----- Original Message -----
From: CBHC
To: treefrog@...
Sent: Wednesday, August 01, 2007 5:42 PM
Subject: Take Action This Week: Turn In Your Band-Aids



If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may see it online.


                                 August 1, 2007

                                 a.. Update from Springfield
                                 b.. URGENT ACTION:
                                 a.. Turn in your Band-Aids.  Demand a solution
that sticks - Illinois Covered!
                                 Update from Springfield


                                 Despite our frustrations at political posturing
in Springfield, there is inspiration to be taken from what is going on at the
Capitol.

                                 -   Last week, the Senate Public Health
Committee passed Illinois Covered.

                                 -   Also, Speaker Michael Madigan was preparing
to introduce a resolution against the 3% employer assessment, but nearly 25
House Democrats and a growing number of others informed Speaker Madigan that
they would strongly oppose such a resolution.

                                 More than in any year in recent memory,
rank-and-file members of the House and Senate have had the courage to say,
"Enough with politics as usual.  The people of Illinois deserve better."  As a
result, more and more of our State Senators and State Representatives are
standing up to the entrenched interests in Springfield - interests that are
content with the status quo on health care and education.

                                 Certainly, we would have liked for the budget to
be resolved by now.  Yet, we are encouraged that our elected leaders in
Springfield chose not to settle for a status quo budget like the one passed by
the House on May 30th.

                                 We know the status quo isn't good enough for
working families and responsible businesses in Illinois.  Our lawmakers must
step up to the challenge and craft a budget that fully funds health care and
education and pass Illinois Covered.

                                 Those Senators and State Representatives that
are holding out against the interests of working families must know that there
are consequences.  Voters across the state have clearly spoken, as demonstrated
in the poll released on July 18:

                                 -    Rising health care costs are now the top
economic concern in Illinois.

                                 -    Illinois voters rate health care reform as
the most important issue facing the    legislature during the extended session.

                                 -    79% of voters across the state support the
Illinois Covered proposal.

                                 -    Illinois voters want their legislators to
lead the fight for this reform.



                                 TAKE ACTION TODAY



                                 Turn in your Band-Aids.  Demand a solution that
sticks - Illinois Covered!



                                 We've been using band-aid solutions to our
health care crisis for way too long. Let the legislature know that band-aids
aren't good enough for Illinois. Over the next ten days, the Campaign for Better
Health Care will be operating a band-aid drive. This is what we need you to do:



                                 1. Get a box of band-aids.

                                 2. Ask friends, family, and co-workers to
autograph a band-aid.

                                 3. Ask each signer to fill out an entry in this
sign-in sheet so that we can keep an accurate record of where these band-aids
are coming from to deliver to legislators.

                                 4. Collect all autographed band-aids and sign-in
sheets and mail back to CBHC at: 1325 S. Wabash Ave, Suite 305 Chicago, IL 60605

                                 We don't know when the next vote in Springfield
will be- so act now! Let's flood the offices in Springfield with a reminder that
the people of Illinois are handing in band-aids for a real cure- quality,
affordable health insurance through Illinois Covered.



                                 For more information, call 312-913-9449.






                               Campaign for Better Health Care
                               Central/Statewide
                               44 East Main St., Suite 414
                               Champaign, IL 61820-3642
                               (v) 217-352-5600
                               (f) 217-352-5688
                               e-mail: cbhc-cu@...
                              Chicago
                               1325 S. Wabash, Suite 305
                               Chicago, IL 60605-2504
                               (v) 312-913-9449
                               (f) 312-913-9559
                               e-mail: cbhc-chi@...
                              Helplines
                               1-888-511-0290
                               (Children's Health)
                               1-888-544-8271
                               (Medicare & Uninsured)
                               Website: www.cbhconline.org






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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

OPCTJ members and supporters,

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR!!!

OPCTJ member John Cabral will be speaking at the meeting of the
Illinois Ballot Integrity Project Wednesday, August 8, 2007.

Come hear John's presentation:

"Using Non-violent Communication to Change America"


You are invited to attend the next regular open meeting of the
Illinois Ballot Integrity Project, Wednesday, August 8th from 7:00
pm - 9:15 pm at the Oak Park Public Library, Dole Branch, 255 Augusta
Street, Oak Park, IL 60302.

