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According to a recent report by the Pew Foundation, more than one of every 100 American Adults are behind bars. One in nine Black men (ages 20 - 34) is serving time, as is one in 36 adult Hispanic males. This talk will focus on how, in the last 30 years, the neo-liberal agenda has exploited fear of crime and used racism to create the conditions which drive the "war on drugs" and mass incarceration.
Lois Ahrens has been an activist and social justice organizer for more than 40 years. In 2000 she founded the Real Cost of Prisons Project, which brings together justice activists, policy researchers, artists and people directly experiencing the impact of incarceration to work jointly to end the U.S. Prison nation. The project has developed workshops, a website (www.realcostofprisons.org), a daily news blog and three comic books, soon to be anthologized and published. Lois has been involved in educating people with criminal records, those who hire them and the public about how to overcome/end obstacles created by laws and practices surrounding Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI). She also works to raise awareness and opposition to the building or expansion of jails in this state.
“Uncounted” is a new documentary film exploring the election fraud reported from the last few elections. This controversial feature length film by Emmy award-winning director David Earnhardt examines in factual, logical, and yet startling terms how easy it is to change election outcomes and undermine election integrity across the United States. Commentary is provided by noted computer programmers, statisticians, journalists, and experienced election officials.
(The film’s run time is approximately 81 minutes.)
This is an open and free event, light refreshments
will be served.
Sponsor: Framingham Democratic Town Committee.
4PM: Support New Bedford Eagle Garment Workers! Workers at the factory formally know as Michael Bianco (89 Rodney French Blvd, New Bedford) are tryingto form a union. Come support their efforts at a rally at the plant gate.
For more information, contact Marc at 617-426- 1515.
Lisa Valenti will share her important perspective on why the Caravan challenges an unjust law that asks us to hate our neighbor. Ms. Valenti has traveled to Cuba over twenty times, each time without applying for or accepting a license from the U.S.. Treasury Department. She has been an active participant on each of the Inter-Religious Foundation for Community Organization/ Pastors for Peace U.S.-Cuba Friendshipment Caravans. She was one of the fasters on two historic campaigns: the 23-day fast, which won the release of the Little Yellow School Bus destined for Cuba, which had been seized by the U.S. Treasury Department (1993); and the 94-day Fast for Life, which won the release of 400 medical computers destined for Cuba that had been impounded by the U.S. government (1996). She is the founder and president of the national U.S. Cuba Sister Cities Association and founder of the Pittsburgh CUBA Coalition. In describing her participation with the Caravans, Lisa explained, "It's what I do to put my deepest prayers for peace into action."
Boston is one of 125 cities the 19th U.S.-Cuba Friendshipment Caravan will visit while traveling on 15 different routes through the U.S. and Canada. They will travel in school buses, trucks, cars and a bookmobile to Cuba via Mexico with medical and educational supplies donated by groups across the U.S. and Canada as a collective challenge to the U.S. government's immoral, inhuman and internationally condemned blockade of Cuba. Five buses will be named in honor of the Five Cuban patriots who are nearing their 10th year of unjust incarceration in U.S. jails. In light of the recent negative decision by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, this outreach is even more necessary.
Sponsors: Newton Cuba Solidarity Group, Bikes Not Bombs, City Life/Vida Urbana, July 26th Coalition, Community Church of Boston, Rev. Terry Burke of First Church in Jamaica Plain/Unitarian Universalist, International Committee for the Freedom of the Cuban Five, ANSWER Boston, International Action Center Boston
Newton Cuba Solidarity Group
For more information:
617-916-2265
info@july26.org
Nominated for an Oscar and winner of seven Best Documentary awards in 2007, “SiCKO” is a revealing and disturbing exploration of our dysfunctional health care system. Follow Moore from the origins of managed care, to a day in the life of a health insurance hit man, all the way through universal health care systems in England, France and Guantanamo Bay!
