Civil Liberties
Perhaps because of the large number of outspoken and thoughtful people in our community, we have often found ourselves at ground zero in battles over civil liberties. In the 1980's Chapel Hill elected the first openly-gay elected official in the state, but Carrboro bested that by electing North Carolina’s first out mayor a decade later.
More recently, Chapel Hill grappled with free speech issues in the wake of 9/11, approved and then dismantled red light cameras in 2003-4, and was challenged by fundamentalists over support for gay marriage in 2005.
I'm appalled with our 'D' senator in 2 distinctly dismal ways this afternoon.
First, Hagan votes to legalize the military to snatch and indefinitely detain anyone accused of being a scary 'terrorist.' Specifically, no lawyer will be allowed for anyone so accused. Also, this authorizes military actions within the US (um, posse comitatus? anyone?) This includes US citizens like me and you, dear reader. (Note this bill will extend to the military this unconstitutional priviledge currently only enjoyed by the president.)
https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=112&session=1&vote=00210
More info here:
http://www.salon.com/2011/12/01/congress_endorsing_military_detention_a_new_aumf/singleton/
There will be a march from Carrboro Town Commons (where the Really Really Free Market will be going on) to Abbey Court to protest the management's attempt to evict and fine the Human Rights Center which has done great work to support and organize residents.
Date:
Saturday, December 3, 2011 - 3:30am
Location:
Carrboro Town Commons, West Main Street at Laurel Street
http://www.crimethinc.com/blog/2011/11/27/breaking-and-entering-a-new-world/
"Underground Reverie" proporting to be involved in the Yates building seizure have published a slideshow telling their side of the story. Its interesting that they seem to equate property rights and repression, and view this as just one battle in a larger war. The question "If we can occupy a building, what else might we seize" implies they're wanting to come back and try this again. Personally, I hope they don't "start taking over" as vast majority of Chapel Hill/Carborro residents really don't want to have their democracy overthrown by anarchists, thank you very much for not asking.
And then there's the signs that say "Off the pigs", "pigs gonna pay", and "all cops are bastards".
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