Franklin Lopez sub.media has gone to Puerto Rico where he is from to help his family and the community clean up after Hurricane Maria
In Puerto Rico, a humanitarian catastrophe continues to unfold 12 day after Hurricane Maria struck the island. Over the weekend, the Pentagon said the percentage of Puerto Rico’s 3.5 million residents without access to clean drinking water rose to 55 percent. Only 5 percent of the island has electricity, while food and fuel remain scarce and about half of the island’s roads are impassable. Continue reading “Autonomous Action Radio Program.. ‘THIS IS NOT FAKE’..”
AS THE American people are forced yet again to reckon with the tragic aftermath of another mass shooting, there has been some relief as authorities have been able to unequivocally downgrade the incident from ‘terrorism’ to ‘oh wait, he’s white’.
“Oh boy, what a relief,” confirmed a leading Republican speaking to WWN, who asked for some time and space during such a colossal loss of life so as to allow him and his colleagues to figure out how to spin this against Muslims.
The news that the man who has killed at least 59 people and injured 500 cannot be categorised as having committed terrorism will come as a relief to America’s political class who have confessed to having no interest in losing campaign contributions from the NRA.
“The whole gun thing, thank God above this isn’t something American people actually have to worry about day in, day out, like we do with Syrian refugees or Mexicans,” added the Republican, pointing to a chart which shows ‘oh wait, he’s white’ as the least offensive and troublesome form of mass shooter America has to offer.
Some media outlets also expressed their relief as the ethnicity of the shooter was revealed.
“If this guy was a Muslim, heck if he was black, we’d have to hire 30 freelancers just to delve into his every move and background, but since the incident has been downgraded, we can get back to focusing why kneeling during the national anthem is killing this country,” explained one editor we spoke to.
A number of countries seeking to offer advice on how to avoid mass shootings after experiencing similar tragedies have been told to mind their own business.
“The answer is more guns,” leading lobbyists are expected to say behind closed doors in Washington in the coming days and weeks. However, a strong willed President Trump, who received $30 million for his election campaign from the NRA, is expected to put safer gun laws in place almost immediately.
The CGT anarchist union called the General Strike against repression and for Civil Rights, which has now been endorsed by the ‘Table for Democracy’ including all the major Trade Unions and civil Organisations.The ongoing traffic situation in Tarragona province was described as ‘chaotic’ at 10.00am#3Oct
The Independence Referendum has morphed into a mass rebellion against the neo-fascist central government of thugs and thieves, and is rapidly spreading out of Catalonia around the Spanish State.
Here we try to inform you of minute by minute events with some rough quick translations from the alternative media
General Strike against Repression and for Human Rights. Tuesday 3rd Oct 2017
to be updated ..translator went to the demo
21.00
The King’s Speech.. by his Magnificent Majesty Felipe
The new King came on the telly but instead of acting royal he praised the neo-fascist repression of the PP regime and accused the Catalans of all kinds of shit. Foolish Felipe missed his one opportunity to reunite Spain by ordering the occupying Spanish police thugs home, as his father might have done.
Instead he insulted and branded all Catalans as living in illegality by going against the Constitution. But of course the Spanish monarchy itself is totally illegal, having been APPOINTED BY A FASCIST DICTATOR who illegally destroyed the 2nd Spanish Republic and murdered hundreds of thousands.
From here the Royal Speech looks like another spectacular own goal.
Spanish police move towards the #3O demonstration without their official uniforms. Be aware! @EU_Commission#Catalunya
SUMMARY OF THE SITUATION AT THIS TIME
– Massive protests against the police action of 1-O.
– The PSOE (‘ex socialists’ asks to reproach Sáenz de Santamaría for the police violence.
-Though some big firms are trying o stay open there has been massive an unprecedented support for the strike in all sectors.#3O
-Solidarity demonstrations have been held across the Spanish State and some in Europe. But the EU and various States and Establishment media, including the BBC have come out against Catalonia.
