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It will raise funds for people who want to go the the Northeast Climate Confluence, which is a week-long grassroots activist conference in New York state, and takes place at the end of July. A variety of socially- conscious musicians will be playing at it, including our source (Brian O'Connell).
Featuring:
Tem Blessed - great socially conscious hip-hop from
New Bedford- www.temblessed.com
Evan Greer - kick ass radical acoustic folk-punk-
www.myspace.com/evangreer
The Doctors Fox - local, original rock/jazz group -
www.myspace.com/thedoctorsfox
Dave Scandurra and frlends - revolutionary, positive,
peaceful, dancy, www.myspace.com/changethroughmusic
Kalia Lydgate - amazing spoken word from an amazing
activist, she's one of the main organizers for
Bioneers by the Bay - www.connectingforchange.org
Jah Jah Drummers - drumming troop performing
traditional drumming and singing pieces from Africa,
Caribbean...Boston and beyond
Brian O'Connell - performs original loops and pieces
on the touch guitar/chapman stick
http://www.reverbnation.com/brianoconnell
And More….
Contact Info:
Brian O’Connell
(617) 947-8983
vinniechops@hotmail.com
While many of us are on our summer break the war in Iraq rages on unabated. This despite the fact that nearly 70% of Americans oppose the war and nearly 60% of soldiers want the troops home within the next year. The key to the war's continuation is the ability of the armed forces to recruit young men and women to join the ranks. In order to make this task more difficult we are calling on all local antiwar activists to join the UMASS Boston Antiwar Coalition for its Day Without Recruitment protest at the US Army Recruiting Center (141 Tremont St. near Park St. T-stop between Temple Pl. and West St.) on August 2nd 2008 at 12 Noon. An organizing meeting for this event will be held in the 3rd floor lounge of the UMASS Boston campus center on Tuesday, July 15th at 6:30PM. All are welcome.
UMASS Boston Antiwar Coalition
The Boston branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation invites you to a discussion on current events in Cuba. Despite the nearly 50 year blockade by the U.S., Cuba has not only survived, but has made advances in all aspects of economic and social life, including health and education.
Come see and hear a perspective on Cuba from social documentary photographer Bill Hackwell, who has been traveling to Cuba for over 15 years, most recently this past May.
He will be presenting images that run contrary to the dreary portrayal that the corporate media would have us believe is the reality of Cuba.
Bill is a national organizer with the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition.
The Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) - Boston boston@socialismandliberation.org.
This past spring, Iraq Veterans Against the War gathered in Washington DC to give direct testimony about their war experiences and to disclose the realities of U.S. war policy in a public investigation called "The Winter Soldier Hearings." See a DVD of the testimony and join in a discussion of spreading the word and establishing a support network for "Soldiers of Conscience".
Sponsored by: New England United, United for Justice with Peace, Stop the Wars Coalition, Massachusetts Peace Action, Iraq Veterans Against the War - Boston Chapter, Veterans for Peace-Smedley Butler Brigade, and the American Friends Service Committee.
A documentary film exploring the political life and ideas of Noam Chomsky, linguist, intellectual, and political activist, it expands on the ideas of Chomsky's earlier book, Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media, which he co-wrote with Edward S. Herman.
The film presents and illustrates Chomsky's and Herman's propaganda model, the thesis that corporate media, as profit-driven institutions, tend to serve and further the agendas of the interests of dominant, elite groups in the society. A centerpiece of the film is a long examination into the history of The New York Times's coverage of Indonesia's invasion and occupation of East Timor, which Chomsky claims exemplifies the media's unwillingness to criticize an ally.
It's a long film, so half will be shown this week, half the next.
Last Day of Show: Hiroshima Photo Exhibition
2nd Floor Atrum, University Hall
Lesley Univ, 1815 Mass. Ave. Cambridge
A World Free from Nuclear Weapons is Possible.
Abolition is Necessary. Please Look and See Why.
As part of an international campaign for the abolition of nuclear weapons, The Peaceable Schools Summer Institute at Lesley University and the City of Cambridge Peace Commission, with the support of the SGI-USA is sponsoring this exhibition of photographs from Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Knowing too well the devastating consequences of nuclear weapons, the people of Hiroshima have launched an appeal to the people of the United States to become active participants in the cause to abolish nuclear weapons.