The guest speaker will be will be John Cabral, presenting "Using Non-
Violent Communication TO CHANGE AMERICA." Please plan to attend.


Beverley
708/447-1547

10AM Forum, Sunday, Aug. 5
"Habeas Corpus and
the Military Commissions Act"
Ed Yohnka, spokesman for the ACLU of Illinois

   The U.S. has long held this principle, but under the banner of terrorist
threat the executive branch has tried to suspend it. Over the last months, the
Supreme Court has rejected this action. Where do we stand now, and why do we
care?

   Third Unitarian Church is at 301 N. Mayfield Ave. in Chicago's Austin
neighborhood, two blocks east of Austin Blvd. and one block south of the CTA
Green Line (Lake Street El). For more information, see
www.thirdunitarianchurch.org or call (773) 626-9385.




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Wednesday, August 8:
Chicago North PDA Monthly Chapter Meeting
We'll meet at 7pm at the Black Rock Pub, 3614 North Damen,
Chicago.

Come and help us plan upcoming actions, talk about candidates and
meet others from PDA.

Chicago North PDA August Meeting Agenda

* Update from Iran/Iraq Working Group: Anti-War House Meetings.
A powerful way to get others involved as activists is through
personal interactions at a social gathering.  The Iran/Iraq Working
Group will give a presentation on hosting an Anti-War House Meeting.
They have developed an Anti-War House Meeting Kit which includes all
the materials needed to host an Anti-War House Meeting including
educational materials, petitions to sign, sample letters to Congress,
etc., and they can help you host a meeting.

* Chapter discussion: Brainstorm future actions for our chapter to
promote universal healthcare AND impeachment.  Everyone should bring
their ideas.

*  Speaker:  Ald. Ricardo Munoz (invited)

* Announcements: upcoming actions.

* Chapter Discussion: Our chapter's involvement with electoral work.

* Website: Finalize name for domain. Cost of site. Get it up and
running!

* Chapter expenses.  How do we raise funds to cover small chapter
expenses such as copies?

10AM Forum, August 12
The Current Situation in Nicaragua
Tom Baker and others of the Nicaragua Solidarity Committee

   Baker will report on the international Nicaragua Solidarity leadership
meetings in Managua during July, including their review of the FSLN electoral
victory and their work with sister city communities and Fair Trade Coffee
co-ops.

   Third Unitarian Church is at 301 N. Mayfield Ave. in Chicago's Austin
neighborhood, two blocks east of Austin Blvd. and one block south of the CTA
Green Line (Lake Street El). For more information, see
www.thirdunitarianchurch.org or call (773) 626-9385.




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

----- Original Message -----
From: Elizabeth Fattah
To: Elizabeth Fattah
Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2007 4:41 PM
Subject: Government fines ANSWER $10,000




:
   STOP GOVERNMENT ATTACKS AGAINST THE ANTI-WAR MOVEMENT!
   Take Action to Defend Free Speech

   In an unprecedented action, the ANSWER Coalition today received citations
   fining the organization $10,000 for the placement of posters announcing the
   September 15 March on Washington DC. The fines come after a campaign led by
   FOX news calling for the DC government to take action against those putting
   up posters for the September 15 demonstration.

   They have told us that we have 72 hours to remove every poster, or the fines
   will go into effect. Tens of thousands of dollars in additional fines are
   expected in the coming days. Bush's Interior Department is threatening
   similar actions against ANSWER. The September 15 posters are legal and
   conform to city regulations. We will not allow the government's intimidation
   tactics to slow our outreach or silence the antiwar movement.

   We can stop this effort to repress the antiwar movement with your help.

   This is part of a systematic effort to disrupt the organizing for the
   September 15 Mass March that is timed to coincide with the report of General
   Petraeus and the debate in Congress on the Iraq war. Iraq war veterans and
   their families will lead this dramatic march from the White House to the
   Congress on September 15. The last thing the government wants is to see the
   streets of Washington DC fill up with throngs of anti-war protesters right
   in the middle of the debate. But we will not be stopped. Organizing for this
   demonstration is taking place in cities and towns throughout the country.
   Buses and car caravans are coming from 90 cities and towns.

