April 2018

Fracking/drilling protesters greet Ca Gov Jerry Brown at National Press Club

On the 17th of April, California's governor Jerry Brown appeared at the National Press Club. To get in, he had to pass protesters demanding he cut his ties to California's oil and gas industy and ban fracking in his state. The oil industry has CA in their sights for the next big North Dakota style oil fracking boom.

Video-oil rigs raised outside National Press Club, Gov Brown has to run the gauntlet

Science March returns to DC

One of the big anti-Trump marches of 2017 was the Science March. On April 14, 2018 the Science March returned to DC. Although not technically and anti-Trump march, most of the marchers and many chants were militantly anti-Trump. Chants of "fire Scott Pruitt" and demands to save the EPA were heard over and over as marchers worked their way towards the US Capitol. A number of signs also protrayed dinosaurs as a warning about extinction, and climate change came up a lot.

Video of marchers condemning Scott Pruitt and Trump

DC Bike Party holds "Cherry Blossom Chase" ride

On the 11th of April, the DC held their first fully promoted ride of the year, billed as the "Cherry Blossom Chase." The ride went over Memorial Bridge before going to Independence Ave and Haines Point under the cherry blosssoms.

Video highlights of the Cherry Blossom Chase ride

Returning from Memorial Bridge en route to cherry blossoms on Mall

The Shortwave Report 04/13/18 Listen Globally!

Dear Radio Friend,     This week's show features stories from NHK World Radio Japan, Radio Havana Cuba, and Sputnik Radio.        From JAPAN- The Japanese cabinet is going to make low-income families exempt from paying tuition for higher education, including private universities. The Chinese President Xi Jinping wants to open up his country's economy to the world. John Bolton assumed his post as National Security Advisor under Trump.

Black Lives Matter blockades NY Ave, Chinatown after hearing for killer cop

On the 11th of April, MPD officer Brian Trainer had administrative hearing concerning MPD's internal review board's finding that he should be fired for shooting motorcyclist Terrence Sterling on Sep 11, 2016. The evening after the hearing, Black Lives Matter DC, SURJ-DC, No Justice No Pride, and others blockaded NY Ave and Chinatown to remind Mayor Bowser that letting killer cops walk carries a price tag.

Video-Blocking NY Ave and Chinatown for Terrence Sterling

Rush-hour march on NY Ave against killer cop Brian Trainer and all other killer cops in DC

J20 day of solidarity: petitions delivered to US Attorney's office and more

On the 17th of April, the next J20 trial had been scheduled to begin(now delayed until June 4, another trial in May).The defendents are some of the 59 people still facing up to 61 years in prison for daring to protest Trump's inauguration on Jan 20, 2018. On April 10th, supporters dropped off nearly 180,000 signed petitions demanding all these charges be dropped at the US Attorney's office.

Video explaining the current status and implications of the case from itsgoingdown.org

Activists from #DefendJ20, @RightsDissent, and @xychelsea drop off pettions at the U$ Attorney's office

Medicare for All march drags ball and chain through the streets of DC

On the 9th of march, activists organized by a Single Payer Action Camp dragged a giant ball and chain from the American Health Insurance Plans office past the Canadian Embassy and the US Capitol to the Department of Health and Human Services. They were demanding that the failing ACA be replaced by a "Medicare for All," single payer system as used in all other industrialized nations.

Video-Activists drag a ball and chain from the health insurance lobbists to HHS

Corporate healthcare is a ball-and chain!

Howard University occupation ends in victory with 7 of original 9 demands met

Late afternoon on the 6th of April, student negotiators emerged from a meeting with the Howard University trustees with a signed agreement in hand. Shortly therafter it was reported that the nine day occupation of the administration building has come to an end, the students having essentially won. Protest works, don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Howard students hold rally outside Kwame Ture Student Center (former Admin building)

The 5th of April was the 8th day of the occupation of the former Adminstration building now known as the Kwame Ture Student Center at Howard University. Students marked the occasion with a spirited rally outside, and announced that negotiations are going well.

Video highlights of the rally

The Shortwave Report 04/06/18 Listen Globally!

Dear Radio Friend,     This week's show features stories from Spanish National Radio, Sputnik Radio, Radio Havana Cuba, and NHK World Radio Japan,         From SPAIN- Alison Hughes reports on the murder of 17 unarmed Palestinians during a demonstration last week. Another 1400 people were injured by Israeli troops while a fence separated them. This year is the 70th anniversary of Nakba, "Day of the Catastrophe," the day commemorating the Israeli seizure of Palestinian towns and villages.

Two DC Marches Remember 50th Anniversary of MLK's assasination

On the 4th of April, marchers took to the streets across the US to remember the 50th anniversary of the murder of civil rights leader Dr Martin Luther King. Two of these marches took place in DC.

Video highlights of both marches

Setting out from the MLK Memorial for the rally2endracism, about 7:30AM

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