Aug. 20: Off for vacation back on the 30trh

(Sankaty Head Light on Nantucket)
Well we're off to Cape Cod and the Islands to shoot lighthouses and other fun things back on the 30th. I will try to hook-up and post while we are away, but if I can't I will miss you all and share the trip with you when we return.
(photo borrowed from Rudy & Alice's Lighthouse Page) 

Save Birth-control coverage

Save Birth Control Coverage!

Can you imagine an HMO refusing to pay for birth control because their Board of Directors finds contraception morally objectionable?
Can you imagine the HMO receiving your tax dollars and still being allowed to deny family planning care from their benefit package?
The New York State Catholic Health Plan, Inc., better known as Fidelis, is doing just that. (for further info: Naral pro choice New York)

 

Aug. 20: Vigils for Cindy to end the war and bring the troops home

Here's David Swanson's photo of the Cheverly, MD vigil on Wednesday eve. Check out AfterDowningStreet.Org for many more.
Wew know Cindy has had to leave Texas to tend to her mother, but we need to keep up the growing movement while she is gone. She promises to be back.
Good luck Cindy, you're doing a great service for all of us.
 

Aug. 20: Protest NYPD subway searches

PROTEST THE NYPD'S SUBWAY SEARCHES!
NO TO RACIAL PROFILING!
DEFEND OUR CIVIL LIBERTIES!

Aug. 20, NOON
125th & Lenox Avenue
(2,3 train to 125th)

In the wake of the London bombings, the NYPD has implemented their method of preventing "terrorism" by randomly searching the bags of subway riders. Bloomberg said the subway searches were supposed to make us safer. Tell that to Yogi Patell, a CUNY Law student who told NY1 News that he was stopped and his bag searched three times in one day. "Its hard for me to say its anything else other than profiling".

Are we suppose to believe that the same NYPD that tortured Abner Louima and killed Amadou Diallo are the same cops that are concerned with keeping us safe? That is a LIE! The bag searches are really being used to shred our civil liberties, by scapegoating Arabs and Muslims, and using racism to justify increased police repression. Just like the PATRIOT Act and the color-coded terror alert, they're not about making us safer. The point is not to stop terrorists, but to make us not forget about "terrorists". Their real aim is to cover up the real cause of the conflict: the war in Iraq. Come out and protest the bag searches, racist discrimination against Arabs and Muslims, police repression, and the source for all of this--THE WAR IN IRAQ!

PROTEST THE NYPD'S SUBWAY SEARCHES!
NO TO RACIAL PROFILING!
DEFEND OUR CIVIL LIBERTIES!

 

Aug. 31: Liberty Bash!

A31

Liberty Bash!
Aug. 31, 8:00pm
Brooklyn Lyceum
227 4th Ave & President St.

Protecting Protest ~ an A31* 1-year Anniversary Event and fundraiser for the Bill of Rights Defense Campaign (part of the New York Civil Liberties Union). The party will run from 8:00 pm to midnight on Aug 31st following the 6:00 pm Rally Against Mayor Bloomberg at City Hall Park.

There will also be a showing of Ryan Junell's video installation "See the Elephant!" filmed during the 2004 Republican National Convention.
Please contact Sabine@archerserve.com
or call 917-370-8268 this week if your organization, performance group or
self would like to participate.

* A31 is the date August 31, 2004 when people took to the city streets for a day of non-violent direct action to confront the Bush administration's unjust policies at home and abroad and to stand up against the Republican National Convention in NYC. On that day around 1200 people were unlawfully arrested in police dragnets across the city and detained in filthy holding pens at Pier 57 and at the Tombs for periods of well over 24 hours; the most ever arrested in one day in NYC history. Although a handful of people were directly performing acts of civil disobedience, most folks arrested were legally protesting or bystanders on the street. The NYPD and governing authorities denied our civil rights by acting as the Republican's private security force to criminalize free speech and remove protest from the NYC streets in an attempt to silence dissent before the night of Bush's nomination for President at Madison Square Garden.
Since A31, nearly all the A31 criminal arrests have been dismissed (results can be found at. A class action lawsuit has been filed and many more group and individual complaints are set to follow in Federal court. While the National media, NYPD and mayor's office have trivialized this event, we must not forget A31 and continue to take action to address and defend the accumulating encroachments on our civil liberties.

If a person cannot walk into the middle of the town square and express his or her views without fear of arrest, imprisonment or physical harm, then that person is living in a fear society, not a free society.
--Condoleezza Rice, National Security Advisor, January 18, 2005

 

Aug. 27: Speak out and Rally: Harriet's Daughters

Harriet Tubman

Aug. 27
Harriet's Daughters inaugural rally: Community Under Attack; Building A Fightback
Fulton Street Park-Fulton and Stuyvesant Sts
(right above the A/C UTICA AVE. stop; or take 3, 4 to UTICA AVE., then walk/bus 10 blocks North; or J to KOSCIUSZKO & then B46 Utica Ave/Malcolm X Boulevard bus (or
walk), 20 blocks to Fulton St.)

Harriet's Daughters today announced their inaugural speak-out and rally on Aug. 27,
12 noon to 5:00 pm in the Fulton Street Park, located at Fulton
Street and Stuyvesant Avenue, across the street from Boys and Girls' High
School. The theme of the speak-out and rally is

Community Under Attack; Building A Fightback.

Confirmed speakers and performers include
New York City Councilwoman Letitia James; Monifa Akinwole-Bandele, Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, Black Waxx; Theresa Gutterez, Cuba Five Committee; Samia Halaby, Al Awada; Elombe Brath , Patrice Lumumba Coalition; Monica Moorehead, Troops Out Now; Colette Pean, December 12th Movement; Chrystal Shipp; Brenda Stokley, Karen
Taylor, Rosemari Mealy, Nellie Bailey and Joan P. Gibbs.

The Daughters will also be honoring four women of African descent for their long histories in the Black Liberation Movement: Aminia Baraka, Iyaluua Ferguson, Mae Jackson and Una Mulzac. Harriet"s Daughters is a collective of women of African descent dedicated to continuing the fighting spirit and legacy of Harriet Tubman.

