Good News!
by Melanie Kellar and Lisa Ann Pierce
Plans to Control Police Abuse
An article in the November 8, 2000 issue of Pulse noted that the city of Minneapolis is considering guidelines for police conduct at political demonstrations. The discussion over guidelines was initiated after last summer's protests of a genetic engineering conference in downtown Minneapolis. The proposals contain measures that would require police badge numbers to be visible and for all officers to identify themselves upon request. The guidelines would also prohibit infiltration of demonstrations or organizations by undercover law enforcement, prohibit the use of plastic bullets, prohibit the use of pepper spray on nonviolent protesters, and require bail release conditions to be constitutionally valid. The Minneapolis City Council public safety committee will consider the proposals.
Peace Activists Arrive in Iraq
According to the StarTribune, eight peace activists flew from Great Britain into Baghdad, Iraq on Friday, November 10, 2000. It was the first flight from Britain to Iraq in a decade. The eight passengers came to attend a three-day forum aimed at seeking an end to the sanctions against Iraq. In the last two months, dozens of international flights of non-governmental organizations have landed in Baghdad on peace missions.
British Activist Has Day in Court
In August, London's Guardian reported that retired teacher Joan Meredith was sentenced for refusing to pay a £100 fine. The fine was imposed after she sat down in the roadway outside the Faslane Trident submarine base. Reportedly, she did not pay the fine because "she does not believe her protest was morally wrong." Although she was expecting to spend a week in jail for not paying the fine, her sentence, instead, was to spend the full day in the courtroom. Meredith told the Guardian, "I have found the day quite enlightening. At one stage I was even given a cup of coffee and I must say I have been treated very nicely." She also stated her intention to carry on with her protest efforts.
UN Criticizes U.S. Embargo of Cuba
The General Assembly of the United Nations criticized the United States for maintaining sanctions against Cuba. In a non-binding resolution passed with 167 votes, the assembly urged to U.S. to lift the embargo. (StarTribune, November 10, 2000).