Truth and Justice Radio
WZBC 90.3 Boston
Sundays 6-10 AM


LOCAL EVENT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Week of 18 JANUARY 2009

25 Actions to Support Gaza Justice

Speak out on Bush Pardons!

Calls for Action on Gaza, Iraq Pullout & Bailout


Continuing Events          Announcements
Sun
Mon
Tues
Wed
Thur
Fri
Sat
Future
TJR EVENT ARCHIVE

THIS WEEK'S EVENTS


SUNDAY, JAN 18, 2009

back to top
11AM: LORETTA J. WILLIAMS
"To Save the Soul of America: Reflections on Sheroes and Heroes"
COMMUNITY CHURCH OF BOSTON
565 Boylston St. (Copley Square), Boston

A sociologist, educator and activist, Loretta Williiams directs the Gustavus Myers Center at Simmons College. She is president of Racial Justice Connection, a national anti-racism consulting organization, and served as founding chair of the National Interreligious Commission on Civil Rights. Dr. Williams has taught at the University of Missouri, SUNY-Buffalo, Brandeis & the Women's Theological Center. She was director of the Dept. for Social Justice of the Unitarian Universalist Association from 1980 to 1989.

The Gustavus Myers Center for the Study of Bigotry and Human Rights reviews, and annually honors, outstanding books published in this area. The Center, founded in 1984, was named in honor of the pioneering historian who authored History of Bigotry in the United States (1943). The Gustavus Myers Award commends works published each year which extend our understanding of the root causes of bigotry and the range of options we as humans have in constructing alternative ways to share power.

---------- Sunday----------

2-4PM: MLK remembrance, Brookline HS
Brookline High Auditorium, 115 Greenough Street
Brookline MA 02445

A Celebration and Remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr
Poverty In America: The Third Enemy
Keynote Speaker: Charles Yancey, Boston City Councilman

Tell Em bout The Dream Martin
Featuring Ms. Laura Vecchione
OUR EYES (ARE) ON THE PRIZE REDUX

PLEASE JOIN US LIKE SO MANY OTHER COMMUNITIES
Remember, Honor and Celebrate the Dream of Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King

Sponsored by
the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Celebration Committee
Brookline Adult & Community Education Program
Brookline Green-Rainbow Party

Free. Optional registration online at brooklineadulted.org
Or call 617-730-2700
Refreshments will follow event

---------- Sunday----------

3-5PM: El Salvador Elections Watch Party
Cambridge Co-Housing Community Room
175 Richdale Ave North Cambridge (Porter T)

The left in El Salvador is poised to win the presidency in March 2009. On January 18th, the leftist FMLN party is also expected to make big wins in the local and legislative election.

We'll have eyewitness call-ins from Lisa Fuller (CISPES) and Leigh Hardy (Cambridge-El Salvador Sister Cities) who are in El Salvador observing the January elections. There will be food, music and updates on the vote.

Everyone is invited to come and meet El Salvador solidarity companeros from CISPES, Sister Cities, and other groups, learn the latest about what's planned for March, and celebrate the first step toward El Salvador's Victoria 2009.

Directions: Mass Ave North from Porter--turn left onto Walden St. Right immediately over the bridge on Richdale--most of the way down the block on the right.

contact: Boston Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador
617.576.1709


MONDAY, JAN 19, 2009

back to top

11AM: "Shoes for Bush", Washington DC

"AMERICANS BOOT PRESIDENT BUSH OUT OF THE WHITE HOUSE"

Monday, January 19th at 11:00 a.m. ET
Rally begins at DuPont Circle, followed by a march to the White House with shoes and combat boots.

Speakers include ...
David Swanson (afterdowningstreet.org)
Adam Kokesh (ivaw.org)
Debra Sweet (worldcantwait.org)

---------- Monday ----------

TUESDAY, JAN 20, 2009

back to top

Inaugation Day Actions in Washington, D.C.

Coming to the Inauguration on January 20th? You may not get into the parade but you can be part of the change in this country by joining us at the Inauguration Action Center in McPherson Square (15th and K streets, NW in downtown Washington - minutes away from the parade route and the National Mall).

Peace Action joined with tons of progressive groups like Amnesty International and the Washington Peace Center for an all day ACTION CENTER.

We've got a host of events around the city.

---------- Tuesday ----------

Flood the Congressional offices with your calls!
Demanding an Immediate Israeli Ceasefire.

Muslim Public Affairs Council states that Congressional offices are hearing from AIPAC supporters vs our calls 10 to 1. WE NEED TO CHANGE THAT RATIO.

On January 9, members of the House of Representatives Supported the AIPAC Resolution H RES 34 with 390 voting yes and 5 voting NO. In essence the resolution lays all the blame on Hamas and supports "Israel's right to defend itself against attacks from Gaza". Resolution is attached. All the MA congressional Delegation voted yes except for Olver and Delahunt.

Here's the voting record:
Massachusetts
Present MA-1 Olver, John [D]
Yea MA-2 Neal, Richard [D]
Yea MA-3 McGovern, James [D]
Yea MA-4 Frank, Barney [D]
Yea MA-5 Tsongas, Niki [D]
Yea MA-6 Tierney, John [D]
Yea MA-7 Markey, Edward [D]
Yea MA-8 Capuano, Michael [D]
Yea MA-9 Lynch, Stephen [D]
Not Voting MA-10Delahunt, William [D]

---------- Tuesday ----------

NOON: 2-hour Democracy Now! show, WZBC

Democracy Now! will be doing extended broadcasts on January 20th and January 21st to bring you special coverage of the historic inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States. Please contact your local radio or TV station for local listings. There will also be a live video and audio stream of the show on our homepage.

