E-mail: info@stpeteforpeace.org
St. Pete for Peace
Good news! fact sheet

CSS Sprite Buttons Css3Menu.com

.
Good news isn't always easy to find in the activist community, but... here are some good news stories from early 2009 through early 2011

Illinois Abolishes Death Penalty; 16th State to End Executions
Gov. Pat Quinn says system is "inherently flawed" as Some See a Turning Point Against Capital Punishment
 (read).
Japan halts whaling hunt amid protests
Japan abandoned the rest of its whale hunting season in Antarctic waters on Friday after netting only a fifth of its targeted catch of 850 whales, citing harassment by activists. The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, derided as a terrorist group for its harassment of the country's whalers, hailed the result as a victory and said it would keep up the pressure next year
(read).
One day after large scale protests, Italy's PM Berlusconi to stand trial in teen sex case
His penchant for beautiful young women has cost him his wife, and now may cost Silvio Berlusconi what he cherishes most: power.  The 74-year-old Italian premier was ordered to stand trial on charges he paid a 17-year-old Moroccan girl for sex, and then used his influence to cover it up — an offense that, if proven, could see him barred permanently from public office
(read).
George W. Bush cancels trip to Switzerland amid calls for protests & war crimes investigation
Former President George W. Bush was forced to cancel a trip to Switzerland amid concerns of massive protests and calls from human rights groups to investigate his administration for war crimes
 (read).
PROTESTERS FORCE DICTATOR TO FLEE.  This Is The Wikileak That Sparked The Tunisian Crisis
In a blow to U.S. interests, Tunisia's dictatorship has collapsed, partially due to food price inflation and unemployment, but also because of WikiLeaks.

One of the U.S. government cables released by WikiLeaks exposed the corruption of Tunisia's President's family, its reach into business in the country, and ability to transcend the rule of law. President Ben Ali's family was called "The Family" throughout the leak. The government attempted to block access to WikiLeaks earlier this month
 (read).
Swiss lawmakers call for expulsions amid probe into possible US embassy surveillance program exposed by WikiLeaks
Angry Swiss lawmakers called for the ouster of U.S. diplomats suspected of illegally spying on people around their diplomatic missions, in a standoff over the use of counterterrorism measures.

The Swiss government said it has demanded a stop to any surveillance and is investigating the scale of what it calls an unauthorized spying program by the U.S. mission to the United Nations in Geneva and the U.S. embassy in Bern.

The probe follows outrage in Iceland, Norway and Sweden over reports that U.S. diplomats were monitoring some of their countries' citizens — including allegedly taking pictures of street demonstrations and of people deemed security risks, sparking a wave of anti-American sentiment.

A U.S. diplomatic cable obtained by WikiLeaks and reported on by the Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten cited an October 2005 incident involving outside surveillance by the U.S. mission in Geneva
(read).
Ecuador becomes fifth Latin American country to recognize Palestinian state'Domino Effect'? More Countries Recognize Independent Palestine
Guyana became the seventh Latin American state to recognize an independent Palestinian state. Although the official recognitions are largely nominal, they have irked the State of Israel as they expose its growing diplomatic isolation in the face of the current peace deadlock.  It was the announcement in support of Palestinian statehood by Brazil on Dec. 3 that inspired other countries in the continent to follow suit. Since then, Uruguay, Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, and now Guyana, have all offered such recognition.  Paraguay and Peru are expected to do so soon. Venezuela had already recognized Palestine in the mid-2000s
 (read).   Related: Russia reiterates support of a Palestinian state (read).  Palestinians raise flag at Washington office (read).
Israel war crimes on Seattle busesThe Little Bill That Could -- Congress passes Local Community Radio Act, opening up the airwaves to local, independent radio stations
 (read 1), (read 2).
Israel war crimes on Seattle buses'Israeli War Crimes' signs to go on Seattle Metro buses  
"Israeli War Crimes," the enormous advertisement reads. "Your tax dollars at work."  To the right of the image is a group of children -- one little boy stares out at the viewer, the others gawk at a demolished building, all rebar and crumbled concrete.  It's an ad you'll be seeing soon on a handful of Metro buses in downtown Seattle (read).