For more information call 718-789-1732 or 212-234-5005.

Harriet's Daughters: In the spirit of Harriet Ross Tubman; In the spirit of
love of freedom

 

Aug. 31: Picket for union rights at NYU's Bobst Library

In front of NYU's Bobst Library, 70 Washington Square South (west 4th street)

Aug. 31, Noon to 1 PM

To defend the rights of workers to form unions! NYU is hiding behind a Bush-appointed National Labor Relations board to avoid bargaining collectively with its employees.

For more information, contact the offices of GSOC--UAW Local 2110.
(212) 387-0220
113 University Place, 5th Fl,
gsoc@2110uaw.org

 

Sept. 14: Debate on Iraq war: Galloway v. Hichens

George Galloway

George Galloway and Christopher Hitchens Debate the Iraq War
Moderated by Amy Goodman, Host of Democracy Now!


Sept. 14, 7:00 pm

Mason Hall, Baruch Performing Arts Center
17 Lexington Avenue at 23rd Street(6, N, R, F to 23rd Street)

Tickets: $12

George Galloway is Respect party MP for Bethnal Green and Bow in East London. He recently electrified the U. S. with his appearance at a Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations hearing on May 17, when he turned the proceedings into a condemnation of the war in Iraq. CNN's Wolf Blitzer described Galloway's speech in the Senate as "a blistering attack on U. S. senators rarely heard" in Washington. His new book, out in September, is Mr. Galloway Goes to Washington (The New Press)

Christopher Hitchens is a widely published polemicist and frequent radio and TV commentator. He is the author of A Long Short War, Why Orwell Matters, The Trial of Henry Kissinger, and many other books.
He is a contributing editor to Vanity Fair. The London Observer calls him "One of the most brilliant journalists of our time."

Two years after the invasion of Iraq, Galloway and Hitchens will debate the causes and consequences of the war. Both will be signing books after the debate.

Tickets available through Ticket Central or at door, day of event, if not sold out
Tickets may also be purchased at Ticket Central's box office at: 416 West 42nd St. (between 9th & 10th Avenues)
or from the BPAC box office at:
55 Lexington Avenue
(25th Street entrance between 3rd Ave and Lexington)
or by phone: (212) 279-4200

Sponsored by: The New Press, International Socialist Review, Center for Economic Research and SocialChange. Co-Sponsored by: Nation Books.

This debate is part of a U. S. tour by George Galloway, Stand Up and Be Counted:
No to War and Occupation. The tour will culminate in Washington, DC, during the anti-war protests on September 24th.

For a full list of cities and events, please phone 415-607-1924.

 

Aug. 21: Film: Peace, Propaganda and the Promised land

.21

Film: Peace Propaganda and the Promised Land,

August 21 6:30 p.m.
Galapagos Art Space
70 north 6 street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
(L train to Bedford Stop)
$5-$15 sliding scale; no one turned away


New York City activist Lysander Puccio will talk about her own experiences in Gaza and the West Bank earlier this year; a new film, Peace Propaganda and the Promised Land, will explore what the news media reports when it comes to the Middle East.

Peace, Propaganda & the Promised Land provides a striking comparison of U.S. and international media coverage of the crisis in the Middle East, zeroing in on how structural distortions in U.S. coverage have reinforced false perceptions of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Bo Smith of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts calls the film "Extraordinarily powerful and courageous." . Interviewees include Seth Ackerman, Rabbi Arik Ascherman, Hanan Ashrawi, Noam Chomsky, Alisa Solomon, and Gila Svirsky.

We will also show a trailer for Bidam (With Blood), a documentary that demonstrates the effects of political policy and military actions on Palestinian civillians in search of routine health care in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Sponsored by the International Solidarity Movement-NYC. www.ism-nyc.org
The International Solidarity Movement-NYC recruits, trains and supports individuals who travel to Palestine to stand in solidarity with Palestinians in nonviolent resistance, and then bring their stories home.

 

Aug. 24: Drunk on Power Ball!

Drunk on Power Ball!

Mark your gold-leafed calendars!
Billionaires For Bush brings you the "Drunk On Power" Ball
at the lightship (Gentri)Frying Pan
Aug. 24
8 pm until-it's-too-late-for-Social-Security

Toast the hegemony of the wealthy with drink specials and decadence!
Celebrate the anniversary of the RNC in NYC with music, dancing and performance, featuring:
DJ Cocoa Cracker Brown of nublu
surf delerium with NYC's own Shinto Kings
DJ Small Change
the infamous Rude Mechanical Orchestra
DJ Mr. Bliss of Mi Sala
plus a sneak peek at "Billionaires For Bush: The Musical"

(lineup grows daily- check back for updates)
This benefit will go to support Billionaires for Bush and the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign.

 

Aug. 17: Vigils in support of Cindy Sheehan to end the war

Vigil for Cindy Sheehan
Aug. 17, 2005 7:30PM

Cindy Sheehan, mother of Army Specialist Casey Sheehan who was killed in Iraq, continues her vigil outside President Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas. She was recently joined by more moms who lost a child in Iraq and other military families. Meanwhile President Bush continues his five-week vacation and pledged Thursday to keep U.S. troops in Iraq-meaning more moms will lose a child.
Cindy has asked supporters to start candlelight vigils in their communities to support her and call for an end to the war. So, MoveOn is teaming up with True Majority and Democracy for America to host Vigils for Cindy Sheehan on Wednesday, August 17th, to show our solidarity with Cindy.

Our vigils will be simple and dignified. Together, we'll acknowledge the sacrifices made by Cindy Sheehan, her son, Casey and the more than 1,800 brave American men and women who have given their lives in Iraq-and their moms and families.
Hosts are urgently needed to help organize the Vigils to end the war. If you can host a vigil on your own, you will be making an enormous contribution to this nationwide event.
If you can host a vigil on your own, you will be making an enormous contribution to this nationwide event.