Sponsored by Members of Natick Peace Vigil
With over a million homes in foreclosure and continuous skyrocketing prices as wages remain stagnant, we need to discuss how to fight back against corporate greed. Come to a discussion about the problems we face and the potenti9al solutions to these issues... from immediate protests and actions, to building unions and community groups... from ending the war, to taxing the corporations... from voting in the 2008 elections to building a political party fro working people and youth. How can we achieve real change that affects our daily lives? What's this "American Dream" they go on about?
by MBTA
- Take the Green Line, B Train to Harvard St. Stop
- Right on Harvard St.
- Left on Brighton
- Walk 5 short blocks
- The Jackson Mann Community Center is to the left
- The main entrance is up the wide staircase.
Free and open to the public.
For more information contact
Boston@SocialistAlternative.org or 774-454-9060.
Judith Helfand and Daniel Gold have created a wonderful documentary in Blue Vinyl. Judith's parents have put light blue vinyl siding on her house... but Judith suspects there are serious dangers from vinyl to humans... during its manufacture, if it burns, when its disposed of. Having lost her uterus from DES poisoning, she shares a bond with the cancer victims who work in and live in the shadow of the vinyl and PVC factories. Judith has this gravelly high voice, a quirky sense of humor, and a vulnerability in the face of corporate America that makes her irresistible.
CISPES Fact Finding Delegation to El Salvador:
June 20-29, 2008
In the midst of a Latin American shift to the left, El Salvador just might be next in line! The Committee with the People of El Salvador continues to support REAL democracy and human rights in El Salvador, opposing U.S. intervention through institutions like the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) - an instrument for exporting repressive U.S. policing tactics – and the CAFTA free trade agreement. CISPES invites you join a summer fact-finding delegation to witness first hand the social movement inspiration behind the 2009 electoral process, while delving into the economic, political, and human right challenges that El Salvador is confronting prior its key upcoming elections!
2008 is a pre-electoral year in El Salvador but it already sure seems like the elections are right around the corner. U.S. intervention in support of the right wing ARENA party, as well as repression and political violence are expected to increase. In the 2004 presidential elections, the ARENA government declared that remittances from the US would be halted if the FMLN were to win the elections, a statement supported by U.S.. representative Tom Tancredo, who threatened to introduce such a bill in Congress. Already this year, the popular elected FMLN mayor of the municipality of Alegría was assassinated. For the social movement and the FMLN this shows the level of violence, dirty tactics, and fear that will be used by the ARENA party. Meanwhile, recent reports by U.S. intelligence agencies show that our government’s interference can be expected throughout the rest of 2008.
CISPES has long solidarity relationships with the Salvadoran social movement. As the right wing government strives to demobilize the social movement and other Salvadorans with its fear campaign, our allies in El Salvador are asking for CISPES to come to El Salvador for a delegation that investigates the electoral reforms and the functioning of the ILEA, as well as being presente to support the social movement. In order to accomplish this, we are especially looking for experienced and committed organizers, journalists, and teachers, to join this delegation.
To join this delegation, please contact Boston CISPES or phone: 617.576.1709.
Friday thru Sunday June 20-22, 2008
Register now for WILD's 22nd annual Summer Institute!
(Women's Institute for Leadership Development)
at Clark University, Worcester, MA.
Come together with other labor & community women from
around Massachusetts for a fun weekend of networking,
leadership development and skills training.
Visit the program's web site for more details and a registration form, or call 617-426-0520
or email us.
Includes reportback on the conference and taking up the recent court ruling against them on appeal. A three-judge panel upheld the guilty verdicts against the five, but in that ruling the judges also vacated the sentences against three of the five (Ramon Labaniño -- life plus 18 yrs., Fernando Gonzalez -- 19 years, and Antonio Guerrero -- life plus 10 yrs.). The sentences of Gerardo Hernandez (2 life terms plus 15 yrs.) and Rene Gonzalez (15 yrs.) remain in place. Come hear the facts of the case and what the five have been doing for the last ten years in U.S. prisons.
