This weekend Students for a Democratic Society is hosting a number of workshops that activists and journalists might find very useful. These are all one-time events as the main presenter is moving soon. All the workshops are free and open to the public. If you're coming to one of the tech workshops, bring a laptop! If you have any questions, contact olympiasds{at}riseup.net

Computer Security Workshop Series
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/167814623347679
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Basic Computer and Communications Security

Learn how to browse the web anonymously, send encrypted instant messages, and send anonymous email! We will also cover (depending on time) installing anti-virus and firewall software.

When: Saturday May 26th, 2012 10AM-12PM
Where: Room B1105, Seminar II Building, Evergreen State College, 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW, Olympia, WA 98505

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Disk and Email Encryption

Learn what encryption is, how it works, and what it can protect you from. Learn how to encrypt files/folders, flash drives, emails, and even your entire hard disk!

When: Saturday May 26th, 2012 3-5PM
Where: Room B1105, Seminar II Building, Evergreen State College, 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW, Olympia, WA 98505

How Anonymous Does it: Taking Down Websites with DDoS Attacks
In this workshop, participants will learn about the history of DDoS attacks and how they work. They will also learn how to use and package several popular software tools used in DDoS attacks including the Low Orbit Ion Cannon (famously used in attacks by Anonymous to defend Wikileaks) and the Greek ECD Tool. Participants will participate in a live attack on our systems to hone their website takedown skills.

This workshop is designed for people who are not technically inclined. If you can browse the web, are into learning new things and are willing to go a little outside of your comfort zone, you have the skills necessary to learn everything that will be presented at the workshop. We understand that some things in this workshop may be challenging for people who have never done anything on their computers outside of checking their email and have designed this workshop with this in mind.

When: Sunday May 27th, 2012 1-3PM
Where: Room B1105, Seminar II Building, Evergreen State College, 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW, Olympia, WA 98505
Facebook Event: http://www.facebook.com/events/259241760840181/

Accessing Public Records: How to Get Mad Paper from The Government

Are you interested in obtaining records from the city, the police, the county, or state agencies including state schools?

Do you want to know how you (or anybody else) can get records from these agencies at minimal cost or for free?

Whether you want to beef up your research skills, start a copwatch program, or find evidence to support your wrongful firing claim, this is a workshop you can't miss. This workshop is led by somebody who has years of experience making public records requests to local, state, and federal agencies. The records they have received are numbered in the tens of thousands.

This workshop will give you all the knowledge you need to start making public records requests. All participants will receive digital copies of the presentation including a number of records that you may find useful in making your requests. This workshop will cover the Washington State Public Records Act and the Washington State Open Meetings Act. We will also briefly discuss obtaining records from federal agencies under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act. It's worth noting that now-famous military spy John Towery was discovered through the course of a public records request (http://www.johntowery.com).


When: Saturday May 26th, 2012 1-2PM
Where: Room B1105, Seminar II Building, Evergreen State College, 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW, Olympia, WA 98505
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/272340882862081/