#New Rivers State Police Commissioner

[kudosmyhero]

Batman (vol. 1) #496: Knightfall, part 9: Die Laughing

Read Date: October 19, 2023 Cover Date: July 1993 ● Writer: Doug Moench ● Penciler: Jim Aparo ● Inker: Joe Rubinstein ● Colorist: Adrienne Roy ● Letterer: Richard Starkings ● Editor: Jordan B. Gorfinkel ◦ Dennis O'Neil ●

**HERE BE SPOILERS: Skip ahead to the fan art/podcast to avoid spoilers (👏=didn't like it, 👏👏=it was ok, 👏👏👏=I liked it, 👏👏👏👏=I really liked it!, 👏👏👏👏👏=I loved it!)

Reactions As I Read: ● poor toll booth dude ● damn, Joker’s racking up the body count this issue ● does Joker know the name Jason Todd? if not, Batman is giving him a big clue of his true identity. Batman’s connection to Jason Todd would easily lead to Bruce Wayne

● 👏👏👏👏👏

Synopsis: After seeing a news report following Batman's apprehension of Firefly, claiming that the Batman is looking particularly haggard, Joker suggests that he and Scarecrow take the opportunity to kill their enemy. Scarecrow is against the plan, though.

Meanwhile, Batman speeds to Mayor Krol's mansion to search for clues to his abduction by the Joker and Scarecrow. Detectives Bullock and Montoya are already on the scene, and despite the fact that twenty officers were killed by an explosion in their last attempt to find Krol, Bullock decides to go in without the bomb squad's go-ahead. As he opens the front door, he discovers that he has tripped a wire, and Batman swoops down to save him moments before the building explodes, leaving no clues behind.

Joker and Scarecrow have already left, dragging Krol with them to the Gotham River Tunnel. They use an ice cream truck rigged with explosives to destroy the toll booth and restrict traffic, as they head into the tunnel on foot. Once inside, Joker forces the mayor to call Commissioner Gordon, and request that the National Guard be sent to the tunnel. Meanwhile, Bullock and most of the Gotham City Police Department are already on the way, given the explosions at the tunnel's entrance.

Elsewhere, Bane admits that with more discipline, the team of the Joker and Scarecrow could easily take over Gotham City. However, he still believes that Batman could stop them, and once he does, he will be forced to run Bane's gauntlet.

Bullock and the Commissioner argue over how to proceed into the tunnel, but Batman states that he will find Krol alone. Despite the fact that it is obviously a trap, he realizes that it's more important to save the mayor's life than to avoid the trap. Inside, Batman encounters the Scarecrow, but he is too late to prevent himself from being affected by Scarecrow's Fear Toxin. He has horrific visions of the Joker savagely beating his former partner Jason Todd with a crowbar. He forces himself to ignore the effects long enough to knock out the Scarecrow, but his anger over Jason's death makes him lose control, and he violently beats the Joker, all while screaming Jason's name.

Scarecrow uses a missile launcher to fire at Batman, which compromises the structural integrity of the tunnel. Batman is forced to choose between rescuing the mayor and capturing his insane opponents. With little real choice, Batman drags the Mayor from the tunnel with a wave of water rushing after them.

(https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Batman_Vol_1_496)

Fan Art: Batman by AdamWithers

[beardedmrbean]

The declared state of emergency remains in force in the municipalities of Berkovitsa and Georgi Damyanovo after yesterday's torrential rains. At the moment, there are no people in distress, said the mayor of Berkovitsa Dimitranka Kamenova.

The disaster caused damage to the infrastructure in some areas, there are flooded houses and yards.

In Berkovitsa, two kindergartens, a school and the premises of the local police department were also affected.

The road surface was destroyed, over 100 reports of flooded objects were received. Due to the danger of a dam overflowing, a preventive evacuation of residents of the Montana village of Klisuritsa was carried out.

The director of the National Fire Service Chief Commissioner Alexander Zhartov commented:

"In general, the situation at the Klisuritsa dam was critical, where there was a danger that the dam wall would overflow, but we have a team with a hydraulic pump and at the moment there is no longer any danger. We are working in Berkovitsa, there are many teams on site with pumps".

In the flooded Botevgrad village of Vrachesh, a tour is to be conducted today to determine the damage. This was explained to the National Radio by the mayor of the settlement, Marin Bonchovski.

Around 100 houses were flooded. By late night, almost everything had been drained. The roads are passable. Some basements remain flooded.

"There was a lot of water. A huge amount. It has been raining here for a whole month. The ground was wet, there is nowhere for the water to go. Suddenly, in a short time, a lot of rain poured down. In the lowest part, people suffered," the mayor described the situation.

Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov ordered military personnel and equipment of the Bulgarian army to also be involved in overcoming the consequences of the flood in Berkovitsa.

What happened yesterday

An unprecedented flood hit Berkovitsa at 5-6 p.m. on June 12, the Meteo Balkans website reported.

The rains caused a flood in the city, as the element literally carried away cars as well. According to the spokesperson of the municipality, Boyka Popova, who was quoted by BTA, 68.6 liters per square meter fell in about an hour. Between 19:00 p.m. and 21:00 p.m. on Monday, the municipality received more than 100 reports of flooded houses, street pavements swept away and cars damaged by the elements in different parts of Berkovitsa. At 9:30 p.m., the crisis headquarters for actions in the event of disasters and accidents met in Berkovitsa, which decided to declare a state of emergency. All the available equipment of the municipality and the fire department in the city, as well as teams from other settlements, worked on street clearing and drainage.

According to eyewitnesses who published photos and videos on the Internet, the water reached one and a half meters in the low points of the central part of Berkovitsa. It has dragged benches, garbage cans, garbage and even cars with it.

Multiple videos and photos from the city show dramatic footage of the downpour sweeping away everything in its path. The camera from the center of Berkovitsa at 18:00 p.m.

"There has never been such disaster! Horror! It drowned us! The old car disappeared, 8 cubic meters of wood too! They cut down the forest hideously, we will bear the consequences!", Iliana Makarinova-Petrova wrote on Facebook.

"So how can there be no disasters⁉️ Neither the mayor nor any of his many deputies bothered to look at the state of the riverbeds in the territory of the municipality. The photos were taken immediately above Berkovitsa district in the direction Kom, and what do we see in them? One of the companies that destroy the Berkovitsa forests has collected the thick wood, and the branches are most irresponsibly dumped around the river bed. With every heavy rain, the branches are carried away until they become stuck and begin to pile up somewhere along the river. This is how many dams have been formed, which at one point break and then we hear replies 'but it poured 100 l/m2!' And what I'm talking about is 300 m above Berkovitsa quarter, what about the other parts of the rivers that are on the territory of the municipality? In fact, the entire 'Berkovitsa' river is in pre-emergency condition, after it was cleaned for 330,000 leva, but only according to documents," commented another user registered under the name Milovan Zhan Katani.

[ere-the-sun-rises]

The thing about evil!Bruce is that he would weaponize the city against everyone else. You already can't talk shit on the Batfam in Gotham, let alone their local Cryptid Daddy, but evil!Bruce? Evil!Batman? One who kills off competition?

Gotham would be his city, no questions. The Court of Owls? Extinct. Harley, Ivy and Catwoman? Recruited. Joker? In the river. Deathstroke? Made into An Example. Penguin? Runs clean. Mr. Freeze? Advisory role. Clayface? Spy. Killer Croc? Pet disposal unit. Any crime syndicate moron Who Thought in his city? Heads posted up on Blackgate's fences.

No one fucks around and doesn't find out in the Black Knight's city.

But he's not merciless. Brutal, unrepentant and decisive, yes, but not unforgiving. You were a henchman just for a job? You work at WE now. Everyone does. There is no need for health insurance because Wayne owns the hospitals, clinics and GPs' offices. Wayne owns the universities and colleges, bought the primary and elementary schools. They have endless funding, well-paid staff and small classrooms with safe campuses. Not because they're policed or guarded, but because if you're not housed, the Bat will find you and Wayne will find you a home and a job. Busses, trams and subway systems get restored ans upgraded.