"Woodwork" is the featured ensemble that will performing for this event. They are a really wonderful group of musicians who do traditional folk, Celtic, and original material with a focus on songs of peace and inspiration. Here's some info about them:
Five-member acoustic folk band Woodwork is known for compelling renditions of songs of peace, hope, protest. Their repertoire includes original compositions, Celtic tunes and songs, Byrdsy folk- rock, harmonica blues, and covers of favorite folk singer-songwriters. Their sound ranges from ethereal traditional harmonies to original hard-hitting political anthems, garnished with a score of arcane and modern instruments. They are the "house band" at The Peace Abbey in Sherborn, MA, play regularly at Club Passim, and he New England Folk Festival (NEFFA), and love to do benefits for groups in greater Boston working to promote peace and social justice.
Woodwork is:
Dan Dick: banjo, cittern, dobro, guitar, harmonica,
percussion, winds, vocals;
Brett Frechette: guitar, percussion, vocals;
Dennis Pearne: bass, guitar, harmonica, vocals;
Christopher Rowan: harp, mandolin, guitar, bass;
Dick Scobie: flute, guitar, percussion, pipes,
recorder, whistle, vocals
Influences:
Jean Ritchie, Steeleye Span, Woody Guthrie, Byrds,
Planxty, Neil Young, Rev. Gary Davis, Bob Dylan,
Sacred Harp, Kate Wolf, Robert Burns, Turlock
O'Carolan, Lao Tsu
Donation 10 dollars.
All the proceeds will go directly to author/poet
George Capaccio's Baghdad familes.
Even if you can't make it, you can still send a
donation.
Donations can be made out to Family Relief Fund and
mailed to:
George Capaccio, 11 Lennon Road, Arlington, MA 02474
781-641-9846
A universal single-payer health plan has again been introduced in Congress by Rep. Conyers (D-MI), this time with the support of 90 other members, numerous unions, and independent groups.
HR676.org, PO Box 882122, Port Saint Lucie FL 34988
800-680-9310
info@HR676.org
Carlos Arredondo has traveled thousands of miles with his pick up truck decorated as a memorial to his son Alex who died in Iraq . I remember when I first heard about his action as a distraught father who set himself on fire when he heard the news of his son's death. An article about Carlos appears in the Nation. Since then, as a member of Military Families Speak Out, I have come to know and love Carlos and his wife Melida as two dedicated activists for peace. You can read about Carlos' actions for peace on Democracy Now!.
Carlos and Melida would have certainly had every right to sit back and mourn the death of their son. Instead they have taken every opportunity and often at great personal expense to remind people of the true cost of war. They have traveled to every demonstration, vigil, poltiical rally, memorial and meeting with politicians to tell their story of loss, and the deep concern they feel for others who have suffered or daily face the possible loss of a family member to this endless occupation of Iraq.
Many of you have met Carlos or heard of him. You have seen his hopefulness in the face of grief. Now it's time for all of us to help put his (OUR) truck back on the road where it belongs. $20 collected from one hundred people should do it! If the travel weary truck cannot be repaired one more time, the money will go to the down payment on a new or newer truck.
Please make out checks to Carlos Arredondo and send them to me so I can present them in a lump sum
Sarah Fuhro, 8 Abbott Road Natick, Ma 01760
Job Opening: Executive Director (posted 6/8/08)
The Peace & Justice Center in Burlington, Vermont seeks a skilled and inspiring leader with a passion for social justice. This position consists primarily of fundraising and staff supervision and requires knowledge and experience in the following areas:
Wendy Coe, Office Manager
Peace & Justice Center
21 Church St, Burlington VT 05401
802-863-2345 ext 3
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Wanted: Issue Campaign Organizing Consultant (Posted 5/25/08)
The Fair Economy Action Fund is seeking an experienced organizer for full or part-time work. Seeking organizer of national campaign to enlist support for progressive federal estate tax. Activities would be largely phone and internet work out of United for a Fair Economy office at Downtown Crossing Boston.
Qualifications: Outgoing personality, excellent phone and communication skills, experience with database and Excel spreadsheets; knowledge of federal budget and legislative process ideal.
