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Louise's new book, "Undoing the Silence: Six Tools for Social Change Writing", will be available at this event. Inspiring stories from the 80s and 90s have found their way into this book to help today's activists speak out in writing for social justice. Louise will be reading, sharing tips, and signing books for those who want their own copy.
A Christians for the Mountains Feature Film confronts the abusive practice of Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining. Filmmaker B. J. Gudmundsson uses photography and personal stories to create an epiphany - a personal awakening - as nature's beauty is starkly contrasted with scenes of ruin. Powerful narration is supported by traditional gospel and Appalachian Music to tell this story of tragedy and hope. "Mountain Mourning" calls upon Christians and their churches to summons moral courage and effective advocacy that will bring healing and justice to this land and its people.
The Consul General of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Carlos Osorio, Has the pleasure to invite you to the screening of the documentary "Tocar y Luchar" (a film about the Venezuelan youth orchestra).
RSVP to the Venezuelan Consul at 617-266-9368 x 203
A version of video is actually available on the web, but the full screen version is of course, much better.
Placido Domingo cried when he saw the Venezuelan Youth Orchestra perform. The world-renowned opera singer confessed that the concert evoked the strongest emotions he had ever felt.
Sir Simon Rattle, director of the Berlin Philharmonic, swore that the country's youth orchestras were doing the most important work in classical music anywhere in the world.
And former Berlin Philharmonic director Claudio Abbado only needed to see one performance by the orchestra to invite the Venezuelans to play in Germany. See the rest of this glowing BBC story about the Orchestra.
Madeline Albright's response to a May 11, 1996 60 Minutes question about the
more than 500,000 children killed by Iraqi sanctions
"It’s a hard choice, but I think, we, think, it’s worth it."
“What’s the point of having this superb military you’re always talking about, if we can’t use it?”
See for sold-out Harvard Bookstore event.
The Power of Love: the life and thoughts of Boston's Mel King. Written, directed, and produced by Andrew McLeod.
The 25 minute documentary covers the life of Mel King from his years starting as an educator in the 1950's and explores his activism up through the present such as his involvement in the election of Boston City Councilor Sam Yoon in 2005.
A main part of the film is an attempt to capture some of Mel's thoughts about our society, our opportunities, and our challenges. Adrian Walker, Boston Globe columnist is featured as well as Sam Yoon.
In order to participate in "Super Tuesday" (the February 5th presidential primary), you have to be registered to vote, and the deadline is coming up fast. In Massachusetts, your registration must be postmarked by Wednesday, January 16th. You may think you're registered, but it's worth making sure—and we've made it easy.
Working with the folks at Catalist1, MoveOn.org has built VotePoke, a new website that for the first time lets you quickly and easily check to see whether you are registered to vote, and then invite your friends to do the same.
If you aren't registered, you can use VotePoke to register online in just minutes. VotePoke also lets you invite friends—and if your friends aren't registered, you can gently "poke" them until they do, using our handy online tool.
A 15-person delegation with the Cambridge-Bethlehem People-to-People Project (CBPP) has just returned with images, stories and facts-on-the-ground. Come hear for yourself what is happening in Bethlehem. Come see about getting involved.
Delegates: Kathy and John Roberts, Richard Colbath- Hess, Grove Harris, Marty Federman, Gail Epstein, Cathy Hoffman, Phyllis Bretholtz, Marla Erlien, Eva Moseley, Skip Schiel, Raymond Bandar, Anthana Luff, Marie-Helene Gold, and Omar Bandar
CBPP formed in 2007 to find a human way to address the circumstances facing Palestinians. Bethlehem was chosen in response to a specific call from its citizens, facing tremendous social and economic isolation, to re-open Bethlehem to the global community.
EMAIL BETHLEHEM-CAMBRIDGE or call: 617-349-4694
Judge Julian Houston reads from New Boy.
As the first black student in an elite Connecticut
boarding school in the late 1950s, Rob Garrett, 16,
knows he is making history. He works hard not to fall
off the honor roll, even as he misses his home in
Virginia and feels like a stranger in the dorm and in
class. When his friends in the South plan a sit-in
against segregation, he knows he must be part of it.
The Honorable Judge Julian Houston writes from the
inside about the civil rights struggle, always clear
about the blatant racism and the differences within
the African American community as they cut across
class, region, and generations. New Boy is especially
appealing to youth readers.
ASL/ENGLISH INTERPRETATION WILL BE PROVIDED AT ALL READINGS
Writing Race: Memory and Imagination is funded through the generous support of the African American Experience Fund.
There is no admission charge for this event.
For more information visit email communitychangeinc.org or call 617-523-0555.
Eternal Seed (1996, 43 min)
With insightful interviews and rare footage from
India's agricultural industry, this keenly observed
film depicts Indian women's struggles to use
traditional farming practices instead of chemically-
based agriculture. Comparing the practices of women
who consider seeds sacred with multinational
companies' use of sterilized hybrids, this evocative
analysis celebrates the scientific basis of women's
native traditions in a provocative look at the
evolving meanings of healthy land use.