---------- Tuesday ----------

Tune-Out the Inauguration
Drop by anytime next Tuesday, from noon to midnight.

Tune-Out the inauguration [of the next face of american imperialism & exploitation]; get together, with strong-minded people of conscience; have a day of fun distractions - play games, watch DVDs together, refuel... and plan Knock Out activities to follow in the days ahead that will be an antidote to endemic US/Israeli propaganda and an expression of outrage that americans need to see ... from SOMEONE!!

Suggested activities during the day: paint humongous banners to later hang over highways (many hands make light work; and have FUN while you're at it); prepare packets of flyers, DVDs for distribution collect old pots and pans, maybe decorate them, and plan noise- making street actions - go Latin!

Map & parking info

---------- Tuesday ----------

6PM: Gaza solidarity vigil, Brandeis

From our friend, Professor Gordon Fellman at Brandeis:

Brandeis Students for Justice in Palestine (BSJP) has decided to hold a vigil in solidarity with the human suffering currently taking place in the Gaza strip.

The vigil will take place in the Upper Usdan dining hall on Tuesday, January 20th, 2008 at 6 PM.

Student members of BSJP will be presenting their thoughts and feelings through different readings.

Whatever your political stance on the war is, we merely ask you to come and help us empower the people of Gaza who have been severely harmed and who are currently going through a humanitarian crisis. We are not seeking to prove who is right or who is wrong, but simply bringing some light to the suffering currently taking place and providing a forum for healing.

Let's light Gaza together and help forge a path towards peace.

Brandeis Students for Justice in Palestine

---------- Tuesday ----------
7PM: Wobbly Dinner and Discussion Night
COMMUNITY CHURCH OF BOSTON
565 Boylston St. (Copley Square), Boston

Join members and supporters of the IWW (Industrial Workers of the World, or "Wobblies") for an evening of dinner and discussion. Find out more about the IWW, its activities and how you can participate. Get to know the IWW, the One Big Union.

This month's discussion topic: How is the economic crisis affecting you?

$5 suggested donation

---------- Tuesday ----------

WEDNESDAY, JAN 21, 2009

back to top

Flood the Congressional offices with your calls!
Demanding an Immediate Israeli Ceasefire.

Muslim Public Affairs Council states that Congressional offices are hearing from AIPAC supporters vs our calls 10 to 1. WE NEED TO CHANGE THAT RATIO.

On January 9, members of the House of Representatives Supported the AIPAC Resolution H RES 34 with 390 voting yes and 5 voting NO. In essence the resolution lays all the blame on Hamas and supports "Israel's right to defend itself against attacks from Gaza". Resolution is attached. All the MA congressional Delegation voted yes except for Olver and Delahunt.

Here's the voting record:
Massachusetts
Present MA-1 Olver, John [D]
Yea MA-2 Neal, Richard [D]
Yea MA-3 McGovern, James [D]
Yea MA-4 Frank, Barney [D]
Yea MA-5 Tsongas, Niki [D]
Yea MA-6 Tierney, John [D]
Yea MA-7 Markey, Edward [D]
Yea MA-8 Capuano, Michael [D]
Yea MA-9 Lynch, Stephen [D]
Not Voting MA-10Delahunt, William [D]

---------- Wednesday ----------

National Clean energy call-in day

National call-in day to the White House on Wednesday, January 21st in order to make our voices heard on Obama's first day in office.

YES to renewables, YES to energy efficiency, NO to carbon capture and sequestration, and NO to nuclear power.

It is all the more important to contact the Obama administration considering that just last week, Obama's choice for energy secretary, Dr. Stephen Chu, testified before Congress in favor of the $18.5 billion loan guarantee program for new nuclear reactors and for federal funding of reprocessing research. WRONG!

---------- Wednesday ----------

NOON: 2-hour Democracy Now! show, WZBC

Democracy Now! will be doing extended broadcasts on January 20th and January 21st to bring you special coverage of the historic inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States. Please contact your local radio or TV station for local listings. There will also be a live video and audio stream of the show on our homepage.

---------- Wednesday ----------

NOON: Gaza in Context:
Background and Prospects from the Current Crisis
Littauer Building, Room 280
Harvard Kennedy School

Duncan Kennedy
Carter Professor of General Jurisprudence
Harvard Law School

Naz K. Modirzadeh
Senior Associate
International Humanitarian Law Research Initiative Program on Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research
Harvard University

This event is open to the public.
Co-Sponsored by the Outreach Center at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies

The Middle East Initiative
John F. Kennedy School of Government
Harvard University

For directions to the Kennedy School campus, please go to hks.harvard.edu/about/contact

---------- Wednesday ----------
6:30PM: Revolution Books Presents: Video suite "Gaza Strip"
The Democracy Center
45 Mount Auburn St. (at Bow St)
Harvard Square

"Gaza Strip" by James Longley

In January of 2001, American director James Longley traveled to the Gaza Strip. His plan was to stay for two weeks to collect preliminary material for a documentary film on the Palestinian Intifada. It was during his stay that Ariel Sharon was elected as Israeli Prime Minister. As violence erupted around him, Longley threw away his return ticket and filmed for the next three months, acquiring nearly 75 hours of footage.

