One Nation Working Together Coalition
DEMAND THE CHANGE WE VOTED FOR
WE BELIEVE everyone deserves the opportunity to achieve the American Dream — a secure job, a safe home, and a quality education. ONE NATION seeks to transcend our superficial differences and bring us together in a common quest for equal opportunity and justice for all.
March with us in Washington, DC on 10-2-10 to create millions of good jobs, repair our immigration system, and reform Wall Street! Your voice is essential to demanding the change we voted for.
Sign up & get more info at http://onenationworkingtogether.org
The leadership for this coalition comes from 1199, the New York based hospital workers union, and the national NAACP. Other unions, including the AFL-CIO and SEIU are already involved. A growing list of community organizations is on board.
Showing posts with label Washington DC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Washington DC. Show all posts
Historic rally calls for immigrant rights
By Teresa Gutierrez, Workers World, March 24, 2010
Washington, D.C. - On March 21 a multitude of immigrants and their supporters amassed in the largest demonstration for immigrant rights in Washington, D.C., in decades, if not ever.
There were at least 200,000 people at the biggest immigrant-rights rally in this country since 2006. The crowd was overwhelmingly Latino/a, but pockets of Koreans, Filipinos, Africans and Muslim immigrants and families were also there in proud attendance.
People traveled from as far away as Colorado, Texas and California. Homemade signs called on President Barack Obama to keep his promises for immigration reform and urged the government to stop dividing families.
The intentions of the main organizers of this historic demonstration for immigrant rights may have been complex and varied. But the world should make no mistake about it: Every single person who came to the demonstration was there to demand legalization.
Furthermore, they were confident that immigrants have earned legalization over and over — and are not asking but are demanding it.
It was reported that the huge size of the crowd was in large part due to the money that poured in from unions tied to the Democratic Party as well as from the Democratic Party itself. In fact one of the rally speakers was a representative of MoveOn.org.
Nonetheless, it was an encouraging day that especially made Latinos/as proud as the crowd over and over again chanted, “Si se puede!” (Yes, we can!)
When it was announced that President Obama would be addressing the rally, the crowd roared in approval.
Obama’s intervention indeed made it one of the most interesting developments in this country since his election. In fact, this writer has never been to a progressive protest rally where a U.S. president has spoken.
While immigrants and their advocates may be buoyed by the huge turnout, it was also a day of concern and apprehension for anyone who is looking deeper into this issue.
Unfortunately, most of the speakers at the rally, including President Obama, repeated the demand for “comprehensive immigration reform.” This formulation has regrettably become a cover for a policy that is fraught with danger.
Obama endorsed the reform bill being proposed by Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer of New York and Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.
Although the most progressive wing of the immigrant-rights movement has not made a full analysis of the Schumer bill since it was just recently introduced, preliminary assessments are that it may be like the thoroughly reactionary Sensenbrenner bill called by another name.
For example it calls for a biometric ID system for all U.S. workers. This will be ominous for the entire working class and it may push the undocumented further underground.
In the next few weeks, the most progressive wing of the movement will be addressing these bills. It will be figuring out the next steps of the movement in light of the historic March 21 demonstration.
But one thing is for sure. The March 21 demonstration confirms that May Day 2010 is more important than ever.
Immigrants and supporters are being told by many that “comprehensive immigration reform” — which means legalization for few and more militarization of society — is the best they are going to get. But history shows that militant action that represents the interests of the working class can win genuine gains.
The voices saying that legalization with no militarization is not realistic are the same voices who told women and Black people that they would never win the right to vote.
A mighty May Day 2010 that brings in not only immigrants but workers who want to fight for jobs, students who demand high-quality public education, youths who want education not jails or military recruitment, progressives fighting the wars abroad and all sectors is the kind of movement that can win the demands of the people, including legalization.
WW photos: First photo by Heather Cottin & third photo by Dante Strobino
Washington, D.C. - On March 21 a multitude of immigrants and their supporters amassed in the largest demonstration for immigrant rights in Washington, D.C., in decades, if not ever.There were at least 200,000 people at the biggest immigrant-rights rally in this country since 2006. The crowd was overwhelmingly Latino/a, but pockets of Koreans, Filipinos, Africans and Muslim immigrants and families were also there in proud attendance.
People traveled from as far away as Colorado, Texas and California. Homemade signs called on President Barack Obama to keep his promises for immigration reform and urged the government to stop dividing families.
The intentions of the main organizers of this historic demonstration for immigrant rights may have been complex and varied. But the world should make no mistake about it: Every single person who came to the demonstration was there to demand legalization.
Furthermore, they were confident that immigrants have earned legalization over and over — and are not asking but are demanding it.
It was reported that the huge size of the crowd was in large part due to the money that poured in from unions tied to the Democratic Party as well as from the Democratic Party itself. In fact one of the rally speakers was a representative of MoveOn.org.Nonetheless, it was an encouraging day that especially made Latinos/as proud as the crowd over and over again chanted, “Si se puede!” (Yes, we can!)
When it was announced that President Obama would be addressing the rally, the crowd roared in approval.
Obama’s intervention indeed made it one of the most interesting developments in this country since his election. In fact, this writer has never been to a progressive protest rally where a U.S. president has spoken.
While immigrants and their advocates may be buoyed by the huge turnout, it was also a day of concern and apprehension for anyone who is looking deeper into this issue.
Unfortunately, most of the speakers at the rally, including President Obama, repeated the demand for “comprehensive immigration reform.” This formulation has regrettably become a cover for a policy that is fraught with danger.
Obama endorsed the reform bill being proposed by Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer of New York and Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.
Although the most progressive wing of the immigrant-rights movement has not made a full analysis of the Schumer bill since it was just recently introduced, preliminary assessments are that it may be like the thoroughly reactionary Sensenbrenner bill called by another name.
For example it calls for a biometric ID system for all U.S. workers. This will be ominous for the entire working class and it may push the undocumented further underground.
In the next few weeks, the most progressive wing of the movement will be addressing these bills. It will be figuring out the next steps of the movement in light of the historic March 21 demonstration.
But one thing is for sure. The March 21 demonstration confirms that May Day 2010 is more important than ever.Immigrants and supporters are being told by many that “comprehensive immigration reform” — which means legalization for few and more militarization of society — is the best they are going to get. But history shows that militant action that represents the interests of the working class can win genuine gains.
The voices saying that legalization with no militarization is not realistic are the same voices who told women and Black people that they would never win the right to vote.
A mighty May Day 2010 that brings in not only immigrants but workers who want to fight for jobs, students who demand high-quality public education, youths who want education not jails or military recruitment, progressives fighting the wars abroad and all sectors is the kind of movement that can win the demands of the people, including legalization.
WW photos: First photo by Heather Cottin & third photo by Dante Strobino
Protests denounce U.S. occupation of Iraq
By John Catalinotto, Workers World, March 24, 2010
The seventh anniversary of the criminal U.S.-British occupation of Iraq on March 20 gave impetus to demonstrations in cities around the world. Anti-war protesters could not forget the suffering this U.S.-led aggression has imposed on the Iraqis, killing over a million and driving 5 million people into exile.
click here for photo slideshow
On top of the Iraq occupation, the Barack Obama administration has begun a serious escalation in Afghanistan, destined to inflict similar damage upon other peoples of that region; it has intensified pilotless bombing of areas of Pakistan; and it threatens to bomb Iran.
This situation aroused protests across the U.S. Regional actions attracting thousands took place in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and San Francisco, initiated by the Answer Coalition and in which many anti-war forces participated.
In Washington, some 10,000 people joined the protest, according to organizers. Among the key speakers was Cindy Sheehan, who has been an active spokesperson against U.S. wars since her son, Casey Sheehan, was killed in Iraq in 2004. Former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark and anti-monopoly fighter Ralph Nader were also featured. Sheehan was arrested as part of a civil disobedience protest following the march.
Protest slogans included demands for jobs at home, not wars abroad, and pointed out how military spending drained wealth away from social benefits. The Bail Out the People Movement and the International Action Center had strong delegations from New York at the demonstration.
Workers World Party leader Larry Holmes was at the protest. “Considering all the activities going on this weekend,” Holmes told WW, “we were pleased to see so many people coming out. People came from around the country to show solidarity with the Palestinians, to tell the U.S. to get out of Afghanistan and Iraq, and to refrain from starting a new war against Iran. Young people were ready to march up to the Mortgage Bankers Association and make it a target of the protest. It’s a good sign for the future.”
In Los Angeles, thousands, including many youth of color, gathered at the intersection of Hollywood and Vine and marched down Hollywood Blvd. to the rally site at Highland Ave. There they listened to speakers prominent in left and progressive movements demand an end to U.S. militarism and money for human needs at home and abroad.
In San Francisco, 5,000 demonstrators gathered at City Hall Plaza, called by a broad coalition of anti-war, solidarity and social justice organizations.
Under the lead banner “Occupation is a crime — Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine! Fund people’s needs — not war and bank bailouts!” speaker after speaker demanded an end to all U.S.-backed military adventures abroad, including U.S. support for the continued occupation of Palestine, while at the same time demanding that funds be used for jobs, health care and education.
One of the most moving talks was given by Father Andres Tamayo, a priest and popular leader who was expelled by the Honduran junta. Tamayo brought solidarity greetings on behalf of the people of Honduras who are struggling against the U.S.-backed military government. Father Tamayo stated simply that the land and wealth of Honduras must be returned to its people.
Following the rally, a march moved through downtown San Francisco, passing two hotels, the Hilton and the Four Seasons, to express solidarity with striking hotel workers, members of UNITE HERE Local 2.
Anti-war protesters in Detroit, called out by the Michigan Emergency Committee Against War and Injustice, on March 19 demanded that the U.S. immediately stop the wars against Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, Somalia, Pakistan and other nations and that the Pentagon budget be used instead for people’s needs, including jobs, housing, health care and education.
According to the National Priorities Project, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan alone have cost Michigan taxpayers at least $25 billion. Protesters rallied at Detroit’s city hall and then marched behind a lead banner declaring “Michigan says no to war” to the Central United Methodist Church while chanting “Money for jobs, not for war!”
In Stockholm, Sweden, 300 people joined a cultural protest. Under banners reading, “Crimes against peace are the worst of all crimes — Nuremburg 1946” and “U.S. out of Iraq,” the Iraqi music group SUMER was joined by leading Swedish poets and actors who recited anti-war poetry. The former Swedish Foreign Minister and U.N. Ambassador Pierre Schori denounced the invasion and the fact that Swedish authorities did not charge former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice for war crimes when she was in Stockholm for a conference to raise funds for the occupation regime.
An Iraqi guest speaker concentrated on the destruction of the Iraqi state and the horrendous situation for women and children. A speaker for Iraq Solidarity suggested that if Dante were writing today he would have to add another layer of hell to describe the present situation for Iraqis in their ravished homeland.
Expatriate U.S. citizens called a protest in Rome, Italy, and in Lisbon, Portugal, there was a public meeting denouncing the continued occupation of Iraq.
Judy Greenspan, Bob McCubbin, Bryan G. Pfeifer and Mike Powers contributed to this report.