Yu Koyo Peya (22 min)
Yu Koyo Peya: An expression from the Ipili Tribe of
Papua New Guinea, meaning, "The Land Is Ending." A
documentary by Tyler Kimble summarizing the
primitivist critique of civilization, and the
arguments regarding collapse. Richard Heinberg, James
Kunstler, and Jared Diamond are prominently featured
in this 22-minute video.
Part drama, part documentary, "The Road to Guantanamo" focuses on the Tipton Three, a trio of Pakistani Britons, who were held in Guantanamo Bay for three years until they were released with charge. The trio were interrogated and tortured until they made wrong confessions to being terrorists. The film reflects their struggle to keep their spirits up in the face of this grave injustice.
Justice with Peace Task Force Watertown Citizens for Environmental Safety (WCES) Watertown's Voice for Peace, the Environment, and Social Justice
C-sponsored by the NE American Friends Service Committee, United for Justice with Peace, Arlington United for Justice with Peace, Lexington Justice with Peace Committee, Waltham Concerned Citizens, and Weston Dialogues for Peace and Justice.
Parking and Public Transportation - If you are driving, there is a parking lot behind the Watertown Library and a parking lot and street parking at St. John’s. For public transportation, take the #71 Bus from Harvard Square. For the Library, get off at the last stop (Watertown Square) and walk two blocks down Main Street; for St. John’s, get off at the stop across the street from Starbucks.
For info: 617-926-8560 mailbox 2
Watson presents a new examination of one of the nation's most infamous trials and executions. His previous book, Bread and Roses: Mills, Migrants and the Struggle for the American Dream, was chosen by the N.Y. Public Library as one of 25 Books to Remember.
Tickets are $12 per person. Space is limited.
Call: (781) 788-9988
or e-mail for reservations.
This event is hosted by Back Pages Books, 289 Moody Street. Waltham, MA 02453.
From the 1860s to the 1920s, dozens of towns and counties across America violently expelled entire African American communities, forcing thousands of black families to flee their homes. A century later, these towns remain all white. BANISHED tells the story of three of these communities and their black descendants, who return to learn shocking histories. We will hold a discussion after the film.
We’ve heard from the politicians..the generals… Now let’s hear the truth about Iraq! More than 100 soldiers will gather in DC from March 13- 16 to speak out!!
Come to hear about Winter Soldier - and how you can be involved. Carlos Harris of the Boston Chapter of IVAW will be speaking on their behalf.
Sponsors:
Stop the Wars Coalition
United for Justice with Peace
Iraq Veterans Against the War – Boston
The Boston Coalition for Palestinian Rights invites
you to a viewing of our path breaking new exhibit:
APARTHEID
From South Africa to Israel/Palestine - Making the Connections
There will be discussion and refreshments.
We are launching a campaign to show this exhibit across the state and beyond... Be one of the first to see it!
If you can't attend but want to find out about our events, meetings and how you can display the exhibit in your church, university, or community center:
Call (617) 491-2313 or email us.
Speakers:
John McLean on the Need for Industrial Unionism
Alex Swoboda from Providence IWW
Music from:
Sarah Lanzillotta
Evan Greer
Clara Hendricks
Sergio Reyes
High Plains Thunder
Jake and the Infernal Machine
Wobbly Jamboree
suggested donation: $10
Five workers from Top City Produce in New York City were recently fired from their jobs. The “Gang of Five” – Osvaldo, Mario, Diego, Esau, and Carlos – have been some of the strongest and most active members of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) since they joined the union almost two years ago.
After one of the workers was suspended, the other four approached the boss in an attempt to discuss the situation. On Monday morning, the boss told them all to wait outside and then never allowed them back in. They continue to be locked out.
Before joining the union, Top City workers consistently pulled 72-hour weeks with no overtime and no benefits. Conditions improved once the shop went union. Workers filed a lawsuit against Top City for wage violations and negotiated a contract with the boss. They were waiting for the boss to sign the contract when they were fired without warning on Monday.
For further information, call 617-625-9070, email us or visit the IWW web site.
Can't make it to the benefit? Please make checks out
to IWW I.U. 460/640 and write "Workers Defense Fund"
in the memo line. Checks can be mailed to:
IWW IU 460/640
44-61 11th St., 3rd floor
Long Island City, NY 11110
Renae Gray is executive director of the Boston Women's Fund, of which she is a founding member with over 20 years involvement. She has worked for non-profits such as the Haymarket Peoples' Fund, Women's Theological Center and Cambridge Algebra Project. For the past several years she has been a consultant with Visions, Inc., an organization that works on issues of race and multiculturalism. She serves on many Boston-area boards, including those of the Cambridge YWCA and Cambridge Cares about AIDS.
Renae was also involved with the early creation of the Funding Exchange, a national organization based in New York. She comes to us with a passion for women's experiences, work & travel, and will present a non-traditional look at giving in the communities of African American and Asian women.
Even though the Senate Judiciary Committee passed legislation that provides greater protections for privacy and doesn't give amnesty to telecommunications companies, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has decided to move the bad Senate Intelligence Committee bill. This is not good news for those of us who respect freedom, the rule of law and the Constitution.