Right now, there are 1363 gatherings planned. Here are some of them. For more info

NB "See" Cindy's Supporters - NBC News, 49th Street, bt 5th & 6th Aves., Rockefeller Ctr. Hosted by NYC Downing Street Coalition

Join us! Lets show the country and the world that we support Cindy, our troops, the families of fallen soldiers and the demand for accountability from the Bush Administration. Please BRING YOUR OWN CANDLES. This is a PEACEFUL & QUIET event.

Vigil at Ground Zero - Church St. between Vesey and Fulton Streets, in front of graveyard of St. Paul chapel. Hosted by Julie Galant for Lower Manhattan Peace Coalition
Candle Light Vigil for Cindy - at the Brooklyn Heights Promenade. Hosted by Earle Tockman

Remember the Candlelight vigil at the Promenade before the War started? It was huge and memorable. Let's make this one even larger.

Vigil for Cindy & Peace. Union Square Park, cross section of 4th Ave and Broadway between 14th & 17th Sts. Hosted by Maira Liriano

Union Square Park has been the focal point for political expression for over 100 years. Please come out and let's show Cindy that the greatest city in the world is 100% behind her! Meeting at the southwest corner of the park, near the statue of Gandhi. Please bring candles.

Chelsea Stands Up Against the War - 17th Street and 8th Avenue Hosted by Kate Abell

Our vigil-in support of Cindy Sheehan and all those who have lost loved ones since the invasion of Iraq-will be held at the corner of 8th Avenue and 17th Street from 7:30 until 8:15. Chelsea Neighbors United to End the War stands up against the war along 8th Avenue every week to help give visual presence to the anti-war sentiment in our neighborhood.

TakeMeToTheRiver - East River Promenade 20th St Hosted by Cynthia Costa Assemble on promenade along East River. 20th Street and south there of.

(CARRY ID. You know, just in case). Arrive early and picnic or fish or play chess. KIDS WELCOME! Bring candles and something to collect drippings. We will not be accused of littering, damaging property, being a nuisance, etc. "Our vigils will be simple and dignified. We'll stand in a circle, silently, for 45 minutes or so, holding candles. Together, we'll acknowledge the sacrifices made by Cindy Sheehan, her son, Casey and the more than 1,800 brave American men and women who have given their lives in Iraq-and their moms and families, not to mention the SCORES of wounded! It is a time to stand and silently honor our soldiers.

In Loving Support - Clinton Ave, bt Lafeyette & Dekalb, Brooklyn Hosted by Maria Cutrona.

Please gather to honor all those who have lost their life in this war and pay homage to the courage of Cindy Sheehan. Please bring your own candles. The event will take place on our stoop and on the sidewalk in front of the house.

Vigil for Cindy - Odgen and Bowers. Jersey city Hosted by Diane Gaglio Forbes

The vigil will be outside my house,HA is not applicable no access into house

Vigil on the Stoop - A Brooklyn Stoop, St. Marks Ave near Franklin Hosted by Anne Marie Edden

We will sit on the stoop and light candles.

Eastern Parkway vigil, between 2/3 subway station and corner of Washington Ave, Brooklyn Hosted by Katherine Kirsch

We will stand in a line silently with candles on the Eastern Parkway median from the subway exit to the corner of Washington Avenue.

Peace Vigil - Jose Marti statue Cental Park South/ 6 th. Ave. Hosted by Mayda Carter

We will attempt, through our bearing witness in public to the sin and the crime of the US present war in Iraq, to express our sorrow over it. We will stand in sympathy with Cindy Sheehan, who is attempting to have her questions answered by the President - questions which we believe every American deserves answered. Candles, placards and quiet songs, if appropriate.

Vigil for the 1800 Sterling Pl. Brooklyn Hosted by Ellen Spilka

We will sit on the stoop and light candles to honor those who have lost their lives in this war and to show our support for Cindy Sheehan. Please bring candles and something to catch the drippings.

Candle Light Vigil In the Park - 92nd Street and First Ave Hosted by Joanne Thomas

Candle Light Vigil to honor the troops killed in Iraq and their families, like Gold Star Mother Cindy Sheehan. No rallies. No speeches. Just bring a candle. Handicap-accessible. Cannot predict if people will bring pets.

Vigil with Cindy Sheehan - 76th and Riverside Drive, Hosted by martin sher

Westsiders must begin to demonstrate what we all feel, give one- half hour. candle vigil for our troops in an unjust war,

Vigil for Cindy in front of 4th U Central Park West at 76th Street Hosted by Karen Frojen Chamberlain

Let's support Cindy's brilliant and very moving action. Bring a candle and join us on the steps in front of the 4th Universalist Society, Central Park West at 76th Street. Open to all. No need to register for this one. We'll have some extra candles, bring extras too if you like.

It's Up To The Women and Men 72nd Street & Riverside Drive, in front of the Eleanor Roosevelt Statue Hosted by LEONORE BLITZ

Please join me in front of the Eleanor Roosevelt statue for the candlelight vigil in support of Cindy Sheehan and in honor of her son and the 1800 soldiers who have died in Iraq and the thousands of wounded vets recovering in the US. Please bring a white candle. I will also supply candles. As Eleanor Roosevelt said "It's Up To the Women" and now the men too, all welcome.

Vigil at Turtle Pond/Central Park - Turtle Pond-near the Great Lawn and the Delacorte Theatre in Central Park-New York City Hosted by Teddy Pearlman

A vigil at dusk will be held on the lawn next to Turtle Pond in Central Park. There will also be many picnickers before the 8 O'clock show at the Delecorte theater. Perhaps they will also light a candle and hold a sign.

Jennifer El-Mattrawy Vigil - Senator St. and Ridge Blvd Hosted by Jennifer El-Mattrawy

Candlelight neighborhood vigil for Cindy Sheehan and mothers of soldiers killed in Iraq. My house is not wheelchair accessible, but we can gather in front of it and walk.

Upper West Siders for Peace - Fireman's Memorial at 100th Street and Riverside Drive Hosted by Patti Davis

Fireman's Memorial is an outdoor fountain located on the corner of 100th Street and Riverside Drive.