   Please send a letter today:
   http://www.pephost.org/site/R?i=Ajb5YjlKcE7Dv142Ij0Dvg..

   to Washington DC Mayor (Adrian M. Fenty) and to the Director of DC
   Department of Public Works (William O. Howland, Jr.) demanding an end to the
   fines, harassment and repression of the anti-war movement. We have a right
   to publicize the September 15 March. Fining the anti-war movement tens of
   thousands of dollars for putting up Free Speech-protected literature makes a
   mockery out of the First Amendment.

   *****************

   TAKE ACTION TO DEMAND THE FINES BE LIFTED!

   The best way to take action is to call the Director of Department of Public
   Works, William O. Howland, Jr. at 202-673-6833, and the Mayor of DC, Adrian
   Fenty, at 202-724-8876. You can also send a letter or fax by clicking this
   link
   http://www.pephost.org/site/R?i=Yx7AZVIDE-TJnamaYVg6Ig..

   We'd suggest saying something along the lines of: "I am writing to protest
   the fines levied against the ANSWER Coalition for putting up posters for the
   September 15th March on Washington. The government does not fine politicians
   who put up campaign posters, or commercial and business interests that
   plaster Washington, DC with posters. It is outrageous that the city, in
   concert with FOXNews, are attempting to suppress the antiwar movement. Stop
   the harassment. Stop the fines."

   Let us know how your phone conversations go by emailing us
   info@...

   **********************

   A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition
   www.answercoalition.org
   info@...
   National Office in Washington DC: 202-544-3389
   New York City: 212-694-8720
   Los Angeles: 323-464-1636
   San Francisco: 415-821-6545
   Chicago: 773-463-0311

   If this message was forwared to you and you'd like to receive future ANSWER
   updates, click here:
   http://www.pephost.org/site/R?i=tYwCI4Fruk5wgCoVuImkiA..




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

The College of Complexes, the Playground for People Who Think, will be
presenting a program on Saturday, 8/18/07, at 8:00 PM on "The 9/11
Conspiracy:  The Scamming of America."  The program, given by Prof.
James H. Fetzer of the University of Minnesota, will feature a
powerpoint presentation.  Prof. Fetzer, and his associates in the
Scholars for 9/11 Truth, maintain that "the official account cannot be
sustained and raises questions about the complicity of the
administration." He has made some 300 appearances in recent months,
and been featured on radio talk shows around the country.  For more
information go to:  http://911scholars.org/

The College of Complexes meets at the Lincoln Restaurant, 4008 N.
Lincoln Ave, Chicago.  Tuitions is $3, with a request by the
restaurant for a food/drink purchase.  The college maintains no
membership, and all meetings are open to the public.  For addition
information, visit the website at: http://www.collegeofcomplexes.org
or contact the Program Coordinator at cpaidock@..., (312) 842-
5036.

Dear Friends:  Please participate if you can.
Cheers, peace,
Laurel Lambert Schmidt

lgarnerchicago@... wrote:
  Please send this to your many associates. Our new group, chicago Single-Payer
Action network (CSPAN) will be demonstrating in front of blue Cross Blue Shield
nest week. this issue is a matter of life and death for many people. No one who
saw Michael Moore's film Sicko can deny that. We hope to see everyone down there
who can make it.

  Lynne

Laurel,




  -----Original Message-----
  From: elizabeth lalasz <ealalasz@...>

  Sent: Wed, 22 Aug 2007 9:37 am
  Subject: NEXT WEDNESDAY, 8/29, PICKET AT BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF ILLINOIS,
4-6 p.m.

          #AOLMsgPart_2_fe61c6b9-2299-4f3e-abed-187872bd8d35   Here's the revised
email announcement for next week's picket.  Please send it far and wide.

    Feel free to let me know what you think.

    Elizabeth

    ------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Please forward widely!

  PICKET AT BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF ILLINOIS

  Stop the Health Care Horror Stories!
  Get Rid of the Insurance Companies!
  We Want Single-Payer Now!

  Wednesday, August 29
  4-6 p.m.
  at 300 E. Randolph

  Sponsored by: Chicago Single-Payer Activist Network (CSPAN)
  For more information, please call 312/714-5154 or
  email chisinglepayer@...


