Headlines for 14 April 2010

Austin, TX to regulate "crisis pregnancy centres"

The Feminist Majority Foundation is reporting that on April 8, Austin, Texas became the second American city to enact a "truth in advertising" law to regulate crisis pregnancy centers. 

The ordinance passed by the city council will force the centers to

prominently display, at the entrance of the Center, two black and white signs, one in English and one in Spanish, that state as follows: 'This center does not provide abortion or refer to abortion providers. This center does not provide or refer to providers of US Food and Drug Administration approved birth control drugs and medical devices.'"

In the United States there are currently an estimated 3,500 crisis pregnancy centers, which pose as legitimate health centers and offer "free" pregnancy tests. Some centers coerce and intimidate women out of considering abortion as an option, and prevent women from receiving neutral and comprehensive medical advice. These clinics are typically run by anti-abortion volunteers who are not licensed medical professionals.

Commission investigating Afghan detainee issue

The civilian-run Military Police Complaints Commission is holding hearings based on complaints filed in 2007 and 2008 by Amnesty International Canada and the B.C. Civil Liberties Association.

Amnesty and the BCCLA are alleging that Canadian military police didn't properly investigate officers responsible for directing detainee transfers. Transferring prisoners between countries while knowing they likely face torture is considered a war crime.

The CBC reports that on Tuesday, senior diplomat Richard Colvin testified that he heard allegations of prisoner abuse within a month of his arrival in Afghanistan.

Last November Colvin made headlines when he told a Commons committee that all detainees transferred to Afghan prisons were likely tortured by Afghan officials. He has alleged Canadian government and military officials were well aware of the problem.

On Tuesday, he reiterated his previous statement that he heard credible accusations of the mistreatment of prisoners, but Canadian reluctance to report transfers thwarted the Red Cross's attempts to follow up on the detainees' conditions.

Portland, OR anarchists attack police station

A communique posted to Anarchist News on Monday, April 12 reports that anarchists in Portland, Oregon smashed a community corrections centre.

Over the past month, people in Portland have been organizing demonstrations against police violence, some of which have included property destruction as a tactic, in response to a man being shot to death by police on March 23.

15,000 protest provincial budget in Montreal

On April 1, 15,000 people assembled in the business district in Montreal at the call of more than 95 unions, popular, feminist and student groups.

Of particular concern to organizers and marchers was the announcement that "user-fees" for healthcare would be introduced in Quebec. Increases are proposed for tuiton and hydro-electricity rates.

Marchers denounced the budget and the provincial government for benefiting the rich, while requiring poor and working class people to take on increased costs.

29 West Virginia coal miners killed in explosion

In the worst U.S. coal mining disaster since 1970, 29 West Virginia coal miners were killed in an explosion last week.

The CBC reports that the mine's owner, Richmond, Va.-based Massey Energy Co., has been under scrutiny for a string of safety violations at the mine, though CEO Don Blankenship has defended the company's record and disputed accusations that he puts profits ahead of safety.

Authorities say high methane levels may have played a role in the disaster. Massey Energy Co. has been repeatedly cited and fined for problems with the system that vents methane and for allowing combustible dust to build up.

Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell restored $750,000 US in funding for mine safety inspections in Virginia after the tragedy.