No justice for Amazon massacre in Peru


 Amazon Watch

No Justice for Amazon Massacre in Peru
Trial marks five-year anniversary of Bagua tragedy

Five years ago yesterday the Devil’s Curve earned its name. This wild stretch of highway outside the Peruvian town of Bagua was transformed from a peaceful protest site into a national tragedy now known as the Baguazo. Though the multi-week roadblock was due to disband that same day, militarized riot police entered by force in the early dawn and a deadly melee ensued. When the teargas and gunsmoke cleared, 34 people were dead and hundreds more wounded, including protesters and police officers.

Today, 54 protesters and ostensible instigators are on trial for the infamous Baguazo. Government prosecutors have accused high-profile indigenous leaders of inciting their people to violence. Several indigenous representatives like Alberto Pizango, president of the Amazon-wide indigenous organization AIDESEP, face sentences of 35 years to life.

Read the rest on Eye on the Amazon »

the Senate ~~ CONGRESS 6/9 ~~ the House


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The Senate stands adjourned until 2:00pm on Monday, June 9, 2014.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 5:30pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

 

At 5:30pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session and proceed to a series of 3 roll call votes on the following:

–        Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #734, the nomination of M. Hannah Lauck, of Virginia, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia;

–        Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #736, Leo T. Sorokin, of Massachusetts, to be United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts; and

–        Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #739, Richard Franklin Boulware II, of Nevada, to be United States District Judge for the District of Nevada.

 

If cloture is invoked on any of the nominations, on Tuesday, June 10th at 10:00am, all post-cloture time will be considered expired and the Senate will vote on confirmation of the nominations in the order listed above.

 

For the information of all Senators, during Thursday’s session of the Senate, Senator Reid filed cloture on the following nominations in the following order:

–        Executive Calendar #734, M. Hannah Lauck, of Virginia to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia;

–        Executive Calendar #736, Leo T. Sorokin, of Massachusetts, to be United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts;

–        Executive Calendar #739, Richard Franklin Boulware II, of Nevada, to be United States District Judge for the District of Nevada;

–        Executive Calendar #769, Lael Brainard, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (8 hours of post-cloture debate);

–        Executive Calendar #771, Jerome H. Powell, of Maryland, to be  Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (8 hours of post-cloture debate); and

–        Executive Calendar #767, Stanley Fischer, of New York, to be Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors (8 hours of post-cloture debate).

After the Senate convened today, Senator Reid moved to proceed to S.2432, a bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for the refinancing of certain Federal student loans. The Senate is now in a period of morning business until 5:30pm with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

 

At 5:30pm today, there will be a series of 3 roll call votes on the following motions:

 

–        Cloture on Executive Calendar #734, the nomination of M. Hannah Lauck, of Virginia, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia;

–        Cloture on Executive Calendar #736, Leo T. Sorokin, of Massachusetts, to be United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts; and

–        Cloture on Executive Calendar #739, Richard Franklin Boulware II, of Nevada, to be United States District Judge for the District of Nevada.

Senator Reid filed cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2432, a bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for the refinancing of certain Federal student loans. The cloture vote is expected to occur on Wednesday, June 11. Another message will be sent once the vote time is scheduled.

5:32pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #734, the nomination of M. Hannah Lauck, of Virginia, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia;

Invoked: 52-32

 

Next:

–        Cloture on Executive Calendar #736, Leo T. Sorokin, of Massachusetts, to be United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts; and

–        Cloture on Executive Calendar #739, Richard Franklin Boulware II, of Nevada, to be United States District Judge for the District of Nevada.

