Listen to this week's half-hour program of Between The Lines or any of the individual interview segments below (All in RealAudio, needs RealPlayer 7 or RealPlayer G2).
The decades-old movement to stop the U.S. military from using the island for training gained active popular support after stray bombs killed David Sanes Rodriquez, a civilian security guard, during training in April 1999. Those demanding the immediate closure of the bombing range claim that the exercises have harmed their health, stunted tourism, jeopardized endangered species, and destroyed fishing grounds, coral reefs and mangroves.
Roberto Rabin, a spokesperson with the Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques, discusses the U.S. Navy's resumption of bombing on the island and the continuing campaign to permanently close down the military training range.
Contact the Committee by calling (787) 741-0716 or visit their Web site at: www.viequeslibre.org.
But the National Association of Broadcasters or NAB, a well-healed industry lobby group, had other plans. The NAB crafted legislation to effectively kill the FCC's low power radio initiative. Their bill won passage in the House of Representatives on April 13th, and will soon be taken up by the U.S. Senate. The NAB and their allies, including National Public Radio, assert that adding more stations to the FM band will interfere with the signals of existing stations, a fact disputed by the FCC and low power advocates.
Jennifer Toomey, a musician with the Low Power Radio Coalition, explains why she is fighting to preserve a Federal Communications Commission decision to create a new class of low power FM radio stations.
Contact the Coalition by calling (877) 468-8884 or visit their Web site at: www.lowpowerradio.org
Many of the same groups that came together in Seattle to oppose the policies of the World Trade Organization, and to Washington D.C. in April to demonstrate against the IMF and World Bank, are taking part in actions targeting the Republican gathering in Philadelphia and the Democrats' August convention in Los Angeles. This new coalition, which many observers believe forms the core of an emerging global movement for social and economic justice, are planning both legal activities and non-violent civil disobedience actions at both party conventions.
Michael Morrill, lead organizer with Unity 2000, recounts the difficulties encountered in gaining the legal right to march against the Republicans, and explains the overall goals of the demonstration.
Get more information about the July 29-30 GOP Convention demonstration in Philadelphia by calling (610) 478-7888 or visit their Web site at: www.unity2000.com