From http://www.witness.org
| WITNESS uses video to open the eyes of the world to human rights violations.

This video is part of a five-part "How to Film Protests" series, which incorporates the best practices WITNESS has developed with over 300 partners in 80 countries who are using video for human rights documentation and to create lasting change.

above:  Student & Teacher rejoice at the empowerment of SafeHouse. 
The signs say Thank You Paulette Giguere, OSBG Loves You, and ...heart Archy

Just over 5 years ago I sat where I now sit, at Mojo's in the French Quarter, gazing deeply into the screen of my newly donated computer "SafeHouse".  I would oftren come to Mojo's to get away from the voluteer camps so I could work online undisturbed.  At the time there were very few places open, even fewer with food;  Mojo's became my SafeHouse from post Katrina hardship.  When I arrived in New Orleans shortly after Hurricane Katrina I began shooting footage immediatly but lacked a computer that was capable of editing video.  My hero Paulette Giguere recognized a need and donated my first Mac to the cause of supporting the New Olreans Anarchist emergency response efforts and allowed me the tools necessary to cover this important period in our history.

4 long hard road years later SafeHouse was just not keeping up with my media demands and I upgraded.  I've been carrying SafeHouse around for about a year, loaning it out to varioous events and causes.  Today SafeHouse found it's new home and casue, also here in New Orleans.  Our School at Blair Grocery is an alternative school and urban farm in the lower 9th ward .  At OSBG they are teaching at risk lower 9th ward youth not only the answers to the tests they'll need to take to graduate but more importantly they are teaching the youth to think and giving them the skills to feed themselves and orgainze within their neighborhood to thrive against the challenges present here.  The gangs, unemployment, violence and police state that threatens at time to take over these blighted blank slabs and falling down 'hoods are an easy trap for youth with  few alternatives.  OSBG gives these alternatives and is creating the space for these youth to grow healthy in mind and body by employing them in the gardens and empowering them to be the next generation of leaders.

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This is the summer 2010 update from the Our School at Blair Grocery Project.

This alternative school project in the lower 9th ward New Orleans has grown exponentially with the help of volunteers from New York 2 New Orleans & The Youth Coalition for Community Action.

http://www.ourschoolatblairgrocery.org

Our School at Blair Grocery is a finalist in the FRESH 1% Grant competetion.
The winner of the grant will be selected based on
which organization has the most votes at
the end of the voting period:
September 24th - this Friday.

PLEASE VOTE BEFORE
FRIDAY and SHARE
with as many people as you can. It only takes a second.

http://www.freshthemovie.com/call-to-action/votenowfreshgrant/

THEY WON!

On November 20th, 2009 students occupied Wheeler Hall at the University of California, Berkeley campus. They locked themselves into the second floor of the building and called for an end to the continued fee increases, the re-hiring of laid-off workers, and other demands stemming from the University's ongoing assault on the very nature of a public education.

Before long hundreds and then thousands of supporters had gathered outside the building to support the occupiers, forming picket lines and challenging the police at every opportunity. All exits to Wheeler Hall were blockaded by supporters to prevent the occupiers from being arrested, while inside the police hammered the barricaded doors and threatened the students with arrests, beatings, and felonies.

However, after twelve hours of occupation it had become clear that the University had to back down. If the UC police had attempted to drag the student activists out of the building a riot surely would have ensued, and the police were forced to allow the occupiers to walk out into the cheering crowd after only being cited with misdemeanors.

While their specific demands were not met,
students are hailing this as a major victory, the first round in a new movement for free education and in opposition to the government's policies of forced austerity and privatization.