Gaza Strip, his first feature documentary, is an extraordinary and painful journey into the lives of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip struggling with the day- to-day trials of the Israeli occupation. Filmed in verité style and without narration, Gaza Strip at last gives voice to a population largely ignored by mainstream media.

---------- Wednesday ----------

7PM: The Emergency Gaza Coalition presents:
STOP THE MASSACRE OF GAZA!

The truth about the war on Gaza, the US government's role, and why we must fight back!

featuring:
NOAM CHOMSKY
ASSAF KFOURY, Professor, Boston University
AHMED SHAWKI, Editor, International Socialist Review

with discussion period for all to input their ideas, ask questions, debate and discuss the issues

WITH ACTIVIST BAZAAR OF PRO-PALESTINE GROUPS AND VENDORS

Before and after the event, come to learn, meet activists, pick up new literature and information and get plugged into the movement.

6:30PM Bazaar opens,
7PM Teach-in with panelists begins
@ Palestine Cultural Center for Peace
41 Quint Avenue, Allston, MA 02134

Are you outraged at Israel's genocidal war path through Gaza? You and hundreds of millions around the world! Who wouldn't be at the senseless destruction, loss of innocent life, the targeting of schools and mosques, the use of horrific chemical weapons such as white phosphorus, the targeting of aid convoys, youth, power plants that keep water clean and the little food that's around refrigerated, destruction of communications infrastructure, the razing of not only homes but whole neighborhoods and cities... It's an immeasurable catastrophe.

In order for our movement to be effective and to grow wide and strong, we must come together to learn and exchange ideas. This conflict raises questions of local, national, and international significance:

* What is Israel doing? What actually happening on the ground? Why is this war happening, and why now? What are Israel's real goals behind the rhetoric?

* What is the US's relationship with Israel? Why does the US give Israel such massive and unflinching support materially and diplomatically, despite international opposition?

* Can we do anything about it? What does the grassroots movement against this war look like here and abroad, where is it going? Does what we do in our own neighborhoods and schools really matter?

Let's educate ourselves to build this movement and really make a difference.

For more information or to endorse/co-sponsor this event, or to be represented at activist bazaar, please email: emergencygazacoalition@gmail.com or call: 617- 970-2701.

---------- Wednesday ----------
7PM: IMC israel/palestine presents: No Wall
Lucy Parsons Center
549 Columbus Avenue
Boston's South End
Telephone: 617.267.6272

Three video documentaries of israel and palestinian resistance to the separation barrier-

"Temporary Inconvenience" the story of an israei/palestainian anti-wall encampment at mas'ha village.

"Democracy is not built on demonstrators' bodies" shows the media frenzy following the Israeli soldiers' shooting of an Israel prtestor at mas'ha: material presented at the actvists' press conference; the media's response; and an evalutaion by the activists of the event.

"Rough cuts of rough demos" Shows palestianians demonstrating daily against the building of the separation wall side by side with Israelis and other internationals facing deadly force by the Israeli army.

---------- Wednesday ----------

THURSDAY, JAN 22, 2009

back to top

4-6PM: Harvard LABOR AND WORKLIFE FORUMS Presents
"SOLIDARITY DIVIDED: The Crisis in Organized Labor
and A New Path Towards Social Justice"

Bill Fletcher, Jr. Author, Solidarity Divided and Director, Field Services and Education Department, American Federation of Government Employees


Pound Hall, Room 107
1563 Mass Ave., Cambridge

---------- Thursday ----------

4:15PM: 911 Truth meeting, Newton

The Newton Chapter of Boston 911 Truth invites your participation in its upcoming public events.

Its next meeting will be Thursday, January 22nd, from 4:15- 6PM.

For location and details, call Greg Flynn 617-730-9377 or email Chris Gruener

---------- Thursday ----------

FRIDAY, JAN 23, 2009

back to top

9AM-NOON: Immigration Forum
UMASS Boston, McCormack Hall 3rd Flr., Room 0201

The Massachusetts chapter of NALACC and Eastern Jobs with Justice present:

Is a Humane and Just Immigration Reform Possible in an Economic Crisis?

An educational panel discussion with Avi Chomsky, Bill Fletcher Jr., Jeannette Huezo and Oscar Chacon: What is the political landscape for immigration reform in 2009 in the context of the past November elections and the economic crisis?

This panel aims to educate the NALAAC Massachusetts chapter membership, immigrant rights advocates and other allies about what is currently happening in the national arena around the prospect of immigration reform in 2009. Also the organizers of the event hope to move participants from an analytical discussion illuminating the racial, cultural, and economic conflicts embedded in the current immigration debate, to a proactive construction of arguments for a more humane immigration and global labor system.

More details: unionvoice.org

---------- Friday ----------

7:30PM: Gaza forum, Arlington

LET GAZA LIVE!
Arlington/Lexington United for Justice with peace will hold an educational forum on the current crisis in Gaza
Friday, January 23, 7:30 PM
Cavalry Methodist Church
300 Massachusetts Ave., East Arlington.

Unlike what the rest of the world sees, the American media reports only what the US and Israeli government want us to believe. While brutal war crimes are waged on the defenseless people of Gaza, they distort what is really going on and more importantly, why.