The seventh anniversary of the criminal U.S.-British occupation of Iraq on March 20 gave impetus to demonstrations in cities around the world. Anti-war protesters could not forget the suffering this U.S.-led aggression has imposed on the Iraqis, killing over a million and driving 5 million people into exile.click here for photo slideshow
On top of the Iraq occupation, the Barack Obama administration has begun a serious escalation in Afghanistan, destined to inflict similar damage upon other peoples of that region; it has intensified pilotless bombing of areas of Pakistan; and it threatens to bomb Iran.
This situation aroused protests across the U.S. Regional actions attracting thousands took place in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and San Francisco, initiated by the Answer Coalition and in which many anti-war forces participated.
In Washington, some 10,000 people joined the protest, according to organizers. Among the key speakers was Cindy Sheehan, who has been an active spokesperson against U.S. wars since her son, Casey Sheehan, was killed in Iraq in 2004. Former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark and anti-monopoly fighter Ralph Nader were also featured. Sheehan was arrested as part of a civil disobedience protest following the march.
Protest slogans included demands for jobs at home, not wars abroad, and pointed out how military spending drained wealth away from social benefits. The Bail Out the People Movement and the International Action Center had strong delegations from New York at the demonstration.
Workers World Party leader Larry Holmes was at the protest. “Considering all the activities going on this weekend,” Holmes told WW, “we were pleased to see so many people coming out. People came from around the country to show solidarity with the Palestinians, to tell the U.S. to get out of Afghanistan and Iraq, and to refrain from starting a new war against Iran. Young people were ready to march up to the Mortgage Bankers Association and make it a target of the protest. It’s a good sign for the future.”
In Los Angeles, thousands, including many youth of color, gathered at the intersection of Hollywood and Vine and marched down Hollywood Blvd. to the rally site at Highland Ave. There they listened to speakers prominent in left and progressive movements demand an end to U.S. militarism and money for human needs at home and abroad.
In San Francisco, 5,000 demonstrators gathered at City Hall Plaza, called by a broad coalition of anti-war, solidarity and social justice organizations.
Under the lead banner “Occupation is a crime — Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine! Fund people’s needs — not war and bank bailouts!” speaker after speaker demanded an end to all U.S.-backed military adventures abroad, including U.S. support for the continued occupation of Palestine, while at the same time demanding that funds be used for jobs, health care and education.
One of the most moving talks was given by Father Andres Tamayo, a priest and popular leader who was expelled by the Honduran junta. Tamayo brought solidarity greetings on behalf of the people of Honduras who are struggling against the U.S.-backed military government. Father Tamayo stated simply that the land and wealth of Honduras must be returned to its people.
Following the rally, a march moved through downtown San Francisco, passing two hotels, the Hilton and the Four Seasons, to express solidarity with striking hotel workers, members of UNITE HERE Local 2.
Anti-war protesters in Detroit, called out by the Michigan Emergency Committee Against War and Injustice, on March 19 demanded that the U.S. immediately stop the wars against Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, Somalia, Pakistan and other nations and that the Pentagon budget be used instead for people’s needs, including jobs, housing, health care and education.
According to the National Priorities Project, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan alone have cost Michigan taxpayers at least $25 billion. Protesters rallied at Detroit’s city hall and then marched behind a lead banner declaring “Michigan says no to war” to the Central United Methodist Church while chanting “Money for jobs, not for war!”
In Stockholm, Sweden, 300 people joined a cultural protest. Under banners reading, “Crimes against peace are the worst of all crimes — Nuremburg 1946” and “U.S. out of Iraq,” the Iraqi music group SUMER was joined by leading Swedish poets and actors who recited anti-war poetry. The former Swedish Foreign Minister and U.N. Ambassador Pierre Schori denounced the invasion and the fact that Swedish authorities did not charge former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice for war crimes when she was in Stockholm for a conference to raise funds for the occupation regime.
An Iraqi guest speaker concentrated on the destruction of the Iraqi state and the horrendous situation for women and children. A speaker for Iraq Solidarity suggested that if Dante were writing today he would have to add another layer of hell to describe the present situation for Iraqis in their ravished homeland.
Expatriate U.S. citizens called a protest in Rome, Italy, and in Lisbon, Portugal, there was a public meeting denouncing the continued occupation of Iraq.
Judy Greenspan, Bob McCubbin, Bryan G. Pfeifer and Mike Powers contributed to this report.
Thousands rally on anniversary of invasion of Iraq
By MATTHEW BARAKAT, AP, SFGate.com, March 20, 2010
Photo: Henry Shoiket, 92, of Rutherford, N.J., joins other anti-war protesters in Lafayette Park across from the White House in Washington, Saturday, March 20, 2010.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Thousands of protesters — many directing their anger squarely at President Barack Obama — marched through the nation's capital Saturday to urge immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan.
At least eight people, including activist Cindy Sheehan, were arrested by U.S. Park Police at the end of the march, after laying coffins at a fence outside the White House. Friday marked the seventh anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.
"Arrest that war criminal!" Sheehan shouted outside the White House before her arrest, referring to Obama.
At a rally before the march, Sheehan asked whether "the honeymoon was over with that war criminal in the White House" — an apparent reference to Obama — prompting moderate applause.
The protesters defied orders to clear the sidewalk on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House and park police say they face charges of failure to obey a lawful order.
Activist Ralph Nader told thousands who gathered in Lafayette Park across from the White House that Obama has essentially continued the policies of the Bush administration, and it was foolish to have thought otherwise.
"He's kept Guantanamo open, he's continued to use indefinite detention," Nader said. The only real difference, he said is that "Obama's speeches are better."
Others were more conciliatory toward Obama. Shirley Allan of Silver Spring, Md., carried a sign that read, "President Obama We love you but we need to tell you! Your hands are getting bloody!! Stop it now."
Allan thought it was going too far to call Obama a war criminal but said she is deeply disappointed that the conflicts are continuing.
"He has to know it's unacceptable," Allan said. "I am absolutely disappointed."
The protest drew a smaller crowd than the tens of thousands who marched in 2006 and 2007. Protests in cities around the country also had far fewer participants than in the past.
San Francisco's rally brought out Daniel Ellsberg, who leaked the top-secret Pentagon Papers study of the Vietnam War and is the subject of the recent documentary film, "The Most Dangerous Man in America." He likened the protest and others like it around the country Saturday to a day of demonstrations organized against the conflict in Vietnam in 1969.
"They thought it had no effect," he told the crowd in San Francisco, referring to the 1969 protesters. "They were wrong."
Ellsberg said President Richard Nixon was planning to escalate the war around that time, but held off.
Protesters in Washington stopped at the offices of military contractor Halliburton — where they tore apart an effigy of former Vice President and Halliburton Chief Executive Dick Cheney — the Mortgage Bankers Association and The Washington Post offices.
Anna Berlinrut, of South Orange, N.J., was one of a number of protesters who have children who have served in Iraq, and said her son supports her protests.
"If there were a draft, we'd have a million people out here," Berlinrut said when asked about the turnout. The exact number of protesters was unclear, as D.C. authorities do not give out crowd estimates. Organizers estimated the march, which stretched for several blocks, at 10,000.
Despite the arrests, the protest was peaceful. At the outset, police closed a portion of the sidewalk in front of the White House fence after protesters tried to use mud and large stencils to spell out "Iraq veterans against the war."
Once the sidewalk was closed, the protesters stenciled the message on the street using mud they had carried in buckets to the rally.
Sheehan has been a vocal critic of the war since her 21-year-old son Casey was killed in Iraq in April 2004. She staged a prolonged demonstration in 2005 outside former President George W. Bush's ranch near Crawford, Texas.
Former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark also spoke, calling on the Justice Department to investigate the officials who launched the Iraq war.
In New York City, there were far fewer protesters at a similar rally. A few dozen enthusiastic protesters gathered near a military recruiting station in Times Square, though they were far outnumbered by disinterested tourists.
A group of older women calling themselves the Raging Grannies sang, "The country is broke, this war is a joke." Four demonstrators evoked images of the U.S. detention camp in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, by dressing in orange uniforms and wearing black hoods.
Liz Proefriedt, a retired Roman Catholic nun, held up a banner that read, "Bread not bombs."
"It's sad that a lot of people did not come out for this protest," said Kathy Hoang, of Manchester, Conn. "People are getting used to the war, and don't bother even to think about it anymore."
In Los Angeles, hundreds chanted anti-war slogans and carried mock tombstones, and several hundred gathered in San Francisco. The Los Angeles march, which was under a mile, was to culminate with a rally in front of the famed Grauman's Chinese Theater.
"We want to see the troops out of Afghanistan and Iraq," said Corazon Esguerra with Act Now to Stop War and Racism or ANSWER, which organized the protest. "We want all the troops wherever they are to come back."
___
Associated Press writers Verena Dobnik from New York, Noaki Schwartz from Los Angeles and Sudhin Thanawala of San Francisco contributed to this report.
Photo: Henry Shoiket, 92, of Rutherford, N.J., joins other anti-war protesters in Lafayette Park across from the White House in Washington, Saturday, March 20, 2010.WASHINGTON (AP) - Thousands of protesters — many directing their anger squarely at President Barack Obama — marched through the nation's capital Saturday to urge immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan.
At least eight people, including activist Cindy Sheehan, were arrested by U.S. Park Police at the end of the march, after laying coffins at a fence outside the White House. Friday marked the seventh anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.
"Arrest that war criminal!" Sheehan shouted outside the White House before her arrest, referring to Obama.
At a rally before the march, Sheehan asked whether "the honeymoon was over with that war criminal in the White House" — an apparent reference to Obama — prompting moderate applause.
The protesters defied orders to clear the sidewalk on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House and park police say they face charges of failure to obey a lawful order.
Activist Ralph Nader told thousands who gathered in Lafayette Park across from the White House that Obama has essentially continued the policies of the Bush administration, and it was foolish to have thought otherwise.
"He's kept Guantanamo open, he's continued to use indefinite detention," Nader said. The only real difference, he said is that "Obama's speeches are better."
Others were more conciliatory toward Obama. Shirley Allan of Silver Spring, Md., carried a sign that read, "President Obama We love you but we need to tell you! Your hands are getting bloody!! Stop it now."
Allan thought it was going too far to call Obama a war criminal but said she is deeply disappointed that the conflicts are continuing.
"He has to know it's unacceptable," Allan said. "I am absolutely disappointed."
The protest drew a smaller crowd than the tens of thousands who marched in 2006 and 2007. Protests in cities around the country also had far fewer participants than in the past.
San Francisco's rally brought out Daniel Ellsberg, who leaked the top-secret Pentagon Papers study of the Vietnam War and is the subject of the recent documentary film, "The Most Dangerous Man in America." He likened the protest and others like it around the country Saturday to a day of demonstrations organized against the conflict in Vietnam in 1969.
"They thought it had no effect," he told the crowd in San Francisco, referring to the 1969 protesters. "They were wrong."
Ellsberg said President Richard Nixon was planning to escalate the war around that time, but held off.
