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This week on Uprising —

* The 20th anniversary of Chernobyl and the state of public health
* The World Bank and IMF’s annual meeting in DC draws protest
* Georgia’s Governor signs an anti-immigrant law
* America’s most endangered rivers
* Plus the Black Commentator and Empire Notes

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Chernobyl: 20 years later

GUEST: Jonathan Parfrey, Executive Director of Physicians for Social Responsibility

Nearly 20 years ago, a reactor at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine exploded on April 26, 1986. It has become known as the world’s worst nuclear accident. The explosion spewed out heavy levels of radioactive fallout over most of Europe. The fallout was particularly severe in northern reaches of Ukraine, western Russia and Belarus. A recent IAEA report says the consequences of the disaster were overblown and that scientists now believe the radioactive nuclear fallout was not as harmful to human health as previously reported. But the environmental group, Greenpeace is challenging the UN report, saying that more than 90,000 people are likely to die of cancers caused by radiation from Chernobyl.

World Bank-IMF Meetings in DC

GUEST: Ann Louise Colgan, Director of Policy and Communications at Africa Action

As this show is recorded, the World Bank and International Monetary Fund are having their annual meetings in Washington DC. The meetings have traditionally drawn large crowds of critics protesting against global neo-liberal policies. This year, police and federal officials say no permits have been issued for marches or large demonstrations. But there will be smaller events are Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Meanwhile World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz, will be disclosing his appointments to various key vacancies in the bank administration. He has come under fire for handing out key jobs to US Americans close to the Bush administration. Wolfowitz will also be focusing on a sweeping $37 billion debt forgiveness program for as many as 40 of the poorest nations in the world.

For more information, visit www.africaaction.org

Empire Notes on the US Antiwar Movement

GUEST: Rahul Mahajan, author of Full Spectrum Dominance and The New Crusade

Empire Notes are weekly commentaries filed by Rahul Mahajan, author of Full Spectrum Dominance and The New Crusade. Today’s commentary is on the US Antiwar movement.

Empire Notes is online at www.empirenotes.org.

Georgia Cuts Immigrant Benefits

GUEST: Arnaldo Garcia, Enforcement Project Director, National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights

Immigration officials announced on Thursday April 27th that they had raided wood products plants in 26 states and taken 1,187 undocumented workers into custody. It set a record for workplace-enforcement arrests in a single day. Seven company managers were also charged with crimes that can carry long prison terms. The raids came a day after Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff warned of an intensified campaign to target employers whose businesses rely on large numbers of undocumented workers.

Meanwhile, the legislative attacks on immigrants continue. On Monday April 17th, Georgia’s Republican Governor Sonny Perdue signed into law, “The Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act.” The measure, which will take effect in July 2007, denies undocumented immigrants from receiving many state services. It will also require police to report undocumented immigrants convicted of crimes to immigration officials. The measure, seen by critics as punitive, was quickly condemned by the Mexican Government. Ruben Aguilar, spokesperson for Mexico’s President Vicente Fox, said recently that the measure was discriminatory against the Mexican population and those of Mexican decent. Aguilar also noted that diplomats will monitor its application very closely.

Black Commentator on Public Education in Omaha, Nebraska

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 about Public Education in Omaha, Nebraska

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

America’s Most Endangered Rivers

GUEST: Rebecca Wodders, President of American Rivers

American Rivers, a national non-profit conservation organization, has just released a new report entitled, “America’s Most Endangered Rivers of 2006.” The report suggests that, in terms of flood protection, there has been an over-reliance on engineering projects and that U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ approach to river management is outdated. California’s Pajaro River, cited by the study as the nation’s most endangered river, is a prime example of river mismanagement. Despite more than twenty-two miles of levees built to prevent flooding; Parajo River experienced severe flooding in 1995 and again in 1998. American Rivers suggests that the safety of riverside communities could be better ensured by working with nature. Two suggestions for better river management include restoring wetlands and allowing rivers to follow their natural course.

For more information, visit www.americanrivers.org.

Download the Report: America’s Most Endangered Rivers of 2006

Sonali’s Subversive Thought for the Day:

“The progress of rivers to the ocean is not so rapid as that of man to error.” — Voltaire.