Speakers:
Salma Abu Ayyash, a Palestinian activist and educator
Howard Lenow, American Jews for a Just Peace
Prof. Emerita Elaine Hagopian, noted authority on the history of conflicts in the Middle East

The panel will expose the political, military, economic, and ideological reasons behind the latest crisis, discuss how Americans can end the atrocities committed in our name and rally support for the Palestinian people.

Suggested donation $5.00.
For more information, call 781-316-2018.

---------- Friday ----------

SATURDAY, JAN 24, 2009

back to top

No Events to Post at this Time.

---------- Saturday ----------

FUTURE EVENTS

SUNDAY, JAN 25, 2009

back to top

10AM: Forum: "Eyewitness Gaza,"
A Multi media presentation of January 2008 Gaza Trip

With a second showing of "Eyewitness Gaza," Wednesday, January 28, 7 pm

SEE ALSO:

An exhibit of photographs by Skip Schiel about Gaza, at the University Lutheran Church in Harvard Square, Cambridge MA. "Gaza is home to one & one-half million human beings: How do they live?"

January 15 to April 12, 2009
University Lutheran church, Cambridge, Harvard Square,
66 Winthrop St, Cambridge, MA 02138 (www.unilu.org)
(off JFK St, near Staples)

Hours: Mon - Thurs, 10 AM - 4, Sun 9 AM - 12

Until recently we didn't hear much about Gaza, a narrow sliver of land in Palestine-Israel that is home to 1.5 million Palestinians?some 75% of them refugees since 1948 when the state of Israel was founded, and 1967, after the Six Day War. With the carnage reported daily?rocket attacks by militants against Israeli civilians and Israel's air, sea, and land attacks on Gaza, as Israel has killed more than 1000 Palestinians, half of them civilians, with more than 4000 injuries?the region is now in the anguished hearts of many. Skip Schiel, a photojournalist from Cambridge Massachusetts, offers the exhibit and multi media presentations about Gaza.

Mr. Schiel has traveled and photographed in Israel- Palestine over a five-year period, usually three months each year. Using photographs and stories, he will present his experiences from his last journey to the land of troubles in January 2008. The photographer visited the apparent site of the 2003 killing of Rachel Corrie, a young woman working with Palestinians in Rafah. He toured the area near the Egyptian border wall which four days later Gazans breached in a nonviolent attempt to break the siege. While in Gaza Mr. Schiel worked with the American Friends Service Committee youth program, teaching and photographing.

Free and open to the public. Donations accepted at the door for the January 28th show. Photographs on sale.

Website: teeksaphoto.org
Blog: skipschiel.wordpress.com
617-876-3256, x 201 or 617-441-7756

THURSDAY, JAN 29, 2009

back to top

START of World Social Forum, Brazil

The 9th World Social Forum it taking place in Belem, Brazil. Dates January 29 - February 1.



ANNOUNCEMENTS

back to top

Applaud Arlington Advocate for allowing truth

The Arlington Advocate (local newspaper, published by CNC conglomerate) is under attack for publishing an article explaining what's wrong with attacking Gaza. (The article was written by Mary Lynn Cramer, with whom we are proud to be associated.)

Sadly but unsurprisingly, the attack is rife with ignorance and hateful invective, calling the article a "tirade against Israel/Jews," "one-sided," "anti- semetic" [sic], etc.

Truth is hard to come by in the commercial media and needs to be applauded. Concerned listeners may want to contact the Arlington Advocate to express approval and appreciation of its printing of Cramer's article, and perhaps submit others expanding on it.

Mary Lynn Cramer: mllynn2@yahoo.com
Arlington Advocate: arlington@cnc.com

____________

back to top
Calls for vigorous action on the Gaza genocide.
Calls for vigorous action on bailout plans.
Calls for vigorous action on Iraq pullout.
Etc.

____________

back to top

Tell USreps to stop supporting Israel's attacks

Your member of Congress needs to know you support a Gaza ceasefire and our new call-Congress tool makes it easy.

The newly-elected Congress has been sworn in and has a chance to urge a comprehensive ceasefire in Gaza that would end the violence, including Israel's shelling and ground attack and Hamas's rockets; end weapons smuggling, and open Gaza's border crossings to ease the humanitarian crisis.

____________

back to top

write to prisoners, AIUSA

From our activist friend Sandy Coy, who runs a weekly vigil Thursday afternoons in Wayland:

I am writing to ask activists, as well as my family and others who are not political activists, to join me in a simple action to launch what the whole world hopes will be a fresh start in a better direction. I feel I must write after reading a book today that one of my children gave me for Christmas, "Poems from Guantanamo: The Detainees Speak."

Most of the detainees do not know these poems were saved, declassified (much of their writing still has not been), translated and published. But it has happened, through the persistent work of many volunteer legal advocates. In these poems, the goodness of many souls and their hope in God and their fellow men for justice comes through. Some of the poems moved me to tears of both sorrow and shame.

But tears for them or anyone unjustly imprisoned will do no good. Doing something as simple as writing a brief card can actually help people who are being unjustly imprisoned.

How? When prisoners receive volumes of international mail, their jailers know they have lost the cover of anonymity. This leads to better treatment for the prisoner and ultimately their release, just to get the public spotlight to go away.

So, here's what I am asking of myself, my family and of you, which shouldn't take more than a few minutes:

Write out one or more cards for selected prisoners of conscience from any of 12 countries (one is a Guantanamo detainee) identified by Amnesty International.