Vigil - Straus Park, 106 and Broadway Hosted by Sheila Ryan

Description Candle light vigil in location with high visibility to Broadway traffic. Easily accessible for wheel chairs.

Vigil - Lasalle st., between broadway and Amsterdam ave Hosted by Rani Chaudhary

It is handicap access. Will be outside in the plaza located between building 1 and 11 (90 Lasalle St- 100-Lasalle street

Love People for Peace - 90th Street & Northern Blvd. Jackson Hts Hosted by Ron & Rosanna Callahan

We invite all our neighbors to support Cindy Sheehan in her brave efforts to get Bush to answer to his lies. Please bring candles and join us in front of our home for a peaceful vigil.

Many Voices For Cindy Sheehan - Borough Hall, directly across from Staten Island Ferry/Bay St. Hosted by Debra Anderson

This will be a solemn, candlelight vigil in support of Cindy Sheehan and in support of Bringing Our Troops Home. Wheel chair accessible.

Vigil for Cindy - Bennett Park, 185th and Pinehurst Hosted by Rebecca Carel Handicap accessible. Bring candles and/or flashlights and signs
Peace vigil with Cindy - Triangle Park/Northern Blvd. @ 170th street Flushing NY 11358 Hosted by margaret m brower Yes, it is handicapped accessible
Vigil for Cindy Sheehan - The corner of Church street & bloomfield ave Montclair NJ Hosted by Eric

Show up and show your support for Cindy.

Candlelight Vigil for Peace -- Bring the troops home Playground entrance, Van Cortlandt Park South and Gouverneur Bronx Hosted by Elena Mora

Candlelight vigil, outdoors. Bring signs and candles. Directions, #Bx10, #Bx1 or #Bx2 bus to corner of Sedgwick and Van Cortlandt Ave; Gouverneur Avenue is across the street, and runs only a block, from Sedgwick Avenue to Van Cortlandt Park. We will be at the park entrance. Call if you can't find us, 646-221-2299

Vigil for Cindy Sheehan - Maplecrest Park, Maplewood, NJ Hosted by Debra Liguori-Kaufman

Just a peaceful gathering out of respect for Cindy and her mission.

Vigil - Montclair Friends Meeting, Park Street & Gordonhurst Ave Upper Montclair NJ Hosted by Martha Husick

Candlelight Vigil in Support of Cindy Sheehan - on the lawn in front of the Quaker Meetinghouse.

Vigil for Cindy Sheehan - Peace Now Eagle Rock Ave and Prospect Ave in the K-Mart parking lot West Orange NJ Hosted by Leslie Sarah Deutsch, MAJ, JAG, USAR (Retired), Elizabeth A. Deutsch, MAJ, JAG, USAR (Retired) PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF LOCATION (vigil is no longer at 10 West View Road in West Orange but rather at the K-MART SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT LOCATED AT EAGLE ROCK AVENUE AND PROSPECT AVENUES IN WEST ORANGE NJ.

Feel free to email me at lsdeutsch@comcast.net The event is handicap accessible; pets and children are more than welcome to attend. I have some candles, posters and flyers - but please bring candles, posters and flyers if you can. I will provide beverages.

Yonkers vigil - Conor Park, 640 MacLean Ave. west of the Deegan Expwy. Hosted by kate kennon

Let's gather at Conor Park, handicap accessible and pets invited! Highly visible area and plenty of parking on the west side of the park. Bring extra candles!

Vigil for Cindy Sheehan - Northern Blvd. & Lakeville Rd. Great Neck, NY Hosted by Ruth Shalom

WE ARE NOT MEETING AT MY HOUSE. Please go directly to the venue: corner of Lakeville and Northern, sidewalk outside the office building, opposite the diner

Camp Casey - Clock Park, Cranford NJ Hosted by Leigh Davis, Diane Beeny, Anna Jacus Candlelight vigil in Eastman Plaza.

Arrive anytime between 7:30 pm and 9 pm. Site is handicapped accessible. Pets for peace are welcome. Hosted by Union County Peace Council: Your neighbors working for peace.

Silent Vigil - 40 Espy Road, Caldwell NJ Hosted by Rae de la Cretaz

This is a silent vigil in support of Cindy Sheehan, her sacrifice, and the sacrifices made by all others because of this war. Cindy's question deserves an answer.

Candlelight Vigil for Cindy - Mindowaskin Park @ East Broad St. Westfield NJ Hosted by Pat O'Connor

Silent candlelight vigil in support of Cindy Sheehan. Please bring your own candles.

Vigil at Manor Beach - (Larchmont vigil) Larchmont parks Larchmont NY Hosted by Catherine Ross

Candlelight vigil to support Cindy Sheehan in parks around Larchmont

Candlelight vigil for all the fallen in Iraq - Our garden in Hastings on Hudson, NY Hosted by Monique Rothman

Candlelight vigil in our garden. Bring umbrellas if it rains.

Vigil for Cindy Sheehan - Memorial Park in front of Municiple Bldg, Wayne NJ Hosted by Jane Hastings

Please support our candlelight vigil.Our goal s to remind people of the sacrifices being made by Cindy Sheehan, our troops and their families. Bring candles ,signs, and thoughts of peace.

Vigil to support Cindy Sheehan - Next to the Square House in Rye, NY Hosted by Progressive Alliance of Westchester

Please join us for this important vigil in support of Cindy Sheehan. Bring candles, flashlights, signs. This is an opportunity to stand up against the war and really support the soldiers and their families.

We Stand in Support of Cindy Sheehan and Against the War - Fountain in White Plains, NY Hosted by Jonathan Mernit

Cindy Sheehan has asked supporters to hold candlelight vigils in their communities to remind people of the terrible price of war. Please bring candles and signs. This vigil is to solemnly come together and mark the sacrifice of Cindy and other families and say Bring the Troops Home Now in a quiet, dignified, respectful, and safe manner.

Vigil for Cindy Sheehan - Patriots Park in Tarrytown/Sleepy Hollow, NY Hosted by Barbara Carr

This vigil is to show support for Cindy Sheehan. Four legged friends are welcome. While I will have candles, please feel free to bring your own. There is parking at the library and at the village hall.