Protesters in Washington stopped at the offices of military contractor Halliburton — where they tore apart an effigy of former Vice President and Halliburton Chief Executive Dick Cheney — the Mortgage Bankers Association and The Washington Post offices.Anna Berlinrut, of South Orange, N.J., was one of a number of protesters who have children who have served in Iraq, and said her son supports her protests.
"If there were a draft, we'd have a million people out here," Berlinrut said when asked about the turnout. The exact number of protesters was unclear, as D.C. authorities do not give out crowd estimates. Organizers estimated the march, which stretched for several blocks, at 10,000.
Despite the arrests, the protest was peaceful. At the outset, police closed a portion of the sidewalk in front of the White House fence after protesters tried to use mud and large stencils to spell out "Iraq veterans against the war."
Once the sidewalk was closed, the protesters stenciled the message on the street using mud they had carried in buckets to the rally.
Sheehan has been a vocal critic of the war since her 21-year-old son Casey was killed in Iraq in April 2004. She staged a prolonged demonstration in 2005 outside former President George W. Bush's ranch near Crawford, Texas.
Former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark also spoke, calling on the Justice Department to investigate the officials who launched the Iraq war.
In New York City, there were far fewer protesters at a similar rally. A few dozen enthusiastic protesters gathered near a military recruiting station in Times Square, though they were far outnumbered by disinterested tourists.
A group of older women calling themselves the Raging Grannies sang, "The country is broke, this war is a joke." Four demonstrators evoked images of the U.S. detention camp in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, by dressing in orange uniforms and wearing black hoods.
Liz Proefriedt, a retired Roman Catholic nun, held up a banner that read, "Bread not bombs."
"It's sad that a lot of people did not come out for this protest," said Kathy Hoang, of Manchester, Conn. "People are getting used to the war, and don't bother even to think about it anymore."
In Los Angeles, hundreds chanted anti-war slogans and carried mock tombstones, and several hundred gathered in San Francisco. The Los Angeles march, which was under a mile, was to culminate with a rally in front of the famed Grauman's Chinese Theater.
"We want to see the troops out of Afghanistan and Iraq," said Corazon Esguerra with Act Now to Stop War and Racism or ANSWER, which organized the protest. "We want all the troops wherever they are to come back."
___
Associated Press writers Verena Dobnik from New York, Noaki Schwartz from Los Angeles and Sudhin Thanawala of San Francisco contributed to this report.
Thousands Rally in DC Against Iraq War
Protest was expected to draw smaller crowds
By ASHA BEH, NBC Washington, March 20, 2010
click here for video
On the seventh anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, demonstrators carried flag-draped cardboard coffins as they marched from Lafayette Park across from the White House through downtown DC Saturday.
President Barack Obama's decision to send more troops into Afghanistan helped build momentum for the anti-war protest, which was expected to draw smaller crowds, according to military veterans and activists Ralph Nader and Cindy Sheehan, who helped organize the protest.
The protesters picked on another president as well, carrying signs reading "Indict Bush Now."
Saturday’s large-scale protest signaled the revival of the anti-war movement, that has been largely silent since January 2008, according to The Hindu.
In a statement obtained by the newspaper, the ANSWER Coalition said that although “the enthusiasm and desire for change after eight years of the Bush regime was the dominant cause that led to the election of a big Democratic Party majority in both Houses of Congress and the election of Barack Obama to the White House… [it was now] obvious to all that waiting for politicians to bring real change… is simply a prescription for passivity by progressives and an invitation to the array of corporate interests from military contractors to the banks, to big oil, to the health insurance giants that dominate the political life of the country.”
Stops on the route included military contractor Halliburton, the Mortgage Bankers Association, The Washington Post offices and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. On the website for the March 20th protest, the ANSWER Coalition claims "Halliburton has become synonymous with war profiteering" and the Washington Post "has been a staunch supporter of the U.S. invasion of Iraq, and continues to operate as an apologist for U.S. aggression."
By ASHA BEH, NBC Washington, March 20, 2010
click here for video
On the seventh anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, demonstrators carried flag-draped cardboard coffins as they marched from Lafayette Park across from the White House through downtown DC Saturday.President Barack Obama's decision to send more troops into Afghanistan helped build momentum for the anti-war protest, which was expected to draw smaller crowds, according to military veterans and activists Ralph Nader and Cindy Sheehan, who helped organize the protest.
The protesters picked on another president as well, carrying signs reading "Indict Bush Now."
Saturday’s large-scale protest signaled the revival of the anti-war movement, that has been largely silent since January 2008, according to The Hindu.
In a statement obtained by the newspaper, the ANSWER Coalition said that although “the enthusiasm and desire for change after eight years of the Bush regime was the dominant cause that led to the election of a big Democratic Party majority in both Houses of Congress and the election of Barack Obama to the White House… [it was now] obvious to all that waiting for politicians to bring real change… is simply a prescription for passivity by progressives and an invitation to the array of corporate interests from military contractors to the banks, to big oil, to the health insurance giants that dominate the political life of the country.”
Stops on the route included military contractor Halliburton, the Mortgage Bankers Association, The Washington Post offices and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. On the website for the March 20th protest, the ANSWER Coalition claims "Halliburton has become synonymous with war profiteering" and the Washington Post "has been a staunch supporter of the U.S. invasion of Iraq, and continues to operate as an apologist for U.S. aggression."
March 20, 2010: National Anti-War March On Washington DC On The 7th Anniversary Of The War On Iraq
People from all over the country are organizing to converge on Washington, D.C., to demand the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all U.S. and NATO forces from Afghanistan and Iraq.
On Saturday, March 20, 2010, there will be a mass National March & Rally in D.C. We will march together to say “No Colonial-type Wars and Occupations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine!" We will march together to say "No War Against Iran!” We will march together to say “No War for Empire Anywhere!” Instead of war, we will demand funds so that every person can have a job, free and universal health care, decent schools, and affordable housing.
A day of action and outreach in Washington, D.C., will take place on Friday, March 19, preceding the Saturday march. There will be coinciding mass marches on March 20 in San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Cindy Sheehan and a coalition of groups has announced a new initiative set to begin in March 2010 called Peace of the Action, an integral part of which will be a camp that will be set up beginning March 13. This camp will be a staging area for people coming to DC to take part in anti-war activities.
March 20 is the seventh anniversary of the criminal war of aggression launched by Bush and Cheney against Iraq. One million or more Iraqis have died. Tens of thousands of U.S. troops have lost their lives or been maimed, and continue to suffer a whole host of enduring problems from this terrible war.
This is the time for united action. The slogans on banners may differ, but all those who carry them should be marching shoulder to shoulder.
The initiators and endorsers of the March 20 National March on Washington (preceded by the March 19 Day of Action and Outreach in D.C.) include: the ANSWER Coalition; Muslim American Society Freedom; National Council of Arab Americans; Cynthia McKinney; Malik Rahim, co-founder of Common Ground Collective; Ramsey Clark; Cindy Sheehan; Medea Benjamin, co-founder of CODEPINK; Debra Sweet, Director, World Can’t Wait; Mike Ferner, President, Veterans for Peace; Al-Awda, the Palestine Right to Return Coalition; Heidi Boghosian, Executive Director, National Lawyers Guild; Ron Kovic, author of “Born on the 4th of July”; Juan Jose Gutierrez, Director, Latino Movement USA; Col. Ann Wright (ret.); March Forward!; Partnership for Civil Justice; Palestinian American Women Association; MANA - Muslim Alliance in North America; Alliance for a Just and Lasting Peace in the Philippines; Alliance for Global Justice; Claudia de la Cruz, Pastor, Iglesia San Romero de Las Americas-UCC; Phil Portluck, Social Justice Ministry, Covenant Baptist Church, D.C.; Blase & Theresa Bonpane, Office of the Americas; Coalition for Peace and Democracy in Honduras; Comite Pro-Democracia en Mexico; Frente Unido de los Pueblos Americanos; Comites de Base FMLN, Los Angeles; Free Palestine Alliance; GABRIELA Network; Justice for Filipino American Veterans; KmB Pro-People Youth; Students Fight Back; Jim Lafferty, Executive Director, National Lawyers Guild - LA Chapter; LEF Foundation; National Coalition to Free the Angola 3; Community Futures Collective; Advocates for Indigenous California Language Survival; Companeros del Barrio; Barrio Unido for Full and Unconditional Amnesty; Michael Berg; Action Center for Justice - Charlotte, NC; Bay Area United Against War; Casa las Américas; Community Organizing Center, Columbus, Ohio; CT-SAW (Connecticut Students Against the War) ; Delaware Valley Veterans for America; Hawai'i Solidarity Committee; Malcolm X Center for Self-Determination; Texans for Peace; and many more.
For more information & to become an endorse see:
ANSWER Coalition
On Saturday, March 20, 2010, there will be a mass National March & Rally in D.C. We will march together to say “No Colonial-type Wars and Occupations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine!" We will march together to say "No War Against Iran!” We will march together to say “No War for Empire Anywhere!” Instead of war, we will demand funds so that every person can have a job, free and universal health care, decent schools, and affordable housing.
A day of action and outreach in Washington, D.C., will take place on Friday, March 19, preceding the Saturday march. There will be coinciding mass marches on March 20 in San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Cindy Sheehan and a coalition of groups has announced a new initiative set to begin in March 2010 called Peace of the Action, an integral part of which will be a camp that will be set up beginning March 13. This camp will be a staging area for people coming to DC to take part in anti-war activities.
March 20 is the seventh anniversary of the criminal war of aggression launched by Bush and Cheney against Iraq. One million or more Iraqis have died. Tens of thousands of U.S. troops have lost their lives or been maimed, and continue to suffer a whole host of enduring problems from this terrible war.
This is the time for united action. The slogans on banners may differ, but all those who carry them should be marching shoulder to shoulder.
The initiators and endorsers of the March 20 National March on Washington (preceded by the March 19 Day of Action and Outreach in D.C.) include: the ANSWER Coalition; Muslim American Society Freedom; National Council of Arab Americans; Cynthia McKinney; Malik Rahim, co-founder of Common Ground Collective; Ramsey Clark; Cindy Sheehan; Medea Benjamin, co-founder of CODEPINK; Debra Sweet, Director, World Can’t Wait; Mike Ferner, President, Veterans for Peace; Al-Awda, the Palestine Right to Return Coalition; Heidi Boghosian, Executive Director, National Lawyers Guild; Ron Kovic, author of “Born on the 4th of July”; Juan Jose Gutierrez, Director, Latino Movement USA; Col. Ann Wright (ret.); March Forward!; Partnership for Civil Justice; Palestinian American Women Association; MANA - Muslim Alliance in North America; Alliance for a Just and Lasting Peace in the Philippines; Alliance for Global Justice; Claudia de la Cruz, Pastor, Iglesia San Romero de Las Americas-UCC; Phil Portluck, Social Justice Ministry, Covenant Baptist Church, D.C.; Blase & Theresa Bonpane, Office of the Americas; Coalition for Peace and Democracy in Honduras; Comite Pro-Democracia en Mexico; Frente Unido de los Pueblos Americanos; Comites de Base FMLN, Los Angeles; Free Palestine Alliance; GABRIELA Network; Justice for Filipino American Veterans; KmB Pro-People Youth; Students Fight Back; Jim Lafferty, Executive Director, National Lawyers Guild - LA Chapter; LEF Foundation; National Coalition to Free the Angola 3; Community Futures Collective; Advocates for Indigenous California Language Survival; Companeros del Barrio; Barrio Unido for Full and Unconditional Amnesty; Michael Berg; Action Center for Justice - Charlotte, NC; Bay Area United Against War; Casa las Américas; Community Organizing Center, Columbus, Ohio; CT-SAW (Connecticut Students Against the War) ; Delaware Valley Veterans for America; Hawai'i Solidarity Committee; Malcolm X Center for Self-Determination; Texans for Peace; and many more.