For many people, the events in Japan in August 1945 may seem like ancient history, but the arms race and commitment to nuclear weapons has made a comeback. Seeing the effects of nuclear weapons and hearing from survivors will help us all to understand why we must never allow this to happen again.
The story of the strikes and union organizing drive the men and women of Teamsters Local 574 carried out in Minnesota in 1934, paving he way for the continent- wide rise of the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) as a fighting social movement. Through hard- fought strike actions, which were in fact organized battles, they made Minneapolis a union town, defeating not only the trucking bosses, but strikebreaking efforts of the big-business Citizens Alliance and city, state, and federal governments. They showed in life what workers and their allies on the farms and in the cities can achieve when they're able to count on the leadership they deserve.
Join a discussion after the film.
Suggested donation $5.
United for Peace and Justice has called for coordinated Days of Action across the United States on July 19-21.
A vigil to prevent war on Iran and stop the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq is being held in Arlington Center (Mass. Ave. and Medford Street) near Starbucks on Saturday, July 19 from 10-11 AM.
All who wish to join and expand the scheduled vigil are welcome. Bring Signs as Arlington/Lexington UJP does not have enough signs for an expanded vigil.
There are additional plans taking shape for a march that day from Arlington Center to Davis or Porter Square. This would be from 11-12 (march) and 12-1PM.
For moore information on the current situation, see Seymour Hersh's recent article in the New Yorker.
Join the UMASS Boston Antiwar Coalition for its Day Without Recruitment protest at the US Army Recruiting Center (141 Tremont St. near Park St. T-stop between Temple Pl. and West St.) on August 2nd 2008 at 12 Noon.
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
DON'T MISS OUT U.S. POPULAR PALESTINIAN NATIONAL CONFERENCE:
RECLAIMING OUR VOICE, ASSERTING OUR NARRATIVE
Register Today
REGISTRATION
Registration fees include 5 meals. Register early to take advantage of the early registration discount.
REGISTRATION FEES WILL INCREASE AFTER JULY 23rd
HOTEL
Registration fees DO NOT include hotel stay. Call the hotel directly at (847) 297-1234 to reserve your room(s).
Mention USPCN to get the special rate of $89 a night, plus tax.
THE $89 RATE WILL EXPIRE JULY 16th
Contact us at conference@palestin econference.org
or (888) 48 NAKBA with any questions.
Partial list of conference speakers and presenters:
Archbishop Atallah Hanna (by video)
Tamim Barghouthi (world-renowned poet)
Rasmiya Masoud
Norman Finkelstein (invited)
Dr. Jamil Fayez
Grace Said
Phillip Farah
Dr. Thomas Abowd
Michael Deutsch (attorney for Muhammad Salah, Palestinian political prisoner)
Laila Al-Arian (daughter of political prisoner Sami Al-Arian)
Asma Ashqar (wife of political prisoner Abdelhaleem Ashqar)
In one month, the Free Gaza Movement will sail on a mission of civil resistance: breaking into the prison that is Gaza.
We are students and teachers, human rights observers and aid workers, lawyers, medics, activists - parents and grandparents. We are Americans and Europeans, Israelis and Palestinians, Australians, South Africans, and more. We are of all ages and backgrounds. Collectively, we have years of experience volunteering in Gaza and the West Bank. Because of our human rights work, the state of Israel has banned many of us from re-entering Palestinian areas. Because of the ongoing blockade, the rest of us find it almost impossible to enter Gaza at all. Despite deteriorating conditions, the great need for international assistance, and the invitations of our Palestinian partners - the Israeli Government will not allow us into Gaza to help. Will you help?
We must break the siege of Gaza. Conditions there are already catastrophic. We have to raise international awareness about the prison-like closure of Gaza and deeply pressure Israel and the international community to lift the blockade and end the Occupation. As people of conscience our actions must be commensurate with the crisis.
We've tried to enter Palestine by land. We've tried to arrive by air. Now we're getting serious. We're taking a ship. Please look into your hearts and ask yourselves if the collective punishment and virtual imprisonment of one and a half million human beings can ever be justified. If your answer’s “no,” then we want your help this August when we break into Gaza and try to break out of this siege.
