Occupy Boston voluntary dismissal of suit against City of Boston

Occupy Boston plaintiffs agree to voluntary dismissal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 21, 2011

BOSTON -- Plaintiffs from Occupy Boston today filed a voluntary dismissal, ending their lawsuit against the City of Boston, Occupy Boston v. City of Boston, et al. The participants in Occupy Boston have decided that continuing to pursue their goals of a more socially and economically just and democratic society may be better accomplished through means other than slow-moving long-term litigation. 

Minnesota’s “Gangnet” database shut

Minnestoa's Community Justice Project, along with the NAACP and ACLU, has succeeded in putting a stop to that city's version of the Commonwealth's MassGangs database, "Gangnet". Police say they weren't using the database, but community groups hail it as a victory in the war against unchecked spying.

ACLUm statement on Tarek Mehanna verdict

Mehanna verdict compromises First Amendment, undermines national security Decision today threatens writers and journalists, academic researchers, translators, and even ordinary web surfers. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, December 20, 2011 CONTACT: Christopher Ott, Communications Director, 617-482-3170 x322, cott [at] aclum [dot] org BOSTON -- The following statement on the conviction today of Tarek Mehanna may be attributed to American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts executive director Carol Rose:

Senate joins House in passing NDAA bill; now on to President’s desk

NDAA passes 86-13 in the Senate. 

The bill now moves to the President's desk, where he will likely sign it. 

MBTA’s giant bus, the Civil Disturbance Unit, appears at anti-NDAA demo today

The 80 or so people who marched today from the former Occupy Boston site at Dewey square to the JFK federal building in opposition to the National Defense Authorization Act were surprised to see this giant monstrosity pull up briefly in front of the demo:

Greenwald tonight on NDAA, indefinite detention

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NDAA: Does it create new powers or not?

Note: If you are in the Boston area, come demonstrate with us against the NDAA tomorrow at 12:15. Info here.

AP can’t get its story straight on NDAA indefinite detention provision

Did the AP bother to read the press release it used to draft this article on the latest National Defense Authorization Act negotiations?

The article first states that the version of the bill being worked out in conference committee would provide "an exemption for U.S. citizens" from being held by the military:

New anti-Occupy police tactic for arrests?

In Houston today, activists taking part in the national Occupy #D12 actions blocked a street lying down. Police surrounded them and then placed a giant red tent over their bodies, obstructing outside view of the subsequent arrests. It is bizarre and extremely troubling. Watch:

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NYPD arrests and press infringement at World Financial Center this morning

#D12