For more information & to become an endorse see:
ANSWER Coalition
PROTEST OUTSIDE DEC. 3 WHITE HOUSE JOBS SUMMIT
UNEMPLOYED AND COMMUNITY ACTIVISTS TO DEMAND
MONEY FOR JOBS NOT WAR
AT 12 NOON IN FRONT OF WHITE HOUSE
“Fund A REAL JOBS PROGRAM instead of sending MORE TROOPS TO AFGHANISTAN!”
Unemployed people, along with groups representing the homeless and the poor from Washington, D.C., New York City, Boston, Detroit, Providence RI, Raleigh-Durham, NC, Cleveland, Baltimore, Virginia and elsewhere will protest directly in front of the White House at 12 noon on Thursday, Dec. 3 to declare the White House Jobs Summit too little and too late in the battle against depression level joblessness.
At 12 noon directly in front of the White House on Pennsylvania Ave. between 15th and 16th Streets, women and men suffering from the 'jobless recovery' will call for a real jobs program that is as ambitious in scope as the Work Progress Administration (WPA) established during the Great Depression of the 1930s.
The Protest will also draw attention to the sad and disappointing fact that the Government is perfectly ready to waste billions more dollars on the war in Afghanistan, but can only offer talk when it comes to the number one crisis in the country, rising joblessness.
In addition to the Bail Out the People Movement, the primary sponsor of the protest, other groups participating in the Jobs Summit protest are: The Rhode Island Unemployed Council; Picture The Homeless, NYC; The Moratorium NOW! Coalition to Stop Foreclosures, Evictions and Utility Shut Offs, Mich.; Peoples Organization for Progress, N.J.; Rev. Graylan Hagler, Pres., United Church of Christ Commission on Racial Justice; Rev. Tom Smith, Pres., Inter-religious Foundation for Community Organization; Anti-war Activist Cindy Sheehan; The National Network to Stop Foreclosures and Evictions; The Cleveland Family Center Connections; Charles Barron, N.Y. City Council Member; Chris Silvera, Sec.-Treas. Local 808 IBT, N.Y.; and the Rosa Parks Committee, Boston.
Sharon Black, jobs campaign organizer said, "We do not accept the argument that there is no money for a real jobs program." Black continued, "A government that can find literally trillions of dollars to bail out greedy and criminal bankers, and more money to fuel terrible wars, cannot maintain that there's no resources to bailout the unemployed. We must fund a real jobs program, not send more troops to Afghanistan."
A major jobs protest planned for spring will be announced.
For more information:
Bail Out the People Movement
Solidarity Center
55 W. 17th St. #5C
New York, NY 10011
212.633.6646
www.BailOutPeople.org
Email: http://bailoutpeople.org/cmnt.shtml
MONEY FOR JOBS NOT WAR
AT 12 NOON IN FRONT OF WHITE HOUSE
“Fund A REAL JOBS PROGRAM instead of sending MORE TROOPS TO AFGHANISTAN!”
Unemployed people, along with groups representing the homeless and the poor from Washington, D.C., New York City, Boston, Detroit, Providence RI, Raleigh-Durham, NC, Cleveland, Baltimore, Virginia and elsewhere will protest directly in front of the White House at 12 noon on Thursday, Dec. 3 to declare the White House Jobs Summit too little and too late in the battle against depression level joblessness.
At 12 noon directly in front of the White House on Pennsylvania Ave. between 15th and 16th Streets, women and men suffering from the 'jobless recovery' will call for a real jobs program that is as ambitious in scope as the Work Progress Administration (WPA) established during the Great Depression of the 1930s.
The Protest will also draw attention to the sad and disappointing fact that the Government is perfectly ready to waste billions more dollars on the war in Afghanistan, but can only offer talk when it comes to the number one crisis in the country, rising joblessness.
In addition to the Bail Out the People Movement, the primary sponsor of the protest, other groups participating in the Jobs Summit protest are: The Rhode Island Unemployed Council; Picture The Homeless, NYC; The Moratorium NOW! Coalition to Stop Foreclosures, Evictions and Utility Shut Offs, Mich.; Peoples Organization for Progress, N.J.; Rev. Graylan Hagler, Pres., United Church of Christ Commission on Racial Justice; Rev. Tom Smith, Pres., Inter-religious Foundation for Community Organization; Anti-war Activist Cindy Sheehan; The National Network to Stop Foreclosures and Evictions; The Cleveland Family Center Connections; Charles Barron, N.Y. City Council Member; Chris Silvera, Sec.-Treas. Local 808 IBT, N.Y.; and the Rosa Parks Committee, Boston.
Sharon Black, jobs campaign organizer said, "We do not accept the argument that there is no money for a real jobs program." Black continued, "A government that can find literally trillions of dollars to bail out greedy and criminal bankers, and more money to fuel terrible wars, cannot maintain that there's no resources to bailout the unemployed. We must fund a real jobs program, not send more troops to Afghanistan."
A major jobs protest planned for spring will be announced.
For more information:
Bail Out the People Movement
Solidarity Center
55 W. 17th St. #5C
New York, NY 10011
212.633.6646
www.BailOutPeople.org
Email: http://bailoutpeople.org/cmnt.shtml
Oct. 5: 61 Arrested In Front Of White House Protesting Wars
CNN, Oct. 5, 2009
WASHINGTON — As the war in Afghanistan nears the start of its ninth year, a group of anti-war protesters gathered in front of the White House today to express their disappointment that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are not yet over, and to request a meeting with President Obama.
An estimated 500 people from different anti-war groups gathered on the sidewalk in front of the White House. A few chained themselves to the fence, some laid down on the sidewalk as if they were dead, and others chanted: "mourn the dead, heal the wounded, end the war!"
The protest was peaceful, though U.S. Park Police said that 61 people were arrested for failure to obey a lawful order after the crowd was repeatedly asked to move back from the sidewalk. According to Park Police Sgt. David Schlosser, all were cited and released.
Cindy Sheehan, whose son was killed in Iraq in 2004, was among the protestors, and was one of those who were arrested. She said she had not been a supporter of President Obama or of Sen. John McCain during last year's election but said protestors were running out of patience. "I think the mood of the country and the mood of our movement is getting a little bit more desperate, and (that) this will be the time to be able to translate our tireless activism and work for peace," she said.
Sheehan added that President Obama has been in office long enough to start working towards peace in Iraq and Afghanistan, and that his supporters want him to make those changes.
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said that neither he nor the president were aware of the protest until it was mentioned in the daily briefing to the press, adding: "I think the president has long believed that whether your opinion is on one side of this issue or the other, that this is the greatness of our country, is that you get to amplify that opinion."
**************
Also see:
For Antiwar Protesters, the Cause Isn't Lost
But Will D.C. Rally Spark Groundswell?
WASHINGTON — As the war in Afghanistan nears the start of its ninth year, a group of anti-war protesters gathered in front of the White House today to express their disappointment that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are not yet over, and to request a meeting with President Obama.An estimated 500 people from different anti-war groups gathered on the sidewalk in front of the White House. A few chained themselves to the fence, some laid down on the sidewalk as if they were dead, and others chanted: "mourn the dead, heal the wounded, end the war!"
The protest was peaceful, though U.S. Park Police said that 61 people were arrested for failure to obey a lawful order after the crowd was repeatedly asked to move back from the sidewalk. According to Park Police Sgt. David Schlosser, all were cited and released.
Cindy Sheehan, whose son was killed in Iraq in 2004, was among the protestors, and was one of those who were arrested. She said she had not been a supporter of President Obama or of Sen. John McCain during last year's election but said protestors were running out of patience. "I think the mood of the country and the mood of our movement is getting a little bit more desperate, and (that) this will be the time to be able to translate our tireless activism and work for peace," she said.
Sheehan added that President Obama has been in office long enough to start working towards peace in Iraq and Afghanistan, and that his supporters want him to make those changes.
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said that neither he nor the president were aware of the protest until it was mentioned in the daily briefing to the press, adding: "I think the president has long believed that whether your opinion is on one side of this issue or the other, that this is the greatness of our country, is that you get to amplify that opinion."
**************
Also see:
For Antiwar Protesters, the Cause Isn't Lost
But Will D.C. Rally Spark Groundswell?
Oct. 5: National Anti-War Protest & Civil Resistance at The Whitehouse
National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance, Sept. 4, 2009
There is an article on Common Dreams http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/09/01-8 that says the White House is worried about pressure from left-wing liberals to end the war in Afghanistan. The administration knows they are in trouble. They know that with record numbers of deaths in Afghanistan there will be a call to bring the troops home.
We have a great opportunity on October 5 to show the Obama administration that they better be scared because the people are not behind them in the illegal war of aggression in Afghanistan, and the people are demanding an end to this immoral war and occupation. The week of October 5 begins the 9th year of the US waging terror on an innocent civilian population. It is time to stop.
This week we learned that peace mom Cindy Sheehan has signed up to be with us at the White House. Won't you join us, as well?
NCNR and many other peace groups are joining together to raise our voices against the imperialistic policies of our government in actions of nonviolent civil resistance at the White House on October 5. We are expecting a few hundred people there willing to risk arrest, but we need to raise that expectation to 300-400. Now is the time for those of us who have been thinking about doing more to take that next step in resistance against government policies that have caused such suffering and death for so many innocent people.
There will be a planning meeting on Oct. 4 at the Festival Center at 1640 Columbia Rd. NW where we will discuss final plans. At this meeting, we will share what the different affinity groups will be doing and people will have a chance to join in with the various affinity groups or to organize their own group.
On Oct. 5 we will gather in McPherson Square at 10:00 am where Liz McAlister will speak to the crowd. We will form a solemn and mournful procession to the White House as we reflect on the suffering and death of so many innocent people. Once at the White House we will engage in an action of nonviolent civil resistance in the spirit and discipline of Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Dorothy Day and others.
We, the people, have the power to bring change, and we will not give up, we will not be deterred. Please join us on Oct. 5. Please http://www.nogoodwar.org and register for the action by clicking on the link to the online form. Please share this information widely.
In peace and resistance,
Joy First
Co-Convener, National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance
There is an article on Common Dreams http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/09/01-8 that says the White House is worried about pressure from left-wing liberals to end the war in Afghanistan. The administration knows they are in trouble. They know that with record numbers of deaths in Afghanistan there will be a call to bring the troops home.
We have a great opportunity on October 5 to show the Obama administration that they better be scared because the people are not behind them in the illegal war of aggression in Afghanistan, and the people are demanding an end to this immoral war and occupation. The week of October 5 begins the 9th year of the US waging terror on an innocent civilian population. It is time to stop.