Gotham is a dark, beautiful place to live. It belongs to Bruce Wayne, an unofficial city-state within New Jersey. It's clean and well run and police are scarce. Gardens bloom all over and so many empty parking lots whose runoff water used to flood the streets are now utopic gardens.

The Justice League's first time there is bizarre. They heard it was a tyrant-run city, stuck under the hard hand of the Bat, whose very insignia could make people cower. And make no mistake, it is. Any citizen will tell you that. But life under the Bat is better than anything any corrupt official, DA or police commissioner ever gave them. And the Robins are nicer than the cops used to be. Hell, Harley will beat the shit out of your abusive ex for free. But it remains balanced on the knife-edge of the Bat, and no one - even if they know he's Bruce Wayne - will admit anything about him. He's a myth, an urban legend, a cryptid. They don't know shit, and they ain't tellin' you nothin'.

The JL can't find out anything until the Bat decides to reveal himself. Batman protects his city, and his city protects him.

It’s always “evil Superman!!!!” this, or “villain justice league!!!” that.

I want an AU of villain! Bruce who’s absolutely dog-shit at being evil.

Firstly: The worst thing he can think of doing is not donating to animal shelters or charities . immediately feels so guilty he throws up.

Secondly: The second a child cries because of him, he’d freeze up. Stand like a statue, unmoving and petrified. No more evil, but just today.

He ends up helping the city by accident more often than not, and to his immortal disappointment, Gotham loves both the Bat and Bruce Wayne.

“alfred come look at my evil plan”

“Yes, sir, “ Alfred is very indulgent. He does his best to pretend it’s actually good. “ ‘Don’t say please to the barista’. Getting bold, are we?”

EVERYTIME He and Clark meet and Bruce monologues about pulverizing him to dust, Clark (and the League) looks at him like this:

“I can make him worse,” GOOD FOR YOU!!! Clark can make him into his malewife and adopt his 7 evil sidekicks who actually know how to villain. Especially the little one.

[akeliciousmedia]

Gov Fubara Warns New Rivers CP Against Nocturnal Meetings Declaring War on Citizens

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has advised the new Commissioner of Police posted to the State, Olugbenga Adepoju, to resist the temptation of attending nocturnal meetings that will make him declare war on Rivers people. Rather, the Governor urged him to put the general interest of the people of the State above other considerations so that he can work to ensure that peace prevailed…

[tracknews1]

BREAKING NEWS: LG POLLS: ROGUE POLICEMEN BREAK RSIEC GATE, STRONG ROOM TO STEAL ELECTORAL MATERIALS

•Gov Fubara Foils Attempt To Cart Away Materials Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has foiled an attempt by the Nigerian Police, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), to take over the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) at 1 AM on Friday, 4th October, 2024. The rogue policemen were said to have attempted to scale through the gates and strong room of…

[ejesgistnews]

Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines online Today, What are the top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines for Today?  Staying updated on the latest developments in Nigeria is essential, especially in today's fast paced world. Here are the top 10 Nigerian newspaper headlines for September 20, 2024, that capture the most significant news across the country.   From breaking stories to indepth analyses, these headlines reflect the top news in Nigeria this morning. Whether you're interested in politics, business, or social issues, these latest Nigerian newspaper headlines will keep you informed. Dive into the top stories in Nigeria today and stay ahead with the latest updates.   The latest Nigerian Newspaper headlines for September 2024   Here the 10 top headlines from Nigerian newspapers for today, September 20, 2024: 1. Tinubu Pulls Out of 2024 UN General Assembly, Shettima to Represent Nigeria: President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York. Vice President Kashim Shettima will represent Nigeria instead. 2. Former CJN Onnoghen Agrees to Settle Out of Court with FG Over Removal from Office: The Court of Appeal in Abuja has granted the request of the Federal Government and former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, to settle out of court regarding his removal from office. 3. IPOB Reacts to Claims It Abducted, Tortured Nigerian Soldier: The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) denied allegations by the Nigerian Army that its members abducted and assaulted a soldier sent to spy on the Biafra movement in the South-East. 4. IGP Egbetokun Shakes Police Hierarchy, Redeploys Commissioners in Key States: Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has ordered the immediate redeployment of Commissioners of Police in Rivers, Delta, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to enhance the effectiveness of the Police Force. 5. Nigeria to Decriminalise Attempted Suicide: The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammed Pate, announced that the Federal Government is looking to decriminalise attempted suicide in Nigeria. 6. ICPC Vows to Enforce Supreme Court Judgment on Local Council Autonomy: The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Aliyu, stated that the commission would ensure strict enforcement of the Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy. 7. Foreign Reserves Recorded a $16.45bn Net Inflow in Seven Months — Edun: The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, reported that Nigeria’s foreign reserves recorded a net inflow of $2.35 billion monthly in the first seven months of this year. 8. PZ Cussons Nigeria in the Dark as Parent Company Moves to Sell African Subsidiaries: PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc (PZCN) has been left in the dark after its parent company, PZ Cussons Plc, announced the planned sale of its African subsidiaries. 9. Vigilantes, Hunters Arrest 2 Suspected Kidnappers, Informant in Bauchi: Local vigilantes and hunters in Bauchi State arrested two suspected kidnappers and an informant terrorising communities in Ningi local government area. 10. UCL: Arsenal, Atalanta Play Goalless as 10-man Barcelona Lose to Monaco: Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman was in action for Atalanta in their goalless draw against Arsenal in a Champions League encounter. Meanwhile, 10-man Barcelona suffered a defeat to Monaco. That is all for today on Nigerian Newspaper Headlines. Click here more Naija News. Nigerian Newspaper Headlines photo file

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

"DEWEY MUSTERS STATE GUARD; 5 DIE IN HARLEM," New York Daily News. August 3, 1943. Page 2. ---- By Edward Dillon and Neal Patterson ---- Gov. Dewey last night mobilized 8,000 State Guardsmen of New York City and surrounding counties and ordered them to stand by in their armories, ready for duty if rioting and bloodshed flare up again in Harlem. ---- Members of the 17th Regiment, New York Guard. receive rifles at their armory, 34th St, and Park Ave., after they were mobilized by Gov. Dewey last night. ---- The order swelled to more than 16,000 the number of troops, policemen and other forces patroling the streets of the riot-torn Negro community or held in reserve for any emergency.

The Governor's move came as the war-time dim-out was lifted in Harlem, liquor sales were barred, and a 10:30 o'clock amusement curfew was clamped on on the community to help heavily-reinforced police patrols maintain order.

Reports late yesterday showed that five men - all Negroes - had been shot to death, 545 had been injured and more than 500 arrested in Sunday night's rioting.

$5,000,000 Damage. Harlem's night of terror - touched off by a false report that a policeman had killed a Negro - and marked by looting, fist fights, stabbings, gunfire and the hurling of missiles from windows and roofs also had cost merchants and property owners an estimated $5,000,000. This is five times the damage suffered in the Harlem riots of 1935.

Gov. Dewey's order, transmitted through Major Gen. William Ottmann, State Guard commander, directed guardsmen of the five New York City counties and of Westchester, Nassau and Suffolk to report immediately to their armories. Negro members in Harlem also were called.

Of the 8,000, 1,300 were at Camp Smith, Peekskill, for training. These, it was indicated, will be brought back to New York today. Reached at the Hotel Roosevelt, Gov. Dewey said no formal request for mobilization had been (Continued on page 15, col. 1)

Picture caption: Resplendent in tail coats and high hats, which they lifted from a Harlem clothing store, three Negro lads (hats of two visible in background) leave W. 123d St. police station after their arrest.

"DEWEY CALLS STATE GUARD; 5 DIE IN HARLEM," New York Daily News. August 3, 1943. Page 15. --- (Continued from page 2) ---- ....made by city authorities. It was learned, however, that he had been in touch with Mayer LaGuardia and Commissioner Valentine.

The city officials, while confident of their ability to control matters, reportedly agreed it would be a good idea to have the Guard standing by.

