community-based, non-corporate, participatory media
Rustbelt Radio for Dec. 05, 2011
by Pittsburgh Indymedia: Rustbelt Radio Collecti
Tuesday, Dec. 06, 2011 at 12:34 AM
radio@indypgh.org
On today's show: Protestors from the Pittsburgh occupation rally against a Pennsylvania company that supplies Egyptian police with tear gas; A new program in Uptown teaches African-American youth about the environment and entrepreneurship; Updates from occupations across the U.S. and around the world; Interviews with famed sports journalist, Dave Zirin and more in our local and global headlines.
audio link: MP3 at 27.5 mebibytes
Rustbelt Radio for December 5, 2011
Welcome to this week's edition of Rustbelt Radio, the Pittsburgh Independent Media Center's bi-weekly review of the news from the grassroots, news overlooked by the corporate media.
On today's show...
Rustbelt Radio is broadcast live from WRCT studios every other Monday at 6 PM on 88.3 FM in Pittsburgh, and the program airs again on WRCT every Tuesday morning at 9AM.
We can also be heard weekly on the following stations:
We're also available on the internet, both on WRCT's live webstream at W-R-C-T dot ORG and for download, stream or podcast from our website at radio dot I-N-D-Y-P-G-H dot org.
We turn now to local stories.
On the afternoon of December 1st, participants from occupation encampments around the region converged at the CSI weapons production plant in Jamestown, Pennsylvania. While American protestors mobilize to restore democracy debased by the corporate empire, United States' companies such as Combined Systems Incorporated, or CSI, manufacture the tear gas used by police in Tahrir Square against Egyptian demonstators. While pro-democratic action in Egypt inspired the occupy movement in the United States, American companies ignore the blatant unrest of American workers and continue to support oppressive systems abroad.
In solidarity with the Egyptian protestors, the crowd in Jamestown rallied outside of the tear gas plant, a few of them reading allowed a message to the people of the U.S, asking to be aware and defend Egypt.
The activists of Occupy and Tahrir Square are now working together against the businesses and institutions that are aiding in the repression of their grassroots movements.While protestors from Pennsylvania and Ohio, rallied at the CSI plant in Jamestown, occupiers of Wallstreet marched to the Egyptian consulate.
Though authoritiies at the CSI plant refused to see a representative from the demonstration, solidarity is further built between pro-democratic movements across the world, and further plans of action are underway to continue the fight against tyranical systems, coporations like dictatorships, as the subjagation of the people by tear gas is carried on by Egyptian as well as United States police.
For more information go to defendegypt.org.
This story was produced by Emily Laychak
A new organization in Pittsburgh called Mama Africa's Green scouts has plans to bring together African-American youth from all over the city to learn about the environment and economic justice.
Mama Africa's Green Scouts is based out of the Uptown area of the Hill District where they have teamed up with an urban farm to teach youth about African culture and create environmental awareness through entrepreneurship training.
Rustbelt Radio met up with one of the organizers of the youth program, Raqueeb Bey, who spoke about why they decided to start this program in Pittsburgh.
Landslide Community Farm is an urban farm located in Uptown that teaches organic gardening techniques, as well as hosts neighborhood picnics where they share the vegetables that they produce.
Organizer, Raqueeb Bey, lays out her plans for the youth program in the Spring.
Meanwhile during the winter months, organizers of Mama Africa's Green Scouts have been hosting meetings all over the city to raise awareness of the program including a meeting at the Hill House Association this past week.
Finally, Raqueeb Bey says that any youth throughout the city are welcome to join Mama Africa's Green Scouts.
To find out how your youth can get involved with the Mama Africa's Green Scouts program, email raqueenp@gmail.com.
Seth Bearden was the producer of this piece.
[ HMB BREAK RUSTBELT - 0:20 (fades down 0:10 in to start global intro) ]
You are listening to Rustbelt Radio, the Pittsburgh Independent Media Center's bi-weekly review of news overlooked by the corporate media. We turn now to other independent news from around the world.
The face of the movement took its first turn in the middle of last month when city governments began successfully evicting encampments. Evictions tooks place on November 11th in San Francisco, November 15th in New York City's Zucotti Park, and November 30th in Philadelphia. Currently attempts are being made in London to bring the Occupy movement to court by the New Year.
In response, Occupy movements across the nation began to hang signs which read, "you can't evict an idea" and began experimenting with re-occupation of new locations. On Dec. 3rd, Occupy Portland marched from its original location at the Salmon Spring Fountain to Shemanski Park. By 6:30pm the same day, they were evicted again by 9 am on Dec 4th, only to reoccupy City Hall. Further, Occupy Seattle, displaced in the last week of November, expands the meaning of occupy-able sites to include vacant warehouse. They are planning an action in solidarity with a Brooklyn action on Dec. 6th where they will occupy a foreclosed home. On Sunday December 4th, in D.C., after days of resisting eviction, a people's structure was erected at K-Street in McPherson? Square to be used for General Assemblies, teach-ins, and other community building purposes. Designed by architects to be solar heated with a hydroponic roof, police stood between Occupiers and the shelter throughout the day, threatening aggressive arrest. According to Park Police, the city Police are waiting for an inspector.