This card to a prisoner of conscience is probably going to mean more than any other card we sent this year.
25 actions you can do for justice in Gaza

From the Palestinian Center for Rapprochement Between People (via our correspondent Mazin Qumsiyeh):

So far hundreds of civilians have been killed in Gaza. Five sisters in one family, four other children in another home, two children on a cart drawn by a donkey. Universities, colleges, police stations, roads, apartment buildings were all targeted. The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian areas issued a statement that "The Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip represent s evere and massive violations of international humanitarian law as defined in the Geneva Conventions, both in regard to the obligations of an Occupying Power and in the requirements of the laws of war."

Twenty-five things to do to bring peace with justice:

1) First get the facts and then disseminate them.
Here are some basic background information


2) Contact local media. Write letters to editors (usually 100-150 words) and longer op-eds (usually 600- 800 words) for local newspapers. But also write to news departments in both print, audio, and visual media about their coverage. In the US you can find media listings in your country using search engines like google.

3) Contact elected and other political leaders in your country to urge them to apply pressure to end the attacks. In the US, Contact the State Department at 202.647.5291, the White House 202-456-1111 the Egyptian Embassy 202.895.5400, embassy@egyptembassy.net and the Obama Transition Team 202-540-3000 (then press 2 to speak with a staff member).

4) Organize and join demonstrations in front of Israeli and Egyptian embassies or when not doable in front of your parliament, office of elected officials, and any other visible place (and do media work for it).

5) Hold a teach-in, seminar, public dialogue, documentary film viewing etc. this is straightforward: you need to decide venue, nature, if any speakers, and do some publicity (the internet helps).

6) Pass out fliers with facts and figures about Palestine and Gaza in your community (make sure also to mention its relevance to the audience: e.g, US taxpayers paying for the carnage, increase in world instability and economic uncertainty).

7) Put a Palestinian flag at your window.

8) Wear a Palestinian head scarf (Koufiya).

9) Wear Black arm bands (this helps start conversations with people).

10) Send direct aid to Gaza through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

11) Initiate boycotts, divestments and sanctions at all levels and including asking leaders to expel the Israeli ambassadors (an ambassador of an apartheid and rogue state). See Palestinian call.

12) Work towards bringing Israeli leaders before war crime courts (actions along those lines in courts have stopped Israeli leaders from traveling abroad to some countries like Britain where they may face charges).

13) Calling upon all Israelis to demonstrate in front of their war ministry and to more directly challenge their government.

14) Do outreach: to neighbors and friends directly. Via Internet to a lot of others (you can join and post information to various listservs/groups).

15) Start your own activist group or join other local groups (simple search in your city with the word Palestine could identify candidate groups that have previously worked on issues of Palestine). Many have also been successful in at bringing coalitions from different constituencies in their local areas to work together (human rights group, social and civil activists, religious activists, etc).

16) Develop a campaign of sit-ins at government offices or other places where decision makers aggregate.

17) Do a group fast for peace one day and hold it in a public place.

18) Visit Palestine (e.g. with Siraj Center for Holy Land Studies).

19) Support human rights and other groups working on the ground in Palestine.

20) Make large signs and display them at street corners and wherever people congregate.

21) Contact local churches, mosques, synagogues, and other houses of worship and ask them to take a moral stand and act. Call on your mosque to dedicate this Friday for Gaza actions.

22) Sign petitions for Gaza, e.g. Gaza: Stop the Bloodshed Petition.

23) Write and call people in Gaza.

24) Work with other groups that do not share your political views (factionalism and excessive divisions within activist communities allowed those who advocate war to succeed).

25) Dedicate a certain time for activism for peace every day (1 hour) and think of more actions than what is listed above.

For support and contacts of people in Gaza or to volunteer, please contact the Palestinian Center for Rapprochement Between People, via gaza@imemc.org, or call 989-607-9480 (from the US and Canada) or 972 2277 2018 (from other places).

____________

back to top

Sign the Gaza Petition Online Now!

As of Friday morning, more than 360,000 petitions have been sent. Please add your voice to the thousands who are demanding: Stop the massacre in Gaza!

Please help get the word out - pass this message along, post it on local bulleting boards & Indymedia.

____________

back to top

Weigh in for Bush/Cheney convictions
SPECIAL PROSECUTOR QUESTION NUMBER ONE NOW
ON THE OBAMA TRANSITION SITE

The question ThePen told you about asking about a special prosecutor for the gravest crimes of the Bush/Cheney administration is now NUMBER ONE on the official Obama site. And as of last check they are still open for voting. So if you have not voted already, the easiest way to find the question is
...

1. Sign in at change.gov/openforquestions and remember you have to set up a login for yourself at that site to vote

2. Click on "Additional Issues" under "Pick a Topic" on the left

3. The special prosecutor question started by "Bob Fertik" should be the one leading the top of that section (and now leading all questions over all topics with 16,000 votes).

4. Look right for the checkbox, mouseover it so it goes from white to dark, then click to cast your vote

Please cast your vote as soon as possible, as the voting may close at any time.

What this means is that Obama will now have to ANSWER this question on his official site, just as if he had accepted this question at a real press conference.

THEN GET YOUR NEW CONVICT DICK & W CAP TO DEMONSTRATE WITH

As we in the White House accountability movement look forward, whether it's impeachment, federal prosecution, or state by state prosecutions as a last resort, the key word is "Convict". And that is why we have introduced a new cap to wear to continue to carry the ball with that says "CONVICT DICK & W" in red, white and blue. If you want to be one of the first to get one of these new caps please submit the page below.