Although a few persons were arrested for drunkenness or looting early last night, the community was quiet and Mazer LaGuardia, in a radio report to the people of Harlem at 9:45 P. M. his fourth radio speech since the rioting started said the situation was "under complete control."

The 10:30 P. M. curfew, announced by the Mayer after a conference with Army Army and police officers, shuttered every store and amusement place from 110th St. te 170th St. and from river to river.

Movies Stop in Middle. Movies stopped on the dot, right in the middle of their pictures, and restaurants turned out lights and sent their patrons home.

Few persons were on the streets after 10:00, although the curfew order permitted pedestrians to remain outside if they were orderly and did not gather in groups of more than four. Quiet groups sat on their front stoops er peered from their windows.

End Dimout, Ban Liquor. Return of the area to prewar lighting was ordered shortly afterward by Police Commissioner Valentine. The dimout was ended, commencing last night, for the section bounded by 110th and 155th Sts. and Fifth to Eighth Aves.

Harlem's streets were almost as dark as ever last night, however, since most store lights had been broken and few of the blackened bulbs in street lights had been replaced with bright ones.

As a further damper on mob violence, the State Liquor Authority banned the sale of liquor from 100th to 170th Sts., and from river to riser. Grocers and delicatessens were forbidden even to sell beer.

The Mayor's order closing Harlem to vehicles of all kinds, except police-escorted food and milk trucks, remained in effect.

Negro pastors and civic leaders toured the streets in sound trucks, urging residents to remain indoors, Mayor LaGuardia late yesterday established his headquarters in the W. 123d St. police station, saying, "I'm going to stay right here until it's over." But apparently he reached the conclusion that it was over at 1:15 this morning, when he left his temporary headquarters and went home.

Orders from Police Commissioner Valentine moved 3,700 police into Harlem, recalled ranking police officers from their vacations and canceled all pending vacations.

1,500 Volunteers on Duty Reinforcing the police were 1,500 volunteer auxiliary policemen, many of them Negroes led by Maj. Sam Battle, Negro City Patrol Corps officer and former police lieutenant; 2,000 air raid wardens, and 300 extra firemen on reserve at their stations.

Also touring Harlem were squads of M. P.s who had been busy, since the outbreak of the disorders, removing soldiers from the trouble zone.

Major Gen. Thomas A. Terry, chief of the Second Service Command, who conferred during the afternoon with LaGuardia, police officials and Negro leaders, said upon emerging:

"The Military Police will remain here, but only as protection for soldiers and not for other duties."

A number of Negro soldiers were arrested, or were reported as aiding the rioters. On the other hand Negro soldiers in several instances rescued white men from threatened attack by other Negroes.

Zoot Suited Boys Held. Also among the prisoners were a number of teen-age Negro girls and youths in zoot suits - the same age group that figured in the Los Angeles clashes between sailors and zoot-suiters.

The dead were listed by police as:

Vincent Randolph, 35, of Savannah, Ga, shot at A. M. by Patrolman Benjamin Wallace, Negro, as he ran from a grocery at Seventh Ave. and 136th St.

Frank Stoner, 40, no address, shot by a patrolman as he emerged from a looted luggage store at 130 W. 127th St. Stoner dropped suitcase, tried to draw a six-inch pocketknife, according to police.

Michael Young, 43, of 271 W. 113th St. found dead of gunshot that end of gunshot wounds in the chest in the doorway of a pawnshop at 2117 Eighth Avn. Police had fired several shots in ejecting about 50 looters.

Stanley Stokes, 20, Savannah, found dying at Seventh Ave, and 1224 St. at 2:00 A. M., with a let wound in his thigh.

Neil Lucas, no address, shut and fatally injured at 4:19 A. M. after be and another Negro allegedly kicked kicked in the windows of the Morningside Bar and Grill, 2118 Eighth Ave. The bartender, Justice Thornsberry of 211 W. 11th St, was arrested on charges of homicide and Sullivan Law violation.

Confusion in records led police to list a sixth fatality, an unidentified man, but he proved to have been Lucas.

Started With Woman's Arrest. The Harlem powder keg, which Mayor LaGuardia had taken the utmost precautions to shield from matches since the recent racial clashes in Detroit, was exploded by a Negro soldier's attempt to rescue a Negro woman from a patrolman who had arrested her in the Hotel Braddock, W. 120th St., at 7:30 o'clock Sunday night for using loud and boisterous language.

The patrolman, James Collins of the W. 135th St. station, was at the Braddock en a raided premises assignment. Police have been maintaining a 24-hour watch there fol lowing a complaint from military officials early this year that 20 soldiers and sailors had become ill with venereal disease after being exposed to the danger at the Braddock.

As Patrolman Collins sought to arrest Margaret Polite, 35, of 368 W. 127th St., Pvt. Robert Bandy, a Negro M. P. of the 730th Regiment, stationed in Jersey City, allegedly, moved out of a crowd, grabbed the officer's nightstick and whacked Collins over the head.

Bandy then fled - but Collins drew his revolver and fired, striking the soldier in the back. Collins placed Bandy under arrest for assault and sent him to Sydenham Hospital, Manhattan Ave. and 123d St.

Wild rumors spread quickly through Harlem. About 3,000 Negroes gathered around the ham, many of of them screaming and yelling. Police dispersed the crowd. Throngs massed elsewhere in Harlem. Trouble makers cried that a cot had "murdered" a Negro soldier.

The crowds began to move, yelling, smashing windows, snatching objects from windows and stores. Soon a major part of its energy was diverted to robbery and looting.

Thousands poured from Harlem's crowded tenements - some to take part, many merely to watch. Being an onlooker was almost as perilous as being a looter. Pots, old bricks, kettles and garbage cans rained down from windows and rooftops upon rioters and spectators alike. Police estimated that a large number of the injured fell under this indiscriminate shower of missiles.

Outnumbered, the police broke up looting wherever they could. Revolvers popped all over the area. For the most part, police fired warning shots into the air. Here and there, bullets of police or rioters dropped men in the street, to die or to lie, groaning, until hard-pressed ambulances could pick them up. Mob Boos Mayor Window after window was shattered, and stores of all kinds were pillaged. Liquor stores suffered most, many were completely emptied of whisky stocks. But food. furniture, big rolls of linoleum, furs, clothing and dozens of other items also were lugged away.

Police reserves, meanwhile were rushed to Harlem from all over the city and sent out, in helmets, to aid the precinct men. Police Chart No. 2, putting the entire Police Department on a tour of eight hours of duty, eight hours of reserve, eight hours more of duty and then 16 hours off, went into effect at 3:30 A. M.

Mayor LaGuardia hurried to the W. 1234 St. station, which was surrounded by a threatening mob and guarded by Negro infantrymen.

He ordered Harlem's saloon's to close at 2 A. M., and barred all traffic from the area bounded by Fifth and Eighth Aves. W. 125th St. Stoner dropped a area. For the most part, police traffic from the area bounded by Fifth and Eight Aves. and 119th and 155th Sts.

From the steps of the police station he pleaded with the crowd to disperse, but the throng only booed.

Both LaGuardia and Commissioner Valentine stressed the fact that the disturbance was not a race riot and that there was little fighting between white persons and Negros.

(Other pictures an pages 1, 22, 23 and back page)

Harlem to Get Meat Today Meat shops in Harlem will be open today and will have on hand comparatively plentiful supplies of meat, Albert Weslel, president of the New York State Association Retail Meat Dealers, said yesterday. Markets Commissioner Woolley told him there would be meat in the wholesale market and that he had subsequently notified his members to open up their shops regardless of damage done Sun-day night or yesterday.

Top picture: Under arrest, Charles Geard carries case of gin from Manhattan police headquarters. Legal residence of the gin is being sought. Another prisoner, pulling his hat down over his face. follows him.

"HARLEM HURRICANE: A Mortal Storm, Causing Death, Wounds and Destruction," New York Daily News. August 3, 1943. Page 22. --- Top left: AFTERMATH. Damaged merchandise litters sidewalk in front of a Harlem pawnshop at 145th St. and Eighth Ave, following rioting. One jewelry store reported many thousands of dollars worth of valuables missing.

