Civil & Human Rights

Freeport McMoRan mining company ousts South Bisbee residents from their homes (videos)

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by Pamela Powers Hannley

"There is no more heinous crime one human being can commit against another than domination."
—Sara of South Bisbee

"The greatest crimes against humanity are perpetrated by people just doing their jobs."
– Chris Hedges. 

International mining company Freeport-McMoRan is shutting down South Bisbee. Here is the story from Bisbee Video Blogger Alison McLeod.

No doubt Richard Ducote, Community Affairs Manager for Freeport-McMoRan, was doing his job when he informed the lifelong residents of South Bisbee, Arizona, that they would be paid $50 a square foot for their homes, and had five months to move out.

Like the Highland Clearances of the 18th and 19th centuries, some homes have already been destroyed before the homeowners had time to remove their belongings.

Although it seems a local issue, the plight of these residents is as global as it is timeless. It is the story of every person robbed of life savings by financial corporations, of every home foreclosed, of every indigenous people exploited and poisoned by the oil corporations. 

Here are four stories, including that of 63-year resident Mabel Farley, whose husband worked all his life for "Phillip Dodge," who raised her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in her house in South Bisbee, and who cannot conceive of the multinational Freeport-McMoRan Mining Corporation except as a person, who "must be a very mean man."

Videos after the jump…

A clear choice for women in November

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Posted by AzBlueMeanie: James Downie writes at The Plum Line today, The Morning Plum: On women’s health, a clear contrast between Obama and GOP: Today marks a major milestone for the Obama health care law and, more importantly, women’s health. As the Center for American Progress outlines, “a regulation goes into effect that will phase … Read more

Cuevas and Stegeman respond to MAS protests at their homes

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by Pamela Powers Hannley

TUSD board members released the following statement after Mexican American Studies (MAS) supporters demonstrated in front of Mark Stegeman's house and made unannounced visits to the homes of Miguel Cuevas and Michael Hicks.

MIGUEL CUEVAS AND MARK STEGEMAN CALL FOR CIVILITY

July 25, 2012 – Tucson, Arizona – Over the past few days, Miguel Cuevas, TUSD Board President, and Mark Stegeman, TUSD Board member, have each had their personal residences violated by pro-MAS groups. The same groups that have chained themselves to desks in the TUSD boardroom and tossed smoke bombs at public meetings have staged protests outside the homes of both board members.

“Not only do I work during the day, but I live with my grandparents. So when I got the call telling me that protesters were at my home, I had to call my father and send him over to my house. By the time he got there, my grandmother was in tears. She was terrified of the protesters and my father had to tell them to vacate our property,” said Miguel Cuevas.

“Not only did demonstrators come to my house last week while I was at work, but last year protesters came to my workplace, disrupting a class that I teach at the University of Arizona and plastering posters around my office. Students who pay to come to school to learn should not be subjected to such rude behavior,” said Mark Stegeman.

Mr. Cuevas and Dr. Stegeman agree that it is time to call for civility and are asking the community to support that effort. “We are elected by the community, serve the community, and sometimes make hard decisions for the benefit of the community as a whole. Our work should not expose our homes and families to invasion and harassment.”

Video after the jump.

Medea Benjamin on drone warfare: Aug 2 in Tucson

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Drone forum flyer

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Remote-controlled warfare with flying drones is the United States' new no-muss, no-fuss way to minimize US casualities and maximize remote destruction.

Although around the world the US is using drones to destroy lives and property, here at home, there is increasing concern over the use of drones to spy on US citizens.

Drones are also big business; thousands of jobs nationwide are attached to drone building, drone training, drone research and development, and drone flying.. In recent months, both Tucson and Phoenix have vied for pieces of the drone killing war machine.  As cities and airforce bases compete for drone jobs, activists have been rallying against the killing machines.

To learn more about drones, drone warfare, and how this seemingly remote problem affects your life, come hear author and activist Medea Benjamin at a free event on August 2 at the Main Library downtown.

Benjamin is the co-founder of the anti-war group Code Pink, founding director of the human rights and social justice group Global Exchange, and author of Drone Warfare, Killing by Remote Control. 

For background on drone-related activities at Davis Monthan Airforce Base and other bases, check out this document.

More details about Benhamin's talk after the jump.

Federal District Court Judge grants temporary injunction for defunding Planned Parenthood

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Posted by AzBlueMeanie: The Arizona Capitol Times (subscription required) reports that U.S. District Court Judge Neil Wake has temporarily blocked Arizona from implementing a new law that prohibits public funds from going to Planned Parenthood. Court blocks recent Arizona abortion law targeting Planned Parenthood’s funding: The law bars the state from contracting with or making … Read more