Savannah, GA – Anti-racist activists are demanding charges be dropped against Joshua Taft, arrested while protesting the Klu Klux Klan. On April 23, over 400 anti-racist activists descended upon Stone Mountain, Georgia to protest about a dozen white supremacists and Klan members.

Police arrested nine anti-racist activists before noon, according to John Bankhead, spokesman for the Stone Mountain Park Police. Eight of the activists were charged by police for wearing hoods and masks with the intention to conceal their identity. Meanwhile, none of the Klansmen or white supremacists were arrested or charged, though also wearing hoods and masks.

The 21-year-old Taft was arrested as he stood near a barricade away from police. Heavily armed and wearing riot gear, police shot Taft twice with rubber bullets and then manhandled the Savannah youth. Taft was sent to DeKalb County jail and charged with aggravated assault. He appeared before a DeKalb County magistrate the following day.

Authorities are accusing Taft of throwing smoke grenades at law enforcement officials, as they stood protecting white supremacists and Klansmen from the anti-racist protest. Despite the accusations made by the police, videos and statements posted on various social media outlets contradict the official narrative. One eyewitness said, “It was not, could not, have been the accused. I am certain it wasn’t Joshua Taft.”

Phoenix Godwin, who protested the KKK at Stone Mountain, saw Taft putting out a small fire. He said, “Taft acted swiftly to end the fire due to his deeply held ecological concerns. Taft was even punched in the face by someone for desperately trying to put out the flames.”

As officers overwhelmed Taft, the crowd chanted, “Fuck the police!” He did not resist arrest. Protesters think police are trying to make an example of Taft in order to discourage future anti-racist protests in the state of Georgia. If convicted, Taft could face 20 years in federal prison.

Activists from across the country are calling for solidarity. Taft was released from jail on a $2500 bond, but faces a long legal process and trial. If you have any information regarding Taft’s innocence or would like to donate for his legal fees, contact freejoshtaft@gmail.com.

#SavannahGA #InJusticeSystem #AntiRacism #PoliticalRepression #Antifascism #KKK #StoneMountain #JoshuaTaft

Savannah, GA – More than 100 people assembled in downtown here, Aug. 16, to stand in solidarity with the besieged people of Gaza. The demonstration garnered much attention from locals and tourists alike. Some Georgian residents came from as far away as Milledgeville and Brunswick to support Palestinians facing Israel’s siege.

Representatives from Veterans For Peace, Occupy Savannah and The Revolutionary Peoples’ Union, as well as people from the Muslim, Jewish, and Christian communities, stood side by side calling for peace in the Middle East and an end to Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine. The demonstration lasted for nearly two hours. Many passers-by honked their horns and waved showing their support for the protesters and the people of Gaza.

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, out of the approximately 1975 Palestinians killed in the month-long onslaught, 1417 unarmed civilians have been killed; the affiliation of 328 of those killed are unknown and 230 of those killed were armed combatants. In contrast, Israel has lost three civilians and 64 military personnel in “Operation Protective Edge.”

About 77 out of the 170 facilities belonging to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East have been damaged. The international community condemned Israel’s deliberate bombing of a U.N. school on July 24.

The Savannah Peace Coalition will continue to promote the cause of Palestine. There will be a viewing of the 2006 film Occupation 101 on Aug. 28. After Savannah’s first ever solidarity with Palestine event, more people are mobilized and motivated to keep up the momentum and continue the people’s struggle in Savannah.

#SavannahGA #AntiwarMovement #Gaza #Palestine #GazaUnderAttack

#SavannahGA #AntiwarMovement #Gaza #Palestine #MiddleEast

People demonstrated as part of the wider March Against Monsanto movement, an international campaign. Protesters raised health concerns about consuming genetically modified organisms (GMOs). For example, most of Monsanto's seeds, including soy, corn, alfalfa and cotton, contain glyphosate resistance – a chemical used to combat weeds while protecting the crops. Scientists are debating the health and safety of GMOs, while Monsanto attempts to stifle discussion.

Frank Bessinger of Veterans for Peace stated, “The chemicals used by Monsanto are dangerous to workers. Many migrant workers die from exposure to Monsanto products.” In contrast, laborers working directly for Monsanto wear biohazard suits to avoid direct exposure to chemicals declared safe by the company. Monsanto also sells the strong chemicals used by the U.S. military for spraying fields in Colombia. U.S. planes spray wide areas to kill all the crops grown by poor farmers in rebel areas of Colombia. Glyphosate burns farmers’ and animals’ skin, leaving rashes and ulcers, and some children reportedly suffer asthma attacks.

Some at the march talked about ending the super-exploitation of the migrant farm worker by Monsanto. In 2012 a group of migrant workers in Texas sued Monsanto over poor labor and housing conditions. The farm workers were paid significantly less than the U.S. federal minimum wage. They were also lived in inadequate housing and were forced to pay for it. Farm workers claim the company promised free accommodations.

According to Daniel Moss, one of the lead organizers of March Against Monsanto and a member of the Revolutionary People's Union of Savannah, said, “The goal of March Against Monsanto is to raise awareness of industrialized food and to encourage people to support their local farmers.”

When asked about public awareness concerning the company’s exploitation of migrant workers, Moss said, “We have not made enough progress...but we have begun to move in that direction. The system that Monsanto is part of can only continue through the exploitation of the migrant worker and because the U.S. government supports it.”

In March of 2013 President Barack Obama signed the Farmer Assurance Provision, often referred to as the “Monsanto Protection Act” because the bill protects Monsanto from litigation. This is the third protest in Savannah against Monsanto and organizers say they will be back again next spring.

#SavannahGA #EnvironmentalJustice #Monsanto