign cam- a in it spoofed McCain that whelming ahead.” still are a nation days new as hope generates our that greatest touches he everyone and inspires, he crowd every meets, he person “Every head, ator’s put Lion, a halo on rhetorical the young Liberal sen- the Kennedy, Ted January Sen. when in 2008 propaganda Democratic ficial the of- are became for.” It waiting “We been we’ve ones election divine of slogan his and healing national of rhetoric soaring his with messiah the of role the played Obama politicians. ambitious for roles providing by recently in in recently film 1972 the in figure this see We progress. of sign have a been president usually black a of Images Obama. clip amiracle. video like internet the on The circulated her. to see to staff his told and cheek the on her over, kissed leaned He rally. a at help for Obama begged Hughes Henrietta named woman homeless black a 2009 February In glow. religious a on took to save Earth.” here sent was and Krypton planet the on born was I manger. a in born R for the waiting are They him. to loyal to blindly power deliver people. the will turn who in and power to delivered and and State of Head A ed co Kie Steln si, I you haveto possible is it that “If population a show said, Sutherland Keifer actor lead which about presidents, black two had 24 e e f

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IS NOT FOR SALE! IS NOT THE FUTURE OF EARTH OF EARTH FUTURE THE 12 January 8 – January 28, 2010 The Indypendent indy adSR2010.qxd12/18/200911:40AMPage1 MONTHLY REVIEW PRESS | 146 W 29th St, 6W,212.691.2555 | St, 10001 29th NY W NY 146 | MONTHLYPRESS REVIEW on the health care debate care health the on the socialist perspective socialist the * the commodification of health care health of commodification the * * accumulation in the health industry health the in accumulation * * building a public health movement health public a building * * the Canadian health care system care health Canadian the * * mental health in a sick society sick a in health mental * * maternal mortality in Africa in mortality maternal * * big pharma & marketing & pharma big * * HIV/AIDS mobilizations HIV/AIDS * or call or @ online order * Cuban health politics health Cuban * * obesity and hunger and obesity * eia Vdrama TV medical * edited by Leo Panitch & Colin Leys Colin & Panitch Leo by edited 2010 Register Socialist Capitalism Under Health SYMPTOMS MORBID $25 pbk | 352 pp. 352 | pbk $25 from NOW AVAILABLE 800.670.9499 OTL EIWPRESS REVIEW MONTHLY monthlyreview.org The Old, New Right reviews W ay rgesvs a te entire the saw economy, progressives many the of looting and lies war, of years eight After goodbye. 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The Death of of Death The N s chock- is ’s strength i xon’ssi- L N m L G e R a ws’ BT BT e ti- e- r . The Indypendent January 8 – January 28, 2010 13

Chris Borte it happened. happened. it : OF SEATTLE

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Marc Crawford Leavitt Crawford Marc $15 Sliding Scale Suggested Donation. Suggested Scale $15 Sliding 40 E. 35th Avenues & Park between Madison St., Founded in 1979, The Peoples’ Voice Cafe has its roots in a roots its has Cafe Voice Peoples’ in 1979, The Founded book the by revolution Rachel Stone, Joel Landy and Landy Joel Rachel Stone, Community Church of New York Unitarian-Universalist York New of Church Community time-honored tradition combining culture with political activity. activity. political with culture combining time-honored tradition Doors open at 7:30pm and all shows start at 8pm. open at 7:30pm and all shows start at Doors A / P N iler e S

n interview a e of the things I think rk rk City. It’s a long way n o tdoor is one of our main Y O u w O e In In 2007, the City of São Paulo We’d We’d love to see that happen N supremacy in the public environment. We take it for granted that advertisements should be I do my there. work over legally posted advertisements to bring home the point, but one of the ways we’ve been able to rally people aroundthe cause is geting by illegal specifically outdoor ads. tar- City targets because they’re street-level wild-posters.con- on Theyoperate struction sheds and framed spaces outdoors—anywhere they can put paper onto. DV: world the in city biggest the became to pass a ban on outdoor advertising. Would you like to see something similar happen in New York of benefits the be would What City? city? ad-free an JS: in we’ve seen in São Paulo since this happened is an increase in people using the public environment in a way that they find beneficialthemselves. for There’s been a increase in huge street murals and art- work. People are getting out there and altering the physical environment. This creates a cal psychologi-connection between the public individual and the space he or she is occupying. The idea is that you make a drawing on the wall andthen you become leave behind you it leave Whenyou that drawing. a little bit of yourself along withit, and because you’ve left a littlethen you spotthat yourself at of bit take care of it, and by wanting to take care of that specificlocation you want to take care of the community that space is in. like We it’s feel everyone’s responsibilityprotect to publicspace, areand we tryingreconnect to indi-publicthe vidual and public space. For more information about Public Ad Campaign the in New York publicadcampaign.com. visit City, off but that’s what we’re fighting for—amakesthatdeci-thatpublic sion and asks its representatives to mag-that of law of sortsomeenact nitude. r e l i e s