Camp Casey Vigil for Peace - Red Bank Post Office, Broad Street, Red Bank NJ Hosted by Margaret Rice Moir

Join a silent vigil to support the courageous efforts of Cindy Sheehan to save more mothers from suffering her own heartache. Hate this war? Join us and be part of the solution. Bring candles and signs showing your support.

VIGIL FOR CINDY SHEEHAN - Rt. 59 and Middletown Rd, Nanuet NY Hosted by Alma Evans

We will just be standing alongside the road (Rt.59) all people and pets are welcome. there is a parking lot right there so theres room for planty or vehicles

Camp Cindy Candlelight Vigil - River Rd. and Raritan Ave., Highland Park NJ Hosted by Tina Weishaus

Join The Central Jersey Coalition Against Endless War in a silent, candlelight vigil to honor the fallen sons and daughters and demand their immediate return.

Kinnelon Candlelight Vigil - Borough Hall Lawn - Municipal Complex, Kinnelon NJ Hosted by Jo Sippie-Gora

We'll stand quietly, to show support for Cindy Sheehan's quest to speak with the President. Plenty of parking available, handicap accessible and level ground. Help us show that Kinnelon cares about our troops and their families!

Vigil for Cindy Sheehan - Gazebo at RockawayTwp/Borough-Parks Lake, Rockaway, NJ Hosted by Stacey Gregg.

We'll stand quietly, to show support for Cindy Sheehan's quest to speak with the President. Plenty of parking available, handicap accessible and level ground. Help us show that Morris County and Rockaway Citizens care about our troops and their families sacrifices. Walk around The Park's Lake and send Protective Energy and prayers for our troups to come home Now, may they return Quickly and Safely and for the President of the USA to show respect of Cindy Sheehan's loss of a child for our Country and to do what any other president would have done by now and meet with her.

.

This weeks events (previously posted)

Thru Aug. 18: Winter Soldier film at Walter Reade Theater

Thru Aug. 27: How Johnny Got His Gun a play by Dalton Trumbo
(Times vary, see post) Ace of Clubs, 9 Great Jones St.

Thru Aug. 30: Art Exhibit: Dusappeared in America
Brecht Forum

Thru Aug. 31: Black August Film Festival:
Brecht Forum
Aug. 16: The Spook Who Sat By The Door
Aug. 17: Ida B. Wells: A Passion for Justice
Aug. 18: Fidel
Aug. 21: Ashes and Embers
Aug. 23: Selected Shorts

Thru Sept. 10: Exhibition: Body Image and Ideas of Beauty
Art for Change, 1701 Lexington Ave. @ 106 St

Aug. 15: Cindy Sheehan Solidarity Day
5 PM Union Square

Aug. 15: Film Screening: The Future of Food
7 PM Bluestockings Bookstore and Cafe, 172 Allen St. @ Stanton

Aug. 17: Pastors for Peace Protest Vigil (Friendshipment Caravan)
4-6 PM Federal Bldg., 26 federal Plaza (also Aug. 24 & 31)

Aug. 17: Teach-in about bio-research Labs
6 PM, Roberto Clemente, IS 195, 625 W. 135 St.

Aug. 17: Fair Trade 101
7-9 PM, American Jewish World Services, 45 W. 36 St.

Aug. 17: Vigil for Cindy
7:30 PM, NBC News, Rockefeller Center

Aug. 18: Celebrate the Cuban 5 Victory
7-10 PM, Bluestockings Bookstore and Cafe, 172 Allen St. @ Stanton

Aug. 20: Meeting to Stop Police Brutality
2 PM, Project Reach, 1 Orchard St.

Aug. 21: Jazz Party Benfit [for Nicaraguan school]
5:30-9 PM, Community Church, Gallery Room, 28 E. 35 St.

Aug. 21: Film: Operation Vetran Freedom
7 PM, Bluestocking, 172 AQllen St. @ Stanton

Future Dates:

Aug. 24: Strategy Meeting, National Immigration Coalition

Aug. 25: Artists Seth Tobocman & Meirav Shaul project their work

Aug 25-Sept. 30: HBO Film showing: Soldiers in the Army of God: America Undercover

Aug. 27: ABC No Rio benefit (Bowery Ballroom)

Aug. 27: An Evening of performance & commentary on the Lives and Deaths of
Sacco & Vanzetti

Aug. 29: Extradite Luis Posada National Day of Action

Sept.17: Play: benefit of Lynn Stewart Defense Committee

Sept. 17-23: Youth Activist Retreat

Sept. 24-26: Demand End to the War in Iraq, Demonstrate in D.C.

Oct. 14-16: Million Worker march in D.C.

Nov. 9: Art Exhibit: Three Cities Against the Wall

Aug. 17: Vigil for Cindy

Cindy Sheehan during interviews at Crawford Peace House

Democrats.com , MoveOn.org,and the NYC Downing Street Coalition are hosting a candle-light vigil for Cindy Sheenan and all that she represents,

Wednesday, August 17, 7:30pm.
NBC News, Rockefeller Center.
(south side of 49th Street, btwn. 5th &6th Aves).
Please bring your own candles.

Other ways to help Cindy. [from Daily Kos]
(1) The best way to help her is to get your body there. That is what she needs most. (2) Donate money to Crawford Peace House designated to help Cindy. They are supplying food and water, making signs and purchasing any other supplies.
(3) Write LTEs and call news media
(4) Code Pink is also providing support with food and materials so you can donate there. They are looking for more tents to put up. Code Pink is planning a hunger strike starting Monday if Bu$h has not talked to Cindy by then.


Photo: Daily Kos
 

Aug. 17-24-31: Pastors for Peace Protest Vigil

New York City Vigil for the release of the confiscated aid. Many others are being held across the U.S.