Tell your senators and Senator Reid to vote against this awful legislation.
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.
Applicants wanted: Summer 2007 international human rights training programs with young leaders (ages 18- 30) who may be interested in participating in one of our upcoming human rights delegations to Bosnia, Guatemala, Rwanda or Venezuela.
Tuition is $2250-$2750. Some financial aid is available.
Global Youth Connect is an international human rights organization which is building and supporting a community of youth who are actively promoting and protecting human rights, and educating and inspiring the next generation to work for peaceful change. We have been organizing international human rights delegations since 2001.
January 24 - February 3, 2008 Start and end in Caracas; visits to the states of Falcon, Carabobo, Lara, and Yaracuy
The Alberto Lovera Bolivarian Circle of NY invites you to join us in January for a 10-day trip to Venezuela examining advances in food sovereignty and other initiatives for social change. Start off in the capital city of Caracas, then travel to four additional states, including visits to newly formed cooperative farms and rural development projects in the countryside; community and national media outlets; government sponsored social programs, including Mercal markets and Barrio Adentro medical clinics, and much more. Meet with farmers, community leaders, and government officials. Sightseeing and visits to some of the country's beautiful beaches and other natural areas will also be included.
Basic information (more forthcoming):
Cost for Airfare: $578. A limited number of tickets are currently reserved at this price, which is a great deal for the time of year!
Cost for Activities: $500. This will cover all lodging, all transportation, and some meals for the duration of the trip. Additional expenses will be minimal.
Space is limited. Interested persons should email as soon as possible.
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.
The MBTA on October 10th started broadcasting
continuous [corporate] radio ads and "music" at South
Station, North Station and Airport Station with a plan
to expand the continuous radio broadcast system-wide
after Thanksgiving. This will adversely monopolize
this historic First Amendment public space:
1. Curtail and Interfere with Conversations of all
MBTA patrons
2. Curtail and Interfere with Reading of all MBTA
patrons
3. Target ads to all School Children who use the MBTA
4. Eliminate Subway Musician Performances
We, the undersigned, support the diversity of
expression of patrons and artists in the subway. We
petition Governor Deval Patrick and Massachusetts Bay
Transportation Authority Board of Directors to stop
the T-Radio broadcast.
Congress will be debating war appropriations again, and the Senate - as the Republicans have routinely demonstrated - has the power to filibuster any appropriations it doesn't like. A filibuster in the Senate would effectively force an end to the war. So if each of us does our part in exposing the filibuster option, then we can apply tremendous pressure on our senators, the likes of which they haven't felt in decades!
Petition to sign.
"We do not support construction of new nuclear
reactors as a means of addressing the climate crisis.
Available renewable energy and energy efficiency
technologies are faster, cheaper, safer and cleaner
strategies for reducing greenhouse emissions than
nuclear power."
See and hear Walter, Joe, Abbey, random pedestrians (One even honked.) and a supporting cast of spontaneous volunteers all explaining the Honk Experience. (You can hear them when the cars aren't honking anyway.) No honks were added.
This took five hours in the cutting room. It's derived from thirty minutes of source shot over a two hour period on July 30th.
Cuencavision the local Spanish cable TV that carries some TV from Cuba. It includes Cubavision news from 1 to 1:30 PM weekdays and News from Telesur at Noon. The current schedule is viewable as a pdf file by clicking on the "Media Kit Cuencavision" link. Telesur is a major initative by several Latin American countries to provide an alternative to the US dominated media.
Cuencavision a local low power Spanish TV station in Boston is picking up Telesur and Cubavison TV and rebroadcasting them during the day. Cuencavision is carried on Cablevision in Boston and Brookline on Channel 26. It can also be received directly on Ch 58 in a limited area of its Albany Street, Boston, Transmission Site.
IMPEACH VICE PRESIDENT CHENEY -- (Congressional Record, House of Representatives - November 07, 2007)
(Mr. KUCINICH asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. KUCINICH. "Mr. Speaker, yesterday I brought articles of impeachment before this House. The articles have been referred to the Judiciary Committee, and the people of the United States now have a chance to become engaged in a broad discussion about the importance of this action."
"People ask, why now? Well, recently, the administration asked for millions of dollars to be included in the defense budget to retrofit Stealth B-2 bombers with 30,000-pound bombs that can be used to bomb nuclear research labs in Iran at Natans and Bushir. Think of the humanitarian and ecological disaster that would come from that kind of a bombing."
"This administration, which took license to go to war based on lies, must be held accountable. And the Vice President must be held accountable for his role in bringing about the war against Iraq and in trying to beat the drums for a war against Iran."
"As has been pointed out here, we have so many needs here at home. We have people who are losing their homes, losing their pensions, losing their jobs, losing their health care, and we must bring discipline in this House to hold this administration accountable unto the law, so we can begin to focus on a domestic agenda and stop waging aggressive war."
"Impeach the Vice President."
TOLL-FREE PHONE NUMBERS FOR THE U.S. CAPITOL SWITCHBOARD
US House of Representatives Web Sites
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.
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.