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The The Indypendent Seiler, 31, a native and beyond. Island School of started Design. as a What personal soon art grew project into much more of an activist-oriented effort public advertising. As against plains, Seiler the ex- group’s mission is not to wreak havoc, but to defend the first amendment. “Publicdemocraticlastreallyareourspac- spaces es. They are the only spaces that we have left as a society in which we all an have equal voice and can openhave dialogue.” des spoke with Seiler different about the ways with peoplepublic space and interactcorporate advertising’s threat to the urbanenvironment in as a graduate from the born in the Chelsea Hotel, started the Public Ad Campaign after shortly returning to sheet and installed over advertisements in phone booths. corporates bestselling or popular books that are taken then apart wheat-pasted and into a single

ing attractive perfume, models pop schilling bands their latest albums promoting and celebrities endorsing soft drinks. The Public streetCampaign,collectiveAd of a artists,sees theprevalence these of advertisementsintrusionaninto as public space. Founded by Jordan Seiler in 2000, this group is dedicated to reclaiming the city’s side- walks, subways and street corners by creating unauthorized art public installations. The group’s latest undertaking, an ongoing project called E By Danny Valdes cultuamm booksinto artpastes advertisements.and them over PHOTO:

A Convers A Publi with ion Artists Reclaim Public Space 14 January 8 – January 28, 2010 The Indypendent j be an (212) 904-1282 [email protected] M E and threenewsclipsto send acoverletter, resumé To obtainanapplication, Internship Coordinator. lizabeth Henderson, poverty, war, racism, and neoliberalism. tice and humanity, speaking and writing extensively on issues of debt, South African regime. Long after its fall, h wide for his unparalleled eloquence as an opponent of the apartheid the eloquenceopponent an of asunparalleled for his wide Brutus, imprisoned along with Nelson Mandela, was known world- known wasMandela, Nelson with along imprisoned Brutus, OR our Memorial for Dennis Brutus (1924-2009) legacy of Dennis Brutus. of legacy For directions, http://brechtforum.org/directions. visit: 451 West Street, Streets, betweenand Bank Bethune NYC. Please join us for a memorial service to honor the life and life the honor to service memorial a for us join Please Sponsored by: Haymarket Books, Brecht Forum, Activist Poets' Round- Sunday 17, January 2 pm at The Brecht Forum, Academic Freedom in Afri table, WarResisters League, LeftUnityBlack Network, Committee for E I w for ourspring A N indypendent.org/reporting-internship-spring10 ORDER ONLINE W FOR pp R W eporting l MAT nal W y no i . ndependen IO H BOOKS FOR CHANGING THE WORLD N: A ca. Y

ist M A January 22 Application Deadline: 1–ap feb The Indypenden I r P P A Free R nternship K E e wa s a voice for global jus- loved anti-apartheid leader poetry, interviews, of tion n esy o te much- the of essays and collec- original vital This $16 Karim, and Aisha Sustar Lee by Edited READER A PROTEST: POETRY & forceful his work. of range is the first book of its kind its of book first the is to bring together the full, the together bring to B T a R B D e U O f E o r O r Free Peo r Free T N i K l 3 U S N . 0 S O I t R S p l G e

t ht ih hpe. Ayn re- (Anyone happen. might what of problem imaginary the solve to and and geoengineering stop trying nuclear power, genetic modification N Viking, 2009 Brand By Stewart Manifesto Ecopragmatist An Discipline: Earth Whole C Considered: All Things R D times oppose,times his ideas. some- and support, who scientists of dozens to reader He the introduces trying. worth actually things counterintuitive of plenty There’s toast. we’re anything, dodon’t we radiation. than has people more killed coal years; 10,000 for ural” product no agricultural has been “nat- growth; population slow and women empower slums grizzlies; with interbreed them let bears, lar throw ideas around: to don’t quick worry about is po- the He style. in same something little a least at then smorgasbord, same the not if Discipline work for the internet. ground- the laid it say to stretch a Tools to Access hadnever heard of. It was subtitled one things other thousand several and money of illusion the circuits, integrated building, railroads, barn abandoned about learn could one ended possibilities: In a single place open- the together brought as — editor served he — the and whole concept of farming living off the grid. organic ment, move- green the revolution, puter com- the kick-started publishing, changed 1970s), early the through Catalog Earth but by making it happen. His future, the imagining by not mark for getting the planet back on track. — pitfalls and — solutions the be far, so will whatat guess continueto they mark the off wildly been have theorists and activists entists, sci- Though out.play will act next noshortage of fortheories how the L i eviews limat iff ke Al Gore, he’s certain that if if that certain he’s Gore, Al ke What’s his prescription? book, new his In style scattershot signature His his made first Brand Stewart e r of climate change, there is is there change, climate of clock ticking the to tuned ow that more people are at- , Brand intends to serve, serve, to intends Brand , e e Ch nt f 98 (published 1968 of A . It would not be be not would It . ang ngl Whole Earth Earth Whole e e Catalog E s from m Whole brace ’s

