Oakland ‘Urban Shield’ Protesters Report Police Harassment

Activists who organized a nonviolent bicycle ride against the international police convention describe a heavy-handed response.

Katie Rucke
By Katie Rucke

To protest the seventh annual “Urban Shield” event -- which draws law enforcement agencies from across the globe to participate in war games and attend a weapons technology show -- peace and justice activists held a bike ride protest, until the Oakland Police Department intervened. Dubbed “Pedal Against the Pigs” by the ride’s organizers, the

Read Full Article

Global Police ‘War Games’ And Weapons Expo Kicks Off In Oakland

As “Urban Shield” marks its seventh annual event, peace advocates note the increasing militarization of police.

Katie Rucke
By Katie Rucke

Friday marked the beginning of the seventh annual “Urban Shield” event, in which law enforcement agencies from across the globe participate in war games and attend a weapons technology show. The event, which runs until Monday, Oct. 28, is sponsored by weapons manufacturers such as ATK, which makes everything from small caliber bullets to depleted

Read Full Article

Yes, Greece’s Latest General Strike Is Still A Big Deal

Three years into austerity, it may seem like just another strike — but a labor action of equivalent scale in the U.S. would be unprecedented.

Martin Michaels
By Martin Michaels

As the Greek economy continues its freefall, the country’s top unions have called for a nationwide general strike this week to protest government plans to axe 15,000 public sector jobs and suspend another 25,000 as part of economic austerity reforms. Previous general strikes brought 100,000 workers to the streets of Athens and a similar number

Read Full Article

UPDATE: Justice Department Awards Funding To Oakland’s Cash-Strapped Police Force

Budget cuts in the wake of the Great Recession are leaving cities with understaffed and overwhelmed police departments.

Katie Rucke
By Katie Rucke

UPDATE: On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Justice announced it had awarded $4.5 million to the city of Oakland, Calif. so the cash-strapped city would be able to hire 10 police officers and work to battle the rising violent crime in the city, particularly in the city’s eastern neighborhoods. Oakland’s police department is one of the most

Read Full Article

Oakland Residents: Time To Hold Wall Street Responsible For City’s Financial Woes

While Oakland was not the only city affected by the 2007 financial crisis, it is arguably one of the hardest-hit by the actions of the big banks.

Katie Rucke
By Katie Rucke

As city officials in Oakland, Calif., debate which of the city’s services to slash, which bills to pay, and which workers to keep, employee unions and nonprofit grassroots organizations are firing back, saying it’s time to hold Wall Street responsible for the city’s financial issues. While Oakland was not the only city affected by the 2007

Read Full Article

New Documentary Forces Questions On Causes, Solutions To Police Brutality

Some are demanding that police forces be returned to the communities they exist to serve and protect.

Frederick Reese
By Frederick Reese

In communities large and small across America, the question of police brutality has eroded the people’s trust in law enforcement. Cases, such as the June 1 report of a cognitive- and hearing-disabled Federal Way, Wash. woman who was beaten by police officers while visiting a friend, or the May 5, 2012 shooting -- in the face -- of a pregnant woman

Read Full Article