Seeking commitment for summer and ideally for the fall of 2008. $20-30 per hour, based on experience. Organizer will be paid as temporary employee.
Contact:
Chuck Collins, Director, chuckcollins7@mac.com
or Lee Farris at United for a Fair Economy:
lfarris@faireconomy.org or call 617-423-2148 x133.
OUR SOURCE: Dr. Gordon Fellman
------------------------------
Job openings on Camp Laurel Radio Staff for the summer of 2008.(Posted 5/25/08)
Complete application on-line at www.camplaurel.com
Call: 1-888-LAUREL-1
E-mail: staff@camplaurel.com
Camp Laurel is a private co-ed residential camp in Maine seeking radio staff for the summer of 2008.
Do you like music? Enjoy working with children? Any DJ experience? Teach campers the creative and musical side of on-air broadcasting. Our camp radio station is the home to camper radio shows throughout the day. Spin vinyl and conduct on-air interviews. Strong technical experience is NOT a requirement. We would be excited to speak with any individuals you believe are well-fit for a summer position at our camp. Please call me at 1-888-LAUREL-1, complete an application on-line at www.camplaurel.com or e-mail me at staff@camplaurel.com. Please feel free to forward this to members of your radio station, clubs or organizations, sororities, fraternities, teams and friends. We look forward to hearing from any interested applicants. Sincerely,From Environment Massachusetts
Massachusetts is tantalizingly close to taking an action that [assertedly] will slash our state's global warming pollution down to a size that can help cool the planet. Our Global Warming Solutions Act could land on Gov. Patrick's desk this summer -- but first we've got to win in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Please ask your representative to make passing the Global Warming Solutions Act his or her top priority this summer.We've already won in the Senate. In the House of Representatives, as of last night, 110 representatives, out of 160 total, have told us they'll vote for our bill. But with Beacon Hill being Beacon Hill, we're not ready to pop the champagne open quite yet -- especially with only 60 days left to go in the 2008 session.
Sign petition against US missile offense in Poland
In a few days, the US government will likely sign an agreement with the Czech Republic government allowing the US to place a radar satellite system in that country. The satellite system is part of the US "missile defense" installations designed to be placed in Poland.
We can join our voices in support of the Czech people to say "no" to a US radar system in their country.
Please add your voice to support this effort by signing the petition.
Understanding that this empire-building strategy by the US could lead to a new arms race which threatens the Czech people, the majority of whom oppose this project. The opposition which began with a few activist voices now includes over 70 percent of the population who oppose any US military presence in the Czech Republic.
Even thought the Czech President may sign the agreement, it has to be ratified by the Czech Parliament. And the situation is far from clear, because the government has a very small mandate - not even have a majority. They were only able to pass a confidence vote after seven months of negotiations, and thanks to some two members of parliament that didn't vote against them. So they have a very weak mandate, and it is far from clear how the vote will go.
The Czech people have asked for support from around the world to bolster their campaign. They are looking for a million signatures on their petition to take to the parliament to defeat the agreement.
Sign petition on McCain/Obama stmts to AIPAC
FROM Jewish Voice for Peace...
We are deeply concerned by statements that both Senator McCain and Senator Obama made at the AIPAC Conference. Please sign our petition calling on Senators Obama and McCain to moderate their stances in the interests of a peaceful future:
In particular:
1) Senator Obama declared that Jerusalem "must remain undivided." We believe the future status of Jerusalem must be negotiated.
2) Both Senators McCain and Obama promised enormous sums of unconditional military aid to Israel. We believe the U.S. must hold Israel accountable for using U.S. weapons against civilians.
3) Both Senators McCain and Obama continued to demand the exclusion of Hamas from the negotiating table. We believe peace agreement cannot be achieved without Hamas at the table.
Travel to Venezuela’s Andean region and learn Spanish with Global Exchange while seeing the Bolivarian Revolution. Both short-term and SEMESTER-ABROAD programs are available.
