Celebrate the People’s Organized Forces: Order Your 2006 Calendar Today!
As part of the work to consolidate political organizing among the people, USMLO has created a calendar for 2006 that features photos from the September 24, 2005 Anti-War Actions in Washington, D.C. It represents not only the determined spirit and unity of Americans to oppose the Iraq war, but also the people's organized forces that are being built in the course of struggle for people's empowerment and creation of a new world. Celebrate the People’s Organized Forces!
Order your calendar today!
($15 / $12 for orders of 10 or more)
To place your order:
Voice: (716) 602-8077 / Email: buffaloforum@usmlo.org
Read the complete article
New Year’s Greetings
The technical and editorial staff of Buffalo Forum sends New Year’s greetings to all our readers and supporters across the city. We wish all the many organized groups, collectives and individuals joining in resistance, success in their work for 2006. We call on all to join in the work to consolidate the independent organizing of the people and strengthen the work of empowering the people to decide, in their collectives, at their schools and workplaces, in governance. Mobilizing the people to be an organized political force is critical to blocking the drive of Bush and the U.S. ruling class to fascism and war. We salute all those coming forward to build the resistance and make our pledge to redouble our efforts to provide information, analysis and leadership.
2005 saw increased distribution of Buffalo Forum, both in terms of total numbers and places. It has also seen the consolidation of our readership base, especially among African Americans and workers. We have consistently provided information, analysis and stands on key problems confronting the people, such as the tyranny of the Control Board, the inhuman attacks on workers and residents, and the broad resistance developing. Buffalo Forum has been and will continue to be an integral part of the lives and struggle of the people of Buffalo.
On the basis of four years of weekly publication and the consistent stands and work that it demands, our standing and influence qualitatively has grown. This was evident most recently when we were able to put on the public agenda the fight to defend the right to housing and block Buffalo’s Katrina and decisively influence public opinion to oppose this attack. We, along with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and other housing activists, mobilized all concerned to stand together. As a result, thousands of homes were saved and the broad consciousness of the community was strengthened to oppose the wrecking of Buffalo this attack represented. This consciousness of the need to oppose government-organized disasters and rely on ourselves and our own political mobilization to do so is critical as we all go forward to defend the rights of workers, seniors, women, national minorities, all Buffalonians and the city itself.
In the coming year Buffalo Forum will work to deepen and broaden its links and work with organized forces in the city as part of consolidating the independent organizing of the people and strengthening its political quality. We will take every opportunity to influence public opinion, especially on issues of democracy and governance. This includes countering the disinformation of the government and its monopoly media. It requires providing the forms necessary to give public opinion its place in the political life of the city. Buffalo Forum is one such form.
It is clear that both the Buffalo and County Control Boards will step up their attacks and further eliminate elected governance. This presents all of us with the opportunity to confront their tyranny with our own political forums, discussion circles, and worker politicians. We can guarantee that Buffalo Forum will firmly advance this fight and provide space for all concerned to do the same.
Read the complete article
2005 saw increased distribution of Buffalo Forum, both in terms of total numbers and places. It has also seen the consolidation of our readership base, especially among African Americans and workers. We have consistently provided information, analysis and stands on key problems confronting the people, such as the tyranny of the Control Board, the inhuman attacks on workers and residents, and the broad resistance developing. Buffalo Forum has been and will continue to be an integral part of the lives and struggle of the people of Buffalo.
On the basis of four years of weekly publication and the consistent stands and work that it demands, our standing and influence qualitatively has grown. This was evident most recently when we were able to put on the public agenda the fight to defend the right to housing and block Buffalo’s Katrina and decisively influence public opinion to oppose this attack. We, along with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and other housing activists, mobilized all concerned to stand together. As a result, thousands of homes were saved and the broad consciousness of the community was strengthened to oppose the wrecking of Buffalo this attack represented. This consciousness of the need to oppose government-organized disasters and rely on ourselves and our own political mobilization to do so is critical as we all go forward to defend the rights of workers, seniors, women, national minorities, all Buffalonians and the city itself.
In the coming year Buffalo Forum will work to deepen and broaden its links and work with organized forces in the city as part of consolidating the independent organizing of the people and strengthening its political quality. We will take every opportunity to influence public opinion, especially on issues of democracy and governance. This includes countering the disinformation of the government and its monopoly media. It requires providing the forms necessary to give public opinion its place in the political life of the city. Buffalo Forum is one such form.
It is clear that both the Buffalo and County Control Boards will step up their attacks and further eliminate elected governance. This presents all of us with the opportunity to confront their tyranny with our own political forums, discussion circles, and worker politicians. We can guarantee that Buffalo Forum will firmly advance this fight and provide space for all concerned to do the same.
