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Palestine Summer Encounter participants live with a local family, study Arabic and volunteer with a local church, school, hospital, nonprofit or humanitarian organization. They also have an opportunity to visit sites of historic, political and religious significance such as Jerusalem, Jericho, the Galilee, Hebron, Nazareth and the Dead Sea. Participants can join the program for 1, 2 or 3 months.
More information is available at middleeastfellowship.org
“Olive Branch” Extra Virgin Olive Oil is raised without pesticides or sprays and First-Cold-Pressed. This year we are importing the oil directly from the Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committee (PARC), a non-governmental, non-profit organization in Ramallah which has been on the forefront of supporting Palestinian agriculture since the 1980’s. PARC buys its olive oil from 85 different small farmer cooperatives in the West Bank. It takes care of testing, quality control, bottling, labeling and marketing. Available in 750ml bottles, by the case (12 bottles), or more. Now more than ever, important to Palestinian farmers. For ordering and other info, please email us at palestinebostonoliveoil@yahoo.com or call Susie at 781-648-6307.
Despite its attempt to create a socially responsible image, Starbucks' failure to meaningfully embrace Fair Trade coffee has left coffee farmers and their children teetering on the brink of starvation in the Global South. A new documentary, Black Gold (blackgoldmovie.com), reveals in detail the pained existence of coffee farmers under the purchasing practices of Starbucks and other multinational corporations. In Starbucks cafes, baristas are paid a poverty wage and the company insures a lower percentage of employees than Wal-Mart. Starbucks baristas are organizing a union (starbucksunion.org) with the Industrial Workers of the World for a better life on and off the job. In response, the company has waged a fierce and relentless anti-union campaign that tramples on workers' rights. In this union-busting operation unburdened by the law, Starbucks routinely retaliates against baristas for supporting the union. In addition, Starbucks Chairman Howard Schultz recently broke the union of roasting plant employees. If you or your group is interested in getting involved with the campaign on the ground floor please contact IWW organizer and Starbucks barista Daniel Gross at dgross@iww.org or 917-577-1110.
Please join me in the final push for signatures to get our campaign for real democracy securely on the ballot in November. With less than a month to go, we need to go into high gear NOW to ensure we will have enough signatures to secure our place in the election.
Please consider the stakes. With seven lobbyists per legislator on Beacon Hill, one of the most uncompetitive election systems in the nation, and a re-election rate of 98% among legislators - the state of democracy in the Commonwealth is cause for grave concern. This campaign gives us a unique opportunity to bring the crisis in our democracy and the reforms that can get it back on track into clear focus. Since there is no Republican in the race, there are no concerns about vote splitting to distract from the urgent issues of the race.
Since we are not taking money from deep-pocketed special interests, we do not have the resources of big money candidates who hire paid signature gatherers. We are relying on people power to qualify for the ballot, and to build the momentum to take democracy back.
Please join me in signature gathering events around the state over the next four weekends. It's fun to gather signatures in groups, and a good way to learn how if you haven't done it before.
Join me at Trader Joe's in Arlington with local signature gatherers this weekend (and every weekend in July) at 2 PM Saturday and Sunday, or at JP Licks in Jamaica Plain at noon on Saturday. Please reply to this email (or call Pat Keaney at 857-829-1882) if you can join us, or would like us to send you petitions and instructions.
Outside the metro Boston area, contact the local petition coordinators (see below) to connect with local petitioning efforts, or call the campaign office at 781-652-0053.
Thanks so much for making this election the leap forward for democracy that we urgently need. Let's democratize Massachusetts, and make it a model for the nation!
Upward,
Jill
781-652-0053
"Its satirical humor, combined with its provocative theme and surprisingly moving ending, results in an evening that is strange, disturbing, and arresting."- N.Y. Post.
TheatreZone presents Rhinoceros by Eugene Ionesco from July 12-29. TheatreZone in the Park is our fourth annual presentation of free outdoor bilingual theater with performances in English and Spanish. As in past summers, Rhinoceros will be staged environmentally and the audience will move between three locations in the park. The only difference: this summer they will be accompanied by herds of rhinoceroses running alongside them.