At the crossroads of a profound political and social transformation, Venezuela is a country in the international spotlight. The Bolivarian Revolution has caught the attention and imagination of people around the world and yet continues to be sorely misunderstood and misrepresented. Come get the perspectives of communities that are being affected by and pushing forward this political experiment to build a new model of society. Meet with rural agricultural workers, labor unions, community activists, human rights activists, journalists, government leaders, as well as opposition figures.
Global Exchange has partnered with the highly acclaimed language school, the Iowa Insitute, located in the beautiful city of Merida to provide a Spanish immersion program while giving students the unique opportunity to build ties with Venezuelan communities and social activists.
*Study in an intensive Spanish language program while
living with a local family in Merida, Venezuela, at
the foot of the Andes.
*Travel to educational and health care social programs
(the "missions") and dialogue with participants and
community leaders.
*Visit with members of cooperatives and community
organizations and learn about the efforts to create a
grassroots social economy.
Program Dates:
2008
July 3, 2008-July 20
July 31, 2008-August 17
2009
May 30-June 16
July 04-21
August 01-18
Cost: $1885
Prices Includes:
*Home stay accommodations
*Two meals per day
*Transportation to and from Merida
*Transportation to and from all programmed activities
*Intensive Spanish language classes five days a week
*Guides and translators
*All program activities and reading materials
*Honoraria to all host speakers, organizations and communities.
Contact the Venezuela Program Coordinator for more
information or call (415) 575-5524
Shirley Golub is running against Rep. Nancy Pelosi for the democratic nomination for that post.
Our so-called Democratic leadership is not only planning on lying down immediately for another $100 billion to senselessly squander in Iraq, they are talking about adding on another $70 billion of war profiteer booty, to save the White House from the trouble of throwing another foot stomping tantrum in the fall.
This is looking like the mother of all gutless
surrenders. And there is only one dynamic that can
possibly stop it. Nancy Pelosi MUST be
defeated in San Francisco in the June 3 primary, and
see it coming fast. And ONLY Shirley Golub can do it,
with contributions on the page above to run her
"Rubber Chicken" ad now.
Shirley's Rubber Chicken TV Ad
For those who many not be quite clear on this one point yet, Cindy Sheehan in running the November election in this district as an independent, but what we are talking about here is the June 3 Democratic party congressional primary.
Tampa Bay Coalition for Justice and Peace
April 16, 2008
Dr. Al-Arian Faces Shocking Abuse in New Facility
Yesterday morning, Dr. Sami Al-Arian was transported
by immigration agents to the Hampton Roads Regional
Jail in Portsmouth, Virginia. Since arriving at the
facility, he has been subjected to numerous, shocking
abuses, even worse than those he experienced at a
detention center in Maryland.
Take Action: call 757-488-7500
And if you haven't already, sign the petition.
See also:"USA vs AL-ARIAN"
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. (Site is still labeled "beta.")
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
Bush's FY2009 budget request for $2.55 billion in military aid for Israel, a proposed increase of 9% over actual spending in 2007, now rests with the Senate and House Appropriations Subcommittees on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs.
This proposed increase in military aid to Israel is the first installment of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the United States and Israel in August 2007 to increase military aid to Israel by 25%, totaling $30 billion over the next decade.
Can you think of a better way to spend $30 billion instead of funding Israel's human rights abuses and illegal military occupation in violation of U.S. laws?
TAKE ACTION
Send a Personal Letter to Members of Congress on the
Appropriations Sub-Committee Challenging Military Aid
to Israel.
US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation
Mass. House Bill #4477, if passed, would finally make it illegal for drivers of motor vehicles in Massachusetts to use hand-held phones while driving (as in NY and elsewhere). This bill recently passed the House and now is languishing in the Senate and may not come to the floor for a vote unless you phone or send a message to your friends in various towns and cities to have them urge their state senators (617-722- 5551) to vote for this bill.
According to Senate Assistant Majority Leader Marian Walsh, what needs to happen is for senators to get many phone calls from their constituents in favor of this bill. Passing House #4477 is a matter of public safety. Please call your senator and what would make a significant difference is for you to contact your friends throughout Massachusetts so House Bill #4477 becomes law.