  In the U.S., we spend $2 trillion per year for health
  care, yet millions of people do not receive the care they
  need or face financial disaster from medical bills. The
  US health care system was ranked #37 in the world in
  year 2000 by the World Health Organization. Yet we spend
  almost twice as much as any other country, enough to  provide
  everyone with comprehensive benefits. Forty-seven million
  Americans are uninsured. Millions are denied insurance because
  of pre-existing conditions or because they can't pay
  the high cost of premiums, and millions more are
  under-insured.

  Over and over, we see patients denied health care
  because insurance companies spend money on advertising,
  executive compensation, denial of care, and profits, instead of
  medical care.

  Join us to tell one insurance company, Blue Cross Blue
  Shield of Illinois, that they cannot continue to
  divert money away from medical care and into
  activities that don't benefit patients!

  Michael Moore was right when he said in his
  documentary SiCKO that the private insurance industry
  has to be evicted from health care; and that a
  single-payer system, where everyone is covered
  regardless of status, is the only way out of our
  health care crisis.

  Invited  speakers include patients with health care
  horror stories, members of Physicians for a National
  Health Program (PNHP)*, National Nurses Organizing
  Committee (NNOC)*, Access Living*, Chicago
  Single-Payer Activist Network (CSPAN), Health Care for
  All Illinois (HCAI)*, Progressive Democrats of America
  (PDA)*, International Socialist Organization (ISO)*
  and more with list in formation...

  *organizations for identification purposes only

  IF YOU HAVE A HEALTH CARE HORROR STORY YOU WOULD BE
  WILLING TO TALK ABOUT AT THE PICKET, PLEASE E-MAIL IT
  TO CHISINGLEPAYER@... AND INCLUDE A TELEPHONE
  #/EMAIL SO CSPAN CAN CONTACT YOU ABOUT SPEAKING.






---------------------------------
  AOL now offers free email to everyone.  Find out more about what's free from
AOL at AOL.com.




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

10AM Forum, Aug. 26
The Boycott: Divestment-Sanctions Campaign Against
Israeli Apartheid
Kevin Clark, International Solidarity Movement,
Chicago Chapter

Israel's occupation tactics have been labeled as
"apartheid" by some international leaders. This is an
opportunity to hear more about that perspective. The
"Call for Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions against
Israeli Occupation and Apartheid" is the call issued
by the Palestinian Grassroots Anti-Apartheid Wall
Campaign, which represents a number of major
Palestinian civil society organizations and over 60
regional popular committees. Kevin Clark's involvement
in political issues began in the late 1960s when he
was a high school student during the Vietnam War and
has continued until the present time.

Third Unitarian Church is at 301 N. Mayfield Ave. in
Chicago's Austin neighborhood, two blocks east of
Austin Blvd. and one block south of the CTA Green Line
(Lake Street El). For more information, see
www.thirdunitarianchurch.org or call (773) 626-9385.

>From: "Public NewsService Web Site" <inc@...>
>Subject: You're Invited...Public News Service Conversation on a new
>IL Statewide Media Pro
>
>Dear Friends and Colleagues,
>
>We've had a great response to the initial invitation to the upcoming
>Public News Service gathering in Chicago, with 25 people registered
>to attend thus far.
>
>IF YOU HAVE NOT YET RSVP'd, there is still room, so please let us
>know if you would like to attend.
>
>As a reminder, the meeting is 10 am to 1 pm (with delicious lunch)
>on Tuesday, September 18 at Grace Place Community Center at 637 S.
>Dearborn Street in Chicago (See attached flyer for details and more
>information on the service.)
>
>Please join us and learn more about this innovative collaborative
>media vehicle for nonprofit organizations.
>
>RSVP required, please contact Susan Green at 303.440.3731 or
>inc@...
>
>We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.
>
>Michael McConnell,  American Friends Service Committee
>Lynda DeLaforgue,  Citizen Action/Illinois
>Thom Clark,  Community Media Workshop
>Mike Doyle,  Community Shares of Illinois
>Natalia Petraszczuk, Earth Share of Illinois
>Cindi Canary,  Illinois Campaign for Political Reform
>Susan Bramlet-Lavin,  Illinois NOW
>Kim Bobo,  Interfaith Worker Justice
>Nancy Cowles,  Kids in Danger

--

Website design, graphic design and illustration

http://www.webtraxstudio.com
http://www.carol-simpson.com
http://www.estellegraphics.com

Members: Graphic Artists Guild and National Writers Union (UAW AFL-CIO)

"Don't believe everything you think."