Considered by many to be one of the greatest plays of the last century, Rhinoceros uniquely studies the contemporary tension between individuality and conformity, reason and nature. Enter Berenger, an alcoholic with a dead-end job and unrequited love, hoping to turn his life around with the help of his close friend Jean. As the two share Sunday brunch at a local outdoor cafe, a rhinoceros runs through the town square. Inconceivably, the townspeople begin to turn into rhinoceroses. Instinctive terror turns into justification as people learn to "move with the times." And the epidemic begins...
These Free performances of Rhinoceros by Eugene Ionesco are July 12-29, Wed.-Sat. at 7:30pm. (please arrive early to picnic and for best seating- the show starts promptly at 7:30) Mary O'Malley Park, Commandant's Way, on the Chelsea Waterfront (Admiral's Hill)-bring a blanket or lawn chair! English performances are the first & third Wednesdays, all Thursdays, and all Saturdays (July 12, 13, 15, 20, 22, 26, 27, 29). Spanish performances are the second Wednesday and all Fridays (July 14, 19, 21, 28). Information/Directions at (617) 887-2336 or on-line at theatrezone.org.
Directions to Mary O'Malley Park: From Boston, cross the Tobin Bridge and take the first exit (Beacon St., Chelsea) to the bottom of the ramp, turn right, drive one block, turn right onto Broadway, drive two blocks to the waterfront and turn right onto Commandant's Way. Free parking. MBTA access via #111 bus from Haymarket (10 minutes). Detailed directions, parking info., and maps on line at theatrezone.org. In case of rain, call (617) 887-2336 to check status.
Join us at our next planning meeting! Childcare is available.
** We will screen the documentary: **
"No More Violence Against Our Sistas!" by Sista II Sista of NYC
In addition to viewing and discussing the movie, we will continue with plans for organizing projects on Katrina dislocation; women prisoners; gun violence and violence against women; immigration reform; trafficking and the exploitation of women in the workplace; supporting women of color in our various movements and organizing!
INCITE meetings are intended to be a safe space for women of color. Allies are warmly invited to work with us, and attend meetings on a pre-arranged basis.
Sisters, come together & incite refugees of false dreams to unite.
We have all heard this many times. This workshop looks closely at why some people seem to take a "backwards" step from being vegetarian or vegan. It will also help individuals communicate clearly and non-judgementally with those who share comments like, "I am a vegetarian, but I eat fish." How can we respond when we hear these types of comments? We want to draw people to veg*m, but it is possible to repel people from it if we handle these situations awkwardly. Participants will learn valuable tools for dealing with this and other challenging situations/comments in a way that does not alienate others.
Rae Sikora has been a spokesperson for animals, the environment and human rights for over 25 years. She is a popular speaker at national conferences, and also helps individuals and groups see how implementing changes locally can bring about change globally. She is co-founder of the Center for Compassionate Living and the International Institute for Humane Education, and co-created the nation's first humane education certification and masters programs. Rae now is founder/ facilitator of Simply Enough, and leads programs on compassionate living, non-violence, consumerism, communication, conflict resolution, animal rights/ awareness, and environmental awareness/ responsibility. She holds degrees in Cultural Anthropology and Environmental Education from University of Wisconsin.
5:15 PM - SOCIAL DINNER (optional, but encouraged!)
Stay and enjoy Grasshopper's delicious unlimited vegan buffet for only $8.95 + tax (and remember the tip jar by the cash register for the hard-working staff!). Includes appetizers, soups, salad, several entrees, and fresh melons. Let us get to know you!
Evelyn Kimber
BostonVeg.org
617-424-8846
The Amnesty Group 133 Business Action Team (B.A.T.) is a group of local, passionate and dedicated volunteer activists (people just like you!) working on business, environment and human rights issues.