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that Moves Building a Move 451 West Street (between nk and Y na Willis Aronowitz and Emma Emma and Aronowitz Willis na K o N N U : Beginning Spanish for Activists : Fitness for the ysical exercise with kettle ball. F S S h VE. VE. I N N P I I R he daily even daily he D G G t L E E Sugg $5 R o of of

t EARTHLY PLENTITUDES EARTHLY WANTED: MEN TO FILL THE JAILS OF SPOKANE OF JAILS THE FILL TO MEN WANTED: . GI

at the brecht for brecht the at t : : : Upcoming events events Upcoming m N N N SS B SS B LITICS: HOW LITICS:HOW A A O Morning Haiku & Dark Days, P e lis e L L : Guerrilla Web 2.0 for Activists t : Y C C bluestockings

e P OD OD T l o N N O R p F f A m ckings.co twork for a talk about the costs of cheap food. Come out and spit, rap, rant, sing and and sing rant, rap, spit, and out Come food. cheap of costs the about talk a for twork /DISCUSSIO /DISCUSSIO /DISCUSSIO , a photo documentary of an inspiring and unique road trip investigating the hearts and and hearts the investigating trip road unique and inspiring an of documentary photo a , P e SIO SIO SHO o S, JAN 14 • 7:30pm G G G N , JAN 25 • 7:30pm , JAN 25 • 5:30pm-7pm t K S S N N R N MIC: MIC: ) ) Sugg $5 • 7pm 4, FEB S s

E E N N R a OK R U e N Y O O - E U r a co a r u ADI ADI ADI O a P l E E E o Tuition: $260 8-S Sliding scale: $75-$100 M Landess. Class focuses on developing mobility, strength,and improvingendurance nutrition. renowned poet Sonia Sanchez and scholar Sliding scale: $6/$10/$15 8-S M WED, JAN 13 • 7:30pm WO Sliding scale: $6/$10/$15 TH B Y For in For 212-242-4201 or brechtforum.org reservations ticket and rmation R R reads from his book documenting the voices of the men and women of the Industrial Workers of of Workers Industrial the of women and men the of voices the documenting book his 100 from fights reads speech free their of result a as Wash., Spokane, in prisons the filled who World the ago. years Sugg $5 • 7pm 27, JAN WED sovereignty. and labor regarding theorists by of work denials the and disability of construction social the labor, contingent of notions including book, caregiving. TH women what they care about in their new book, book, new their in about care they what women Feminism about discussion a lead and from read will Aronowitz American. across women young of minds book. the b ( R F share your ideas about the world you want to see. to want you world the about ideas your share Sugg $5 • 7pm 20, JAN WED bluestockings radicalbookstore activist | centerfairtrade | cafe Allen 172 • 212-777-6028 St. bluestockings.com $1 • 7pm 16, JAN SAT O a rc z . h / c d a . u eva Can-eva o u zn r k N u . ca c twork,from e N iquely iquely courageous, consistent n rth-South rth-South ‘climate debt’ pay- U Heis survived byhis wife May, Among his many awards were fetime Achievement Award of o i . PHOTO: WWW. partment Arts of and Culture. and principled, Brutus bridged the global and local, politics and cul- the and old therace, ture,and class young, the red and green. He was an emblem of solidarity with those all peoples and environmentswrecked by the power of andcapital state elites. Given his role as a world-class poet, Brutus showed that social justice advocates bothhave bread and roses. can his sisters Helen and Dolly, eight children, nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. A memorial service will at thebe Brechtheld Forum Jan. 17 at 2 p.m. For more information, visit brechtforum.org. justice movements as for calling death, his strategist until a leading the ‘Seattling’ of the recent Copen- hagen summit because greenhouse gas sufficient emissions cuts and N agenda. the on not were ments eight honorary doctorates and the L the South African government De- diverse traditions of the People’s Music cion and street poetry to songwriting topical and storytelling. The concert will be held Jan., 29, NYSEC.the atp.m. more7:30For information, go to nysec.org. S U T U ited ym- l agan n e O U R — — travel