***FORWARD WIDELY***
***SAVE THE DATE***

***November 3-4 * Chicago, Illinois***

2007 Midwest SOCIALIST Conference
Building the REVOLUTIONARY Alternative

The 2007 Midwest Socialist Conference is a two-day event in early November that
will
bring together socialists and other activists who are involved in struggles
across the
region—from opposing the war to organizing against the death penalty, for
immigrant
rights, and for national health care—to discuss how to rebuild the Left, and a
revolutionary
alternative to the priorities of this system: war, corporate greed and racism.

Preliminary List of Saturday Workshops

* Between the Lines: The Struggle for Palestine
* Building Strong Branches
* Cuba: Myth and Reality
* The Democrats: The Other War Party?
* Engels on the Origins of Women's Oppression
* The Fight for National Health Care: Capitalism and Health Care
* From Malcolm X to DRUM: The Rise of Black Power
* Gay Liberation and Socialism
* Is U.S. Empire on the Decline?
* Lenin and the Vanguard Party
* Lenin's Left-Wing Communism
* The Meaning of Marxism
* Marxism and the Economy: Why Does Capitalism Go Into Crisis?
* No One is Illegal: Capitalism and Immigration
* Perspectives for Socialists: Between Things Ended and Things Begun
* The Racist "Injustice" System: The New Jim Crow?
* Revolutionary Rehearsals: Iran 1979
* The Rise and Fall of 1960s Students for a Democratic Society
* Soldiers Against the War
* What do Socialists Say About Political Islam?
* Where is Venezuela Headed?
* Why do Socialists Look to the Working Class?

Preliminary List of Sunday Workshops

* Black Liberation and Socialism
* The 1917 Russian Revolution
* Lenin on Imperialism: The Highest Stage of Capitalism
* Marxism versus Anarchism
* State and Revolution
* Subterranean Fire: The Industrial Rebellion of the 1930s
* Trotsky on the United Front
* Women and Socialism: Whatever Happened to Feminism?

In Chicago, contact: 773-902-5282, or e-mail: chicago_socialists@....

Sponsored by the International Socialist Organization, publisher of Socialist
Worker:
www.socialistworker.org

Join us for GreenTown: The Future of Community, a one-day conference
designed to help you create an eco-effective community. If you are a mayor
or elected official, public works director, park district director, planner,
developer, architect, landscape architect or builder—or just interested in
seeing how a community can become greener—join us Wednesday, September 19 to
hear from inspiring speakers, learn from been-there case studies and get
actionable information to make your community more eco-effective.

Key speakers include William McDonough, architect and author of Cradle to
Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things.

GreenTown will offer two tracks in the afternoon, one for established
communities and one for fast-growing communities.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007
8am to 5:15pm
Frank Lloyd Wright's Unity Temple
875 Lake Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60301
For more information and to register go to:
http://www.greentownconference.com/


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Join the Chicago Campus Antiwar Network (CAN)
in demanding IL Senator Richard Durbin
STOP FUNDING THE WAR!

When: Thurs Sept 20th, 10:00am
Where:  Federal Plaza - Adams & Dearborn
Bring:  Yourself, your friends, and some signs!

Congress will soon vote on a $145 billion supplemental spending bill to continue
the wars
against Iraq and Afghanistan, wars which the majority of Americans now
overwhelmingly
reject.  It's time that we demand accountability from Senator Durbin and a 'NO'
vote on all
funding for war!

Part of the CAN NATIONAL WEEK OF ACTION SEPT 16-22
To endorse or for more information, call 773-616-0940 or email:
uiccampusantiwar@...

To take action, click on 'here' below or go to:
http://www.savechicagolandtransit.com/actnow.asp



----- Original Message -----
From: A Fresh Squeeze
To: TREEFROG@...
Sent: Thursday, September 06, 2007 12:04 AM
Subject: Need Money for L: CTA's and RTA's Financial Future



If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may see it online.






                               Need Money for L

                               CTA's and RTA's Financial Future



                               Something's gotta give. Either Springfield blinks
or the CTA will have to.

                               On September 16, the CTA is set to eliminate 39
bus routes and raise fares by $0.25 to $1. CTA is predicting 100,000 fewer
transit riders a day and increased congestion on buses, trains and roadways.