Similarly, New York City does not seem to have suffered from its eviction. The schedule of events for Occupy Wall Street can be found on the New York City General Assembly Website and include direct actions such as Occupy the Food System, Farmer's March, a Direct Action Working group, teach-ins, workshops and solidarity special events located mostly at 60 Wall Street, as well as Liberty Plaza, and often [quote] everywhere [end quote].
The following interview was conducted Dec. 4th, 19 days after Wall Street's eviction. The Occupy Wall Street organizer speaking preferred to remain nameless to avoid endangering his right to practice democracy as well as to remain a part of Occupy unity.
The rest of the interview addresses Occupy organizing tactics and what is meant by [quote] organizing to meet each other's needs [end quote].
Rustbelt Radio will be keeping you updated on Occupy Pittsburgh as the movement reinvigorates here and around the world.
This piece was produced by Gretchen Neidert.
Rustbelt Radio will return after this musical break.
That was "Hold the Line" by Ryan Harvey performed live at Occupy Pittsburgh.
You're listening to Rustbelt Radio, the Pittsburgh Independent Media Center's bi-weekly review of news from the grassroots.
This piece was produced by Jessica McPherson?
And now we present the Indymedia Calendar of Events:
* On Tuesday, December 6th through the 8th, there will be several buses leaving from Pittsburgh to go to DC to occupy the capitol. For questions or to register, email Lisa Frank of One Pittsburgh at 422-551-8596 or lisa@onepittsburgh.org
* On Friday, December 9th, there is a special year-end edition of the Cool-Off, presented by the Cyberpunk Apocalypse and HackPittsburgh? . Local creative types present their coolest projects of 2011. Free admission, but to vote costs $3. Winner receives a trophy, half the proceeds, and bragging rights. Please email cyberpunkapocalypse@gmail.com if you would like to present. 7 pm sharp at HackPittsburgh? , 1936 5th Ave. Enter around back in Watson Street alley.
* TENACITY - A retrospective of original performances from the Sprout Fund's first decade. takes place on Friday, December 9th at 7 p.m., at the August Wilson Center for African American Culture, Liberty Ave. at Smithfield St. For more information see sproutfund.org/tenacity
* On Saturday, December 10 -- International Human Rights Day - Occupy Pittsburgh is holding an indoor rally at 1:00 p.m. at the Kingsley Center in East Liberty, at the corner of East Liberty Blvd. and Frankstown Ave., followed by a short march.
* PennEnvironment? is hosting a set of trainings focusing on Marcellus Shale which give citizens the skills to act as advocates and activists on this important environmental issue. The trainings emphasize teaching citizens how to effectively lobby their elected officials and work with the media regarding Marcellus Shale. There is a December 10th training in Pittsburgh from 1 to 4pm at Carnegie Public Library, 5801 Forbes Ave. Pittsburgh Councilman Doug Shields will be among the presenters at this session. For more information about anti-fracking events, visit marcellusprotest.org
* On Thursday December 15th, The Big Idea Presents its 3rd Annual Slingshot Release Party at the Mr. Roboto Project, 5106 Penn Ave. $5-$10 suggested donation! Proceeds will help us open our Cafe! Family Friendly Variety show!
* At the August Wilson Center for African American Culture, a new exhibit "Common Ground: Affrilachia! [pronounce like "Appalachia", ie. Afro-lachia] Where I'm From", features nearly 50 works by artists from Western Pennsylvania and beyond, both emerging and established, whose works typify the themes and sensibilities that spring from rural and urban life in the Appalachian region. Free and open to the public.
* Occupy Pittsburgh continues on in Mellon Green downtown, at the intersection of Grant and 6th. Visitors are always welcome. Check the calendar at OccupyPittsburgh? .org for times of General Assemblies and other event listings.
* Check out Radio Occupy at www.radioOccupy.tv for music, news and informational videos from musicians supporting Occupy Wall Street and occupations around the country.
[ Outro Music ]
Thanks for tuning in to Rustbelt Radio here on WRCT Pittsburgh, WIUP Indiana, WNJR Washington, WLRI LanChester? , and FRSC Santa Cruz.
Our hosts this week are Emily Demarco and Hannah Taleb with contributions from Hannah Taleb, Jessica McPherson? , Gretchen Niebert, Seth Bearden, Emily Laychak, and Nigel Parry. This week's show was produced by Shawn Watson. Special thanks to all of our hosts, producers, and contributors.
You can get involved with Rustbelt Radio! To contact us, email RADIO at I-N-D-Y-P-G-H dot ORG. Become our fan on Facebook to receive updates on our latest episode, and follow us on Twitter @pghimc. All of our shows are available on our website at RADIO dot INDY-P-G-H dot ORG and this show can be heard again Tuesday morning on WRCT at 9 AM after Democracy Now!
Tune in next week at this time for another edition of Rustbelt Radio, the Pittsburgh Independent Media Center's bi-weekly review of news from the grassroots.
Rustbelt Radio for Dec. 05, 2011
by Pittsburgh Indymedia: Rustbelt Radio Collecti
Tuesday, Dec. 06, 2011 at 12:34 AM
radio@indypgh.org
audio: ogg vorbis at 21.1 mebibytesaudio:
ogg vorbis at 21.1 mebibytes