AID DESTINED FOR CHILDREN IN CUBA SEIZED BY U.S. CUSTOMS: On Thursday July 21st in Hidalgo Texas, U. S. Customs and Border Protection officers, acting on instructions from the Department of Commerce, seized 43 boxes of computer equipment toner, cables, calculators, modems, keyboards, two printers, and a dozen computers intended for Cuban children with special needs, from the 16th Pastors for Peace Friendshipment Caravan.


PASTORS FOR PEACE PROTEST VIGIL

August 17Th
August 24Th
August 31st
4 - 6pm

At the Federal Building,
26 Federal Plaza
at )(Duane and Lafayette streets, facing Foley Square),

A group of caravanistas, now including the Rev. Lucius Walker, are currently traveling from Texas to Washington DC in a caravan school bus containing other computers that customs would not let pass. They are visiting many cities on route to build additional support for an international campaign to free the computer equipment for delivery to Cuba.


Last Thursday's welcome home gathering in NYC turned into a very inspiring evening thanks to the presentations by Teresa Gutierrez who brought us all up date on the latest developments on the case of the Cuban 5. The presence of the returning Caravanistas and members of the Venceremos Brigade as well as the presentations by Caravanistas Espi Martel, Rev Lucius Walker who who leads the Pastors for Peace. On Thursday Walker led a candlelight vigil from the Community Church to the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. Especially inspiring were the presentations by Cuban Activist Mariana Gaston & of the First Secretary of the Cuban Mission to the United Nations Jorge A. Pena, both of whom expressed the very deep heartfelt gratitude of the Cuban People

Unfortunately, at the prayer vigil, one person was arrested for the "crime of Prayer" at the entrance to the building that houses the mission. About 50 participants in the vigil made their way to the local police precinct from which the arrestee was released about an hour later.

For more information contact IFCO/Pastors for Peace (212) 926-5757

 

Aug. 24: Strategy meeting Nat'l Immigration Coalition

Aug. 24, 12:30-3:30 pm
Meeting: CRCL Working Group, "Liberty & Justice for All Campaign."
Discussion of current political climate & legislation that threatens civil rights & civil liberties. Strategize on how to proactively promote civil rights, civil liberties & human rights at the local level.
Speakers: Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia (Senior Policy Associate, Nat'l Immigration Forum) and Chung-Wha Hong (Deputy Director, NY Immigration Coalition- NYIC).
NY Immigration Coalition,
275 7th Ave, 9th fl (btw 25th & 26th St).
RSVP: Avideh Moussavian, 212-627-2227 x244, amoussavian@thenyic.org


 

Aug. 21: Jazz party benefit

Aug. 21, 5:30-9 pm
Benefit: jazz party Featuring the Russell Branca Quintet
to raise funds for Centro de Idiomas, a school in rural Ocotal, Nicaragua.

Community Church of NY, Gallery Room,
28 E 35th St (btw Park & Madison Ave, 6 to 33rd St). $5 suggested.

Sponsors: Artists for Peace w/Action for Justice of CCNY.
Info: 212-227-8545, russellbranca@yahoo.com

 

Aug. 20: Meeting to stop police brutality

STOP POLICE BRUTALITY!

Meeting to kick off moblizing for the 10th National Day of Protest to Stop Police Brutality, Repression &the Criminalization of a Generation

Aug. 20, 2:00pm
Project Reach
1 Orchard Street (bet. Division & Canal Street), Manhattan
(F to East Broadway)
 

Aug. 15-Sept. 10: Exhibition: Body Images and Ideas of Beauty

(Portrait by Fred Hatt)

Aug. 15 - Sept. 10
Exhibition: Body Images & Ideas of Beauty - Featuring the works of Mauricio Trenard, Lynne Marie, Fred Hatt & Yuliya Lanina.

Aug. 19 opening reception
Aug. 22 artist dialogue

Art for Change,
1701 Lexington Ave
(at 106 St, 6 to 103rd St).
Info: 212-348-7044

 

Aug. 15: Cindy Sheehan Solidarity Day

(An unidentified protestor holds a sign near President Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas, Aug. 12, 2005.)

Cindy Sheehan Solidarity Day!
Aug. 15, 5:00 pm
Rally in Union Sq

Join us, Aug. 15 to stand in Solidarity with Cindy Sheehan!
Cindy is camped out in the hot desert sun, speaking out about the occupations of Iraq and Palestine and demanding answers from the criminal regime that killed her son along with more than 1800 other soldiers and more than 100,000 Iraqi people. She has vowed to stay at the roadside encampment, called Camp Casey, until she meets with the President or is arrested.

On Aug. 15 antiwar activists, veterans, community organizers, and military families will gather in Union Square-"Camp Casey-NYC"-at 5:00 pm for a demonstration of solidarity with Cindy Sheehan. The Troops Out Now Coalition has called on local activists everywhere to demonstrate their solidarity with Cindy Sheehan.

Monday is allso the day that the U.S.-appointed regime in Baghdad is scheduled to announce its new constitution, a reactionary document forced on the people of Iraq at gunpoint. Aug. 15 is also the day that occupation forces are scheduled to withdraw from Gaza.
So, Monday will be an excellent day, to stand in solidarity with Cindy Sheehan.

Dozens of protesters from across the country have joined Cindy at Camp Casey, the roadside encampment where she waits to speak to President Bush about the war and about the death of her son.

Bush thought he could escape the rapidly deteriorating situation in Iraq by hiding out on his 1,600-acre Crawford, Texas, ranch for a five-week vacation. But the horrors of the war have followed him to his vacation hideaway.

Cindy Sheehan--whose 24-year old son, Spc. Casey Sheehan of Vacaville, Calif., was killed in Baghdad's Sadr City on April 4, 2004--is determined to confront Bush. She said at a press conference today, "The election of Nov. 2 was not George Bush's accountability moment. This is George Bush's accountability moment, and I'm not leaving Crawford until we hold him accountable."

Camp Casey has grown to about 50 people, including other military families, veterans, and activists from all over the region, and there are predictions that numbers will swell to several thousand this weekend. Organizers are asking anyone who can to join them in Crawford, Texas.

Sheehan has vowed to stay in Texas, saying that there only three things that would prompt her to leave, she said: "a good meeting with the president, the end of August, or I get arrested."