Bottom left: ARRESTED. Covered with blood a man is being taken to the West 123d St. precinct station. He was arrested in bar and grill at 124th St. and Seventh Avenue. Station houses were crowded with arrested looters.

Bottom right: DAMAGED DUMMIES are strewn outside this wrecked store in West 125th St. Broken plate glass windows helped to run property damage figures inte the millions. A 10:30 curfew was enforced last night. Dimout was suspended in that area.

Top right and next page: NEW SHIFT Lined up in West 123d St. is new force of police to take over from those who had been on duty all night. At one time during Harlem disorders there were 6,000 cops an duty in that area.

"ILLEGAL SELF-SERVICE: Looters at Work During Height of Harlem Disorders," New York Daily News. August 3, 1943. Page 23. ---- Top right: LOOTING. An actual fotograph taken at height of rioting, shows youths merrily cleaning out a Harlem store of its provisions. One looter hands dowa goods from shelves to eager hands. Another, his bag filled, makes for home. He was probably intercepted by cops

Bottom left: VOLUNTEERS. Residents of Harlem were quick to volunteer their services to help restore order to district. Major Samuel J. Battle (in uniform) and Edward S. Lewis, executive secretary of the N. Y. Urban League, pin auxiliary arm hands on the volunteers, who will patrol the streets. Mayor LaGuardia emphasized that disturbance was not a race riot.

Bottom right RIOT VICTIM. Michael Young, fatally injured in the Harlem disturbances, is being carried to a waiting ambulance by policemen. Mayor said last night: "We have the situation under complete control"

"Woman Who Started Riots Held in $10,000," New York Daily News. August 3, 1943. Page B12. ---- By VINCENT ADAMS The woman whose loud and boisterous behavior in a hotel lobby Sunday night precipitated Harlem's wave of riots and pillage played a silent and sullen role yesterday as more than 500 prisoners were arraigned in four Manhattan courts.

Held in $10,000 bail on an assault charge in Felony Court, which was operating in shifts to take care of the swarm of prison ers, Margaret (Margie) Polite, 35, of 368 W. 127th St., pouted and glared when asked if she "felt sorry."

Like the Polite woman, all of the prisoners appeared to be Negroes. This fact was cited by various officials as an evidence that there was no element of a "race riot" in the mob scenes which spread through Harlem like wildfire Sunday night and early yesterday.

More than 400 persons had been arraigned in Felony Court alone when that court adjourned at 7:30 P. M. until 10 this morning. In Harlem Magistrates Court 78 persons were arraigned and in Washington Heights Magistrates Court 10.

Twelve persons were arraigned in Night Court before Magistrate Alfred M. Lindau, on disorderly conduct charges. Seven were paroled for further hearing in Washington Heights Court on Aug. 10; three drew suspended sentences; one was fined, and the 12th was held was in $100 bail.

Four magistrates sat in Felony Court. Magistrates Thomas A. Aurelio and Thomas H. Cullen Jr. were replaced shortly after 4 P. M. by Magistrate Charles E. Ramsgate, who was relieved at 6 P. M. by Magistrate Raphael P. Koenig. As each magistrate was relieved a fresh Assistant District Attorney and court staff of clerks and stenographers appeared on the scene so that the procession of prisoners could go on until all had an opportunity to request bail.

Next to the Polite woman, the prisoner who attracted most attention was Mrs. Florine orine Rob. erta, 40, of 135 Mt. Vernon St., Middletown, Conn. Mrs. Roberts is the mother of Pvt. Robert Bandy, of the 730th Regiment, Jersey City, who came to the Polite woman's assistance when she was placed under arrest.

Mrs. Roberts was also held in $10,000 bail in Felony Court on a charge of assault. She was said to have struck Patrolman James Collins of the E. 135th St. station, who had been stationed in the lobby of the Hotel Braddock, Eighth Ave. and 126th St.

Magistrate Aurelio, during the arraignment of prisoners who were brought into court in batches of 25 at a time, remarked: "This outburst of lawlessness is not understandable. As far back as I can remember, the residents of Harlem have lived in harmony. Now, of late, on the slightest provocation, large numbers are moved to disorder, as if giving in to some pent-up feeling. It would seem as if some insidious propaganda is misleading otherwise would be peaceful people."

Picture caption: Standing beside a detective (left) at their arraignment in Felony Court are Margie Polite (second from left). Mrs. Florine Roberts and Frank Valdez. Riot reportedly started when son of Mrs, Roberts interfered with a patrolman who was arresting Miss Polite.

"Harlem Heavily Guarded. While Pvt. Robert Bandy, Negro M. P., whose shooting precipitated Harlem rioting, recuperates [left] in Bellevue Hospital, troops of the 17th Regiment of the New York Guard prepare [Above] their equipment at the 71st Regiment Armory. They were part of 8,000 Guardsmen mobilized as a precautionary measure last night by Gov. Thomas E. Dewey. Army troops, policemen and other forces patrolled the streets of Harlem last night where war-time dimout was lifted, liquor sales banned and a 10:30 o'clock amusement curfew imposed. Damage caused by rioters has been estimated at $5,000,000. Story on page 2; other pictures in center fold and back page." - from the New York Daily News. August 3, 1943. Back page.

[crimechannels]

By • Olalekan Fagbade JUST IN; Suspected kilkers of Imo DPO arrested by operatives Spokesperson, Imo State Police Command, Henry Okoye The Imo State Police Command has statex that it had arrested the killers of the Divisional Police Officer of the Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of the state. PUNCH reports some gunmen had last Monday killed the DPO, an Inspector of police and a civilian in an attack at Ahiara. Confirming the new development at the command headquarters, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Danjuma Aboki, said the arrest of the suspects followed a coordinated operation by the operatives of the command. The CP said, “Following the murder of DPO Ahiazu Mbaise and an Inspector of Police on 27/11/2023, at Ahiara Junction in Ahiazu Mbaise by disgruntled elements suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed militia, Eastern Security Network, and the subsequent confessions of suspects arrested at the scene by police operatives in synergy with the military, operatives of the anti-kidnapping unit on 29/11/2023 stormed the camp of the criminal syndicate at Umuohie in the Ngor Okpala LGA of Imo State, dislodged the terrorists, recovered two automatic pump-action riffles and six rounds of life cartridges. “The determined operatives continued their operation in search of the fleeing terrorists, storming Igbodo-Etche in Rivers State through a technical intelligence tracking device wherein a native doctor, named Everest Agbaragam, ‘m’, 62 years, of Umuoma, Igbodo, Etche Rivers State AKA Mount Everest, was arrested. “On searching his shrine, one pump-action gun loaded with 12 rounds of live cartridges, one big bag containing various denominations of Biafran currencies, one live crocodile, and fetish items were recovered. “On interrogation, he confessed to being a member of IPOB/ESN. He stated that he usually prepares local bulletproof charms, popular known as ‘Odeshi’, for his cohorts before they embark on any operation. He provided useful information to the gallant operatives in storming Umuogwu Forest in the Aboh Mbaise LGA on 1/12/23. “The terrorists, on sighting the police, engaged them in a gun battle but were subdued by the combat-ready operatives who professionally manoeuvered into vintage position and returned fire. In the ensuing gun duel, some of them were neutralised while others escaped into the thick forest with bullet wounds. “The terrorist camp was dislodged and the following exhibits were recovered: Five (AK-47 riffles; six magazines containing 220 rounds of live ammunition; six pump-action guns; 121 rounds of live cartridges; one Revolver; four locally-made pistols; three Toyota Venza cars, including the one they used in attacking the DPO, one Toyota Highlander SUV, and IEDs. “An intense manhunt is ongoing to track down other fleeing suspects. They will be arraigned in court upon completion of a comprehensive investigation.” The CP said the state police command under his leadership had continued to intensify its effort to provide maximum security for the people of the state as the state had been relatively peaceful

