Dixie Chicks main winners of Grammy awards

Posted on February 12, 2007 by petrel41

This music video from the USA is called Dixie Chicks – Not Ready To Make Nice.

From CBS in the USA:

The Dixie Chicks, who suffered a country backlash over lead singer Natalie Maines‘ criticism of President Bush in 2003, solidified their comeback with a sweep of all five categories for which they were nominated at the 49th Annual Grammy awards Sunday night in Los Angeles.

The country trio won record of the year, song of the year and best country song by a duo or group with vocal for “Not Ready To Make Nice,” and album of the year and best country album for “Taking the Long Road Home.”

“I think people are using their freedom of speech here at this awards. I’m very humbled.

I think people were using their voice the same way this loudmouth did,” Natalie Maines said through tears as she accepted the album of the year award. …

The Dixie Chicks were introduced by folk singer Joan Baez, who expressed her admiration for the outspoken group as she referred to her own role in protesting the Vietnam war, saying many times she was asked to “shut up and sing.”

Britain: Chagos islanders demonstrate for right to return to their homeland

Posted on February 12, 2007 by petrel41

Chagossian demonstrators From British daily News Line:

Monday, 12 February 2007

UNIONS BACK ISLANDERS’ STRUGGLE – hundreds march through Crawley

MORE than 400 Chagos Islanders and their supporters marched through Crawley town centre on Saturday, shouting: ‘We will return to Diego Garcia – it’s our right!’

Led by the banner of the Chagos Islanders Community Association, the march was joined by leading members of the GMB and Amicus trade unions, as well as members of the Young Socialists, as it made its way past the offices of West Sussex County Council and Crawley Town Hall, before going through the busy shopping centre.

The chants continued with: ‘Blair, Bush you should know, Chagos people are going home!’ and ‘Victory to the Chagos Islanders! Return them to their homes!’ – with islanders also shouting slogans in French.

Islanders carried placards saying: ‘We come from British Indian Ocean Territory – British government respect us’ and ‘Give our people their island – Diego Garcia’.

Diego Garcia was turned into a military base after having been ‘cleansed’ of its people; a base now for Bush’s wars.

Update: here.

Chagos islanders lose fight for rights (itv.com)
Britain faces UN tribunal over Chagos Islands marine reserve (guardian.co.uk)
Chagos Islanders Lose the European Court Battle but the Struggle Continues (fairobserver.com)
Convenient freedom: a tale of two islands (abc.net.au)

Britain: Blair government says racist murders no big deal

Posted on February 12, 2007 by petrel41

Ricky Reel

From London daily News Line:

Monday, 12 February 2007

RACIST KILLINGS ‘LOW IMPACT’ says Home Office

Family and friends of the victims of racist murders have reacted angrily to a leaked Home Office internal memo which describes the murders of black teenager Stephen Lawrence and young Asian Zahid Mubarek as ‘low impact’ events.

The mother of Ricky Reel, Sukhdev Reel, told News Line yesterday: ‘That they categorised these murders as “low impact” is disgraceful.

‘From the very start they knew these were racist attacks.

They should have been prioritised; they had a huge impact.

‘There should have been far more input into the deaths of these three kids, Stephen Lawrence, Zahid Mubarek and my son Ricky.

‘All I can say is high priority wasn’t given to Ricky’s death.

‘I’m still seeking answers from the Home Office, as to why Ricky’s death was not considered a higher risk, when they knew it was a racist attack.

‘Their priorities are wrong as far as I’m concerned.

They are only looking after ministers’ careers, not safeguarding the lives of our children.

‘The police are leaving me to find the evidence for the killing of my own son.’