New Convict Dick & W Cap

____________

back to top

The Lucy Parsons Center is proud to demonstrate that an all-volunteer, collectively-run radical bookstore and community center can survive in the capitalist United States, but the majority of our income comes from book sales and most of that goes straight to pay our landlord and bills.

That's why we need you! Without support from our community, we could not continue to function.

As the year draws to a close we are asking you to pledge to support the Lucy Parsons Center in 2009. We want 100 new monthly supporters kicking in $5 a month to help ensure our ability to offer radical books, talks, workshops, movies, meeting spaces, and whatever else you want to see happen as we work to build the better world.

100 supporters sounds like a lot and we are challenging ourselves to meet this goal. On the other hand, $5 a month isn't that much. It's the price of a beer with tip, less than a falafel, and come January less than the priority mail postage you'd have to pay to order the books you can ONLY find at the LPC over the internet.

Lucy Parsons Center
549 Columbus Avenue
Boston's South End
Telephone: (617) 267-6272
Email: lucyparsons@tao.ca

____________

back to top
Speak Out Against The Planned Bush Blanket Pardons BEFORE They Can Happen

Action Page To Stop The Bush Pardons: Impeach Now Action Page!

Pay no attention to the handful of Christmas pardons granted by Bush. This is mere political window dressing to distract from the bumper crop of blanket absolutions, including one for himself, scheduled to be released just before midnight on Jan 19th. Cheney would not so arrogantly be bragging on TV about how he authorized torture if it were not so.

But there is a resolution in Congress, H.Res. 1531, preemptively condemning any such move if we can just get enough members of Congress to sponsor it (already 10 so far). Many of you have submitted a action page on this already. Please do it again, especially if your representative did not "hear" you the first time.

Each action page you submit is another lump of coal in Cheney's stocking. Some have speculated on the possibility of post inauguration impeachment, especially considering the fact that many insiders are waiting until then to spill the beans. Maybe they don't want to get bumped off in a suspicious plane crash like Mike Connell. But a self pardon at the very last minute would certainly be grounds for some kind of action, perhaps even impeachment, if and only if Congress would react and take action immediately.

So we will still continue to distribute the impeachment message items until the very last minute as well. If you did not get one of the original navy blue "IMPEACH CHENEY?" caps, which was the original "question" hat, we still have some of those which you can get from the return page of the action page above. And of course we have the orange "IMPEACH BOTH!!!" caps (the "answer" hat). If you wear one and a friend wears the other that is especially effective. Or you can request a copy of the Impeachment Play DVD, either from that same return page, or here is the link directly for all three.

Impeachment Caps and DVDs

In any case we need to get ready to raise a renewed hue and cry when the expected happens on January 19th. How hard could it be to get members of Congress to simply raise their hand and declare that a presidential self pardon, let alone pardon of his criminal co-conspirators, is maybe not such a good idea? If we are to draw the line anywhere, this is where is must be drawn.

And let us look forward to the day when we will have real representatives in Washington, for a change, because we never stopped speaking out.

____________

back to top
Cape Wind Project

From Lexington Global Warming Action Coailtion LGWAC

In an 11th hour, blatant, political move that is similar to the one Ted Stevens tried to pull in 2005, on December 12, Congressman James Oberstar (D-MN) launched an effort to derail Cape Wind (proposed windfarm of 130 turbines in Nantucket Sound off Massachusetts).

Oberstar sent a letter to Commandant Thad Allen of the Coast Guard "requesting" an extraordinary and unprecedented review of the Coast Guard's OK as regards navigation hazards.

Oberstar's letter comes at the request of the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound, a group backed and fronted by Bill Koch, CEO of Oxbow. Oxbow's primary businesses are the mining and marketing of energy and commodities such as coal, petroleum coke, oil production, and composite pipe manufacturing. The Alliance's central mission is to stop Cape Wind, no matter what it takes, and has spent well over $15 million dollars, primarily on lawsuits, lobbying efforts and deliberate public relations campaigns promoting fearmongering and misinformation.

So we need you to help resist this maneuvering, and here's how.

ACTIONS:

1. Call Chairman Oberstar's offices
Washington DC: (202) 225-6211
Duluth, MN: (218) 727-7474
Tell him he should withdraw his request to the Coast Guard Commandant.

2. Call the Coast Guard's public affairs office:
Telephone: (202) 372-4620
Tell them you support their efforts and to stand up to Oberstar's bullying and that the American people
support Cape Wind and clean renewable energy.

3. Hit up Commandant Thad Allen on his Facebook page

Tell him you support him and will join him in standing up to Oberstar's bullying and that the American people support Cape Wind and clean renewable energy. Please call right away.

____________

back to top

Opportunities to Assist Cuba!

The damage from Hurricanes Gustav and Ike persist in Cuba. Tens of thousands homes need to be rebuilt, while building supplies remain limited due to the US Embargo. The following contacts can be used to assist Cuba in its continued reconstruction.

____________

back to top

The Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD) in Jerusalem has been informed that its request for re-funding has been rejected, in high probability because of pressure brought to bear by right-wing Israeli neo-cons who have campaigned obsessively against our funding while threatening publicly to close us down.

Tax-deductible donations needed.

____________

back to top

Open Media Boston on line

To everyone in the Boston area progressive community, After months of development and testing by a few dozen folks, Open Media Boston, the new progressive news, views and arts web portal, has just launched and is now ready for your participation.