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 10.5

610 – Heraclius arrives at Constantinople, kills Byzantine Emperor Phocas, and becomes emperor. 816 – King Louis the Pious is crowned emperor of the Holy Roman Empire by the Pope. 869 – The Fourth Council of Constantinople is convened to depose patriarch Photios I. 1143 – With the signing of the Treaty of Zamora, King Alfonso VII of León and Castile recognises Portugal as a Kingdom. 1450 – Louis IX, Duke of Bavaria expels Jews from his jurisdiction. 1607 – Assassins attempt to kill Venetian statesman and scientist Paolo Sarpi. 1789 – French Revolution: The Women's March on Versailles effectively terminates royal authority. 1813 – War of 1812: The Army of the Northwest defeats a British and Native Canadian force threatening Detroit. 1838 – The Killough massacre in east Texas sees eighteen Texian settlers either killed or kidnapped. 1869 – The Saxby Gale devastates the Bay of Fundy region in Canada. 1869 – The Eastman tunnel, in Minnesota, United States, collapses during construction, causing a landslide that nearly destroys St. Anthony Falls. 1877 – The Nez Perce War in the northwestern United States comes to an end. 1900 – Peace congress in Paris condemns British policy in South Africa and asserts Boer Republic's right to self-determination. 1905 – The Wright brothers pilot the Wright Flyer III in a new world record flight of 24 miles in 39 minutes. 1910 – In a revolution in Portugal the monarchy is overthrown and a republic is declared. 1911 – The Kowloon–Canton Railway commences service. 1914 – World War I: An aircraft successfully destroys another aircraft with gunfire for the first time. 1921 – The World Series is the first to be broadcast on radio. 1930 – British airship R101 crashes in France en route to India on its maiden voyage killing 48 people. 1936 – The Jarrow March sets off for London. 1938 – In Nazi Germany, Jews' passports are invalidated. 1943 – Ninety-eight American POWs are executed by Japanese forces on Wake Island. 1944 – The Provisional Government of the French Republic enfranchises women. 1945 – A six-month strike by Hollywood set decorators turns into a bloody riot at the gates of the Warner Brothers studio. 1947 – President Truman makes the first televised Oval Office address. 1962 – The first of the James Bond film series, based on the novels by Ian Fleming, Dr. No, is released in Britain. 1962 – The first Beatles single "Love Me Do" is released in Britain. 1963 – The United States suspends the Commercial Import Program in response to repression of the Buddhist majority by the regime of President Ngo Dinh Diem. 1966 – A reactor at the Enrico Fermi Nuclear Generating Station near Detroit suffers a partial meltdown. 1968 – A Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association march in Derry is violently suppressed by police. 1970 – The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is founded. 1970 – The British Trade Commissioner, James Cross, is kidnapped by members of the Front de libération du Québec, triggering the October Crisis in Canada. 1974 – Bombs planted by the PIRA in pubs in Guildford kill four British soldiers and one civilian. 1982 – Tylenol products are recalled after bottles in Chicago laced with cyanide cause seven deaths. 1984 – Marc Garneau becomes the first Canadian in space. 1986 – Mordechai Vanunu's story in The Sunday Times reveals Israel's secret nuclear weapons. 1988 – A Chilean opposition coalition defeats Augusto Pinochet in his re-election attempt. 1990 – After 150 years The Herald newspaper in Melbourne, Australia, is published for the last time as a separate newspaper. 1991 – An Indonesian Air Force C-130 crash kills 135 people. 1999 – The Ladbroke Grove rail crash in West London kills 31 people. 2000 – Mass demonstrations in Serbia force the resignation of Slobodan Milošević. 2011 – In the Mekong River massacre, two Chinese cargo boats are hijacked and 13 crew members murdered.

[elcutiee]

Press Release: Rivers Commissioner of Police Announces Some New Achievements of The Police Force in Rivers State

http://dlvr.it/SrsG87

[hardynwa]

Lawyer commends IG for strict disciplinary measures on Police misconduct

An Abuja-based human rights lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has commended the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, for maintaining strict disciplinary measures in the Nigeria Police Force by getting rid of errant and high-handed policemen within the Force and exposing them to the public to beware and take note of such bad eggs. Olajengbesi, who is the Managing Partner at Abuja-based law firm, Law Corridor, said if the energy and value system of professionalism and strict discipline is sustained, the police would witness a turnaround that will significantly reduce extrajudicial killings and abuse of firearms by police officers. The lawyer also commended the Nigerian people and the media for having the courage to report cases of abuse by policemen all over the country. According to reports, scores of high-handed policemen have been dismissed and deranked or even prosecuted for different cases of abuses since the assumption of IGP Baba on April 6, 2021. Olajengbesi said, “If the energy and value system of professionalism and strict discipline are sustained, the police will witness a new era and turnaround which will reinforce the trust of the people in the Force. The IGP should not relent in sanitising the Force for evil to thrive when it is not exposed or when there are no strict sanctions to serve as deterrence. “The Nigerian people and the media should also be commended for having the courage to report cases of abuse by policemen and the outcries on social media which have spurred the many disciplinary actions taken against power-drunk, trigger-happy cops. Policemen are supposed to protect the masses and not to maul and exploit innocent Nigerians because they have rifles.” This week, the police deranked one Adejoh Siaka from Inspector to Sergeant in Rivers State following complaints and findings on video evidence widely circulated on social media of assault, discreditable conduct, and incivility to members of the public. The trio, Inspr. Dahiru Shuaibu, Sgt. Abdullahi Badamasi, and Sgt. Isah Danladi were also dismissed in Katsina State for firing shots from their official firearms into the air despite police policy against firing in the air, standard operating procedure and relevant Force regulations. In Delta State, the police dismissed a trigger-happy police inspector identified as Ebri Ubi who allegedly shot and killed Mr. Onyeka Ibe, while on Stop and Search duty along Ugbolu-Illah Road in Oshimili North local government area of Delta State on Wednesday, April 5, 2023. Also, the IG immediately replaced the Commissioner of Police on election duty in Adamawa State, Mohammed Barde, amid the controversial and dramatic supplementary election. In October 2022, seven senior police officers were dismissed and 10 officers were demoted over alleged gross misconduct. In December 2022, the police in Imo State dismissed seven officers over alleged extortion in the state. At least 31 policemen have been dismissed from service over various offences between April 2021 and October 2022 for offences like extrajudicial killings, extortion and brutality among others. Read the full article

[eowyntheavenger]

What have the protests accomplished?