6:04pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #736, Leo T. Sorokin, of Massachusetts, to be United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts;

Invoked: 52-33

 

Next:

Cloture on Executive Calendar #739, Richard Franklin Boulware II, of Nevada, to be United States District Judge for the District of Nevada (10 minute vote)

At 6:20, the Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #739, Richard Franklin Boulware II, of Nevada, to be United States District Judge for the District of Nevada

Invoked: 53-34

The Senate has reached an agreement that results in several series of votes tomorrow and Thursday, June 12. As a reminder, cloture was also filed on the motion to proceed to the College Affordability bill and that vote will occur at a time to be determined on Wednesday.  Additional votes are possible this week, but the current schedule is as follows:

 

Tuesday, June 10:

10:00am—1 roll call vote:

–        Confirmation of Executive Calendar #734, the nomination of M. Hannah Lauck, of Virginia, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia

 

12:00noon — 2 roll call votes:

 

–        Confirmation of Executive Calendar #736, Leo T. Sorokin, of Massachusetts, to be United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts

–        Confirmation of Executive Calendar #739, Richard Franklin Boulware II, of Nevada, to be United States District Judge for the District of Nevada

 

2:30pm,–3 roll call votes:

–        Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #769, Lael Brainard, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

–        Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #771, Jerome H. Powell, of Maryland, to be  Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

–        Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #767, Stanley Fischer, of New York, to be Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors

 

Wednesday, June 11:

TBD-cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2432, College Affordability

 

Thursday, June 12:

1:45pm—3 roll call votes—(if cloture is invoked on the Federal Reserve nominations on Tuesday)

–        Confirmation of Executive Calendar #769, Lael Brainard, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

–        Confirmation of Executive Calendar #771, Jerome H. Powell, of Maryland, to be  Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

–        Confirmation of Executive Calendar #767, Stanley Fischer, of New York, to be Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors

At a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, with the concurrence of the Republican Leader, there will be up to 30 minutes for debate prior to a vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #523, Crystal Nix-Hines, of California, for the rank of Ambassador during her tenure of service as the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization.

 

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

–        Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #734, the nomination of M. Hannah Lauck, of Virginia, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia; invoked: 52-32

–        Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #736, Leo T. Sorokin, of Massachusetts, to be United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts; Invoked: 52-33

–        Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #739, Richard Franklin Boulware II, of Nevada, to be United States District Judge for the District of Nevada; Invoked: 53-34

 

No Legislative items

The Senate began the Rule 14 process to place S.2450, Veterans’ Access to Care Through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014 (Sanders and McCain), on the Legislative Calendar of Business.

 

No additional Executive items       

Senator Reid filed cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2432, a bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for the refinancing of certain Federal student loans

=========================================================

Last Floor Action:
11:15:15 P.M. – The House adjourned.

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on June 10, 2014.

Last Floor Action:6/5
3:04:46 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to section 3(b) of H. Res. 604.

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on June 9, 2014.

============================================

Ocean SOS


greenpeaceToday is World Oceans Day — a chance to celebrate our love for oceans everywhere!

Even better: this World Oceans Day we have a game-changing opportunity to protect our blue planet from threats like climate change and pollution.

In just one week, Secretary of State John Kerry is hosting an ‘Our Ocean’ global conference with experts and officials to address the ocean crisis. But so far he has ignored the best plan to keep our oceans safe — ocean sanctuaries that can protect marine life from pollution and the fishing industry.

John Kerry has a chance to be a hero for the oceans by supporting sanctuaries for our seas. We know that if enough people speak up, he’ll listen.

This World Ocean Day, tell John Kerry to support ocean sanctuaries on the high seas — protecting oceans around the world.

Right now, our oceans — and the marine creatures that call them home — are suffering devastating effects from overfishing, increased pollution, and even ocean acidification.
ocean cleanup email copy
With more than half of our oceans lying beyond the authority of any one country, it will take nothing less than the creation of ocean sanctuaries — large areas where you don’t take anything, break anything or pollute anything — to secure the future we want for ‘Our Ocean’ and ocean life. Without such protection, our oceans remain defenseless.

This is the time! We must take real measures to protect our oceans — starting with the creation of ocean sanctuaries.

If Americans everywhere show their support for ocean protection, while global delegates are listening at the Our Ocean conference, we can ensure John Kerry hears our case for High Seas ocean sanctuaries.

Please take a minute to protect our oceans today. Sign our petition to John Kerry asking him to support a UN agreement to protect the high seas with a network of ocean sanctuaries.

Some of my fondest memories are playing on the rocky shores of the Northern California coast where I grew up. There’s no place I’d rather be than swimming alongside curious fish in the ocean.