____________

back to top

We have quietly been working away at TecsChange in Roxbury to refurbish computers. We recently sent one of our bigger shipments of 15 computers to a series of radio stations in Oaxaca, Mexico.

We work most Thurday evenings and Saturday afternoons
(1pm to at least 4 PM, usually longer)

We have one day a week where daytime volunteers come in. Presently it's Mondays but it might change soon.

Please call if you are interested.
TecsChange Office
617-442-4456

____________

back to top

Comcast: the poster child for Net Neutralitiy

Comcast has given us a glimpse of a world without Net Neutrality, and it's a chilling sight.

An investigation by the Associated Press caught the cable giant secretly inspecting online communications and crippling users' ability to share information with one another.

On 11-1-07, Free Press filed a legal complaint demanding that the FCC take action to protect the free flow of information on the Internet. By joining our complaint, you can help stop Comcast and other gatekeepers.

____________

back to top

Help Support Pro Bono Attorneys for Guantanamo Prisoners

Doris Tennant and Ellen Lubell (of Newton) are representing a Guantanamo prisoner pro bono, so they are providing their time at no charge. However, their costs, including their own travel and that of a translator, translator fees, and Freedom of Information Act requests, are running at least $20,000 for this year, and will likely continue at that same pace or more. Most of the other attorneys who are representing Guantanamo detainees are members of large law firms that can cover these types of expenses, but in their case the two of them are the firm.

If you would like to make a contribution to help them defray costs, it would be much appreciated. Please make your check payable to "Tennant Lubell Detainee Fund." Your contribution will NOT be tax-deductible, but they promise to put it to good use to help provide fundamental legal rights to a man who remains in indefinite detention.

Doris Tennant, Esq.
Tennant Lubell, LLC
288 Walnut Street, Suite 500
Newton, MA 02460
617-969-9610, X 101
Fax: 617-969-9611

____________

back to top

EXTRA-VIRGIN FAIR TRADE OLIVE OIL FROM PALESTINE

Just a friendly reminder that the holidays are coming and what better gift to give than a bottle of fairly traded extra-virgin olive oil from Palestine. We have plenty of oil available and should be able to fill all orders for the holidays. Think about buying a case of oil and instead of bringing a bottle of wine to your next dinner party, bring a bottle of olive oil instead!

We now ship anywhere in the continental US; please see our website for details . Olive Branch Olive Oil comes directly from the Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committees (PARC) , a non-profit, non-governmental organization in the West Bank. PARC is a member of the International Fair Trade Association, and is the only Palestinian organization that has received the Palestine Standards Institution certification for its olive oil.

Olive oil is the backbone of the Palestinian agricultural economy. Eighty percent of cultivated land in Palestine is planted with olive trees, and the olive harvest provides between 25 to 50 percent of a farming family's annual income. As the political and economic situation in Palestine worsens, olive oil has become a matter of basic survival for many Palestinian families. Buying this oil is a constructive and tangible way to help alleviate poverty and build peace.

Olive Branch Olive Oil is extra-virgin and comes in 750 ml (25 ounce) green glass bottles. Produced from the first pressing of the olives, extra- virgin olive oil contains no more than 0.8% acidity, and is judged to have a superior taste. There can be no refined oil in extra-virgin olive oil. Unopened bottles of olive oil are generally good for up to two years, and should be kept in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Palestinian farmers traditionally care for their trees without the use of pesticides or sprays.

Olive Branch Olive Oil is an outgrowth of a 2003 effort by Middle East peace activists in the Boston area to support Palestinian farmers. Since then, it has evolved into an ongoing volunteer project to create a U.S. market for Palestinian olive oil. Our goal is to make a tangible difference in the lives of the farmers and their families.

Any funds that are raised above and beyond the cost of the oil, importing fees and administrative and marketing costs are re-invested in purchasing more oil. Out of that amount, 15% is donated directly to worthy projects in Palestine. Past donation recipients include:

Gush Shalom Emergency Relief Convoy
Badil
Palestinian Children's Relief Fund
Gaza Community Mental Health Program
Zochrot
Palestinian Medical Relief Committees
Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions
Birthright Unplugged
American Friends Svc. Comm. Middle East Crisis Fund
American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA)
Olive Harvest Coalition
Union of Palestinian Women's Committees
Ibdaa Cultural Center
Grassroots International
Taayoush

How to Order
On our website with PAYPAL
or send a check to P.O. Box 1064, Arlington, MA 02474.

Each case contains twelve (12) 750ml bottles.

Prices for local pick-up in Arlington or Cambridge:
Case price $170/case
Bulk price for 7+ cases: $150/case
Bulk price for 10+ cases: $145/case

Case price shipped within continental US: $195/case
3 Bottles shipped within continental US: $65/3 bottles

For more information.



CONTINUING EVENTS

back to top

EVERY SUNDAY

10-11:30 AM: "Radio with a View"
WMBR 88.1 Cambridge

---------- Every Sunday----------

12-1pm Amherst Peace Vigil

Town Common, Amherst
For more, contact Mark Watkins
---------- Every Sunday----------
back to top

1:30pm Cambridge Peace Vigil

Mass. Ave., and Garden St., next to Cambridge Common.
---------- Every Monday ----------

11:45AM-12:15PM: Vigil for Gaza

Memorial Church in Harvard Yard

Harvard's Palestine Solidarity Committee will be holding a vigil for Gaza from 11:45 am to 12:15 pm on the steps of Memorial Church in Harvard Yard. All who care for Palestine are invited to attend. Please wear black and spread the word widely.