Facing enormous public pressure, President Bush felt compelled to respond to Cindy Sheehan.

(AP Photo/LM Otero)
 

Aug. 14: [In]Justice Sunday II

Here's a rogues gallery of "American Taliban" expected to participate in
[In]Justice Sunday II:
Senator Zell Miller(D-GA)
Tony Perkins-Family Research Council
Dr. James Dobson (by video tape), Focus on the Family
Chuck Colson, Prison Fellowship Ministries
Bill Donohue, Catholic League
Phyllis Schlafly,Eagle Forum
Cathy Cleaver Ruse, Family Research Council
Dr. Jerry Sutton, Two Rivers Baptist Church
Bishop Harry Jackson, Hope Christian Church
Ted Haggard, National Association of Evangelicals
Jim Daly, President, Focus on the Family
Rep. Tom DeLay (R-TX), House Majority Leader

Two Rivers Baptist Church in Nashville, Tennessee - presumably at the risk of their tax exempt status - will host Family Research Council's simulcast television program, [In]Justice Sunday II - God Save the United States and this Honorable Court!
on Sunday, August 14.

Justice Sunday II, the follow-up to [In]Justice Sunday - Stopping the Filibuster Against People of Faith, will broadcast live in churches across the nation - via Sky Angel satellite - in addition to being carried on hundreds of radio and Christian TV stations.

From PERRspectives

For those of you who missed the "Justice Sunday" protest against the judicial filibuster, Tony Perkins, the Family Research Council and American Taliban friends are back with Justice Sunday II. To be held on Sunday, August 14th in Nashville, Tennessee, [which] brings together some of the leading lights of the American reactionary right in support of Bush SCOTUS nominee John Roberts. The FRC's own Perkins will be joined by convicted Watergate felon turned prison minister Chuck Colson. Colson, who compared...Deep Throat/Mark Felt to "feral children" and called Karl Rove "a very decent man being badly abused", will share the stage with Focus on the Family's James Dobson. (Dobson, it will be remembered, compared stem cell research to experiments in Nazi death camps and waged a jihad against the gay agenda agent SpongeBob Squarepants.) Other crypto-conservatives on the JSII agenda include the Eagle Forum's Phyllis Schlafly, the Catholic League's Bill Donahue and Bush bath water drinker Zell Miller.
In a late change, Sen. Majority Leader Bill Frist was bumped in favor of Rep. Tom Delay. Frist, whose witness [to] malpractice in the Terri Schiavo affair made him such a smash hit at the first Justice Sunday soiree back in April, was booted [this time] for his reversal [on] stem cell research. Tom Delay, though under a cloud of scandal in the House, will replace Frist and speak on ways to bring a "biblical worldview" to government.

Also see American's United

 

Aug. 21: Film: Operation Vetran Freedom

:

Screening: Nicholas Przybyla Operation: Veteran Freedom

Aug. 21, 7pm
Bluestockings Bookstore & Cafe
172 Allen Street (between Stanton & Rivington)
Lower East Side, Manhattan
(Trains: F to 2nd Ave., or J/M/Z to Essex/Delancey)

$5 Suggested donation

The documentary film Operation: Veteran Freedom provides an intimate view of the events that led to the first national meeting of Iraq Veterans Against the War. Please join U.S. navy veteran and filmmaker Nicholas Przybyla in discussing the resistance to war by America's newest generation of combat veterans.

 

Aug. 18: Celebrate the Cuban 5 victory

Aug. 18, 7-9 PM
The Cuban Five Have Won a New Trial!
Celebrate the victory with the NY Committee to Free the Five!

Special toast to and brief remarks from Leonard Weinglass, attorney for Antonio Guerrero.
Vinnie Burrows & Kahlil Khan will also perform poems written by the Five

Bluestockings Bookstore & Cafe
172 Allen Street (between Stanton & Rivington)
Lower East Side, Manhattan
(Trains: F to 2nd Ave., or J/M/Z to Essex/Delancey)

Come celebrate with the committee as well as strategize about upcoming work to get the Five home!

 

Aug. 15: Film screening: The Future of Food

Deborah Koons Garcia - Director, Writer, Producer of The Future of Food

The Future of Food
August 15 @ 7pm

BLUESTOCKINGS Bookstore & Cafe
172 Allen Street @ Stanton (1 block south of Houston)
212.777.6028 http://www.bluestockings.com/
You will not be turned away from an event for lack of $

$5 Suggested

The film The Future of Food offers an in-depth investigation into the disturbing truth behind the unlabeled, patented, genetically engineered foods that have quietly filled U.S. grocery store shelves for the past decade. It also explores alternatives to large-scale industrial agriculture, placing organic and sustainable agriculture as real solutions to the farm crisis today.

The Future of Food will have its theatrical premiere in New York City
at Film Forum beginning September 14 for a two week run.


 

Reminder: Winter Soldier film opens today at Walter Reade

Members of Vietnam Veterans Against the War testifying in Detroit in 1971, including, second through fourth from left, Rusty Sachs, Scott Camil and Kenneth J. Campbell.

August 12 -18, 2005
The Film Society of Lincoln Center
Walter Reade Theater


Just a reminder: Winter Soldier, about which the NYT says:

Like a live hand grenade brought home from a distant battlefield, the 34-year-old antiwar documentary Winter Soldier has been handled for decades as if it could explode at any moment.
Now, the 95-minute film - which has circulated like 16-millimeter samizdat on college campuses for decades but has never been accessible to a wide audience - is about to get its first significant theatrical release in the United States, beginning on Friday at the Film Society of Lincoln Center. (Other bookings, including Chicago, Detroit, Hartford and Minneapolis, can be found at wintersoldierfilm.)
Its distributors say that the war in Iraq has made the Vietnam-era film as powerful as when it was new, and its filmmakers are calling it eerily prescient of national embarrassments like the torture at Abu Ghraib.
Seldom has a film seen by so few caused so much consternation for so many years.