This week we learned that peace mom Cindy Sheehan has signed up to be with us at the White House. Won't you join us, as well?
NCNR and many other peace groups are joining together to raise our voices against the imperialistic policies of our government in actions of nonviolent civil resistance at the White House on October 5. We are expecting a few hundred people there willing to risk arrest, but we need to raise that expectation to 300-400. Now is the time for those of us who have been thinking about doing more to take that next step in resistance against government policies that have caused such suffering and death for so many innocent people.
There will be a planning meeting on Oct. 4 at the Festival Center at 1640 Columbia Rd. NW where we will discuss final plans. At this meeting, we will share what the different affinity groups will be doing and people will have a chance to join in with the various affinity groups or to organize their own group.
On Oct. 5 we will gather in McPherson Square at 10:00 am where Liz McAlister will speak to the crowd. We will form a solemn and mournful procession to the White House as we reflect on the suffering and death of so many innocent people. Once at the White House we will engage in an action of nonviolent civil resistance in the spirit and discipline of Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Dorothy Day and others.
We, the people, have the power to bring change, and we will not give up, we will not be deterred. Please join us on Oct. 5. Please http://www.nogoodwar.org and register for the action by clicking on the link to the online form. Please share this information widely.
In peace and resistance,
Joy First
Co-Convener, National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance
Coup Leaders In Washington To Give Press Conference At National Press Club, Tues., July 7 at 3pm
By Eva Golinger, Postcards from the Revolution, July 7, 2009
FOR THOSE OF YOU IN WASHINGTON, D.C., TRY YOUR BEST TO PROTEST AND MAKE YOUR VOICES HEARD AGAINST THE COUP IN HONDURAS!!
IT'S UNACCEPTABLE THAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT ALLOWED COUP LEADERS AND PARTICIPANTS TO ENTER THE UNITED STATES AND ENGAGE IN POLITICAL ACTIVITIES, CONSIDERING THE U.S. GOVERNMENT ALLEGEDLY CONDEMNS THE COUP...
Press release on behalf of Honduran Coup leaders:
"Contact: Tom O'Neill, The Cormac Group, +1-202-467-4700, cormacinfo@thecormacgroup.com, for Honduran National Congress
WASHINGTON, July 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Leading members of the Honduran National Congress and private sector and former members of the Honduran Judiciary will hold a press conference in Washington, D.C., to speak on recent events in Honduras. The press conference will be held Tuesday, July 7, 2009, at 3:00 p.m. in the Murrow Room of the National Press Club (529 14th Street, NW).
The delegation will be traveling to Washington for several days of meetings with United States policymakers to clarify any misunderstandings about Honduras' constitutional process and to discuss next steps to ensure the preservation of the country's democratic institutions.
Contact: Tom O'Neill
The Cormac Group
Phone: (202) 467-4700
cormacinfo@thecormacgroup.com
SOURCE Honduran National Congress"
FOR THOSE OF YOU IN WASHINGTON, D.C., TRY YOUR BEST TO PROTEST AND MAKE YOUR VOICES HEARD AGAINST THE COUP IN HONDURAS!!
IT'S UNACCEPTABLE THAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT ALLOWED COUP LEADERS AND PARTICIPANTS TO ENTER THE UNITED STATES AND ENGAGE IN POLITICAL ACTIVITIES, CONSIDERING THE U.S. GOVERNMENT ALLEGEDLY CONDEMNS THE COUP...
Press release on behalf of Honduran Coup leaders:
"Contact: Tom O'Neill, The Cormac Group, +1-202-467-4700, cormacinfo@thecormacgroup.com, for Honduran National Congress
WASHINGTON, July 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Leading members of the Honduran National Congress and private sector and former members of the Honduran Judiciary will hold a press conference in Washington, D.C., to speak on recent events in Honduras. The press conference will be held Tuesday, July 7, 2009, at 3:00 p.m. in the Murrow Room of the National Press Club (529 14th Street, NW).
The delegation will be traveling to Washington for several days of meetings with United States policymakers to clarify any misunderstandings about Honduras' constitutional process and to discuss next steps to ensure the preservation of the country's democratic institutions.
Contact: Tom O'Neill
The Cormac Group
Phone: (202) 467-4700
cormacinfo@thecormacgroup.com
SOURCE Honduran National Congress"
Yoo (Not You) Might Go to Prison
AfterDowningStreet.org, June 18, 2009
The good news this week, other than the strength of the fight we put up against war funding (we got 32 of the 39 votes we needed!) was contained in a beautiful 42-page order by a judge (PDF). It says that leading torture lawyer John Yoo can be sued in court by one of his victims. Read about it:
http://afterdowningstreet.org/node/43738
A Rally Near You Next Thursday
A coalition of human rights organizations too lengthy to list here but available on the website has planned a day of action: Torture Accountability Action Day, June 25th, 2009. That’s next Thursday.
In Washington, D.C., we will gather for a rally at 11 a.m. in John Marshall Park (501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW) and march at noon to the Department of Justice. If the DOJ does not agree to appoint a special prosecutor or to meet with us and discuss it, those who are so inclined will engage in nonviolent protest led by the National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance.
Also on June 25th, there will be rallies in San Francisco, CA; Pasadena, CA; Boston, MA; Salt Lake City, UT; Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; Las Vegas, NV; Honolulu, HI; and Anchorage, AK. Details here: http://tortureaccountability.webs.com/eventsacrossus.htm
In Washington, D.C., more actions will follow, organized by the Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition International. There's a congressional hearing following the rally and protest, and then an evening speaker on the 25th, an all-day conference on the 26th, and a 24-hour vigil at the White House on Saturday the 27th. Details here: http://tassc.org/index.php?sn=309
Check the websites of the ACLU, Amnesty International, and other groups in the coalition for other actions in Washington and around the country this week.
The good news this week, other than the strength of the fight we put up against war funding (we got 32 of the 39 votes we needed!) was contained in a beautiful 42-page order by a judge (PDF). It says that leading torture lawyer John Yoo can be sued in court by one of his victims. Read about it:
http://afterdowningstreet.org/node/43738
A Rally Near You Next Thursday
A coalition of human rights organizations too lengthy to list here but available on the website has planned a day of action: Torture Accountability Action Day, June 25th, 2009. That’s next Thursday.
In Washington, D.C., we will gather for a rally at 11 a.m. in John Marshall Park (501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW) and march at noon to the Department of Justice. If the DOJ does not agree to appoint a special prosecutor or to meet with us and discuss it, those who are so inclined will engage in nonviolent protest led by the National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance.
Also on June 25th, there will be rallies in San Francisco, CA; Pasadena, CA; Boston, MA; Salt Lake City, UT; Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; Las Vegas, NV; Honolulu, HI; and Anchorage, AK. Details here: http://tortureaccountability.webs.com/eventsacrossus.htm
In Washington, D.C., more actions will follow, organized by the Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition International. There's a congressional hearing following the rally and protest, and then an evening speaker on the 25th, an all-day conference on the 26th, and a 24-hour vigil at the White House on Saturday the 27th. Details here: http://tassc.org/index.php?sn=309
Check the websites of the ACLU, Amnesty International, and other groups in the coalition for other actions in Washington and around the country this week.
Blood workers picket Red Cross over union contract negotiations
By John Nickerson, The Advocate, May 23, 2009
NORWALK -- A dozen unionized Red Cross blood collection workers picketed in front of the American Red Cross chapter office on Westport Avenue on Saturday.
As the others held up signs bearing phrases such as, "Respect the workers," and, "Be fair," AFSCME Local 3145 Vice President Nancy Newton explained that the demonstrators were not trying to steer people away from the weekly blood drive at the office at 596 Westport Ave.
She said the "rolling informational picket" was there to inform the public that the 225 people in her statewide local have worked without a contract since March 31.
Adoption of a new three-year contract has not materialized because the Red Cross is trying to eliminate union bargaining for employee health and disability benefits, shorten rest periods for workers between blood drive shifts, and get rid of the requirement that registered nurses supervise blood drives, Newton said.
A statement from Red Cross Corporate Affairs specialist Elaine St. Peter, who was in the office about 40 feet from the demonstrators, said the Red Cross continues to meet with the union and negotiate in good faith.
The Red Cross has had to take difficult steps to control costs by issuing a salary freeze to all nonunion employees and making changes to its retirement programs for all staff, the statement said.
"These Red Cross contract proposals are consistent with the pay and benefits package provided to our nonunion staffers," it said.
St. Peter said she could not comment further.
Newton, a Rocky Hill resident who is on the union negotiating team, said dropping the requirement that registered nurses supervise blood drives was a safety issue that should not be undertaken.
Picketer Mary Krusiewicz, a registered nurse from West Hartford, said: "Putting unlicensed personnel that will be making medical decisions in charge? That is a safety risk."
She said workers also need the 11-hour break between blood drives, which was guaranteed in their last contract. Newton said the Red Cross wanted workers to have a nine-hour break.
The union's public affairs coordinator, Larry Dorman, said Saturday's demonstration was the second of five planned for the state.
He said the Red Cross national strategy in contract negotiations is driving down the economic and safety standards of Red Cross workers.
The Red Cross statement said its supply of blood has never been safer, and its current contract proposal provides union members with the same insurance as the nonbargaining employees.
Dorman said some state employees will join national members in Washington, D.C., next Friday for a large rally in front of national Red Cross headquarters.
Union and Red Cross negotiators are to meet June 1 in hopes of resolving their differences.
-- Staff Writer John Nickerson can be reached at john.nickerson@scni.com or 964-2320.
NORWALK -- A dozen unionized Red Cross blood collection workers picketed in front of the American Red Cross chapter office on Westport Avenue on Saturday.
As the others held up signs bearing phrases such as, "Respect the workers," and, "Be fair," AFSCME Local 3145 Vice President Nancy Newton explained that the demonstrators were not trying to steer people away from the weekly blood drive at the office at 596 Westport Ave.
She said the "rolling informational picket" was there to inform the public that the 225 people in her statewide local have worked without a contract since March 31.
Adoption of a new three-year contract has not materialized because the Red Cross is trying to eliminate union bargaining for employee health and disability benefits, shorten rest periods for workers between blood drive shifts, and get rid of the requirement that registered nurses supervise blood drives, Newton said.
A statement from Red Cross Corporate Affairs specialist Elaine St. Peter, who was in the office about 40 feet from the demonstrators, said the Red Cross continues to meet with the union and negotiate in good faith.
The Red Cross has had to take difficult steps to control costs by issuing a salary freeze to all nonunion employees and making changes to its retirement programs for all staff, the statement said.
"These Red Cross contract proposals are consistent with the pay and benefits package provided to our nonunion staffers," it said.
St. Peter said she could not comment further.
Newton, a Rocky Hill resident who is on the union negotiating team, said dropping the requirement that registered nurses supervise blood drives was a safety issue that should not be undertaken.
Picketer Mary Krusiewicz, a registered nurse from West Hartford, said: "Putting unlicensed personnel that will be making medical decisions in charge? That is a safety risk."