I’m sure you also have fond memories of the first time you went to the beach, played in the waves, or watched dolphins leap and swim. Oceans unite and inspire us all.

Will you add your voice to the call for ocean protection today? We need ocean lovers like you to make sure John Kerry hears our call for ocean sanctuaries.

Today, I’m going to celebrate our oceans by fighting for their protection. I hope you’ll join me.

For our oceans,

Phil Kline
Greenpeace Senior Oceans Campaigner

P.S. I’ll going to the State Dept. on June 16th to personally deliver the petition and make sure our voices are heard. Please join me, and thousands of ocean lovers, in calling on John Kerry to demonstrate he’s serious about ‘Our Ocean’ by supporting ocean sanctuaries.

Rape … in India


 

Two young girls were hanged from a tree after being gang raped in the fields outside their home in India and a high ranking government official just responded by saying that rape “is a social crime … sometimes it’s right, sometimes it’s wrong.” Let’s make sure India’s leader knows that this is unacceptable and demand he acts now to stop the rape epidemic. Sign now:

SIGN THE PETITION

Two young girls were hanged from a tree after being gang raped in the fields outside their home in India and a high ranking government official just responded by saying that rape “is a social crime … sometimes it’s right, sometimes it’s wrong.”

That is the government’s response! It’s disgusting and we can change it.

India’s new leader was just elected on a pro-business platform with increased tourism as one of his top economic growth goals. If two million of us, right now, pledge not go to India until something is done about the rape epidemic across the country, we could get his attention and force him to prioritise urgent action.

Sign now and at two million signers, Avaaz will bring our call to the major Indian tourist companies that have Prime Minister Modi’s ear and lobby for travel advisories until something is done to protect this generation of girls and women:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/womanifesto_modi_21/?biEWLbb&v=40655

When the 14 and 15 year old girls went missing, one girl’s dad went to the police and fell in front of them on his hands and knees pleading for them to do something. They laughed at him and told him to go home. This appalling inaction happens to countless families across India that face this horror. The police, the judiciary, and even ministers are failing them! It’s a culture of acceptance of rape!

Before the elections there was a massive movement building to get urgent action to stop violence against women. Experts drafted a Womanifesto — a common sense plan for urgently needed reforms to stop the rape epidemic. It covers law, policing, medical and psychological support, and crucially — public education. Other major parties signed up to it, but Modi ignored it focusing on economics, and it is still languishing on his desk.

Even Modi’s staff agree with the plan. Now we just need Modi to put it into action.

If millions pledge to not visit India now until action is taken, and that call is bolstered by targeted calls to the mega travel businesses that support Modi and calls to our own governments to issue travel warnings, we could force Modi to act to save his political future. Click below to sign now:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/womanifesto_modi_21/?biEWLbb&v=40655

The shock and horror of opening the newspaper and reading this story can sit with us, or it can spur us into action. This is our chance to come together as a global community and use our power and our hope to help and entire nation set out on the journey towards equality and safety for all.

With hope,

Alice, Alaphia, Dalia, Laura, Shreya, Ricken and the rest of the Avaaz team

More Information:

India State Minister on rape: ‘Sometimes it’s right, sometimes it’s wrong’
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/05/india-state-minister-rape-crimes-comment

Another girl found hanging in Uttar Pradesh. Rape attempt on judge
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-another-girl-found-hanging-in-uttar-pradesh-rape-attempt-on-judge-1993315

Modi unveils ‘Five Ts’: BJP’s PM candidate says Talent, Tourism, Tech, Trade and Tradition are the watchwords for India’s future
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/indianews/article-2542285/Modi-unveils-Five-Ts-BJPs-PM-candidate-says-Talent-Tourism-Tech-Trade-Tradition-watchwords-Indias-future.html

Horrified at reports of violence against women in India: US on Badaun Rape case
http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/horrified-at-reports-of-violence-against-women-in-india-us-on-badaun-rape-case-535671

UN condemns gang rape and murder of teenage girls in Uttar Pradesh and calls for justice
http://www.unicef.org/media/media_73685.html