-The main theme of people’s anger seems to have extended from demanding Independence to expelling imported brutal Spanish police and demanding civil and work rights.
– The demonstration is concentrated all the way from the Plaza Universitat and down Via Laietana, moving in the direction Parlament de Catalunya.Although there are also many huge concentrations at different points in Catalonia.
– Barcelona is also without public transport until 17:00 hours. The only 25% and onl till 20.00 Mobility is not guaranteed in the Catalan capital. Public transport in Tarragona and Girona has also been nearly paralysed by the numerous traffic blockades and mass picketing of motorways.Spanish National Police & Guardia Civil are now forces of occupation in Catalunya. #3Oct
– The PP says it will not now apply article 155, Direct Rule over Catlunya because of the lack of political support, but it already has done on a de facto basis..
14:49
The adhesion to the general stoppage by the Barcelona City Council has resulted in the suspension of all institutional acts and the convocation of political bodies, as well as the closure of equipment and services not essential to the functioning of the city. Thus, they have not opened the public civic centers, libraries, play centers, centers of old people, family spaces, equipment of the Institute Sports Barcelona (IBE), museums, theaters and centers of art of public ownership. demonstrators advised any strike breakers to close
80% of the more than 10,000 workers of the Barcelona City Council and their entities and companies are not working on Tuesday, after the council of the Catalan capital has joined the “national strike,” according to the institution. The same sources have indicated that at the moment they do not know how many of these workers have supported the general strike called by the General Confederation of Labor (CGT), the mayor Ada Colau decreed minimum services in the essential services that the City council of Barcelona.
14:34
At 13.10 consumption in the whole peninsular electrical system has been about 1,000 MW lower than last Tuesday, where economic activity was the usual, and not like today that is marked by the general strike called in Catalonia. This difference would be equivalent to stopping a nuclear power plant.
13:47
Click here to see the traffic in the Catalan capital. Not much traffic but heavy delays…Clica aquí 2:00 pm
Thousands of people have entered the Parc de la Ciutadella in Barcelona and are concentrated in front of the Parliament of Catalonia. The firefighters are in the front row and the Mossos d’Esquadra protect the building. Finally, Universities for the Republic and the Committees in Defense of the Referendum have summoned. Parliament of Catalonia / Víctor Yustres
13.25 h.
In Sabadell there is one of the most massive mobilizations that are remembered in the city, according to the local police, there are 25,000 people. The demonstration came out of the Macià Axis about an hour ago and will end before the City Hall. Posters of “I was in our home”, referring to the polling station where the concentrated people managed to push the National Police back. Mass mobilization in Sabadell / Emma Giné #3O
13.05 h.
The pickets manage to close several establishments of Mercadona: in Tarragona, Terrassa, Salt, Vic, some neighborhoods of Barcelona and Balaguer, with tractors, among others. The tractors have managed to close the Mercadona de Balaguer
12.52 h.
In Valls the accesses to the Industrial Estate have been cut at dawn. About 100 tractors from all of the Alt Camp have concentrated on the Cooperativa Agrícola de Valls to organize more actions during the rest of the day. In the morning, news pickets have closed the supermarkets Aldi, Lidl, Mercadona and Carrefour, while the small business have joined massively the Strike call. At 12 noon there was a crowded concentration on the square with the support of a tractor . /Elisenda Trilla
12:45
The multitudinous demonstration in the square of Universitat of Barcelona makes the zone impassable. Torrents of students come on foot from Diagonal and other city campuses. A few hundred adults have joined them along the way. They sing slogans against violence and police repression. In fact, the concentration overflows the square, fills the Gran Via beyond Roger de Llúria (towards Besòs)
12.40 h.
Dozens of tractors start to leave the Sucre de Vic car park towards the confluence between the C-17 with the C-25, the transverse area, at the height of Gurb. / Dolors Pena
Parlament de Catalunya / Víctor Yustres
13.25 h.
