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GUESTS: Gretchen Heidemann, Program Director at A New Way of Life Re-entry Project, and an organizer with All of Us or None, Kesha Burton, member of All of Us or None, formerly incarcerated

The LA County Board of Supervisors recently passed a motion calling for an evaluation of its hiring procedures of people with prior criminal convictions. As part of the “Ban the Box” campaign, LA County Supervisor Yvonne Burke and the activist group “All of Us or None of Us” are asking LA County to follow San Francisco’s lead in ending employment discrimination against former prisoners. The “box” refers to a standard question on job applications that asks potential employees if they have ever been convicted of criminal charges. San Francisco was the first city in California to …

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GUEST: Dortell Williams, Lancaster Prison inmate, radio commentator for Uprising

Dortell Williams has been an inmate at Lancaster County Jail for 15 years. He is an avid listener of KPFK and has filed commentaries about prison related issues. Dortell reached us by phone recently and filed a commentary about KPFK and Pacifica. We apologize for the poor quality of the prison phone line.

You can email Dortell at dortellwilliams@yahoo.com.

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GUEST: Charles Coleman, running for Democratic Party nomination in the 28th Congressional District

Charles Coleman Jr., a graduate of USC and teacher at Nidorf Juvenile Hall, is seeking the Democratic Party nomination for the 28th Congressional District seat. Coleman is running against incumbent Representative Howard Berman. In a growing trend of progressive Democrats opposing conservative ones, Coleman’s campaign targets Berman, a Democratic Party incumbent who voted to authorize the use of force against Iraq. Whereas Berman believes that U.S. troops should remain in Iraq until a so-called “victory,” is achieved, Coleman supports an immediate withdrawal. Domestically, he strongly supports Congressman John Conyers’ “Enhanced Medicare for All,” bill. As a teacher with over fifteen years of experience, Coleman also favors bolstering funding for after-school programs and offering teachers competitive …

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Glen Ford, co-publisher of The Black Commentator

The Black Commentator is an online political magazine bringing you commentary, analysis and investigation from a black perspective. Today’s commentary is on Venezuela’s Citgo Corporation.

The Black Commentator is online at www.blackcommentator.com.

“When a country–particularly “a democracy”–goes to war, the passive consent of the governed lubricates the machinery of slaughter. Silence is a key form of cooperation, but the war-making system does not insist on quietude or agreement. Mere passivity and self-restraint will suffice to keep the missiles flying, the bombs exploding and the faraway people dying. ” — Norman Solomon

“Our assertion of Title to the land derives from our understanding and belonging to this land. It means we have a right to live here with dignity. It does not mean we own the land. Try owning the Earth, the sand, the waters, and it will run right through your fingers. No legal system can say you do not belong here. We are in no place to refuse anyone the gift of life and livelihood. We welcome you here with respect, and we expect the same from you.” — A Kahniankehaka (aka Mohawk) Elder

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GUEST: Hazel Hill, spokesperson for the Six Nations occupation

On February 28th of this year members of the Six Nations reserve in Caledonia, Ontario in Canada, began occupying a 40-hectare piece of land. They claim that the land had been stolen from them more than 200 years ago. It was to be turned into a subdivision by Henco Industries Ltd., which bought the land from a local farmer in 1992. A blockade was erected on April 20 after provincial police unsuccessfully tried to evict occupiers. It was finally torn down this Tuesday in what media are calling a sign of good faith. Apparently negotiations to end the dispute have been progressing well. However, the Six Nations members have no intention of ending their occupation. Their only …

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GUEST: Remi Kanazi, co-founder of www.PoeticInjustice.net, a Palestinian American writer, poet and performer living in New York City

The Israeli government is calling for a settlement of Israel’s final borders with the Palestinians, which mandates a withdrawal from much of the West Bank and relocating tens of thousands of Jewish settlers. A senior government official showed The Associated Press a map representing the first concrete plan to split Jerusalem between Israel and the Palestinians. President Bush called the plan “bold and constructive”, saying it could lead to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He also added that it was essential for Israel and the Palestinian Authority to negotiate a plan for permanent borders. Meanwhile, 13 main political and rebel groups opposing the Israeli occupation are attending the …

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GUEST: Aura Bogado, FSRN anchor, programmer at KPFK, Pacifica

The eviction of farmers from the South Central Community Garden could come at any moment this week. Yesterday, the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department received the go-ahead to carry out a judicially released eviction order. News of the pending eviction placed the farm on red alert. In response, activists have been converging at and around the community gardens on 41st and Alameda Street in the event that the police try to forcefully evict the farmers. Recently, celebrities have been coming out of the woodwork to support the farm. Singer Ben Harper and his actress wife Laura Dern have spoken out. Folksinger Joan Baez and Julia “Butterfly” Hill have been tree-sitting since Tuesday night. Actors Leonardo Di Caprio and …

Neighborhood activists all over Southern California hold regular peace vigils to end the war in Iraq. Each week we announce just some of the 50 plus vigils that are taking place. Complete listings of all the vigils are available at www.neighborsforpeaceandjustice.org or www.peacevigils.com.

On Fridays in Alhambra
6:30 to 8:30pm
Main Street and Garfield Avenue
in front of Edwards Stadium 14 Theater

On Fridays in Costa Mesa / Santa Ana
5:00 – 7:00 pm
On the corner of Bristol & Anton (in front of major entrance to South Coast Plaza)
the email contact is QUETZALCOATL38@aol.com

The last Friday of each month in Echo Park
5pm to 7pm
On the corner of Echo Park and Sunset Boulevard.
the information line is (213) 250-5500 during the day (323) 660-4799 during the evenings

On Fridays in Mar Vista
6:30 to 7:30 PM
Mar Vista Park, Corner of Palms and McLaughlin
the email …