5/26 4 officers fired for murdering George Floyd 5/27 Charges dropped for Kenneth Walker (Breonna Taylor’s boyfriend, who police accused of killing her) 5/28 University of Minnesota cancels contract with police 5/28 3rd precinct police station neutralized by protesters 5/28 Minneapolis transit union refuses to bring police officers to protests or transport arrested protesters 5/29 Activists commandeer Minneapolis hotel to provide shelter to homeless 5/29 Former officer Chauvin arrested and charged with murder 5/29 Louisville Mayor suspends “no-knock” warrants 5/30 US Embassies across Africa condemn police murder of George Floyd 5/30 Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison takes over prosecution of the murdering officer 5/30 Transport Workers Union refuses to help NYPD transport arrests protesters 5/30 Maryland lawmakers forming work group on police reform, accountability 5/31 2 abusive officers fired for pulling a couple out of their car and tasing them - Atlanta, GA 6/1 Minneapolis public schools end contract with police 6/1 Confederate monument removed after being toppled by protesters - Birmingham, AL 6/1 CA prosecutors launch campaign to stop DAs from accepting police union money 6/1 Tulsa Mayor agrees to not renew Live PD contract 6/1 Louisville police chief fired after shooting of David Mcatee 6/1 Congress begins bipartisan push to cut off police access to military gear 6/1 Atlanta announces plans to create a task force and public database to track police brutality in metro Atlanta area 6/2 Minneapolis AFL-CIO calls for resignation of police union president Bob Kroll, a vocal white supremest 6/2 Pittsburgh transit union announces refusal to transport police officers or arrest protesters 6/2 Racist ex-mayor Frank Rizzo statue removed in Philadelphia 6/2 6 abusive officers charged for violence against residents and protesters - Atlanta, GA 6/2 Civil rights investigation of Minneapolis Police Dept launched 6/2 San Francisco resolution to prevent law enforcement from hiring officers with history of misconduct 6/2 Survey indicates that 64% of those polled are sympathetic to protesters, 47% disapprove of police handling of the protests, and 54% think the burning down of the Minneapolis police precinct was fully or partially justified 6/2 Trenton NJ announces policing reforms 6/2 Minneapolis City Council members consider disbanding the police 6/2 Confederate statue removed from Alexandria, VA 6/3 Officer fired for tweets promoting violence against protesters - Denver, CO 6/3 Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis Institute of Art cut ties with the MPD 6/3 Chauvin charges upgraded to second degree murder, remaining 3 officers also charged and taken into custody 6/3 Richmond VA Mayor Stoney announces RPD reform measures: establish "Marcus" alert for folks experiencing mental health crises, establish independent Citizen Review Board, an ordinance to remove Confederate monuments, and implement racial equity study 6/3 County commissioners deny proposal for $23 million expansion of Fulton County jail 6/3 Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board unanimously votes to sever ties with MPD 6/3 Seattle withdraws request to end federal oversight/consent decree of police department 6/3 Breonna Taylor’s case reopened 6/3 Louisville police department (Breonna Taylor’s murderers) will now be under review from an outside agency, which will include review on training, bias-free policing and accountability 6/3 Colorado lawmakers introduce a police reform bill that includes body cam laws, repealing the “fleeing felon” statute, and banning chokeholds 6/3 Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announces plans to reduce funding to police department by $150M and instead invest in minority communities 6/4 Virginia governor announces plans to remove Robert E. Lee statue from Richmond 6/4 Portland schools superintendent discontinues presence of armed police officers in schools 6/4 MBTA (Metro Boston) board orders that buses wont transport police to protests, or protesters to police 6/4 King County Labor Federation issues ultimatum to police unions: admit to and address racism in Seattle PD, or be removed 6/5 City of Minneapolis bans all chokeholds by police 6/5 Racist ex-mayor Hubbard statue removed - Dearborn, MI 6/5 NFL condemns racism and admits it should have listened to players’ protests 6/5 California Governor Gavin Newsom calls for statewide use-of-force standard made along with community leaders and ban on carotid holds 6/5 2 Buffalo officers suspended within a day of pushing 75 year old protester to the ground, and lying about it 6/5 2 NYPD officers suspended after videos of violence to protesters 6/5 The US Marines bans display of the Confederate flag 6/5 Dallas adopts a "duty to intervene" rule that requires officers to stop other cops who are engaging in excessive use of force 6/5 Dallas City Manager T.C. Broadnax releases an 11-point action plan for immediate police reforms 6/6 Statue of Confederate general Williams Carter Wickham torn down - Richmond, VA 6/6 2 Buffalo officers charged with second-degree assault for shoving elderly man 6/6 San Francisco Mayor London Breed announces effort to defund police and redirect funds to Black community 6/7 Frank Rizzo mural removed, to be replaced with new artwork - Philadelphia, PA 6/7 Minneapolis City Council members announce intent to disband the police department, invest in proven community-led public safety 6/7 Protesters in Bristol topple statue of slave trader Edward Colston, throw it in the river 6/7 NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio vows for the first time to cut funding for NYPD, redirect to social services 6/7 A Virginia police officer faces charges after using a stun gun on a black man 6/8 NY State Assembly passes the Eric Garner Anti-Chokehold Act 6/8 Democrats in Congress unveil a bill to rein in bias and excessive force in policing 6/8 Black lawmakers block a legislative session in Pennsylvania to demand action on police reform 6/8 France bans police use of chokeholds 6/8 Seattle council members join calls to defund police department 6/8 Boston reevaluates how it funds police department 6/8 Honolulu Police Commission nominees voice support for more transparency, reforms 6/8 Rights groups and Floyd’s family call for a UN inquiry into American policing and help with systemic police reform

No, it’s not enough, but this is only the beginning. Keep fighting!!!

(This list comes from Mara Ahmed’s blog post and was compiled by Fahd Ahmed; I added sources and new entries. Please reblog with further additions.)

[beardedmrbean]

The United Nations demanded a probe into the nearly 100 migrants found naked along the Greece-Turkey border, condemning the "cruel and degrading" treatment of the group that included children. 

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees "is deeply distressed by the shocking reports and images of 92 people, who were reported to have been found at the Greek-Turkish land border, stripped of their clothes," the agency tweeted on Sunday. 

"We condemn such cruel and degrading treatment and call for a full investigation into this incident," the tweet added. 

Greek police said Saturday that police officers found 92 migrants, mostly men from Afghanistan and Syria, stark naked on Friday, "some with bodily injuries." They used plastic boats to cross the Evros River — known as Meric in Turkey — which forms the border between the two countries. 

LONDON DJ KIDNAPPED, FORCED INTO VAN ALONGSIDE WOMAN TURNS UP DEAD AS POLICE MAKE 4TH ARREST 

Children were also among the group of migrants, Stella Nanou, the UN refugee agency’s spokesperson in Athens, told The Guardian. 

Greek migration minister Notis Mitarachi on Saturday tweeted a photo of the naked migrants seen cupping their genitals, accusing Turkey of pushing them into Greece and stripping them naked before doing so. The claim prompted Fahrettin Altun, the communications director of Turkey’s president, to accuse Greece of engaging in "fake news."

On Monday, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, again rejected the allegation and accused Athens of "shameless and reckless" behavior. He also took aim at European Union nations, accusing them of encouraging EU-member Greece to "slander" Turkey.

The Greek government’s spokesman, Giannis Oikonomou, charged that Turkey was "continuing to openly instrumentalize migrants and even with unprecedented and unthinkable practices of barbarism."

The exchange comes at a time when tensions between the two neighbors is running high, with the two engaging in mutual accusations of airspace violations and Turkey accusing Greece of militarizing islands in the Aegean Sea in violation of international treaties and threatening possible military action.

"To be able to appear right even when you are in the wrong like Greece - you need to be shameless and reckless. It’s only Greece that can achieve this," Çavuşoğlu said at a news conference at the end of meeting in Istanbul of the foreign ministers of Turkic states.

"It is natural that Greece ... attempts to slander Turkey as its crimes increases," Cavusoglu said. "Unfortunately, there are European Union member countries who want to believe this, who want to accept everything that Greece says as true ... This is what encourages Greece."

Turkey regularly accuses Greece of violently pushing back migrants entering the country by land and sea. Turkey’s coast guard frequently shares videos of such pushbacks. Greece accuses Turkey, which hosts the largest number of refugees in the world, of "pushing forward" migrants to put pressure on the EU.

"This inhuman behavior is a disgrace to civilization, and the Turkish leadership, instead of blaming others for what is happening on its territory, should investigate the incident, punish those directly involved and honor its obligations under its Joint Declaration with the EU," the Greek government spokesman said in reference to a 2016 deal to stem the arrival of refugees.

On Monday, Turkey’s Interior Ministry said in a statement that a total of 61,737 migrants had been illegally pushed back from Greece since 2020, and that 152 migrants died as a result of the pushbacks. So far this year, 26,363 migrants were illegally forced back and 59 of them died, the ministry said.

[fatehbaz]

Very bad news: During a pandemic, TC Energy (formerly TransCanada) announced that the final portions of Keystone XL fossil fuel pipeline begin construction in eastern Montana during the weekend of 28/29 March 2020, just as South Dakota’s Governor Kristi Noem finally got her way on 24 March 2020 and formally signed into law new draconian “riot-boosting” legislation which establishes severe legal and financial penalties for those “interrupting” fossil fuel infrastructure, meant to target and intimidate Indigenous activists demonstrating against the pipeline. On 17 March 2020, leaders from Rosebud Sioux communities and Fort Belknap Indian Community cited the covid pandemic when they filed an emergency temporary restraining order against TC Energy in an attempt to prevent oil crew workers from moving into the construction area (a hearing on the restraining order is set for mid-April).