The Tractor Army ready to intervene/ Dolors Pena
12.30 Girona, a city of only 98,000
Mass picket Oct 3rd already at 11.00 am at Police HQ in Via Laietana, Barcelona
12.15
In the city of Tarragona, the first pickets began early in the morning, with cuts on the highway and main accesses to the city. The call for concentration has brought together thousands of people who have protested before the Subdelegation of the Spanish government. Finally, the march has followed and passed El Crte Ingles and a Mercadona, which had blinds down. Backing the strike is practically total except for some chains such as Mercadona.#3O
La rambla de Lluís Companys de Tarragona plena a vessar / Comitè en Defensa del Referèndum i l’Autodeterminació a Tarragona
Hundreds have occupied The High Speed Train Station in Girona and stopped the trains.. Centenars de persones ocupen l’estació de l’AVE a Girona i aconsegueixen aturar la circulació de trens
/ Carles Palacio
11.53
Festive atmosphere in Puigcerdà at the border with France, at the Guingueta d’Ix. Roads have been cut by the neighbors. @ 324cat
The biggest demonstration in 35 years , already in the streets of #SantCeloni #Vagageneral # 3OCT pic.twitter.com/8QzhodG1mu – Helena López Vallejo (@ Hlopezvallejo) October 3, 2017
11:49
The ports of Barcelona and Tarragona have paralyzed their activity, both maritime and land, as a consequence of the general strike. From the Port of Barcelona they have pointed out that only minimal services are provided for passage, since the installations have docked two cruisers, and also to handle specific goods, like perishable products.The same happens in the Port of Tarragona, where they are also providing minimum services only for passage, security controls and dangerous goods.The activity is expected to be paralyzed in both ports as a result of the strike, with the exception of the minimum services mentioned.
Some big industries like the SEAT plant in Martorell claim to be functioning with ‘complete normality’.
11:46
The CAPs Public Health Centers are closed by the general strike, except if it is a CUAP of Emergencies.Hospitals are opening just a few emergency rooms.It is not easy to reach either.
11.38
”Different mass pickets are beginning to complicate mobility in Barcelona. Numerous people invade the road in streets that are not yet closed to traffic. The main difficulties: Diagonal, between Gregorio Marañón and Pius XII cut in both directions. Comte d’Urgell, cut between Francesc Macià and London. Restrictions in Aragon and cuts in much of the center of the city (Plaza de la Universidad, Pelai, Plaza de Catalunya, Via Laietana). In the rest, for now, relative normality”. from El Periódico with thanks
11.30
The demo at Police HQ is hotting up. ..Concentracion delante Jefatura Policia Nacional en Via Laietana FOTO FERRAN SENDRA
11. 20 h.
Most shops in Lleida have joined the general strike. The ‘information’ pickets have gone to the Renfe rail station, the Mercadona supermarket and have now they cross the main street asking to close the few shops that are still open. At the same time, a silent concentration is taking place at Mariola’s adult school, one of the polling stations where a person was seriously injured during the police charges during the referendum day. Relatives of the injured person confirm that they “hit him in the back, testicles and arms.” They also claim, however, that “he would return without hesitation.” They thank the people who helped him, “because he would have died here.”#3Oct Concentration in front of Mariola / Joana Soto’s adult school
11:00 p.m. Half a thousand people are concentrated at the gates of the Ramon Llull school in Barcelona, the city’s electoral college that received one of the toughest police interventions during the referendum celebration. The neighbours cut off the Consell de Cent street in the shout of “we are people of peace”, “the streets will always be ours” and “Spanish, manipulative press”. The children of the educational center have wet their hands with colored paint to leave their prints on the road asphalt along with the motto “we are a worthy people.”
11:05
Practically all Catalan schools have closed their doors today after the students did not attend, following the call for a general strike supported by the Government, which yesterday authorized the schools to close if students did not show up for class.