If you’d like more information, or if you can donate money or medical supplies (such as hearing aids), please visit their website at FreeGaza.org.
Boston Palestine Film Festival
Asking for contributions now.
Festival is October 4 thru 12, 2008.
2007: With over 40 films, BPFF brought authentic
Palestinian perspectives, experiences and culture to
venues as prestigious and diverse as the Museum of
Fine Arts, Coolidge Corner Theatre, Kendall Square
Cinema, Harvard Film Archive, Harvard University and
Boston College. BPFF featured several US premieres
and included appearances by many noted international
filmmakers. Please visit BPFF online to view the
substantial coverage we received in the Boston Globe,
the Boston Phoenix and on WBUR, a local affiliate of
National Public Radio—to name just a few media
outlets.
2008: This year’s festival is every bit as exciting
and compelling as last year’s. We are now finalizing
our 2008 program for this coming fall, October 4th-
12th. We hope that we can count on your support to
build on the achievements of last year,
Help gather signatures to get Ralph Nader on the
ballot.
Especially now that Obama and McCain and looking more
and more like each other and the same old thing.
Town-by-town formal voter petition forms.
Sonia, 617-924-2285.
Her deadline is July 20.
With unprecedented rains washing away crops in the American bread basket, and a new surge of forest fires in California, it's clearer than ever that the time for a Secure Green Future is NOW!.
Indeed, global warming is advancing much faster than scientists have predicted. The Greenland ice cap is exhibiting unexpected signs of breaking up, which could create flooding that would be worse than 23 Hurricane Katrinas. British scientists just reported that massive cracks have appeared in the Artic ice cap. An article in Science presents evidence that we have passed critical tipping points, and we need to reverse carbon dioxide build-up, not just slow it down. On top of all this, the global economy is beginning to unravel as dwindling oil reserves drive up fuel costs for an oil-addicted world.
To address these emerging crises with the level of urgency they demand, the Mass. Coalition for Healthy Communities, through our Code Green project, is helping to launch a public policy question called the Secure Green Future (SGF). This advisory question calls for legislation to cut greenhouse gas emissions in Massachusetts 80% by 2020, and to shift tax incentives and subsidies at the state level from energy-intensive development projects towards building the local, green economies we urgently need.
Several districts are already up and running, and if you'd like to bring a Secure Green Future to your community (and the planet), we can help you get jump started. Most of the materials distributed at our training session are now available on the SGF website: www.masschc.org/SGF_Materials.php.
In addition, materials to help you reach out to local organizations for volunteer support, and spread the word to local papers are included below (and on the website).
Since there are only three weekends between now and July 9 (when signatures need to be turned in), it's important to seize the moment and start collecting signatures this weekend. If you don't already have petition forms, let us know and we will mail you (or otherwise get you) a packet. In any given district, you'll need to collect 300 signatures.
If you let us know where and when you'll be collecting THIS WEEKEND -- then we can email out the location and time so others can join you.
Weeknight (or day) signature collecting at farmers markets, supermarkets, shopping centers, T stops (mornings too), post offices, etc. will also be very effective.
Now is the time to fill out the volunteer form at www.masschc.org/securegreenfuture/SGF_VolunteerForm.pdf and send it in to sgf-info@masschc.org - if you haven't already done so. This ensures we can keep you in the loop and provide support to help get the Secure Green Future on the ballot in your community.
Many thanks, and good luck!
Eli Beckerman, Field Coordinator for Secure Green Future,
and the Code Green Team
Jill Stein, John Andrews, Peter Vickery
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
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 statements 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
Global Exchange also send Delegations to Venezuela. Here
are planned events in 2008:
Democracy, Development, and Regional Integration- A New Vision for the Americas
August 09 - 19, 2008
Labor, Land Reform, and Agriculture
September 06 - 16, 2008
Health and Healing
October 04 - 14, 2008
Popular Democracy : Observing the 2008 Regional Elections
November 15 - 25, 2008
Democracy, Development, and Regional Integration- A New Vision for the Americas
December 05 - 15, 2008
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.
Ed Received 22.5% of the vote at the June Primary Nomination vote to qualify for the fall primary (15% minimum required). For further information, call the campaign at 866-716-2008.
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.
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
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.