508 is a show about Worcester. This week, we walk around downtown Worcester talking about the wayfinding project [pdf], the legal uses of the City Seal, and changes to the Common.
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Author: Mike
508 #245: NewsBitz
508 is a show about Worcester. This week, we talk about what we need to research before discussing the T&G resale, the push for a strong mayor, state political races, panhandling, local drones, SWIP, marijuana, veg food, and maker spaces. We forgot to talk about West Tatnuck.
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Obama’s motorcade, 2009 and 2014
President Obama is in Worcester this afternoon to give a commencement speech at Worcester Technical High School.
His motorcade zoomed down Pleasant and Highland Streets on its way downtown. Lots of folks were out to watch. It was nice, like a little parade.
I was with some friends, holding a “Close Guantanamo” sign. Funnily enough, I saw this motorcade a few times in 2009 in DC just before Obama’s first inauguration, always while I was with friends holding “Close Guantanamo” signs. Everything changes, some things more slowly than others.
2009
2014
Speaking of holding signs along the route: Glorious Hippies From Amherst Showed Up To Protest Obama For Being An Anti-Weed Fascist At Worcester Tech Graduation
Also: Victor: Thoughts on Being Across the Street While My Colleagues are Covering President Obama
Items: Worcester activist updates
#ResetTheNet
Today’s the anniversary of Edward Snowden’s first NSA revelations. Worcester’s own Tiffiniy Cheng and Holmes Wilson were in NYC today speaking at the Personal Democracy Forum, not long before Snowden himself took the stage via Skype.
Cheng & Wilson are co-founders of the digital civil liberties group Fight for the Future. FFTF today launched the “Reset The Net” campaign, aimed at resisting mass government surveillance by spreading more secure technology. Reset The Net participants include Reddit, Google, Mozilla, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and this blog.
More on the Chris Horton arrest
Worcester Magazine has a long article about anti-forclosure activist Chris Horton getting arrested at a Worcester Anti-Foreclosure Team demonstration, for blocking the entrance to a foreclosed building.
According to a police spokesperson, Horton was charged with trespassing, resisting arrest, disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct, interfering with a police investigation and intimidation of a witness.
[…]
The attempt to evict the Flores family last month marked the first time [activist Grace Ross] could recall things getting out of hand during an eviction protest. She and others on the scene say the constable and movers dumped items out onto the floor that had been packed in boxes and smashed some of Flores family’s belongings. The family ended up being able to stay in the apartment Thursday night because [WAFT’s Jon] Marien says he was able to obtain a temporary stay of eviction, and at a court appearance on Friday, he says [residents] Jose and Dinora Flores were given a two-month stay.
Horton also appeared in court and was given another court date of July 23.
This might be the first time someone was arrested in Worcester as part of a political action since Occupy Worcester three years ago.
508 #244: Between Two Dumbcanes
508 is a show about Worcester. This week, Mike and Brendan talk with Mauro DePasquale, Executive Director of WCCA TV13, Worcester’s cable access station (and the home of the 508 show). Mauro had just finished interviewing some guests for his own show, Soapbox, so we taped 508 on the Soapbox set.
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508 #243: Airspray
508 is a show about Worcester. This week, we talk to Heather Mangione, Ryan Taylor Williams, and Ashley Emerson Gilbert about their series of events for the queer and open-minded, Airspray.
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508 #242: WCUW
508 is a show about Worcester. This week, we talk with Nicole Belanger about WCUW, Worcester’s community radio station.
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508 #241: Stone Soup
508 is a show about Worcester. This week, we hang out at the grand reopening of Stone Soup, an artist/activist community center. And we talk to a few of the people involved.
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508 #240: Think Tank
508 is a show about Worcester. This week’s guests are Lauren Monroe and Adam Zelny of the Think Tank, an alternative education center.
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Lent approaches
This year, it is back to basics. I am keeping things simple for Lent.
- Fasting: Facebook still seems like the perfect thing to “give up.” As a vegan, I’ll be skipping an extra meal on Fridays rather than fasting from meat.
- Prayer: Give Us This Day is still my go-to prayer book. Susan Stabile has a good roundup of other resources.
- Almsgiving: MINE OWN BEESWAX again this year.
I hope everyone reading this has a powerful Lenten season. If you’re curious about Lent but not religious, I’ll point you to Jacob’s essay on the topic.