She said workers also need the 11-hour break between blood drives, which was guaranteed in their last contract. Newton said the Red Cross wanted workers to have a nine-hour break.
The union's public affairs coordinator, Larry Dorman, said Saturday's demonstration was the second of five planned for the state.
He said the Red Cross national strategy in contract negotiations is driving down the economic and safety standards of Red Cross workers.
The Red Cross statement said its supply of blood has never been safer, and its current contract proposal provides union members with the same insurance as the nonbargaining employees.
Dorman said some state employees will join national members in Washington, D.C., next Friday for a large rally in front of national Red Cross headquarters.
Union and Red Cross negotiators are to meet June 1 in hopes of resolving their differences.
-- Staff Writer John Nickerson can be reached at john.nickerson@scni.com or 964-2320.
June 25: Torture Accountability Action Day
A day of demonstration everywhere, including in Washington, D.C., aimed at ending torture by holding those responsible accountable.
On June 25, we'll hold a rally in Washington, D.C., and then march to the Department of Justice to demand a special prosecutor for torture. If our demand is not met, some may choose to engage in nonviolent civil resistance, risking arrest.
The rally is sponsored by: After Downing Street, Amnesty International, CODE PINK: Women for Peace, Democrats.com, Indict Bush Now, National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance, Progressive Democrats of America, Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition, Veterans for Peace, Washington Peace Center, Witness Against Torture, World Can't Wait. The march and nonviolent resistance are sponsored by: After Downing Street, CODE PINK: Women for Peace, Democrats.com, Indict Bush Now, National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance, Progressive Democrats of America, Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition, Veterans for Peace, Washington Peace Center, Witness Against Torture, World Can't Wait.
Create and find events: http://democrats.com/events
On June 25, we'll hold a rally in Washington, D.C., and then march to the Department of Justice to demand a special prosecutor for torture. If our demand is not met, some may choose to engage in nonviolent civil resistance, risking arrest.
The rally is sponsored by: After Downing Street, Amnesty International, CODE PINK: Women for Peace, Democrats.com, Indict Bush Now, National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance, Progressive Democrats of America, Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition, Veterans for Peace, Washington Peace Center, Witness Against Torture, World Can't Wait. The march and nonviolent resistance are sponsored by: After Downing Street, CODE PINK: Women for Peace, Democrats.com, Indict Bush Now, National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance, Progressive Democrats of America, Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition, Veterans for Peace, Washington Peace Center, Witness Against Torture, World Can't Wait.
Create and find events: http://democrats.com/events
24-hour Mother's Day Vigil at White House Calls for Peace
CODEPINK: Women For Peace
This Mother's Day, we held our second 24-hour vigil in front of the White House, where we honored all mothers and women who live where war is happening— where women are paying the price with their bodies, loved ones, homes, future. We wanted to recognize the price they pay and honor their courage and power, by standing with them in solidarity to not only tell their important stories but to model what women-centered community looks and acts like. We wanted to encourage other organizations and community groups around the country and the world to bring their stories to celebrate Julia Ward Howe's original call for Mother's Day.
We continued our call for our troops to come home from Afghanistan and Iraq so that no more mothers will suffer the unbearable grief of losing a child to these wars. And with your help, we have also sent a message of sorrow, friendship and peace directly to the women suffering in occupation and their families.
click here for photos
click here for The Real News video report
click here for more press coverage
Julia Ward Howe's Mother's Day Proclamation - 1870
Arise then...women of this day!
Arise, all women who have hearts!
Whether your baptism be of water or of tears!
Say firmly:
"We will not have questions answered by irrelevant agencies,
Our husbands will not come to us, reeking with carnage,
For caresses and applause.
Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn
All that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy and patience.
We, the women of one country,
Will be too tender of those of another country
To allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs."
From the bosom of a devastated Earth a voice goes up with
Our own. It says: "Disarm! Disarm!
The sword of murder is not the balance of justice."
Blood does not wipe out dishonor,
Nor violence indicate possession.
As men have often forsaken the plough and the anvil
At the summons of war,
Let women now leave all that may be left of home
For a great and earnest day of counsel.
Let them meet first, as women, to bewail and commemorate the dead.
Let them solemnly take counsel with each other as to the means
Whereby the great human family can live in peace...
Each bearing after his own time the sacred impress, not of Caesar,
But of God -
In the name of womanhood and humanity, I earnestly ask
That a general congress of women without limit of nationality,
May be appointed and held at someplace deemed most convenient
And the earliest period consistent with its objects,
To promote the alliance of the different nationalities,
The amicable settlement of international questions,
The great and general interests of peace.
This Mother's Day, we held our second 24-hour vigil in front of the White House, where we honored all mothers and women who live where war is happening— where women are paying the price with their bodies, loved ones, homes, future. We wanted to recognize the price they pay and honor their courage and power, by standing with them in solidarity to not only tell their important stories but to model what women-centered community looks and acts like. We wanted to encourage other organizations and community groups around the country and the world to bring their stories to celebrate Julia Ward Howe's original call for Mother's Day.
We continued our call for our troops to come home from Afghanistan and Iraq so that no more mothers will suffer the unbearable grief of losing a child to these wars. And with your help, we have also sent a message of sorrow, friendship and peace directly to the women suffering in occupation and their families.
click here for photos
click here for The Real News video report
click here for more press coverage
Julia Ward Howe's Mother's Day Proclamation - 1870
Arise then...women of this day!
Arise, all women who have hearts!
Whether your baptism be of water or of tears!
Say firmly:
"We will not have questions answered by irrelevant agencies,
Our husbands will not come to us, reeking with carnage,
For caresses and applause.
Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn
All that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy and patience.
We, the women of one country,
Will be too tender of those of another country
To allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs."
From the bosom of a devastated Earth a voice goes up with
Our own. It says: "Disarm! Disarm!
The sword of murder is not the balance of justice."
Blood does not wipe out dishonor,
Nor violence indicate possession.
As men have often forsaken the plough and the anvil
At the summons of war,
Let women now leave all that may be left of home
For a great and earnest day of counsel.
Let them meet first, as women, to bewail and commemorate the dead.
Let them solemnly take counsel with each other as to the means
Whereby the great human family can live in peace...
Each bearing after his own time the sacred impress, not of Caesar,
But of God -
In the name of womanhood and humanity, I earnestly ask
That a general congress of women without limit of nationality,
May be appointed and held at someplace deemed most convenient
And the earliest period consistent with its objects,
To promote the alliance of the different nationalities,
The amicable settlement of international questions,
The great and general interests of peace.
D.C. Police Neighborhood Checkpoints Challenged on Appeal
by Mike Scarcella, The BLT: The Blog Of LegalTimes, May 08, 2009
A civil rights lawyer arguing against a D.C. anti-crime measure in which police barricade neighborhoods and stop drivers seemed to find a receptive audience today at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.
Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, co-founder of the Partnership for Civil Justice Legal Defense & Education Fund, argued on behalf of D.C. residents who are challenging a police program called Neighborhood Safety Zones. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon in October denied a preliminary injunction against the city, setting up the appeal.
Lawyers for the city say the zones, which were used last summer, are designed to prevent and deter criminal activity. Police stop and question drivers, asking for identification and travel plans. Officers are instructed to get phone numbers in order to verify information provided by the driver or passengers. Police say a Neighborhood Safety Zone can be set up for 10 days in response to a spike in crime.
Critics of the program argue police do not have authority to stop drivers when there is no suspicion of illegal activity. “The irreparable harm is the deprivation of their fundamental constitutional rights,” Verheyden-Hilliard told today’s panel of Chief Judge David Sentelle and Judges Douglas Ginsburg and Judith Rogers.
Sentelle at one point asked Todd Kim, the lawyer from the D.C. Office of the Attorney General, whether he thought he could really win on the merits of the case. “There’s no question it’s an extraordinary program. Tell me how [the police] can constitutionally do this,” Sentelle said. And Ginsburg explored the extent to which police are invading a person’s private life by requiring the person to provide a phone number of a person who can verify plans.
Kim said during argument, “Remember, the ultimate touchstone of the 4th Amendment is reasonableness.” He argued the plaintiffs have not shown how they’ve been harmed by the program. The D.C. Circuit did not rule immediately on the preliminary injunction.
***********
Copies of the opening Appellate Brief can be read by clicking here. The initial Class Action Complaint, Mills, et al v. District of Columbia can be read by clicking here, and the Memorandum of Law in Support of a Preliminary Injunction can be read by clicking here.
Please stand in support of this critical work to defend civil rights and civil liberties by making a donation now. We can't do it without everyone's help. Click this link to donate.
A civil rights lawyer arguing against a D.C. anti-crime measure in which police barricade neighborhoods and stop drivers seemed to find a receptive audience today at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.
Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, co-founder of the Partnership for Civil Justice Legal Defense & Education Fund, argued on behalf of D.C. residents who are challenging a police program called Neighborhood Safety Zones. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon in October denied a preliminary injunction against the city, setting up the appeal.
Lawyers for the city say the zones, which were used last summer, are designed to prevent and deter criminal activity. Police stop and question drivers, asking for identification and travel plans. Officers are instructed to get phone numbers in order to verify information provided by the driver or passengers. Police say a Neighborhood Safety Zone can be set up for 10 days in response to a spike in crime.
Critics of the program argue police do not have authority to stop drivers when there is no suspicion of illegal activity. “The irreparable harm is the deprivation of their fundamental constitutional rights,” Verheyden-Hilliard told today’s panel of Chief Judge David Sentelle and Judges Douglas Ginsburg and Judith Rogers.
Sentelle at one point asked Todd Kim, the lawyer from the D.C. Office of the Attorney General, whether he thought he could really win on the merits of the case. “There’s no question it’s an extraordinary program. Tell me how [the police] can constitutionally do this,” Sentelle said. And Ginsburg explored the extent to which police are invading a person’s private life by requiring the person to provide a phone number of a person who can verify plans.
Kim said during argument, “Remember, the ultimate touchstone of the 4th Amendment is reasonableness.” He argued the plaintiffs have not shown how they’ve been harmed by the program. The D.C. Circuit did not rule immediately on the preliminary injunction.
***********
Copies of the opening Appellate Brief can be read by clicking here. The initial Class Action Complaint, Mills, et al v. District of Columbia can be read by clicking here, and the Memorandum of Law in Support of a Preliminary Injunction can be read by clicking here.
Please stand in support of this critical work to defend civil rights and civil liberties by making a donation now. We can't do it without everyone's help. Click this link to donate.
Who Will Stop the AIPAC Jews Before it is Too Late?
by Medea Benjamin, Common Dreams, May 6, 2009
While I was being tackled by security guards at Washington's Convention Center during the AIPAC conference for unfurling a banner that asked "What about Gaza?," my heart was aching. I wasn't bothered so much by the burly guards who were yanking my arms behind by back and dragging me-along with 5 other CODEPINK members-out of the hall. They were doing their job.
What made my heart ache was the hatred I felt from the AIPAC staff who tore up the banner and slammed their hands across my mouth as I tried to yell out: "What about Gaza? What about the children?"