avender Light’s avender Artistic Director and Gordon Ray lson Man- L O

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bbenIsland where washejailed ndon, and was instrumental in Following the Following political transition U Subsequently forced into exile, The concert will also feature o o Administration to deport him. He helpednumerouspoemswroteand organize major African organizations writers’ Soyinka ChinuaandWole with Achebe. colleagues in South Africa, Brutus activities resumed with He country. home his in movements grassroots anti- social global the in serve to continued racism, reparations and economic cago) and Pittsburgh,and cago) defeatedand high-profile effortsby the States in 1977, Brutus serveda professor of as literature and Afri- can studies at pic movement. L achieving the apartheid regime’sexpulsion in 1970 from the Brutus resumed careers as a poet and anti-apartheid campaigner in richestpoetic expressionspoliti- of cal incarceration. dela, and in 1964-65 collections wroteS the and getot 2007 December theresta at thechoir of performance. PHOTO: P B. of the country and the world singing to to singing world the and country the energize activists and mobilize the inactive. politically artistsfrommusic representing the in in the world. emma’s — revolution musical and life Humphries and Sandy partners Pat in the cell next to R in the Johannesburg Fort cell Prison that once housed Gandhi. Brutus was transferred Mahatma to iversity izabeth. ope n twork, twork, a l e hical Cul- E U amining Shaky Foundations” by Dennis Brutus t N x H E E iversity of theiversity of n ur U o m ght fires up audiences audiences up fires ght ) featuring multicul- i C ght and roots-rock andduo ght L i E orld-renowned cal organizer and politi- one of Africa’s most celebrated L S ow ow would you presenting celebrate pol-yearsof 30 itics with a musical beat? rk rk Society for Y

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w April 3, 2009, Durban There build to is way no a truthful narrative if begin you your tale with a tissue lies: of fabrications, deceptions, contrivances striving preserve to inequities old striving only secure to your share thoseof same inequities under a gloss iconicof virtues and integrities carefully nurtured complaisant to media complaisant handmaidens their of corporate lords An excerpt from “ vender Brutus was born in Harare (the L The concert, which is organized Brutus’ Brutus’ political activity initially While recovering, he was held e a H By chris sey Activist Café Celebrates Thirty Years Activist Café Celebrates W By Patrick Bond Stubborn Stubborn poets,Dennis Brutus, Dec.died26 85. aged sleep, his in Town, Cape in current capital of Zimbabwe) 1924, in but his South African par- Port to moved soonents group group of activist musicians helped who birth the Café back in will1979, Peoples’ take place Voice 29. Jan. with songs in the black gospel tra- gospel old-time from ranging dition revamped and spirituals to favorites whose The ensemble, anthems. pop high-energy performances been getting audiences out of their have seats since 1985, is the first non- church-affiliated lesbian, gay, choir gospel bi- transgender and sexual emma’s revolution.emma’s by the People’s Music N L ture ( tural lesbian and gay gospel choir Well, Peoples’ Voice Café has the answer — host a concert with the He entered Fort Hare on a full scholarship in 1940. Af- ter graduating with distinction, he thestudied at law Witwatersrand, but this was short cut by imprisonment for apartheid activism. anti- with organizing journalism, included the and leading new South teachers African Sports Association as to an alternative white sports leagues. and of movement After his freedom right to Com- of publish was Suppression the restricted under in 1961 Mozambique to fled he Act, munism Jo- to deported and captured was but Brutus in There, 1963, hannesburg. attempt- in while the back shot was ing to escape ambu- an police awaiting while died custody nearly and blacks. for reserved lance Join Naomi Klein, Raj Patel, and Amy Goodman

for a discussion of how we can work for change in the current political and economic climate.

Wednesday / January 13 / 7 PM

fffX]Sh_T]ST]c^aV PUaTT_P_TaU^aUaTT_T^_[T C748=3H?4=34=C NEW YORK SOCIETY FOR ETHICAL CULTURE 2 West 64 Street / New York City Free and open to the public. (Suggested donation taken at the door.) NO LOGO 10TH ANNIV. EDITION THE VALUE OF NOTHING

Moderated by AMY GOODMAN: Democracy Now! host and New York Times bestselling author of Breaking the Sound Barrier Co-Sponsored by

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