                               Earlier this month, the CTA and RTA proposed a
solution for this financial crisis to the Illinois General Assembly. The bill-SB
572-called for a .25% increase in sales taxes in the six-county Chicago area and
an increase in the city's real estate transfer tax. Combined, these two measures
would generate over $270 million in annual revenue for the transit systems. But
the bill did not pass.

                               How is it that the CTA can afford to renovate the
brown line but can't keep its buses running? Noelle Gaffney, spokesperson for
the CTA, explains that sources of funding come with their own restraints. "We
have two different types of funding. One is operating funding that we get from
the state generally. Capital funding that we get from the state and the federal
governments will not provide money for operations."

                               In other words, the CTA is broke unless the state
steps in. And although the 16th is less than two weeks away, they haven't given
up hope yet.

                               "We're working to try to have another bill heard
before September 16th," says Gaffney.

                               Want to help the CTA prevent service cuts and fare
hikes? Contact your state representatives by clicking here.

                               Thoughts on today's article, tell us what you
think by taking our poll.  Or post your comments here.






                         info@...
                         213 N Racine Ave, Suite 201, Chicago IL 60607




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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

From the National Alliance Against Racist & Political Repression/Chicago
Branch:

The NAARPR/Chicago is proud to announce that Cynthia McKinney, former
Congresswoman from Georgia, will be the keynote speaker at our Human
Rights Awards Dinner and Program on Saturday October 13, 2007 at the
Lutheran School of Theology, 1100 East 55th Street, Chicago.  Dinner
begins at 5:30; program begins at 7:00.

Dr. Linda Murray, Chief Medical Officer, Cook County Department of
Public Health, will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies.

The theme this year, "Protecting Civil Liberties and Civil rights," was
chosen because of our great concern that the Patriot Act and illegal
detentions and intrusions on privacy in the name of fighting terrorism
are eroding provisions of the Constitution and Bill of Rights that
guarantee freedom and liberty for all people.

Ms. McKinney is noted for her courageous stand against the Patriot Act
and the funding of the war in Iraq. She also has campaigned to abolish
the death penalty.

Recipients of the 2007 Human Rights Award are Gloria Johnson-Ester and
Virginia Clements, mothers who are putting up a valiant fight, along
with the NAARPR, for justice for their sons and other incarcerated
individuals. We are in the midst of a campaign to secure appropriate
health care for Montell Johnson, who is suffering from multiple
sclerosis and dementia, and we are working to secure a new trial for
Mark Clements.  Forced, at age sixteen to confess to a crime he did not
commit, he was sentenced to life imprisonment and has been incarcerated
for 26 years.

Other honorees are Dr. Connie Mennella, Ms. Mary Muse and Howard and
Rosalind Morgan.  Dr. Mennella and Ms. Muse are Correctional Health Care
Champions who are being given the award for the exemplary work they have
done to maintain high standards of medical care for detainees at Cook
County Jail.  And Howard and Rosalind Morgan are being honored for the
brave stand they have taken in the face of police brutality and
outrageous charges of attempted murder of police brought against Mr.
Morgan, when in fact, it was Mr. Morgan who was shot twenty-eight times
by the police.

As many of you know, The NAARPR grew out of the struggle to free Angela
Davis from a racist frame-up on murder charges in California in 1973.
Over the years the Alliance has campaigned successfully for the release
of many persons falsely charged and sentenced to death or long prison
terms.

Today we are continuing the struggle against injustices by working to
end police brutality and wrongful convictions and to abolish the
prison-industrial complex that targets and incarcerates a
disproportionate number of African Americans, other minorities and poor
people.

Tickets are $50 for the Dinner and program, $10 for the program alone.

To order tickets, please make checks payable to NAARPR/Chicago and mail
to NAARPR/Chicago, 1325 S. Wabash Ave. Suite 105, Chicago, Illinois
60605.

Tickets will be held at the door.

For information on placing a greeing in the program book (from yourself,
your church, union, or community group), call (312) 939-2750.

Thousands of orphaned children,
Thousands of unattended families,
Streets covered with corpses of innocent civilians,
4-5 million Iraqis displaced inside Iraq and refugees in neighboring
countries,
Full devastation of Iraq's social and economical infrastructure
………
  Please join our campaign to save Iraq at this very crucial moment.
Sign for a democratic Iraq.
It does not take you more than a few minutes to join a campaign to
save the future of Iraq.
We deeply appreciate your humanitarian concern in this regard.

