PATOR – The Minmatar People’s Theatre’s main stage was bombed this morning, only a few short hours after the opening night of controversial play ‘Plantation.’ The theatre was empty and there were no injuries.

A group calling themselves Free Our Families has claimed responsibility with a statement issued to press. “The Amarrian slave holders in this play are cast as thinly disguised caricatures of Shakor and the other tribal chiefs. This goes beyond racism. If the MPT will not shut down this parliament-funded propaganda, we will shut it down for them.”

A tearful Jaken Lagos, the show’s director, said “We weren’t trying to make a political statement about slavery or Shakor or anything else. We were just trying to make beautiful art.” The play’s sets, costumes and props were destroyed in the blast. The MPT has said it will not restage ‘Plantation.’

PATOR – Social activists opposed to the newest production of controversial 600-year-old play ‘Plantation’ at the Minmatar People’s Theatre on Pator launched a highly visible complaint last night. About an hour before the curtain went up on the preview, the protestors appeared at the front entrance. As a result, the performance started slightly behind schedule.

The protest remained peaceful until the curtain closed. As the crowd exited the theatre, the protest shifted gears and became violent. The minimal police force present was briefly overwhelmed, but quickly regained control of the crowd. “This production is not racist, it’s traitorous,” exclaimed one protester as he was arrested.

Wentach Mennar, an ex-member of parliament for the Representative Party, said “It was a good show. An important show. We have been without a parliament for over a year and it is good that someone is asking these questions. People are becoming impatient.”

HARNER – A cross-agency Gallente law enforcement task force conducted an early-morning raid on a small, unlicensed and unregistered pharmaceutical company following a week-long sting operation. Acting on information received from an informant, agents posed as mining colony directors attempting to purchase the so-called ‘Liberty’ pill.

Once put in touch with company head Pierre Allendreau, authorities quickly moved to shut down the manufacturer. On-site they found over five million ‘Liberty’ pills, after which they swiftly arrested Allendreau, charging him with over 50 infractions. Six other employees were arrested and then released without charges. Officials say they have not ruled out the possibility of criminal charges being laid on employees and middle men, as well as prospective buyers.

WERAROIX – A routine ore hauler customs check yesterday uncovered a cargo that officials are still at a loss to explain. The ship was carrying supplies to be traded at Yvaeroure, where they were to make their next pick up. Among those supplies was a container of individually wrapped pills, unidentified except for the word ‘Liberty’ etched into each one.

Upon analysis of the pills it was discovered that each one contained a small cluster of nanobots, the function of which is still unknown. The crew was held for questioning, but none of them, nor anyone on the colony in Yvaeroure, has claimed any knowledge of how the cargo came to be on the ship, or what the pills’ purpose is.

Ryddinjorn – Ethnic violence broke out today in the normally quiet town of Hrangsdor, as the predominantly Brutor community reacted to the presence of resettled Thukker members of the Fuldis caravan.

Formerly nomadic, nearly half of the members of the Fuldis caravan opted to form a permanent settlement last fall, choosing Ryddinjorn as their new home. Since that time, the lukewarm welcome has turned to outright suspicion, culminating in today’s outbreak of widespread vandalism and protests.

Many residents are suspicious of the Thukkers’ motives for settling down. “Everyone knows that the Thukker will adopt anyone,” said Amadou Zoreya, a local Brutor man. “They come here, fill our kids’ heads full of wild stories about deep space, and lure them into their caravans. It’s not right.”

These Thukker maintain that their nomadic days are behind them, however. “We just want to fit in,” said Emmen Ulffsson, one of the resettled Thukker. “We want to live our lives and prosper just like everyone else.”

But the cultural divisions go deeper. During the Amarr occupation, the pragmatic Thukker viewed mobility as the best defense against enslavement. But to proud Brutor tribesmen, this same mobility was viewed as tantamount to cowardice. Raelan Kahoku, a Hrangsdor Brutor elder said simply, “I would rather die fighting than flee into space,” and it seems this sentiment is widely shared.

Authorities have brought the situation in Hrangsdor under control, but the violence has left many Thukker once again contemplating relocation. Lamented Ulffsson, “Maybe our nomadic days aren’t quite over yet.”