Update: Unfortunately, this ended up not being good news: "Facing an outcry, city officials bar planned bus ads against 'Israeli war crimes' and retaliatory responses decrying 'Palestinian war crimes'." (read).
Angelina Jolie Hates Thanksgiving, Refuses to Celebrate, Report Says
"Jolie hates this holiday and wants no part in rewriting history like so many other Americans,” a friend said. “To celebrate what the white settlers did to the native Indians, the domination of one culture over another, just isn’t her style. She definitely doesn’t want to teach her multi-cultural family how to celebrate a story of murder."  (read).
London's Mayor Boris Johnson tells George W. Bush to stay away from Britain
Not only would George Bush face anti-war riots if he comes to Europe, says Mayor of London Boris Johnson, he could be arrested for torture policies when he was president
 (read).
Senate approves $4.55 billion settlement for Native Americans and African-American farmers
The Senate has unanimously approved two multi-billion-dollar settlements to resolve longstanding lawsuits over the mismanagement of Native American land trusts dating back to the nineteenth century and discrimination complaints filed by African-American farmers against the U.S Department of Agriculture
 (read).
Council on Foreign Relations suggests draw down in Afghanistan
"The Obama administration’s upcoming December 2010 review should be a clear-eyed assessment of whether there is sufficient overall progress to conclude that the strategy (in Afghanistan) is working.  If not, a more significant draw down to a narrower military mission would be warranted”
 (read).
Burma releases Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi - prepares for "non-violent revolution"
Aung San Suu Kyi's release from house arrest in Burma, also known as Myanmar, has sparked worldwide celebrations among supporters of the long-time pro-democracy activist.  But her supporters are also cautious in noting the daughter of Burma's assassinated independence leader, Aung San, has been previously released before being detained again
 (read).
British politician arrested over Twitter call to stone female Muslim journalist to death (read).
University of Michigan students walked out of a speech by an Israeli soldier in a potent, silent protest (read/watch video).

'Viva Palestina' aid convoy arrives in Gaza (read).
In response to Oscar-winning documentary The Cove, dolphins are caught and most released in annual Japan dolphin hunt (read).
Fidel Castro takes 'responsibility' for persecution of Cuban gays (read).
Activists in the U.K. found not guilty of causing $300 million of damage to a weapons manufacturer who supplied arms for Israel's 2009 assault on Gaza
Six activists in Brighton, UK who broke into an arms factory that provided weapons for Israel's 2009 assault on Gaza and caused about $300 million of damage, have just been found not guilty by a jury! Their defense was based on prevention of a greater crime. The parent company of the EDO factory is ITT, who you might know as an American company who financed Hitler (read).
Argentina becomes the world's 10th country to legalize gay marriage
Despite strong opposition from the Catholic church, Argentina became the world's 10th country to legalize gay marriage. The other countries are Holland, Belgium, Spain, Canada, South Africa, Norway, Sweden, Portugal and Iceland.  Argentina's female President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner staked her political reputation on passing the law (read).
Native American Tribe Reclaims Slice of the Hamptons after Court Victory
Shinnecock nation recovers ancestral lands in millionaires' Long Island playground after gaining federal recognition
(read).
Victory: Peace Groups Permanently Shut Down Army Experience Center in Philadelphia
A coalition of thirty peace groups has proven triumphant in their goal of forever shutting down the “Army Experience Center” in a suburban shopping mall in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported today that the Army plans to permanently close the facility
(read).
Victory at Oakland Port – Israeli Ship Blocked from Unloading
In a historic action and unprecedented, over 800 labor and community activists blocked the gates of the Oakland, CA docks in the early morning hours, prompting longshore workers to refuse to cross the picketlines where they were scheduled to unload an Israeli ship 
(read).

(Related: Sweden to launch weeklong boycott on Israeli ships)

(Related: More than 40% of Norwegians are already boycotting Israeli products or are in favor of doing so)

Anti-Torture Activists Acquittal a Victory for 'Free Speech'  
D.C. judge acquits 27 Guantanamo protesters of charges from Capitol Hill protest 
(read).

MORE GOOD NEWS



St Pete for Peace
info@stpeteforpeace.org
© 2003 St Pete for Peace  |  All rights reserved