NOW we invite you to join us on a new campaign to hold corporations accountable for Human Rights abuses!
We are looking for concerned and inspired citizens to join us for a meeting of the Amnesty Group 133 Business Action Team on July 17th.
We will be reviewing all of Amnesty International's current corporate accountability campaigns and selecting one or two for our next campaign here at Group 133 B.A.T. Here are some examples of the campaigns we will choose from:
Internet censorship in China: In China, US corporations such as Yahoo!, Microsoft, and Google are contributing to human rights violations, directly or indirectly.
Chevron Corp. in the Amazon - Chevron's drilling practices in the Ecuadorian Amazon have left a legacy of pollution and health problems for indigenous communities and other inhabitants.
Corporate accountability in the War on Terror - Several U.S. companies may be fueling human rights violations and operating in a virtually rules-free zone in the War on Terror.
For more possibilities go here:
Amnesty USA: Business and Human Rights
Amnesty USA: The Environment
And for a very cool video, go here: amnestyusa.org/business/sharepower/flash.html
MOST IMPORTANTLY - Join us - Go To B.A.T. for Human Rights!!
SEE YOU THERE!
If you have questions please e-mail: email Amnesty 133
AL GORE signs copies of his book An Inconvenient Truth: The Planetary Emergency of Global Warming and What We Can Do About It
Harvard Book Store is very excited to announce that on Tuesday, July 18th former Vice President Al Gore will sign copies of his book An Inconvenient Truth: The Planetary Emergency of Global Warming and What We Can Do About It.
The booksigning will take place at Harvard Book Store and will last from 12 to 1 p.m.. Copies of An Inconvenient Truth are now available for sale at Harvard Book Store. Please note that Mr. Gore will only be signing copies of this new book. Because of time constraints, he will not be able to sign other books or memorabilia, nor will he be able to pose for photographs. If you have additional questions about the signing, please call the bookstore at 617.661.1515.
Al Gore is the former Vice President of the United States. He is chairman of Current TV, an independently-owned cable and satellite television nonfiction network for young people based on viewer- created content and citizen journalism. He also serves as chairman of Generation Investment Management, a firm that is focused on a new approach to sustainable investing. Gore is a member of the Board of Directors of Apple Computer, Inc., and a senior advisor to Google, Inc.
He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1976 and the U.S. Senate in 1984 and 1990. He was inaugurated as the 45th vice president of the United States on January 20, 1993, and served eight years. He is the author of the 1992 bestseller Earth in the Balance: Ecology and the Human Spirit and co-author, with his wife Tipper, of Joined at the Heart: The Transformation of the American Family.
Meet briefly at the statue to exchange thoughts, then walk silently around the Yard and nearby streets, returning to the statue by 12:30pm.
We invite you and your organization to be part of organizing Jesse Diaz’s calendar of activities for the three days he will be visiting this area. To that effect we will be hosting an organizing meeting.
While our movement regroups, reshapes and prepares to confront the continued attacks, here too in Massachusetts we must consider our next steps. Far from retreat or paralysis, Massachusetts' immigrant rights movement is still reverberating from the amazing mobilizations of millions of workers throughout the country and in our own cities and towns. The tactics of the movement range from working closely with the Democrats and Republicans, to voter-registration drives, to massive independent actions, i.e. demonstrations, boycotts, and strikes.
To promote the necessary open discussion of these tactics /and/ to learn from the tremendously successful mobilizations in Los Angeles, the Boston May Day Coalition has invited one of the central organizers of the March 25th Coalition, Jesse Diaz, to the Boston area to meet with the largest possible number of interested people from Friday, August 25 through Sunday, August 27. This is an excellent opportunity for organizations that are involved in local struggles in defense of immigrants to link up with folks who have been inspired by the mobilizations in recent months and want to get involved.
Please let us know if you will be able to attend. Also if you cannot make the meeting but are interested in hosting a meeting or public event with Jesse Diaz please contact us. You can reach us by email or phone at 617-407-9433.