The governor’s office said that Kristi Noem signed the so-called “riot-boosting” anti-protesting bill into law on Tuesday, 24 March 2020. A similar law in the state was struck down in 2019. Observers say the riot-boosting laws are clearly meant to intimidate Indigenous activists specifically. The pipeline will pass under the longest undammed river in the contiguous US; it passes along the border of the Fort Peck reservation; and it will also pass by close to Pine Ridge. The US Dep@rtment of H0mel@nd Security calls the pipeline critical infrastructure, allowing construction to continue during the pandemic.

This construction comes after Rosebud Sioux and Fort Belknap Indian Community leaders continue to confront the pipeline in Montana federal courts, while Oglala / Lakota and other Native activists continue to confront Noem’s project of criminalizing dissent. In South Dakota, in 2019 and early 2020, local sheriffs and other c0ps have been attending “civil disturbance workshops,” and they’ve been advising county commissioners and other state officials to also attend “civil disturbance workshops” and apply for “grants’ from Canadian oil pipeline developer TC Energy in anticipation of protests against TC Energy’s Keystone XL pipeline.  [See: The Dickinson Press: “Riot boosting bill goes to South Dakota House floor,” 12 February 2020.]

Throughout 2019, Oglala / Lakota and other local Native communiities consistently criticized the South Dakota governor’s support of so-called “riot-boosting” legislation which would’ve severely punished activists protesting or even “encouraging” protesting against pipeline construction; during the dispute, in May 2019, the leadership at Pine Ridge reservation unanimously voted to ban South Dakota governor, Kristi Noem, from entering the reservation until and unless she rescinded her support of the law. The ACLU and a local judge eventually had the legislation dismissed as unconstitutional.

On 22 January 2020, though, the White House and US Department of the Interior announced that they were granting a critically important “right of way” permit for the construction of Keystone XL pipeline on about 45 miles of land in eastern Montana. The Keystone XL pipeline had basically been stalled in 2015 by the former US presidential administration. The key roadblock to building the pipeline? The US federal government still hadn’t granted Keystone XL and TransCanada access to some BLM land in eastern Montana.

On 29 January 2020, that same notorious riot-boosting”law that got South Dakota governor Kristi Noem banned from Pine Ridge? On this day, Governor Noem formally announced before state congress that she will again reintroduce a slightly altered version of the law before the legislature this year.

6 February 2020: ACLU sues State of Montana to gain access to the state’s Department of Justice plans for policing and countering protests against Keystone XL pipeline construction.

On 18 February 2020, activists, many from Oglala / Lakota communities at Pine Ridge, demonstrated at the South Dakota capitol in defiance of Noem’s riot-boosting legislation, which the House of Representatives ended up passing on this same day.

During the week of 24 March 2020, Noem formally signed the riot-boosting legislation.

[othersociologist]

Policing the Quarantine

Heavy-handed policing was deployed in response to the Covid-19 outbreak in the nine tower blocks in Melbourne where residents are mainly Black, Brown and Asian. Fines have been administered more in suburbs where the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and/or migrant population is higher. But, the same logics of colonial policing used for over 200 years are also affecting other groups at a time when a policing, rather than a public-health oriented, response to the pandemic is being rolled-out by state governments with the use of fines, lockdowns, curfews, and even prison sentences against those who are seen as failing to comply with Covid orders. 

Panellists 

Roxanne Moore is a Noongar woman and human rights lawyer from Margaret River in Western Australia. She is the Executive Officer for the National Peak body on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (NATSILS ). Previously, Roxanne was an Indigenous Rights Campaigner with Amnesty International Australia and Principal Advisor to Change the Record Coalition. Roxanne has worked for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission, as Principal Associate to the Hon Chief Justice Wayne Martin AC QC; as a commercial litigator; and has international experience with UNHCR Jordan and New York University’s Global Justice Clinic. Roxanne studied law at the University of WA, and completed an LLM (International Legal Studies) at NYU, specialising in human rights law, as a 2013 Fulbright Western Australian Scholar. Professor 

Megan Davis is Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous and Professor of Law at UNSW. She is Acting Commissioner of the NSW Land and Environment Court and was recently appointed the Balnaves Chair in Constitutional Law. Professor Davis currently serves as a United Nations expert with the UN Human Rights Council's Expert Mechanism on the rights of Indigenous peoples based in UN Geneva. Megan is an Acting Commissioner of the NSW Land and Environment Court. Professor Davis is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Social Sciences. She is a member of the NSW Sentencing Council and an Australian Rugby League Commissioner. Professor Davis was Director of the Indigenous Law Centre, UNSW Law from 2006-2016. Professor Davis is formerly Chair and expert member of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (2011-2016). As UNPFII expert she was the focal point for UN Women and UN AIDS. During this period of UN service, Megan was the Rapporteur of the UN EGM on an Optional Protocol to the UNDRIP in 2015, the Rapporteur of the UN EGM on Combating violence against Indigenous women and girls in 2011 and the UN Rapporteur for the International EGM on Indigenous Youth in 2012. Megan has extensive experience as an international lawyer at the UN and participated in the drafting of the UNDRIP from 1999-2004 and is a former UN Fellow of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva. 

Dr Vicki Sentas is a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Law at UNSW. She researches processes of criminalisation and racialisation in law and policing. She teaches in criminal law, criminology and policing and coordinates the Police Powers Clinic, an experiential learning course, in partnership with Redfern Legal Centre. Her recent and current research projects examine: the effects of counter-terrorism practices on criminal justice and racialised peoples; the criminalisation of armed conflicts, self-determination and diasporas through the use of security lists; police powers and their relationship to diverse forms of regulation including pre-emption and prosecution; police accountability and criminal justice reform.

[newstfionline]

Friday, July 30, 2021

Alaskan coast 8.2 magnitude earthquake was the strongest one in decades, official says (CNN) The 8.2 magnitude earthquake that struck off Alaska’s coast Wednesday night was the strongest one since 1964, an official told CNN. The very strong quake was located about 56 miles (91 kilometers) east southeast of Perryville, Alaska, and happened around 10:15 p.m. Wednesday, the US Geological Survey said. “This event was felt throughout the Alaska Peninsula and Kodiak,” according to the Alaska Earthquake Center.

Homes lose water as wells run dry in drought-ravaged basin MALIN, Ore. (AP) Judy and Jim Shanks know the exact date their home’s well went dry—June 24. Since then, their life has been an endless cycle of imposing on relatives for showers and laundry, hauling water to feed a small herd of cattle and desperately waiting for a local well-drilling company to make it to their name on a monthslong wait list. The couple’s well is among potentially hundreds that have dried up in recent weeks in an area near the Oregon-California border suffering through a historic drought, leaving homes with no running water just a few months after the federal government shut off irrigation to hundreds of the region’s farmers for the first time ever. Officials have formal reports of 117 empty wells but suspect more than 300 have gone dry in the past few weeks as the consequences of the Klamath River basin’s water scarcity extend far beyond farmers’ fields. Worried homeowners face waits of six months or more to get new, deeper wells dug because of the surging demand, with no guarantee that those wells, too, won’t ultimately go dry. While much of the West is experiencing exceptional drought conditions, the toll on everyday life is particularly stark in this region filled with flat vistas of sprawling alfalfa and potato fields and normally teeming wetlands.

Biden orders tough new vaccination rules for federal government (AP) President Joe Biden on Thursday announced sweeping new pandemic requirements for millions of federal workers. Federal workers will be required to attest they’ve been vaccinated against the coronavirus or else face mandatory masking, weekly testing, distancing and other new rules. The newly strict guidelines are aimed at boosting sluggish vaccination rates among the four million Americans who draw federal paychecks and to set an example for private employers around the country. The administration encouraged businesses to follow its lead on incentivizing vaccinations by imposing burdens on the unvaccinated. Rather than mandating that federal workers receive vaccines, the plan will make life more difficult for those who are unvaccinated to encourage them to comply. Biden also directed the Defense Department to look into adding the COVID-19 shot to its list of required vaccinations for members of the military. And he has directed his team to take steps to apply similar requirements to all federal contractors. Biden also urged state and local governments to use funds provided by the coronavirus relief package to incentivize vaccinations by offering $100 to individuals who get the shots. And he announced that small- and medium-sized businesses will receive reimbursements if they offer employees time off to get family members vaccinated.