10:37 Tues.3 oct
The main cultural institutions in Catalonia, from the National Theater of Catalonia (TNC), the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC), the business committee of the Liceu or the Ateneu Barcelonès have joined the general strike convened in rejection the violent acts of 1-O. The Sagrada Família temple and main tourist attraction of Barcelona, has closed its doors for the same reason, as has La Pedrera de Gaudí and the Barça Museum. It has also joined the Gremi de Llibreters de Catalunya, which “strongly condemns the unjustifiable repression of the police forces of the State and solidarity with the victims.”
people gather outside police station in Barcelona Verneda
10.18 h. Right now there are 57 main roads blocked including the main motorways of Catalunya. L’AP7, l’A2, la C17, la C32 and the NII
Un piquet tallant els dos sentits de la marxa de l’AP7 Sud
10:28
Most of the shops in the city center of Barcelona have dawned closed on Tuesday, following the call for a general strike .La Rambla kiosks, historic bakeries and shops that open every day of the year, have decided to lower their blinds, while some large chains have opened theircafes.Other chains like Desigual, Mango, El Corte Inglés (famous for its far right ownership and defiance of strikes) and Mercadona have decided to open.The chains Bon Preu and Grup Ametller Origin, Bon Área, Keisy and Sorli announced Monday that they would cease their activity.
09.50 h.
Demo called by the CNT outside HQ of the PP ruling party protected by Catalan cops with a cordon set up by the firemen. ”Some 2,000 people have concentrated this morning in front of the PP headquarters in Catalunya, whom they see as the “culprits” of the police action of 1-O.The mobilization has been called by the CNT in the framework of the ‘Stop the country’ on Tuesday under the motto ‘Guilty of labor reform, the militarization of the city and the misery of women workers.The spokesmen of the CNT have read a statement in which they have defended the strike as a rejection of “labor reforms and the continuing loss of rights for the working class added to the concern about the actions of the different repressive bodies of the State.” #3OA Tractor demo closed access to Girona Airport. Passengers continued on foot.
08:40
We update road traffic data: A total of 24 demonstrations cut off the circulation of several roads and highways in Catalonia early this morning, such as several sections of the AP-7 or C-32, and in some cases caused queues of 10 kilometers.
The main AP-7 north/south motorway is completely cut at Girona and 2 more points along with tha main AP2 at Molins de Rei, in both directions of circulation, as a group of neighbors have invaded it with their cars. The B-30 lateral motorway is also cut in Sant Cugat del Vallès, as are some stretches of the Eix Transversal, the C-32 motorway and the main N-340.
The traffic jams are occurring due to the protests of citizens who with their cars and tractors cut the tracks or make slow marches.
This is the case of the A-2, the motorway that goes to Lleida, the neighbors have made a stop with their cars at the height of El Bruc and they are in slow march towards Igualada with the purpose of collapsing the freeway.
THIS IS WHAT THE SPANISH POLICE ARE DOING AGAINST PEACEFUL CATALAN PROTESTERS THAT WANT TO VOTE #CatalanReferendum
Julian Assange The images Madrid feared start to emerge from its assault on Catalonia’s polling stations; Voters chant “I will vote!” (“votarem”) #CatalanReferendum
Franco’s military police let loose on peaceful voters in Barcelona
Voting continues peacefully in the vast majority of polling stations where the police have not yet arrived due to the massive turnout. Where they have shown up extreme violence has been used against passive resistance and banned plastic bullets have been fired
Over 1130 polling stations were already occupied at 6.00am (not 163 as reported by the BBC)Escola Univers de Gràcia amb centenars de persones. Foto: Martí Urgell
80 vanloads of Franco’s paramilitary Guardia Civil emerged from their HQ in the docks and charged against a total of 93 polling stations…
THIS IS WHAT THE SPANISH POLICE ARE DOING AGAINST PEACEFUL CATALAN PROTESTERS THAT WANT TO VOTE #CatalanReferendum
FINAL RESULT valid votes> 90% YES for a Republic with 2.020.144 votes. 45.586 voted NO with 20.129 voting blank 400 of the 2315 voting stations were closed, 93 of them by the Spanish police. General Strike Tuesday. 844 casualties. Independence to be Declaredlate news: Early results predict at least 80% want Independence which will be declared unilaterally as promised. At least 2 million may have voted despite everything. General Strike called for Tues.