Ed O'Reilly (PDA-endorsed candidate who advocates for single-payer health care, impeachment, stopping our current wars, and marriage equality) seeks the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat now occupied by John Kerry.
In addition to making sure that Ed's name appears on the ballot, this is a great opportunity to identify new supporters and expand our network. So we really hope you can participate by gathering signatures from your friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors.
To get on September's primary ballot Ed needs 10,000 signatures from registered Democrats and unenrolled (independent) voters. We need to file the signatures with city and town clerks no later than 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, on May 6, 2008.
Call the campaign (866-716-2008) and we will mail nomination signature forms for you to use.
U.S. war provocation against Iran: Another Tonkin
Gulf? Take Action NOW to Stop War on Iran!
The Bush Administration has initiated an extremely dangerous war provocation just off Iran's coast, in the Strait of Hormuz. With Bush on his way to the Middle East to mobilize a collection of oil-rich U.S. client states against Iran, the U.S. government is working overtime to create a phony public-relations incident to heighten tensions in the region and threaten a new war.
An aide to Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) says the Lieberman/Warner climate change bill (S. 2191) “would be the most historic incentive for nuclear in the history of the United States.” (E&E Daily, February 8, 2008)...
S. 2191 is expected to be debated on the Senate floor this Spring. Your help is needed.
For more information visit the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research and the Nuclear Information and Resource Service.
Congressman Robert Wexler's campaign office says that (unlike most of our Democratic Reps) he is pushing hard to force a committee hearing on Rep. Dennis Kucinich's Articles of Impeachment, recently introduced into the House of Representatives and referred to the Judiciary Committee.
This fight is not over. We must continue the pressure on our representatives or else Congress and its fellow lackey media will take no notice. That would be a historic mistake – one we must prevent Congress from making.
We stand at a critical juncture in our efforts. Forget all of those arguments that it is too late or that we have run out of time. You can’t run the clock out on our Constitution. Those of us dedicated to this fight – Rep. Dennis Kucinich, the online community, and millions of patriotic Americans – must keep the pressure on. Please continue to spread the word and help deliver accountability to the corrupt Bush-Cheney administration.Congressman Conyers needs a huge kick in the tail.
Please sign on to Congressman Robert Wexler's petition to help push the issue.
TOLL-FREE PHONE NUMBERS FOR THE U.S. CAPITOL SWITCHBOARD
US House of Representatives Web Sites
Another Day, Another FISA Veto Threat By The Bully In The White House
Yesterday, Bush again put the self interest of himself and his giant telecom criminal co-conspirators above our national security, by threatening to veto the FISA update bill unless we gave them all get out of jail free cards. And if Congress were to bend over yet again, he would still probably veto it to demand even more changes and/or defy other major provisions with a signing statement, as he so outrageously did with the recent defense bill.
We must be just as relentless as the criminals who are working overtime to gut our constitution. We have had two successful filibusters so far, and it looks like we're going to need a third. And we need strong opposition in the House too, for that is our last bulwark.
Tell your Congressional Representative to vote against this awful legislation, which has passed the Senate and returned to the House. The House has stood up to pressure to provide telecom immunity to date, so don't let them buckle to pressure from the White House and Senate.
S 1959 "Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007" must be stopped at all costs. (It's already been approved by the House of Representatives by a HUGE majority.)
Pick up your phone and contact our US Senators' offices to instruct them to vote "NO" on S.1959, titled "To establish the National Commission on the Prevention of Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism, and for other purposes".
If this bill is passed, and becomes law, your words and actions could be considered terrorism. S 1959 EVISCERATES FREE SPEECH, and empowers the govt. to declare ANYTHING they deem an "extremist belief system", instantly make you a terrorist, resulting in stripping of US citizenship, torture, and/or execution, with no habeas corpus rights, no ability to challenge even in the US Supreme Court.
What part of exercising power doesn't Harry Reid get? The Washington Post reports him "pleading" with the White House. And yet, it is his decision which version of the FISA bill to have the Senate consider, and by choosing to bring forward the bad one, he is knowingly forcing opponents of yet another "get out of jail free card" for Cheney cronies to get 60 votes to strip it out of the bill. Or filibuster yet again.
