----- Original Message -----
From: karen banks <karenb@gn.apc.org>
To: <plenary@wsis-cs.org>; <governance@lists.cpsr.org>
Cc: <apc.council@lists.apc.org>; <edri-members@mailman.edri.org>;
<apcteam@lists.apc.org>
Sent: Wednesday, October 13, 2004 7:36 PM
Subject: [APC.council] ACTION ALERT: Urgent Action In Support of Indymedia
> Dear all,
>
> IMC statement below.. please distribute widely..
>
> ** is anyone able to offer translation? IMC don't have the capacity - if
> so, please write me at karenb@gn.apc.org **
>
> karen
> -----
>
> ACTION ALERT: Urgent Action In Support of Indymedia
>
> "An unacceptable attack on press freedom, free speech and privacy."
>
> On 7 October 2004 two Indymedia Web Servers were seized from the US-owned
> web hosting company Rackspace operating in London (UK), at the request of
> the US Justice Department, which apparently acted at the prompting of
> Italian and Swiss authorities.
>
> Indymedia is an global alternative media network that provides challenging
> and independent reporting, particularly of political and social justice
> issues, with a newswire where any member of the public can publish their
> own reports and articles.
>
> The seizure of the servers in London shut down around 20 different
> Indymedia websites including Ambazonia, Uruguay, Andorra, Poland, Western
> Massachusetts, Nice, Nantes, Lilles, Marseille, Euskal Herria (Basque
> Country), Liege, East and West Vlaanderen, Antwerpen (all Belgium),
> Belgrade, Portugal, Prague, Galiza, Italy, Brazil, UK, and parts of
Germany
> Indymedia. Many are still offline, those few that have returned have
> suffered data loss.
>
> The particular legal framework under which the seizures took place is
> unknown. Five Days after the seizures there is still an almost total
> information blackout from the authorities in the UK, US, Switzeland and
> Italy. Indymedia still has no confirmation of who ordered the seizures,
who
> took the servers in London, why the seizures took place, where the servers
> are now located, and whether they will be returned.
>
> We are concerned over the growing use of international co-operation
> frameworks by Governments and Law enforcement agencies which can be used
to
> obscure clear legal process, and call for openness and clarity in
> international co-operation, to ensure due process and that civil liberties
> are protected.
>
> Statements of support for Indymedia and condemnation of the shutting down
> of over 20 Media outlets have been recieved from The Electronic Frontier
> Foundation, The International Federation of Journalists, the National
Union
> of Journalists, Reporters Without Borders, World Association of Community
> Radio Broadcasters and many other organisations.
>
> Indymedia UK condemns the seizure of the servers as an unacceptable and
> unprecedented attack on press freedom, free speech and privacy and asks
for
> urgent solidarity action in demanding:
>
>
> RECOMMENDED ACTION:
>
> Please write to the British Home Secretary and the US Attorney General:
>
> 1. Expressing grave concern at the action taken against Indymedia.
>
> 2. Demanding the immediate return of the servers to Indymedia with all
data
> intact.
>
> 3. Requesting a full investigation into the circumstances and legality of
> the action taken to seize the Indymedia servers and to close Indymedia
> websites, with the disclosure of the names of the organisations and
> individuals involved in the seizure.
>
>
> APPEALS TO:
>
> Rt Hon David Blunkett MP
> Home Secretary
> The Home Office
> London - UK
> Email: public.enquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
>
> John Ashcroft
> Attorney General
> US Department of Justice
> Washington - USA
> Email: askdoj@usdoj.gov
>
> Please send copies of letters to: imc-uk-contact@lists.indymedia.org
>
> Organisations and individuals are also encouraged to issue their own
> statements in support of Indymedia and against the seizure of the servers.
> Please send copies to: imc-uk-contact@lists.indymedia.org
>
> Additionaly organisations and indivduals can add their statements of
> support here:
> http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2004/10/298931.html
>
> For background on the Server Seizures see:
> http://indymedia.org/en/static/fbi
> http://www.indymedia.org
> http://www.indymedia.org.uk
>
>
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