Read the complete article
Activists Oppose Arbitrary Border Detentions
People in Buffalo are well aware of the many unjust border detentions, targeting Muslims and others. These include the beating of a Chinese women by border guards, regularly stopping Canadian students attending school in the U.S., and repeated detentions and interrogations of Muslims, Arabs and people of South Asian descent.
No one has forgotten the government round-up of about 40 people, including children and elderly, returning from a conference on Islam in Toronto last December. People were held for hours, interrogated, not allowed to make phone calls and treated like criminals. The government forcibly fingerprinted and photographed them. Their actions were clearly designed not to provide security, but to humiliate everyone, as Muslims and as human beings.
There was great outrage following this mass attack and repeated meetings and demands that the government apologize and guarantee such unjust detentions would not happen again. The government refused. It admitted that all had their papers in order and none were charged. Even so, the Department of Homeland Security justified their crimes then, and continue to do so today, claiming they followed a “tip” that “someone” attending a “Muslim religious conference” might be planning a terrorist act. Such excuses mean any impunity by government can be justified, with no accountability whatever to standards of law and protection of people from government terrorism.
Several of the people unjustly detained last year filed a civil case against the government to oppose the detentions. They have also now gone to federal court to demand that the courts issue an injunction barring the border patrol from detaining people attending the conference in Toronto this year. Muslims from around the world participate in the yearly conference.
Those making the demand emphasized that the government has no right to brand Muslims as terrorists and it cannot detain and threaten people without clear facts of wrong-doing. They are calling on the judge to intervene in a situation where the government insists it cannot rule out another mass detention of people committing no crime. The judge will rule by December 23. Few think an injunction is likely so all concerned are preparing to defend the rights of those attending the conference and all those facing unjust detentions and harassment at the border.
Read the complete article
No one has forgotten the government round-up of about 40 people, including children and elderly, returning from a conference on Islam in Toronto last December. People were held for hours, interrogated, not allowed to make phone calls and treated like criminals. The government forcibly fingerprinted and photographed them. Their actions were clearly designed not to provide security, but to humiliate everyone, as Muslims and as human beings.
There was great outrage following this mass attack and repeated meetings and demands that the government apologize and guarantee such unjust detentions would not happen again. The government refused. It admitted that all had their papers in order and none were charged. Even so, the Department of Homeland Security justified their crimes then, and continue to do so today, claiming they followed a “tip” that “someone” attending a “Muslim religious conference” might be planning a terrorist act. Such excuses mean any impunity by government can be justified, with no accountability whatever to standards of law and protection of people from government terrorism.
Several of the people unjustly detained last year filed a civil case against the government to oppose the detentions. They have also now gone to federal court to demand that the courts issue an injunction barring the border patrol from detaining people attending the conference in Toronto this year. Muslims from around the world participate in the yearly conference.
Those making the demand emphasized that the government has no right to brand Muslims as terrorists and it cannot detain and threaten people without clear facts of wrong-doing. They are calling on the judge to intervene in a situation where the government insists it cannot rule out another mass detention of people committing no crime. The judge will rule by December 23. Few think an injunction is likely so all concerned are preparing to defend the rights of those attending the conference and all those facing unjust detentions and harassment at the border.
Read the complete article
''Peacemaker'' Sentencing: Reject Unjust Sentencing Using Secret Evidence
The case of well-known community activist and storeowner Mohamed Abuhamra, finally reached sentencing stage. U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara recently sentenced him to 42 months. Abuhamra, well known in the African American community and Lackawanna as the “Peacemaker” for his efforts to assist in resolving problems, is appealing both the conviction on selling untaxed cigarettes, and the sentence itself.
When Abuhamra’s case was argued in court, to a jury, the evidence presented to the jury carried a relatively minor base crime, with a maximum sentence of 14 months. The government made no effort then to prove a more serious crime had been committed. In addition, the evidence that was presented in court rested on the word of the government informants in the case, who were not charged in exchange for their testimony. The video evidence that exists directly contradicts the main informant’s testimony and indeed, her own testimony was contradictory. This is a main basis for appeal on the conviction itself.
The case has also been marked by the government’s efforts to use secret evidence to brand Abuhamra a terrorist. Using the “secret evidence” the government convinced Judge Acara to deny bail. Abuhamra was then unjustly held in jail for 9 months.
