Gorilla Radio with Chris Cook, Todd Miller, Chief Beau Dick, Kevin Neish, Janine Bandcroft Feb 11, 2013

This Week on GR

by C. L. Cook

'Fortress America,' the name dreamt up in the wake of 9/11 to reassure a nervous public, is more than a catchy PR slogan; it represents a sea change in the way the United States regards its place in the World. The manifestation of this shift is evidenced first by the militarization of police functions, and the reinforcement at its borders by both men and steel. 

Great barriers have long been in place along much of the States' southern perimeter, but now the circling of wagons includes too bulwarks against intrusion from the vast stretch marking the northern reaches of the country.

Listen. Hear.

Once proudly referred to as "the longest undefended border in the World," the Canada/U.S. border now bristles with newly fortified surveillance towers, manned by newly recruited Homeland security paramilitary troops, while thousands of ground sensors monitor areas between posts, and tireless aerial drones patrol overhead.

But that is just the beginning of the changes to the "point(s) of pride" that once marked the demarcation between the famously friendly great nations of North America.  

Todd Miller has researched and written about U.S.-Mexican border issues for more than 10 years. He has worked on both sides of the border for BorderLinks in Tucson, Arizona, and Witness for Peace in Oaxaca, Mexico. He writes on border and immigration issues for the North America Congress on Latin America at its NACLA Report on the Americas at their blog, 'Border Wars,' and elsewhere. His first book, 'Border Patrol Nation' is currently in process and will be published by City Lights Books. In his article, 'Living in a Constitution-Free Zone: Drones, Surveillance Towers, Malls of the Spy State, and the National Security Police on the Northern Border' Miller looks at that other border.

Todd Miller in the first segment.

And; yesterday, Sunday February 10th, 2013 Hereditary Chief Beau Dick of the Kwakwaka'wakw nation completed the journey by foot from Alert Bay, near the top of Vancouver Island, to Victoria and the seat of the provincial power at the BC Legislature. Chief Dick led the 250 kilometre trek of family and supporters to emphasize opposition to the federal government's recent Bill C-45 that effectively erases environmental protections for massive energy extraction, and allows transportation through First Nations' lands without constitutionally mandated consultations. The long march was joined by the Salmon are Sacred coalition and was inspired in part by the First People's Idle No More movement.

From the Ledge with a long march ended in the second half.

And; long-time Victoria activist and rights defender Kevin Neish has arrived in Gaza. Kevin is there to participate as an international observer in some of the most often IDF-targeted areas of Gaza; farmer's fields and the narrowly proscribed Palestinian fishing grounds. Communication can be dodgy, but all going well, we'll hear from Kevin in the second half.

And; Victoria Street Newz publisher and CFUV Radio broadcaster, Janine Bandcroft will be here at the bottom of the hour to bring us newz from the city's streets and beyond. But first, Todd Miller and Living in a Constitution-Free Zone: Drones, Surveillance Towers, Malls of the Spy State, and the National Security Police on the Northern Border.

Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, airing live every Monday, 5-6pm Pacific Time. In Victoria at 101.9FM, and on the internet at: http://cfuv.uvic.ca.  He also serves as a contributing editor to the web news site, http://www.pacificfreepress.com. Check out the GR blog at: http://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.ca/

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