late news: A platform which includes the majority ‘socialist’ UGT and ‘communist’ CCOO trade unions plus the ANC and Omnium have now backed the General Strike Tuesday 3rd, called by the anarchist CGT. see also: Anarchists call for general Strike
Julian Assange The images Madrid feared emerged from its assault on Catalonia’s polling stations; Voters chant “I will vote!” (“votarem”)#CatalanReferendum
Franco’s military police let loose on peaceful voters in Barcelona
Voting continues peacefully in the vast majority of polling stations where the police have not yet arrived due to the massive turnout. Where they have shown up extreme violence has been used against passive resistance and banned plastic bullets have been fired
Over 1130 polling stations were already occupied at 6.00am (not 163 as reported by the BBC)Escola Univers de Gràcia amb centenars de persones. Foto: Martí Urgell
80 vanloads of Franco’s paramilitary Guardia Civil emerged from their HQ in the docks and charged against a total of 93 polling stations by 5.00pm according to their own figures,( but there are 2315 stations ) ´.
The Spanish police had injured over 350 people by 2pm, including small children and old folks. But voting was going ahead normally in over 1000 other stations. BY 8-00PM WHEN THE POLLS CLOSED THE FIGURE HAD RISEN TO 761 INJURED, 12 OF THEM POLICE.. *Dept of Health.
A man is being operated on for a plastic bullet in the eye, though they are legally banned in Catalonia.
Another appeared dead but was successfully reanimated. A woman volunteer had her fingers broken on her left hand, one by one, and her clothes torn open. etc. etc.
A fascist march is continuing around Barcelona, attacking people and destroying equipment, escorted by Franco’s Guardia Civil military police..
Barca football club cancelled their match against Las Palmas but the League refused so it was played behind closed doors. They won 3-0.
In some cases the riot police were successfully resisted and in others the ballot boxes could nor be found during the police raids. see video
The Spanish leaders have made statements praising the police actions and the Spanish media is showing a highly censored version of events.
The Spanish Guardia Civil are unreformed from the Franco Dictatorship and the disgraceful PP govt has survived multiple scandals in the last 5 years getting support by the fascist tactic of whipping up anti Catalan hysteria. Many Spanish now believe Catalans need to be severely repressed.
EARLIER
Thousands of people had gathered in the rain from 5.00 am to protect the referendum schools.
Voting boxes and papers were smuggled in without problems.
It has been announced that when polling stations are closed down you can now vote in any other, checking your ID number.
A last survey endorsed by Julian Assange predicted an 83% vote of Yes for independence.
Police have invaded and occupied the Catalan Government communications center where counting of votes might take place.
The Madrid state has ordered police forces to take over and cordon off the stations from Saturday.. But the Catalan police who should act first are obeying the orders of their director Trapero, who has avoided jail by agreeing to the Madrid orders but forbidding use of physical force by his Catalan police..
Not entirely peaceful. 4 young people were ‘lightly injured’ by shotgun pellets. When ‘ultras’ opened fire on an occupied school polling station in the town of Manlleu.
When the Madrid order was formalised legally a clause was added that ‘activities in the colleges could continue until the Referendum , until 6.00 am Sunday’. This was the clue, allowing the Catalan police to not evict the polling stations now occupied en masse with marathon 48 hour social activities of every description.
Schools are already being occupied and organizing a host of autumn activities to fill the centers where the polling stations are located by day and night.
20.00 Five schools have now been blockaded by the police. In one of them Collaso i Gil in the Barcelona Raval barrio 20 students evaded the police cordon and are camping in the yard. twitter here..@btvnoticiespic.twitter.com/90vHapT0HU
C-32 motorway and the main N-340. 
The Free 