Bill Weinberg
NYC: another Sikh attacked in Queens
Intolerance and stupidity, it seems, are equal-opportunity employers. Since 9-11, Sikhs in the US have faced violent attacks from Ugly American types who are too dumb to know that they aren't Muslims. Now a Sikh student has been attacked by real Muslims for not being Muslim. From amNew York, June 5:
WHY WE FIGHT
From Reuters, June 4:
Car Plows into D.C. Street Festival, Injuring 35
WASHINGTON - A woman plowed her car through several blocks at a crowded street festival in Washington, D.C. on Saturday night, injuring 35 people, police said.
Germany: riots rock Rostock
Just two days after a mass anti-G8 demonstration in Rostock turned violent, protestors skirmished with police June 4, this time in a part of town known for neo-Nazi attacks in the early 1990s. Nearly 1,000 staged a sit-down protest in front of the immigration office in Baltic Sea port city to protest the asylum policies of the world's major industrialized countries. Police said the rally turned violent when black-clad anarchist bloc began throwing bottles. Four protesters were detained there for violating a police ban on wearing masks at rallies. However, a photo showed police detaining a protester in a clown outfit armed with a water pistol.
Lebanon: new front opens at Ein al-Helweh refugee camp
As the Lebanese army continues to pound Fatah al-Islam positions at the Nahr el Bared refugee camp, fighting also broke out June 3 with a second Islamist faction, Jund al-Sham, at Ein al-Helweh, Lebanon's largest refugee camp. Mediators from other Palestinian groups are attempting to negotiate a ceasefire at Ein al-Helweh.
Split between activists and aid groups in Darfur campaign seen
A telling story in the June 2 New York Times, "Advocacy Group's Publicity Campaign on Darfur Angers Relief Organizations," reveals a rift between the Save Darfur Coalition and the aid agencies actually on the ground in Darfur. Save Darfur takes a hard line, calling for UN intervention, which has prompted the Sudanese regime to turn up the heat on aid workers. This is a real dilemma. Are the Save Darfur folks naive do-gooders—or, worse, cynical exploiters of the Darfur genocide with hidden agendas—who are (even if unwittingly) actually making things worse by interfering with relief efforts? Or are the relief organizations being coopted by the Sudan regime and (even if unwittingly) allowing the genocide to continue by opposing intervention? Via the exile-based Sudan Tribune, links and emphasis added:
Iraq: Assyrian Christians fear genocide
Assyrian Christian leaders in Iraq say the future existence of the country's dwindling Christian population hangs in the balance as violence continues unabated. According to a report by the Assyrian International News Agency, direct blame has been leveled at Iraqi government and Coalition forces' inaction in the face of mounting attacks against Christian populations.
Latest NYC terror scare linked to attempted coup in Trinidad
Security forces in Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago worked closely with US authorities to hunt down the men behind a supposed plot to blow up JFK International Airport in New York City. The arrest of three suspects was announced June 2: Russell Defreitas, a Guyana-born US citizen; Abdul Kadir, a former parliamentarian in Guyana; and Kareem Ibrahim of Trinidad. A fourth, Abdul Nur of Guyana, remains at large. (The Guardian, UK, Nation News, Guyana, June 3)
India: ethnic violence in east, west
Five people, including a local militia jawan (infantryman), were killed May 31 in India's eastern state of Manipur in fighting with the Kuki Revolutionary Army. The so-called "ultra" ethnic guerilla group apparently attacked a patrol of the 7th Manipur Rifles battalion at Gapizang in Senapati district. (PTI, June 1) Meanwhile in western Rajasthan state, at least five are dead after nomadic Gujjars clashed with Meena tribals in Dausa district. Police in Jaipur said Meenas attacked Gujjar protesters who were blocking a road, sparking a clash with rocks and bamboo staffs. Meenas are said to oppose the Gujjar's demand to be recognized as a "Scheduled Tribe," which would give them access to government jobs and other benefits. The Rajasthan government has issued "shoot-at-sight" orders to put down riots. (BBC, June 1; Zee News, June 2)
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