(photo: Sheldon Ramsdell/Milliarium Zero)


 

Sept.17: Play: Benefit for Lynn Stewart Defense Committee

Gala evening!
Benefit for The Lynne Stewart Defense Committee

Sept. 17, 8 p.m.
at the Community Church of New York,
40 E. 35th Street, New York City.

CLARENCE DARROW - The Man, The Legend

performed by Gary L. Anderson

Prices:
$50.00 donation gets you front row seats, plus entrance to the reception preceding the play.
$30.00 donation gets you seats close to the stage
$20.00 donation gets you great seats a little farther back
Call now for tickets at 212-625-9696 or book online with a $50 donation using Pay Pal .

(The Community Church is located at 40 E. 35th Street, between Madison and Park Avenues. Take the 6 Train to the 33rd Street stop, and walk north two blocks.)
 

The Masses and Fascism by Ted Glick

(Wilhelm Reich)

The following article was sent to me by Ted Glick, an old friend with whom I worked on the Mass Party Organizing Committee. Ted now works with the Independent Progressive Politics Network and the Climate Crisis Coalition.
If you've been reading Contested Terrain, then you know that I wouldn't frame the question exactly the same way, but I think it's very provocative and hope it will start a discussion.

(Future Hope column, August 2, 2005)

The Masses and Fascism

by Ted Glick

"It is not the task of science to concoct systems and to chase after fantastic dreams of a 'better future,' but solely to comprehend development *as it really takes place,* to recognize its contradictions, and to help those forces that are progressive and revolutionary to achieve victory, to solve difficulties, and to make it possible for human society to become master of the conditions of its
existence."
Wilhelm Reich, The Mass Psychology of Fascism

While on vacation last week I visited the Wilhelm Reich Museum in Rangeley, Maine. I first heard of Reich several decades ago. I knew that he had been active in the socialist/communist movement in Germany during the time that Hitler and the Nazis rose to power, and I knew that he had written a book in the early 30's, The Mass Psychology of Fascism, which was reviewed favorably in the no longer published magazine, Liberation. I also remembered that he was a strong proponent of sexual liberation as an essential aspect of an overall freedom program.

Given the strength of the Christian right in the USA, as well as rightist Islamic fundamentalism in the Arab world, I bought and read Mass Psychology, hoping that it would provide some insights into these dangerous political phenomena.

Over three decades before the rise of the women's movement in the 1960's, Reich wrote in this book of

a patriarchal authoritarian civilization that goes back thousands of years. . . If one studies the history of sexual suppression and the etiology of sexual repression, one finds that. . . it was not until relatively late, with the establishment of an authoritarian patriarchy and the beginning of the division of the classes, that suppression of sexuality begins to make its appearance.

Based upon his direct experiences organizing against National Socialism's rise to power in Germany, as well as his work as a professional therapist who at one time worked closely with Sigmund Freud, Reich was convinced that the political Left was making a huge mistake by its refusal to support his and others' efforts to integrate into the economic struggle the struggle against patriarchy and for informed, non-repressive, sexual education. Reich's view was that the mass support for National Socialism, voted democratically into power in 1932, was certainly affected by Germany's economic crisis, but it was also thoroughly wrapped up with the desire on the part of millions of emotionally and sexually stunted peasants, small-business people and workers for a strong, patriarchal "father figure," which Hitler provided. These "mass-psychological" realities also provided fertile ground for the "master race," genocidal racism of Nazism.

In Reich's words,

When sexuality is prevented from attaining natural gratification, owing to the process of sexual repression, what happens is that it seeks various kinds of substitute gratifications. Thus, for instance,
natural aggression is distorted into brutal sadism, which constitutes an essential part of the mass-psychological basis of those imperialistic wars that are instigated by a few. . . The sexual morality that inhibits the will to freedom, as well as those forces that comply with authoritarian interests, derive their energy from repressed sexuality. . . sexual inhibition changes the structure of economically suppressed man in such a way that he acts, feels and thinks contrary to his material interests.

How does all of this relate to our situation today?

Clearly, there are many millions of U.S. Americans who have been socialized in the family and via conservative religious dogma to believe strongly in male domination and patriarchal authority. Many of these are working people whose "material interests" should lead them to support progressive politics but who instead are caught up in backwards views on questions of gay and lesbian equality, abortion rights, racial justice and other social and cultural issues. There is no question but that conservative religious evangelism and hierarchical, culturally-repressive Catholicism are two bastions of this large social grouping.

Just as clearly, there are many millions of U.S. Americans who have been affected positively by the work of the feminist, anti-racist and lgbt movements over the last several decades, who are militant in their opposition to efforts to turn back the clock on the social, economic and cultural progress that has been made. Our influence is such that even the Supreme Court last year, by a 6-3 vote, struck
down homosexual sodomy laws as unconstitutional. These are very different realities from the reality of Germany in the 1930's.

But the fact is that a key issue used successfully by the religious right and the Republicans in the 2004 elections was the issue of gay marriage. In the 11 states where referenda on this issue were on the ballot, Bush/Cheney won the popular vote for President, including the key state of Ohio. Polls indicated that this was an issue that helped to mobilize culturally conservative, white working and middle
class people to come out and vote.

Our work to break down sexism, racism, homophobia and fear of natural sexuality is complicated by those who flaunt sex and sexual imagery to make money through the sale of newspapers, magazines, movies and website subscriptions. Sex is everywhere in this culture, and not just conservatives but many of us who are for gender and marriage equality, sexual education, birth control and reproductive rights do not see its commercialization as a positive thing.

As Reich wrote in Mass Psychology,

we must "comprehend development *as it really takes place,* recognize its contradictions, and help those forces that are progressive and revolutionary to achieve victory. . ."

Part of that process in this society, today, must involve our ability to criticize the commercialization and exploitation of sexuality while firmly upholding the principles of gender equality and healthy sexuality. In this way we can have some positive impact upon those currently under the sway of the political/cultural right wing, remain true to our principles, and build a strong progressive movement that, over time, will isolate and politically defeat the repressed and repressive religious right.

Ted can be reached at indpol@igc.org
or P.O. Box 1132,
Bloomfield, N.J. 07003.