In the struggle for amnesty for all undocumented workers, Hank Gonzales & Sergio Reyes Boston May Day Coalition Co-Coordinators
If you answered yes to any of these questions, join CCI for the first meeting of the Greater Boston Anti-Racism Media Watch on July 19th from 6-8 pm.
The staff at CCI has been working on developing the CCI Anti-Racism Media Watch Blog (http://www.antiracismwatch.blogspot.com), and we need your input. With a specific focus on monitoring the Greater Boston print media, CCI's Anti-Racism Media Watch will hold local media to maximum accountability for their reporting, framing, and perspectives on race related issues. Using an antiracist lens, members of the blog team will provide readers of the blog with an insightful analysis of local coverage.
We are scheduling this face-to-face meeting to discuss our plans and guidelines for the blog and organize for the most effective action. Please bring your suggestions for a system for dividing up our media coverage, for ways to publicize the blog, for reviewing effective forms of antiracist media analysis, and a conversation about educational and action opportunities for the media policy reform. The first meeting is on July 19th from 6 - 8 pm at the Community Change Library on Racism, 14 Beacon Street, in downtown Boston across the street from the MA State House.
Food and refreshments will be provided!
RSVP to Janet.
If you any questions email or call Janet at 617-523-0555.
Come out and hear about the campaign to reform the childcare system and give providers a voice. 7PM at the For more inforamtion, contact Sarah Delorey at 617-524-8778.
Come for all or part of the vigil. Corner of Rt 27 and 30 by the Middlesex Bank and Cochituate Post Office. We got a LOT of positive feedback from the traffic passing by at our first one, and only a few negatives. Hope you can join us. Pass the info on. To request a flyer in Word, send your request to Sandy Coy.
The location will be Kittredge Park, at the intersection of Route 38 and Route 133 in Lowell. We'll have some signs but could use more if you want to bring one. It's time for the anti-war majority to show its strength!
For membership in the Greater Lowell for Peace and Justice
United for Justice with Peace, Cambridge
Left in Lowell
Think out Loud
WUML
This film points to the forboding address in which departing president Dwight Eisenhower sternly warns of the growing "military industrial complex" from which half a century later our nation can not become disentangled. The movie shows how a free public can become so powerless in the face of the tightly woven connection of political, corporate, political, academic and Pentagon interests that have led to wars and calamities through the years. This film will be shown free of charge on Friday July 21st (6PM) and the 27th (3PM.)
On Friday, July 21, 2006, the Boston Bolivarianos and encuentro5 are celebrating Simón Bolívar's birthday and the broader movement for Latin American independence with an evening of art, music, and dancing at encuentro5 (e5 in Chinatown). The event runs from 7:00 till late.
The evening will feature live salsa music and a dj. In addition, Latin American food and snacks will be available.
Suggested donation $10.
For directions, please visit Encuentro 5
Suren Moodliar, Coordinator
North American Alliance for Fair Employment (NAFFE)
33 Harrison Ave, 3rd flr, Boston, MA 02111, USA
t 617.482.6300 f 617.482.7300 c 617.968.0880
Fair Jobs.org or email Suren
"Winner of the Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival, THE ROAD TO GUANTANAMO is the first-hand account of three British Citizens who were held of two years without charges in the American military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Known as the "Tipton Three" in reference to their hometown in Britain, the three were eventually returned to Britain and released, still having had no formal charges ever made against them at any time during their ordeal. Part documentary, part dramatization, the sequence of events that led from the trio setting out from Tipton in the British Midlands for a wedding in Pakistan, to their crossing the Afghanistan border just as the US began their invasion, to their eventual capture by the Northern Alliance and their imprisonment in Camp X-Ramy and later at Camp Delta in Guantanamo."
Upsetting to see, important to think about, a significant experience-- AH
Harvey Wasserman, Ohio writer and activist, will speak about the 2004 election as well as the upcoming 2006 and 2008 elections