Even after being subjected to the chemical weapons, arrested, and having my camera destroyed and footage stolen at the conclusion of September's G20 Summit in Pittsburgh, I still had two charges that I needed to fight. I was charged with failure to disperse and disorderly conduct, both misdemeanors. So I journeyed back to Pittsburgh in hopes of getting the charges completely dismissed.

Upon arrival, I noticed the city was much more peaceful and “normal” without the barricades, military-style check-points, and the ever constant presence of the police photographers snapping pictures of everyone. At about the same time as I had arrived, my attorney was presenting evidence of my Twin Cities Indymedia press passes that I was wearing during my arrest. However, the district attorney chose to take a hard-line position and refused to outright dismiss my charges unless I was “credentialed” by the Secret Service. This was not a qualification that all media personnel could make though four journalists were able to get their charges dismissed this way, one from the Post-Gazette, a local mainstream paper and two from the University of Pittsburgh’s publication, the Pitt News.

Related: TCIMC G20 Coverage Archive | TCIMC Journalist, Other Mediamakers Arrested as Pittsburgh Says No to G20 (with video) | Pittsburgh IMC | G20Media.org

TCIMC coverage - http://twincities.indymedia.org/alltags/ray-sandford

Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fJpvNHqXm0

2009 Northland Bioneers Conference: Solutions frame environmental challenges

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On Saturday, October 17, nearly 400 people gathered in Minneapolis to protest the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.  The demonstration was part of a national day of action to oppose the U.S. occupation of both countries.  Additional photos below.

Anti-war events were held in 50 cities across the U.S. in response to the recent escalation of the war in Afghanistan where troop levels have more than doubled since Obama took office.  There are currently 67,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan and 1,000 more are headed there by the end of December.  General Stanley McChrystal, commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, warned that unless additional troops are deployed, “the conflict will likely result in failure.”  Obama recently told Congress that he has ruled out a U.S. withdrawal and will not consider cutting back troop levels.  Right now he's considering McChrystal’s request for up to 80,000 more U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

Bash Back! Legal is currently collecting money to cover court and bail costs for Bash Back!ers who were arrested for confronting Nazis in Austin, Minnesota.

The duo are facing relatively minor charges, and with the help of the community, we are hoping to raise the $800 in court costs for them.

To donate, please visit;

http://bashbacklegal.weebly.com

As U.S. Administration discusses Afghanistan escalation:

Opposition to War & Occupation Speech from 10/17 Anti-War Youth Feeder March

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Voting No on the Minneapolis Board of Estimate Referendum [Note this piece may be edited later --TCIMC editors]

An important referendum--Charter Amendment 168--will be on the Minneapolis ballot in the November 3rd election.  It proposes to amend the city charter by replacing the current members of the Board of Estimate and Taxation with city council members.  I’m urging citizens to vote “No” on this amendment.