The bail denial was overturned by the appeals court, which required the government to reveal a summary of its evidence. It immediately became clear that, as in many other cases where people have been unjustly detained and interrogated, the government had only the unsubstantiated claim of an individual about non-existent “threats.” No actual facts were ever presented. Indeed, the government did not even attempt to present any evidence in court and instead withdrew their demand for denial of bail.
The government then sought revenge against Abuhamra by demanding a much harsher sentence. Continually giving the impression that Abuhamra was indeed funding terrorism, they demanded that the judge enhance the original sentence. Doing so turned the original crime into a more serious one, with a maximum of 41-51 months.
The only “evidence” presented were “invoices” that the informant first claimed did not belong to Abuhamra, and then claimed they did, and then made sure there were more of them. Despite the fact that the government had already proven that it would make false claims without evidence, Acara again accepted the government’s arguments at sentencing. He refused to even speak to the unjust denial of bail and use of secret evidence and imposed a 42-month sentence. It is also being appealed. A bail hearing is scheduled for January 13 so that Abuhamra can remain out on bail pending the appeal.
The broad support for Abuhamra despite these government smears and attacks was evident in court with 40 letters from friends, family and business associates all affirming his positive role in the community. He continues to be an active defender of the rights of all.
The case has brought to the fore government impunity, in the use of secret evidence, unjust denial of bail and continuing claims of “threats of terrorism” when none exist. It also shows the arbitrary character of judges, not juries, deciding sentencing after the trial.
The Lackawanna community and people through out Buffalo are also paying close attention to the efforts of the federal government to fabricate yet one more means to slander not only Arabs and Muslims, but now Native Americans as well. The impression the government has given throughout this case is that Muslims and Natives are using cigarette sales to fund terrorism. Government agents have also continued harassment and spying on storeowners when no crime has been committed.
Everyone concerned is opposing this injustice and standing firm in rejecting collective punishment of whole communities simply on government claims of “threats.” It is clear that government impunity is the crime, resistance the solution. Defend the Rights of All!
Read the complete article
When Abuhamra’s case was argued in court, to a jury, the evidence presented to the jury carried a relatively minor base crime, with a maximum sentence of 14 months. The government made no effort then to prove a more serious crime had been committed. In addition, the evidence that was presented in court rested on the word of the government informants in the case, who were not charged in exchange for their testimony. The video evidence that exists directly contradicts the main informant’s testimony and indeed, her own testimony was contradictory. This is a main basis for appeal on the conviction itself.
The case has also been marked by the government’s efforts to use secret evidence to brand Abuhamra a terrorist. Using the “secret evidence” the government convinced Judge Acara to deny bail. Abuhamra was then unjustly held in jail for 9 months.
The bail denial was overturned by the appeals court, which required the government to reveal a summary of its evidence. It immediately became clear that, as in many other cases where people have been unjustly detained and interrogated, the government had only the unsubstantiated claim of an individual about non-existent “threats.” No actual facts were ever presented. Indeed, the government did not even attempt to present any evidence in court and instead withdrew their demand for denial of bail.
The government then sought revenge against Abuhamra by demanding a much harsher sentence. Continually giving the impression that Abuhamra was indeed funding terrorism, they demanded that the judge enhance the original sentence. Doing so turned the original crime into a more serious one, with a maximum of 41-51 months.
The only “evidence” presented were “invoices” that the informant first claimed did not belong to Abuhamra, and then claimed they did, and then made sure there were more of them. Despite the fact that the government had already proven that it would make false claims without evidence, Acara again accepted the government’s arguments at sentencing. He refused to even speak to the unjust denial of bail and use of secret evidence and imposed a 42-month sentence. It is also being appealed. A bail hearing is scheduled for January 13 so that Abuhamra can remain out on bail pending the appeal.
The broad support for Abuhamra despite these government smears and attacks was evident in court with 40 letters from friends, family and business associates all affirming his positive role in the community. He continues to be an active defender of the rights of all.
The case has brought to the fore government impunity, in the use of secret evidence, unjust denial of bail and continuing claims of “threats of terrorism” when none exist. It also shows the arbitrary character of judges, not juries, deciding sentencing after the trial.
The Lackawanna community and people through out Buffalo are also paying close attention to the efforts of the federal government to fabricate yet one more means to slander not only Arabs and Muslims, but now Native Americans as well. The impression the government has given throughout this case is that Muslims and Natives are using cigarette sales to fund terrorism. Government agents have also continued harassment and spying on storeowners when no crime has been committed.
Everyone concerned is opposing this injustice and standing firm in rejecting collective punishment of whole communities simply on government claims of “threats.” It is clear that government impunity is the crime, resistance the solution. Defend the Rights of All!