"Shut the f--- up. Shut the f--- up." one staffer yelled, red-faced and sweating as he ran beside me. "This is not the place to be saying that shit. Get the f--- out of here."
What makes my heart ache is thinking about the traumatized children I met on my recent trip to Gaza, and how their suffering is denied by the 6,000 AIPAC conventioneers who are living in a bubble-a bubble where Israel is the victim and all critics are anti-Semitic, terrorist lovers or, as in my case, self-hating Jews.
I found it fascinating that AIPAC's executive director Howard Kohr opened the conference admitting that there was now a huge, international campaign against the policies of Israel. He painted a picture of 30,000 people marching in Spain, Italian trade unionists calling for a boycott of Israeli products, the UN Human Rights Council passing 26 resolutions condemning Israel, an Israeli Apartheid Week that is building a global boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign.
This global movement, he warned, emanates from the Middle East, echoes in the halls of the United Nations and the capitals of Europe, is voiced in meetings of international peace organizations, and is spreading throughout the United States-from the media to town hall meetings, from campuses to city squares. "No longer is this campaign confined to the ravings of the political far left or far right," he lamented, "but increasingly it is entering the American mainstream."
But Kohr failed to explain why there has been such an explosion in this movement, even among the American Jewish community. He didn't tell the attendees that the world was shocked and outraged by Israel's devastating 22-day attack on Gaza that left over 1,300 people dead-mostly women and children. He didn't mention the killing of civilians fleeing their homes, the use of white phosphorous, the bombing of homes, schools, mosques, hospitals, UN buildings, factories. He didn't talk about the continuing, cruel blockade of the Gaza Strip that is keeping desperately needed humanitarian aid from reaching 1.5 million people and making rebuilding impossible.
There were no seminars at the conference by human rights groups like Amnesty International that are calling for an immediate and comprehensive suspension of arms to Israel. Instead, one after another, U.S. elected officials eager to curry favor with AIPAC pledged continued U.S. financial support for Israel. Senator Kerry, despite that fact that he was one of only a handful of legislators who visited Gaza, didn't say one word about the massive destruction he witnessed and pledged that as Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he would do everything to ensure that the $30 billion in military aid to Israel is "delivered in full." "America will continue our military aid, and Israel will keep its military strength," he insisted. Instead of calling for talks with the democratically elected government of Hamas, Kerry said: "Hamas has already won one election-we cannot allow them to win another." He ended his speech shouting several times in Hebrew, "Am Yisrael Chai-Israel lives!"
Even Vice President Biden, who at least told AIPAC that Israel should freeze new settlement activity, didn't say a word about the ongoing humanitarian crisis caused by Israel's invasion and continued blockade of Gaza. No U.S. officials, and there were hundreds at the conference, dared echo the call of the United Nations or the world community to lift the siege of Gaza.
Republican Congressman Eric Cantor was one of the most emotional speakers, portraying Israel as the victim of an evil global movement determined to wipe out Israel and all Jews. Evoking the "shivering, naked victims who were herded into the gas chambers," he wondered when it would become too late to protect Israel. "When is it too late?", he repeated over and over.
I wonder the same thing. When is it too late, I wonder, to stop Israel from destroying itself? When is it too late to tell AIPAC attendees that more violence and hatred is not the answer? When is it too late to open the hardened hearts of my people, once victims of a terrible holocaust, to realize that by occupying Palestine we have become they evil we deplore? When is it too late to restore meaning to the Hebrew term "tikkun olam" by truly working to heal the world? When is it too late for the Jews of the world to weep for the children of Gaza, recognizing that they, too, are the children of God?
I couldn't ask my questions at AIPAC. My mouth was muzzled by the sweaty hands of hate-filled staffers demanding that I "shut the f--- up." But despite AIPAC's massive funds and influence, I feel certain that more and more members of the Jewish community will step forward and refuse to be silent. I just pray it is not too late.
For information on upcoming delegations to Gaza, see www.codepinkalert.org/gaza.
Medea Benjamin (medea@globalexchange.org) is cofounder of Global Exchange (www.globalexchange.org) and CODEPINK: Women for Peace (www.codepinkalert.org).
While I was being tackled by security guards at Washington's Convention Center during the AIPAC conference for unfurling a banner that asked "What about Gaza?," my heart was aching. I wasn't bothered so much by the burly guards who were yanking my arms behind by back and dragging me-along with 5 other CODEPINK members-out of the hall. They were doing their job.
What made my heart ache was the hatred I felt from the AIPAC staff who tore up the banner and slammed their hands across my mouth as I tried to yell out: "What about Gaza? What about the children?"
"Shut the f--- up. Shut the f--- up." one staffer yelled, red-faced and sweating as he ran beside me. "This is not the place to be saying that shit. Get the f--- out of here."
What makes my heart ache is thinking about the traumatized children I met on my recent trip to Gaza, and how their suffering is denied by the 6,000 AIPAC conventioneers who are living in a bubble-a bubble where Israel is the victim and all critics are anti-Semitic, terrorist lovers or, as in my case, self-hating Jews.
I found it fascinating that AIPAC's executive director Howard Kohr opened the conference admitting that there was now a huge, international campaign against the policies of Israel. He painted a picture of 30,000 people marching in Spain, Italian trade unionists calling for a boycott of Israeli products, the UN Human Rights Council passing 26 resolutions condemning Israel, an Israeli Apartheid Week that is building a global boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign.
This global movement, he warned, emanates from the Middle East, echoes in the halls of the United Nations and the capitals of Europe, is voiced in meetings of international peace organizations, and is spreading throughout the United States-from the media to town hall meetings, from campuses to city squares. "No longer is this campaign confined to the ravings of the political far left or far right," he lamented, "but increasingly it is entering the American mainstream."
But Kohr failed to explain why there has been such an explosion in this movement, even among the American Jewish community. He didn't tell the attendees that the world was shocked and outraged by Israel's devastating 22-day attack on Gaza that left over 1,300 people dead-mostly women and children. He didn't mention the killing of civilians fleeing their homes, the use of white phosphorous, the bombing of homes, schools, mosques, hospitals, UN buildings, factories. He didn't talk about the continuing, cruel blockade of the Gaza Strip that is keeping desperately needed humanitarian aid from reaching 1.5 million people and making rebuilding impossible.
There were no seminars at the conference by human rights groups like Amnesty International that are calling for an immediate and comprehensive suspension of arms to Israel. Instead, one after another, U.S. elected officials eager to curry favor with AIPAC pledged continued U.S. financial support for Israel. Senator Kerry, despite that fact that he was one of only a handful of legislators who visited Gaza, didn't say one word about the massive destruction he witnessed and pledged that as Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he would do everything to ensure that the $30 billion in military aid to Israel is "delivered in full." "America will continue our military aid, and Israel will keep its military strength," he insisted. Instead of calling for talks with the democratically elected government of Hamas, Kerry said: "Hamas has already won one election-we cannot allow them to win another." He ended his speech shouting several times in Hebrew, "Am Yisrael Chai-Israel lives!"
Even Vice President Biden, who at least told AIPAC that Israel should freeze new settlement activity, didn't say a word about the ongoing humanitarian crisis caused by Israel's invasion and continued blockade of Gaza. No U.S. officials, and there were hundreds at the conference, dared echo the call of the United Nations or the world community to lift the siege of Gaza.
Republican Congressman Eric Cantor was one of the most emotional speakers, portraying Israel as the victim of an evil global movement determined to wipe out Israel and all Jews. Evoking the "shivering, naked victims who were herded into the gas chambers," he wondered when it would become too late to protect Israel. "When is it too late?", he repeated over and over.
I wonder the same thing. When is it too late, I wonder, to stop Israel from destroying itself? When is it too late to tell AIPAC attendees that more violence and hatred is not the answer? When is it too late to open the hardened hearts of my people, once victims of a terrible holocaust, to realize that by occupying Palestine we have become they evil we deplore? When is it too late to restore meaning to the Hebrew term "tikkun olam" by truly working to heal the world? When is it too late for the Jews of the world to weep for the children of Gaza, recognizing that they, too, are the children of God?
I couldn't ask my questions at AIPAC. My mouth was muzzled by the sweaty hands of hate-filled staffers demanding that I "shut the f--- up." But despite AIPAC's massive funds and influence, I feel certain that more and more members of the Jewish community will step forward and refuse to be silent. I just pray it is not too late.
For information on upcoming delegations to Gaza, see www.codepinkalert.org/gaza.
Medea Benjamin (medea@globalexchange.org) is cofounder of Global Exchange (www.globalexchange.org) and CODEPINK: Women for Peace (www.codepinkalert.org).
Action Alert: Single-Payer Activists Arrested!!
Healthcare-NOW!, May 5, 2009
We need your help getting in the news today.
A series of protesters demanding single-payer health care coverage disrupted a Senate Finance Committee roundtable on health care reform today.
At the beginning of the hearing this morning, a man stood and yelled, "So let me get this straight -- you have 15 seats at the table and not one for single payer? Why is that?"
The protest was organized by a coalition of groups, including Physicians for a National Health Program, Single Payer Action, and Healthcare-NOW!
"Other methods of communication with elected officials have failed in delivering the demand for single-payer national health care as evidenced by the exclusion of single-payer advocates from official hearings on health reform," said a release about the event.
See a video of the protest here and here. All eight protesters were arrested.
Please, contact some of the following news outlets to help get this story covered.
ABC News - 212-456-7777 - netaudr@abc.com
CBS News - 212-975-4321 - evening@cbsnews.com
CNBC - (201) 735-2622 - info@cnbc.com
CNN - 404-827-1500 - email
MSNBC/NBC - (212) 664-4444 - hardball@msnbc.com - rachel@msnbc.com - nightly@nbc.com
PBS - 703-739-5000 - newshour@pbs.org
Here's some press we already got: here, here, and here.
Thanks for all that you do,
Healthcare-NOW! National Staff
Honor Rachel Corrie: Call Congress & join 6 year protests against war
Occupation Is A Crime! Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine....
Honor Rachel Corrie - Tell President Obama & Congress: Stop Funding Israeli Apartheid
On March 16, 2003, (just days before the official launch of the war on Iraq) American peace activist Rachel Corrie was murdered by an Israeli Occupation Forces bulldozer driver. Rachel was in Palestine volunteering with the International Solidarity Movement. She was trying to prevent the destruction of a Palestinian family's home when she was purposely crushed by the bulldozer. Congress has refused to even do an independent investigation (Israel says it was an accident of course). We should all honor Rachel by following her courageous example & take action everyday to Free Palestine & stop U.S. aid and stop U.S. & ALL other weapons flowing into Israel.