---------- Every Monday ----------

6:30PM: Stop The Wars Coalition meetings

Encuentro 5
33 Harrison Ave, Chinatown, MA 02111
info@encuentro5.org or call 617-482-6300

These are the meetings where we decide on events and discuss strategies to end the war. Anyone is welcome -- from seasoned activists to beginners and we look forward to building a dialogue with anyone opposed to the war. Our main tenent is that we are independent of both the Democratic and the Republican Party, such that we can build an anti-war movement that survives elections and continues to oppose the war, regardless of which candidate is in office.

---------- Every Tuesday----------
back to top

Tuesday Weekly Anti-War Vigil 5:30-6:30pm Copley Square

---------- Every Wednesday----------

NOON-12:30 PM: Harvard-Cambridge Walk for Peace

Starts at John Harvard Statue, Harvard Yard.
Every Wednesday. All are welcome.

Meet briefly at the statue to exchange thoughts,
then walk silently around the Yard and nearby streets,
returning to the statue by 12:30pm.

---------- Every Thursday----------

5-6 PM: Antiwar Vigil in Newton
Corner of Beacon and Center Streets, Newton Center
Organizer: Newton Dialogues on Peace and War

---------- Every Thursday----------
back to top

5:30-6PM: Wayland Anti-War Vigil (weekly)

Southeast corner of Rt 27 and 30 (nearest to Brooks Pharmacy).
Come for all or part. Bring a candle, lantern, or flashlight.
Organizer: Sandy Coy.

---------- Every Thursday----------

5-6 PM: Veterans for Peace vigil
West Side Rotary, Augusta, Maine

---------- Every Thursday ----------
back to top

9 PM: 911 Researchers Conference Call

Join the Boston Tea Party Conference call,
Participant call in: 402-756-9100; Access code: 680903#

---------- Every Friday----------

7-9 AM: Socialist Alternative Radio in Boston

Socialist Alternative Radio, 91.5 FM Boston listen anytime on the Web at WMFO.org. A democratic socialist, working-class view of politics and culture, including solidarity announcements, interviews, music, and more.
Write to us at BostonSAradio@aol.com.

---------- Every Friday----------
back to top

Noon-1PM in front of JFK Federal Building, Boston.

Join a Friday fast and/or protest in solidarity with illegal detentions. The fast began in 2005 when Nobel Peace Laureates Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Adolpho Esquivel, (Argentina), along with others around the world, chose this method to seek the release of our unjustly detained and tortured brothers and sisters.

In Boston, local activists Susan McLucas and Phoebe Knopf have joined the Friday fast and will protest every Friday in front of the JFK Building from noon to one. The action, which is rooted in nonviolence, includes speakers, music, hand-outs and petitions to create public pressure to stop all illegal detentions and to try those responsible for the illegal treatment of thousands of detainees, most of whom are Arab and Muslim men. Susan and Phoebe will be wearing orange jumpsuits.

---------- Every Friday----------
back to top

12:30 PM: Women in Black Vigil
Lithgow Library, Augusta, Maine

---------- Every Friday----------

4:30-6 PM: Protest AIPAC - every Friday

Kennedy Sch of Govnt
79 JFK St, Harvard Sq, Cambridge
Organized by AntiWar League
---------- Every Friday----------

6-8PM: *Chillin Against the Villins*
DeMilitarized Zone*
Corner of Mass ave and Boylston st!!!

On this day, Friday and from there on!, we hereby declare the establishment of a new DeMilitarized Zone where all those who wish can congregate to denigrate and repudiate the war machine and celebrate the growth of the new movement from coast to coast willing to oppose the war and opression in this country and around the world. Bring your signs, and minds, let's chalk, talk, play music, paint art with caring and sharing and declaring that we are "chilling *against* the villins" in this zone to show our independence!!!!!

We declare our solidarity with the people of the Middle East who share the misfortune of living on top of the largest oil reserves on the planet which is the reason behind the current war on Iraq. We declare our condemnation of those who support this criminal war commanded by criminals who promote a criminal ideology with criminal intent and crimes against humanity. We repudiate with prejudice the general assault on our rights: abuses, excuses, jailings, raids, lies, spies, xenophobia, torture, extraordinary rendition, and the general police state system that says we must stand together and support this generalized oppression. We are no longer the silent generation but are now willing to Stand Apart and against the mass murdering villins who are doin the real killin. Join us in the DMZ!!


Chillin against the villin's!!!

Our *DMZ* and our Independence.

---------- Every Saturday----------

11am-1pm on WZBC: Sounds of Dissent with John Grebe

Saturday Anti-War Vigils

back to top
---------- 1st & 3rd Saturday----------
11A-NOON:
1st Saturday of Month
Corner of Main & Moody Streets, by the Common.
Parking: On-street or the lot on Center St.

3rd Saturday of Month
Corner of Moody and Pine Streets, by Watch City Brewery.
Parking: On-street or Embassy Theatre lot on Pine Street

Useful Links (alphabetized)

back to top

TOLL-FREE PHONE NUMBERS
FOR THE U.S. CAPITOL SWITCHBOARD

back to top

Radio and TV Connections

back to top

Truth and Justice Radio Local Events Archive

back to top
Contact the webmaster with comments and/or questions.