Mexico declares $3 billion U.S. security deal ‘dead,’ seeks revamp (Washington Post) Frustrated by raging violence, the Mexican government is seeking to overhaul the Merida Initiative, a $3 billion U.S. aid program that’s been the centerpiece of security cooperation between the two nations for more than a decade—but has failed to reduce bloodshed. Mexican officials say they have been meeting with Biden administration officials since late spring to refocus their cooperation against drug cartels and other criminal groups, amid growing concerns that such gangs are expanding their control over Mexican territory. “The Merida Initiative is dead. It doesn’t work, okay?” Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard told The Washington Post in the government’s first detailed comments on the discussions. “We are now in another era.” Launched during the presidency of George W. Bush, the Merida Initiative initially provided hundreds of millions of dollars for aircraft, helicopters and other hardware for Mexico’s security forces. In recent years, the funding shifted to technical aid and training to strengthen Mexico’s police and justice system. But despite the billions of dollars in aid, there has been a “huge, huge increase in violence,” Ebrard noted. Homicides in Mexico have quadrupled since the initiative was announced in 2007. Drug overdose deaths in the United States, meanwhile, soared to a record 93,331 last year, fueled by the rising use of fentanyl, much of it smuggled across the southwest border.

Something strange is happening in Britain. Covid cases are plummeting instead of soaring. (Washington Post) This is a puzzler. Coronavirus cases are plummeting in Britain. They were supposed to soar. Scientists aren’t sure why they haven’t. The trajectory of the virus in Britain is something the world is watching closely and anxiously, as a test of how the delta variant behaves in a society with relatively high vaccination rates. And now people are asking if this could be the first real-world evidence that the pandemic in Britain is sputtering out—after three national lockdowns and almost 130,000 deaths. Public health experts, alongside the government, predicted that cases would be rising in Britain at this point, perhaps even exponentially.

France Gave Teenagers $350 for Culture. They’re Buying Comic Books. (NYT) When the French government launched a smartphone app that gives 300 euros to every 18-year-old in the country for cultural purchases like books and music, or exhibition and performance tickets, most young people’s impulse wasn’t to buy Proust’s greatest works or to line up and see Molière. Instead, France’s teenagers flocked to manga. As of this month, books represented over 75 percent of all purchases made through the app since it was introduced nationwide in May—and roughly two-thirds of those books were manga, according to the organization that runs the app, called the Culture Pass. The focus on comic books reveals a subtle tension at the heart of the Culture Pass’s design, between the almost total freedom it affords young users—including to buy the mass media they already love—and its architects’ aim of guiding users toward lesser-known and more highbrow arts. Opponents accuse Macron of throwing cash at young people to court their vote before next year’s presidential election.

Europe on vacation, but vaccinations not taking a break (AP) Europe’s famed summer holiday season is in full swing, but efforts to inoculate people against the coronavirus are not taking a break. Instead, with lockdowns easing despite concerns about variants and nations looking to breathe new life into their ailing tourism industries, vaccinations are being taken to vacationers. From France’s sun-kissed Mediterranean coast to the azure waters of Italy’s Adriatic beaches and Russian Black Sea resorts, health authorities are trying to make a COVID-19 shot as much part of this summer as sunscreen and shades for those who are not yet fully vaccinated. The new drive to take shots to tourists is a way of adapting to Europe’s annual summer migration, when it seems whole cities empty of their residents for weeks.

Taliban assassinations of Afghan pilots 'worrisome,' U.S. govt watchdog says (Reuters) Taliban assassinations of Afghan pilots marks another "worrisome development" for the Afghan Air Force as it reels from a surge in fighting, a U.S. government watchdog said in a report released on Thursday. At least seven Afghan pilots have been assassinated off base in recent months, two senior Afghan government officials told Reuters, part of what the Islamist Taliban says is a campaign to see U.S.-trained Afghan pilots “targeted and eliminated.” The Special Inspector General for Afghan Reconstruction (SIGAR), in its quarterly report to Congress covering the three-month period through June, broadly portrayed an Afghan Air Force (AAF) under growing strain from battling the Taliban amid the U.S. withdrawal—and becoming less ready to fight. The AAF’s fleet of UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, for example, had a 39 percent readiness rate in June, about half the level of April and May.

Floods make thousands homeless in Bangladesh Rohingya camps (AP) Days of heavy rainfall have pelted Rohingya refugee camps in southern Bangladesh, destroying dwellings and sending thousands of people to live with extended family or in communal shelters. Just in the 24 hours to Wednesday alone, more than 30 centimeters (11.8 inches) of rain fell on the camps in Cox’s Bazar district hosting more than 800,000 Rohingya, the U.N. refugee agency said. That’s nearly half the average July rainfall in one day while more heavy downpours are expected in the next few days and the monsoon season stretches over the next three months. Citing initial reports, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees said more than 12,000 refugees were affected by the heavy rainfall while an estimated 2,500 shelters have been damaged or destroyed.

Thailand sets up hospital at airport; Cambodia closes border (AP) Health authorities in Thailand raced to set up a large field hospital in a cargo building at one of Bangkok’s airports on Thursday as the country reported record numbers of coronavirus cases and deaths. Other field hospitals are already in use in the capital after it ran out of hospital facilities for thousands of infected residents. The airport, a domestic and regional hub, has had little use because almost all domestic flights were canceled two weeks ago. The quick spread of the delta variant also led neighboring Cambodia to seal its border with Thailand on Thursday and order a lockdown and movement restrictions in eight provinces.

Outspoken Chinese billionaire Sun Dawu sentenced to 18 years in prison (CNN) Billionaire Sun Dawu, a vocal critic of the Chinese government, was sentenced to 18 years in prison on Wednesday for “picking quarrels and provoking troubles,” according to an official statement posted by the court. Sun was arrested in March this year. His company, Hebei Dawu Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Group, owns farming operations in China and employs about 9,000 people in poultry processing, pet food production and other industries. He is also famous for being an outspoken critic of China’s ruling Communist Party. As part of his 18-year sentence, Dawu was also fined 3.11 million yuan ($480,000). Sun was one of very few people in China to publicly accuse the government of attempting to cover up the extent of the African swine flu outbreak in 2019, which eventually killed more than 100 million pigs in the country. In an interview with CNN in May 2019, Sun said local officials had only retested his pigs for the disease when he had started to post pictures of the dead animals online. Sun’s sentencing comes amid a growing crackdown on private enterprises in China, as Beijing attempts to pull into line the country’s free-wheeling entrepreneurs. In a set of guidelines put out in September 2020, the Communist Party said the private sector needed “politically sensible people” who would “firmly listen to the party.”

Lockdown Under (Reuters) Sydney, Australia announced Wednesday that they would be extending their lockdown by four weeks. The extension was announced with frustration by Premier Gladys Berejikilan, who stated, “I am as upset and frustrated as all of you that we were not able to get the case numbers we would have liked at this point in time but that is the reality,” during a televised news conference. Berejiklian added police would boost enforcement of wide-ranging social distancing rules and urged people to report suspected wrongdoing. The multiple lockdown extensions have turned a “snap” lockdown into the country’s longest, with many fearing another recession.

Probe into Beirut blast stalls again, leaving families fuming one year on (Reuters) Ibrahim Hoteit lost his younger brother, Tharwat, in the huge explosion that ripped through the port of Beirut last August. He went around hospitals collecting body parts, starting with Tharwat’s scalp, and buried his remains in a small coffin. Nearly a year later, Hoteit, a spokesperson for families of more than 200 people who died in the disaster, is still trying to call to account those he says are responsible for allowing the accident to happen. As Beirut prepares to mark the first anniversary of a blast that flattened large swathes of the city, politicians and senior security officials have yet to be questioned in a formal investigation. Much of the devastation from the blast is still visible. The port resembles a bomb site, and many buildings have been left in a state of collapse. Major questions remain unanswered, including why such a large shipment of ammonium nitrate, a highly explosive chemical used in bombs and fertiliser, was left stored in the middle of a crowded city for years after being unloaded in 2013.