Read the complete article
''Violence Prevention'': Reject Government Violence and Terrorism
- Transit Workers Discussion Group -
The NFTA has repeatedly been creating the idea that transit workers and riders are the source of violence and terrorism. Reality tells a very different story. It is the government and their agents, like the NFTA that are the source of violence and terrorism, not the people. This reality can be seen in the NFTA efforts to convince drivers to instead target themselves and their riders. These efforts include promotion of FBI “Terrorism Awareness Training” sessions for the drivers. They also include the circulation of the NFTA’s “Violence in the Workplace” rules and their implementation. Both of these programs use non-existent problems as a means to turn drivers into spies and police for the government’s terrorism.
In the “terrorism awareness training,” drivers are called on to be on the alert for “suicide bombers” and “suspicious” people and items. The fact that suicide bombers do not exist as actual problems in Buffalo is not to be discussed. Indeed, this fact is to be dismissed, replaced by the government created threat of “terrorists lurking” everywhere. Naturally, how to identify these non-existent bombers and “suspicious” people and items is also left completely in the dark. Instead we are to accept the government’s claim that Muslims and Arabs, and especially young men, are all potential bombers. In this manner, drivers are not only to become police terrorizing their riders, they are to act on the basis of the government’s racism as well. Drivers are to become part of the government brutality against the people, rather than public servants providing public transportation.
In addition to targeting riders, the NFTA “Violence in the Workplace” targets the drivers themselves and calls on workers to turn against each other. It goes so far as to say drivers too could be bombers a claim that has rightly angered everyone. With no facts, no evidence, not a single example, just like with the supposed “suicide bombers,” now drivers are potential terrorists simply because the work in the public. At the same time, the violence of NFTA and the government against drivers, which is real, is to be ignored. This effort is not only to create an atmosphere of distrust among drivers, with each other and the public. It is also to set the stage for armed federal marshals to be on the buses and at the garages, all in the name of security. Such a program is already being tested in Florida.
Clearly it is not the security of the passengers and drivers and the public I general that is of concern to the government and NFTA. It is their ability to continue with their attacks and repression of any opposition that is their concern. It is their ability to humiliate and terrorize people into accepting these attacks on rights that is their concern.
TWDG urges all drivers to pay serious attention to these issues and to step our efforts to organize in our own interests. The government is the source of violence and terrorism. Let us target it and remove it and empower ourselves!
Read the complete article
The NFTA has repeatedly been creating the idea that transit workers and riders are the source of violence and terrorism. Reality tells a very different story. It is the government and their agents, like the NFTA that are the source of violence and terrorism, not the people. This reality can be seen in the NFTA efforts to convince drivers to instead target themselves and their riders. These efforts include promotion of FBI “Terrorism Awareness Training” sessions for the drivers. They also include the circulation of the NFTA’s “Violence in the Workplace” rules and their implementation. Both of these programs use non-existent problems as a means to turn drivers into spies and police for the government’s terrorism.
In the “terrorism awareness training,” drivers are called on to be on the alert for “suicide bombers” and “suspicious” people and items. The fact that suicide bombers do not exist as actual problems in Buffalo is not to be discussed. Indeed, this fact is to be dismissed, replaced by the government created threat of “terrorists lurking” everywhere. Naturally, how to identify these non-existent bombers and “suspicious” people and items is also left completely in the dark. Instead we are to accept the government’s claim that Muslims and Arabs, and especially young men, are all potential bombers. In this manner, drivers are not only to become police terrorizing their riders, they are to act on the basis of the government’s racism as well. Drivers are to become part of the government brutality against the people, rather than public servants providing public transportation.
In addition to targeting riders, the NFTA “Violence in the Workplace” targets the drivers themselves and calls on workers to turn against each other. It goes so far as to say drivers too could be bombers a claim that has rightly angered everyone. With no facts, no evidence, not a single example, just like with the supposed “suicide bombers,” now drivers are potential terrorists simply because the work in the public. At the same time, the violence of NFTA and the government against drivers, which is real, is to be ignored. This effort is not only to create an atmosphere of distrust among drivers, with each other and the public. It is also to set the stage for armed federal marshals to be on the buses and at the garages, all in the name of security. Such a program is already being tested in Florida.
Clearly it is not the security of the passengers and drivers and the public I general that is of concern to the government and NFTA. It is their ability to continue with their attacks and repression of any opposition that is their concern. It is their ability to humiliate and terrorize people into accepting these attacks on rights that is their concern.
TWDG urges all drivers to pay serious attention to these issues and to step our efforts to organize in our own interests. The government is the source of violence and terrorism. Let us target it and remove it and empower ourselves!
Read the complete article