Watch this video of Rachel Corrie interview in Palestine two days before her murder at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3JI-axaRF4
(Peace activist and Indymedia reporter Tristan Anderson was critically injured by Israeli forces on Friday at a non-violent protest in Nil'in, in the central West Bank - see http://www.imemc.org/article/59347)
March 18 Anti-War Rally at UNCC 12:15pm at Belk Tower
March 18 CODEPINK Weekly Peace Vigil 5pm at Hawthorne Ln & 7th St
March 19 Anti-War Protest - Oppose Thomas Friedman's Lies 6:30pm at Queens University
March 21 National March On The Pentagon
April 3 & 4 National March On Wall St
Tell President Obama & Congress:
Hold Israel accountable for murdering American citizen Rachel Corrie;
Israel must observe the ceasefire;
Open all the Gaza border crossings & allow unimpeded access for humanitarian & construction aid;
Israel must pay reparations to Gaza Palestine for the people killed & wounded and the destruction;
Stop U.S. aid to Israel & impose sanctions as set forth in the Arms Export Control Act;
Hold Israel accountable for war crimes & crimes against humanity;
Use the U.S.'s diplomatic pressure to end the illegal military occupation of Palestine.
Also oppose H. Con. Res. 29.
Call your Representative at (202) 224-3121 or (866) 338-1015. To find out who your Representative is go to http://www.house.gov
Call your Senators at (202) 224-3121 or (866) 338-1015. To find out who your Senators are go to http://www.senate.gov
Contact President Obama:
The Honorable Barack H. Obama
President, United States of America
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
Fax: 202-456-2461
E-mail: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact
http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/opl/
*******************
Protest On The 6 Year "Anniversary" of The Iraq War
Fund Jobs & Education Not War
Wed., March 18 Anti-War Rally 12:15pm - 3pm at UNCC at Belk Tower. Sponsored by Students For A Democratic Society (SDS) -UNCC. Info: Scott at scotty28223@gmail.com or 252-943-9037
*******************
Wed., March 18 CODEPINK Weekly Peace Vigil 5pm to 6pm at Hawthorne Ln & 7th St.
*******************
Thurs., March 19 Demonstrate to Free Palestine - Oppose Lies Of Journalist Thomas Friedman
6:30 pm
Queens University
1900 Selwyn Ave Charlotte NC
On the 6th 'Anniversary' of the War on Iraq:
End The Occupations Of Palestine, Iraq, & Afghanistan!
Support Palestinian Right To Return!
Stop Spreading Lies & Misinformation in the Media!
New York Times columnist & author Thomas Friedman will be speaking at Queens University in the Dana Auditorium. We will be there to tell the truth and stand up for peace & justice. This well published apologist for war crimes has the audacity to justify the crimes being committed against Palestinian Gaza right now and Israel's killing of civilian in Lebanon in 2006. He was also a cheerleader for the criminal invasion & occupation of Iraq.
See his latest NYT OP-ED "Israel's Goals in Gaza?" at http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/14/opinion/14friedman.html?_r=2&ref=opinion.
Info: Action Center For Justice
704.492.5226 or charlotteaction@gmail.com
http://charlotteaction.blogspot.com
*******************
Sat., March 21 National March On The Pentagon
Bring ALL the Troops Home Now!
End War and Occupation - Iraq, Afghanistan & Palestine!
Money for Human Needs - NOT War!
Transportation from Charlotte contact Action Center For Justice at 704.492.5226 or charlotteaction@gmail.com.
(2/27/09) The Troops Out Now Coalition condemns the announcement today that Washington plans to keep an occupying force of 50,000 troops in Iraq indefinitely.
In November, the people voted overwhelmingly for an end to war and occupation. The majority of the people of the U.S. - and the world are demanding an end to the war and occupation in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Palestine.
The war against the people of Iraq was launched based on lies about weapons of mass destruction, as a pretext to seize control of the vast oil reserves of the region for the benefit of Wall Street. The Cost of War website estimates that the Iraq war has cost $341.4 million every day - $4,681 per household. On Thursday, the White House announced that it will ask Congress for an additional $75.5 billion this year to pay for war and occupation in Afghanistan and Iraq. This would raise the budget for war for 2009 to $141 billion and increase the Pentagon's 2009 spending to $513.3 billion. This is in addition to the billions of dollars given to Israel every year to continue a brutal war against the Palestinian people.
Right now, more than ever the people need the billions of dollars that are being spent on the illegal occupation of Iraq to be spent on meeting human needs, like jobs, affordable housing, education, and health care. Each day brings news of tens of thousands of layoffs, foreclosures, and evictions. Working people are facing a crisis of historic proportions - we must organize to demand a real bail out for people, not bloated Pentagon budgets and trillion dollar handouts to corrupt CEO's.
Join the Troops Out Now Coalition and many other groups at the March on the Pentagon, Saturday March 21 and then...
National March on Wall Street!
Friday, April 3 - when Wall Street is open for business; continuing to Saturday, April 4 - at the Intersection of Wall & Broad Streets (The Stock Exchange).
Join us in the streets to demand:
* Bring ALL the Troops Home Now!
* No new troops to Afghanistan!
* Money for Human Needs Not War!
* End Occupation - Iraq, Afghanistan & Palestine
For more info about the April 3 & 4 March on Wall St see http://www.bailoutpeople.org
Van(s) from Charlotte to April 3 & 4 March On Wall St contact Action Center For Justice at 704.492.5226 or charlotteaction@gmail.com.
*******************
DONATE - Support our work by sending donations to Action Center For Justice, 7100 Mapleridge Dr, Charlotte, NC 28210
*******************
Action Center For Justice
www.charlotteaction.blogspot.com
Honor Rachel Corrie - Tell President Obama & Congress: Stop Funding Israeli Apartheid
On March 16, 2003, (just days before the official launch of the war on Iraq) American peace activist Rachel Corrie was murdered by an Israeli Occupation Forces bulldozer driver. Rachel was in Palestine volunteering with the International Solidarity Movement. She was trying to prevent the destruction of a Palestinian family's home when she was purposely crushed by the bulldozer. Congress has refused to even do an independent investigation (Israel says it was an accident of course). We should all honor Rachel by following her courageous example & take action everyday to Free Palestine & stop U.S. aid and stop U.S. & ALL other weapons flowing into Israel.
Watch this video of Rachel Corrie interview in Palestine two days before her murder at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3JI-axaRF4
(Peace activist and Indymedia reporter Tristan Anderson was critically injured by Israeli forces on Friday at a non-violent protest in Nil'in, in the central West Bank - see http://www.imemc.org/article/59347)
March 18 Anti-War Rally at UNCC 12:15pm at Belk Tower
March 18 CODEPINK Weekly Peace Vigil 5pm at Hawthorne Ln & 7th St
March 19 Anti-War Protest - Oppose Thomas Friedman's Lies 6:30pm at Queens University
March 21 National March On The Pentagon
April 3 & 4 National March On Wall St
Tell President Obama & Congress:
Hold Israel accountable for murdering American citizen Rachel Corrie;
Israel must observe the ceasefire;
Open all the Gaza border crossings & allow unimpeded access for humanitarian & construction aid;
Israel must pay reparations to Gaza Palestine for the people killed & wounded and the destruction;
Stop U.S. aid to Israel & impose sanctions as set forth in the Arms Export Control Act;
Hold Israel accountable for war crimes & crimes against humanity;
Use the U.S.'s diplomatic pressure to end the illegal military occupation of Palestine.
Also oppose H. Con. Res. 29.
Call your Representative at (202) 224-3121 or (866) 338-1015. To find out who your Representative is go to http://www.house.gov
Call your Senators at (202) 224-3121 or (866) 338-1015. To find out who your Senators are go to http://www.senate.gov
Contact President Obama:
The Honorable Barack H. Obama
President, United States of America
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
Fax: 202-456-2461
E-mail: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact
http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/opl/
*******************
Protest On The 6 Year "Anniversary" of The Iraq War
Fund Jobs & Education Not War
Wed., March 18 Anti-War Rally 12:15pm - 3pm at UNCC at Belk Tower. Sponsored by Students For A Democratic Society (SDS) -UNCC. Info: Scott at scotty28223@gmail.com or 252-943-9037
*******************
Wed., March 18 CODEPINK Weekly Peace Vigil 5pm to 6pm at Hawthorne Ln & 7th St.
*******************
Thurs., March 19 Demonstrate to Free Palestine - Oppose Lies Of Journalist Thomas Friedman
6:30 pm
Queens University
1900 Selwyn Ave Charlotte NC
On the 6th 'Anniversary' of the War on Iraq:
End The Occupations Of Palestine, Iraq, & Afghanistan!
Support Palestinian Right To Return!
Stop Spreading Lies & Misinformation in the Media!
New York Times columnist & author Thomas Friedman will be speaking at Queens University in the Dana Auditorium. We will be there to tell the truth and stand up for peace & justice. This well published apologist for war crimes has the audacity to justify the crimes being committed against Palestinian Gaza right now and Israel's killing of civilian in Lebanon in 2006. He was also a cheerleader for the criminal invasion & occupation of Iraq.
See his latest NYT OP-ED "Israel's Goals in Gaza?" at http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/14/opinion/14friedman.html?_r=2&ref=opinion.
Info: Action Center For Justice
704.492.5226 or charlotteaction@gmail.com
http://charlotteaction.blogspot.com
*******************
Sat., March 21 National March On The Pentagon
Bring ALL the Troops Home Now!
End War and Occupation - Iraq, Afghanistan & Palestine!
Money for Human Needs - NOT War!
Transportation from Charlotte contact Action Center For Justice at 704.492.5226 or charlotteaction@gmail.com.
(2/27/09) The Troops Out Now Coalition condemns the announcement today that Washington plans to keep an occupying force of 50,000 troops in Iraq indefinitely.
In November, the people voted overwhelmingly for an end to war and occupation. The majority of the people of the U.S. - and the world are demanding an end to the war and occupation in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Palestine.
The war against the people of Iraq was launched based on lies about weapons of mass destruction, as a pretext to seize control of the vast oil reserves of the region for the benefit of Wall Street. The Cost of War website estimates that the Iraq war has cost $341.4 million every day - $4,681 per household. On Thursday, the White House announced that it will ask Congress for an additional $75.5 billion this year to pay for war and occupation in Afghanistan and Iraq. This would raise the budget for war for 2009 to $141 billion and increase the Pentagon's 2009 spending to $513.3 billion. This is in addition to the billions of dollars given to Israel every year to continue a brutal war against the Palestinian people.
Right now, more than ever the people need the billions of dollars that are being spent on the illegal occupation of Iraq to be spent on meeting human needs, like jobs, affordable housing, education, and health care. Each day brings news of tens of thousands of layoffs, foreclosures, and evictions. Working people are facing a crisis of historic proportions - we must organize to demand a real bail out for people, not bloated Pentagon budgets and trillion dollar handouts to corrupt CEO's.
Join the Troops Out Now Coalition and many other groups at the March on the Pentagon, Saturday March 21 and then...
National March on Wall Street!
Friday, April 3 - when Wall Street is open for business; continuing to Saturday, April 4 - at the Intersection of Wall & Broad Streets (The Stock Exchange).
Join us in the streets to demand:
* Bring ALL the Troops Home Now!
* No new troops to Afghanistan!
* Money for Human Needs Not War!
* End Occupation - Iraq, Afghanistan & Palestine
For more info about the April 3 & 4 March on Wall St see http://www.bailoutpeople.org
Van(s) from Charlotte to April 3 & 4 March On Wall St contact Action Center For Justice at 704.492.5226 or charlotteaction@gmail.com.
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Action Center For Justice
www.charlotteaction.blogspot.com
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