And what greater hero do we have than Dennis Kucinich, still standing strong as ever on every issue that matters. Here is his own leadership statement opposing telecom immunity.
And yet, even now, powerful corporations are pouring money into Dennis's district, to try to buy his seat out from under him by threatening him in his own primary. They are running malicious attack ads in heavy rotation. Please consider making a donation to Dennis now, to help him fight back.
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.
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
Action Alert: The Alliance for Democracy warns us to oppose Holt bill (HR 811). We call for a ban on the use of Direct Recording Electronic voting equipment (DREs) and to require the use of paper ballots.
AFD urgently calls upon all citizens to call their Representatives to demand amendments to rectify the defects in HR 811, specifically to ban the use of DRE voting machines and require the use of paper ballots in all elections in the United States.
1. DRE systems must be banned.
2. All voting must be by voter marks on a paper ballot.
3. All recounts must be by hand counting of paper ballots.
4. All elections must have a statistically significant verification.
5. All recounts at every level of government must be by hand counting.
6. All software must be subject to public disclosure.
7. No connections to the Internet should be allowed.
8. All election records should be available to the public.
Go to for on-line information and a link to a printable flier.
A call for all people of conscience
to donate to its Lebanon Palestine Emergency Relief Fund.
All donations will be used to help Palestinian and
Lebanese victims of the latest Israeli aggression.
Tel: 760-685-3243
Fax: 360-933-3568
E-mail link
We are happy to report that a new shipment of olive oil has arrived. The most recent harvest was excellent and per case prices are less than they were last year.
As with our previous shipments, this oil comes directly from the Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committees, PARC, a non-profit, non- governmental organization in the West Bank. PARC works with 15 different small cooperatives. This shipment comes from the Mazare' Al Nubani/ Ramallah and the Kufr Thulth, Jayous and Azzoun cooperatives. The labels are printed in the West Bank and the oil is bottled at the PARC bottling facility in Aram. 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 BRANCH OLIVE OIL DONATIONS
As with past shipments, a percentage of the proceeds of olive oil sales is donated back to organizations working directly with Palestinians. Past recipients include:
Palestinian Medical Relief Society Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions Birthright Unplugged American Friends Service Committee-Middle East Crisis Fund American Near East Refugee Aid Olive Harvest Coalition Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees Ibdaa Cultural Center International Solidarity Movement US OMEN Ta’ayush
THE IMPORTANCE OF OLIVE OIL TO THE PALESTINIAN ECONOMY
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. Olive trees, many of which are hundreds of years old, hold a deep significance in the culture and economy of the Holy Land. As the political and economic situation in Palestine continues to deteriorate, with increased restrictions on the mobility of people, goods and services, 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.
PARC assists at every stage of the olive oil production process, from helping farmers to reclaim rocky land, conserve water and implement sensible environmental practices (like re-cropping, dry-land farming and recycling of waste materials) to setting up regional labs for farmers to test their olive oil. PARC strictly monitors the quality of the oil, testing and re-testing it at its main laboratory to ensure that it meets all specifications. Extra-virgin olive oil comes from the first pressing of the olives, 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.
Palestinian farmers traditionally care for their trees without the use of pesticides or sprays. PARC is currently working with international agricultural organizations to obtain organic certification for its olive oil, which should be finalized in the next few months. Because both light and heat are known enemies of olive oil, Olive Branch Olive Oil comes in a dark green glass bottle that is optimal for storage.
Available in 750ml bottles, by the case (12 bottles, $145), or more.
For ordering and other info, please email us at palestinebostonoliveoil@yahoo.com or call Susie at 781-648-6307.
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.
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.
Meet briefly at the statue to exchange thoughts,
then walk silently around the Yard and nearby streets,
returning to the statue by 12:30pm.
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.
Join the Boston Tea Party Conference call,
Participant call in: 402-756-9100; Access code: 680903#
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.
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.
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.