Visit our petition at:

http://www.petitiononline.com/iraq147/petition.html

If you're working, take a long lunch hour or ask for time off from
work so you can make this important demonstration in support of Jeff
Zurawski and Sarah Hartfield, the two DuPage County peace activists
who were arrested after exercising their First Amendment rights by
bannering over I-355. And please forward this message far and
wide....

HELP DEFEND The Constitution of The United States of America
__________________________________________________________

October 11th, 2007

12:00 Noon-1:30

A   P E A C E F U L   D E M O N S T R A T I O N

Near the Office Building Of:  Joseph Birkett, DuPage County States
Attorney 503 N County Farm Road Wheaton, IL 60187

** This Peaceful Event Is Being Held Near A Busy Workplace. We Must
Always Be Respectful Of The Workers and Visitors.**
__________________________________________________________

On Saturday Sept. 15 and again on Saturday Sept. 29 at 8:00 p.m. on
Comcast Channel 19, the DuPage activists who were arrested for
displaying a banner over Hwy 355 urging the impeachment of Bush and
Cheney will be interviewed by Kevin McDermott on his weekly show
Public Perspective.

This is an important Free Speach case. Join Kevin and his guests
Jeff Zurawski, one of the DuPage banner activists, and attorney
Julie Anderson from the Collins Law Firm who has taken on this case
pro bono because of its 1st Amendment importance. Jeff and Julie
discuss the case and its implications, and we urge free speach
advocates to watch this show and then take action!

Please join us for Public Perspective, Saturday Sept. 15 and again
on Sept. 29 at 8:00 p.m. on Comcast Channel 19.

__________________________________________________________

HELP PROTECT

1st Amendment Rights Of All Citizens

The Defendants

Sarah M. Hartfield is a 45-year-old woman who lives in Naperville. A
proud mother of two beautiful daughters and the grandmother of two
young boys. She's a dedicated hospice health care worker.

Jeff Zurawski is a 39-year-old man residing in Downers Grove. He is a
self-employed, professional home inspector who has a passion for the
great outdoors, especially fishing and camping.

Sarah and Jeff are fed up with the war in Iraq and the Bush
Administration. They believe America is in deep trouble because the
White House is aggressively pursuing policies that have led to mass
death and destruction. They took action.

Timeline of Events

May 6th - Jeff and Sarah displayed a homemade banner that
read, "IMPEACH Bush & Cheney - LIARS" on a pedestrian bridge over
Highway I355 in view of motorists. Alongside the banner was an
upside down American flag, which is a well-known traditional
distress signal. After ninety minutes or so, an Illinois State
Trooper stopped and politely asked the duo to remove their signs.
Jeff and Sarah respectfully complied with the officer's request.
Then, three DuPage County Sheriff's Deputies arrived. One Deputy
accused them of throwing things from the bridge and took issue with
the upside down flag, which he said was a show of disrespect to him,
being a war veteran, and to his son who is serving in Afghanistan.
The Deputy threatened to arrest Jeff and Sarah and said he would
call the States Attorney. The two were eventually released without a
citation.

May 25th - Jeff was arrested at his home and taken to DuPage County
Jail in handcuffs where he spent over seven hours in custody. Sarah
turned herself in a few days later. She was also placed in handcuffs
and spent two hours in custody being processed. The two were charged
with 'disorderly conduct', a class C misdemeanor punishable by up to
3 months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

June 27th - Jeff and Sarah appeared in court with a support group
consisting of friends, family, and local activists. Their lawyer
filed a motion to dismiss the charges and requested a jury trial.

July 6th - DuPage County States Attorney Joseph Birkett amended the
'disorderly conduct' charge to include additional counts of 'reckless
conduct' and 'unauthorized display of sign', each class A
misdemeanors punishable by up to a year in jail and $2500 fine.

July 16th - Jeff and Sarah appeared in court with their attorney and
dedicated support group. The prosecutor offered a plea bargain, which
was declined.

July 30th - A jury trial was scheduled for October 15th at 9:30am,
DuPage County Criminal Court, Building 505, Room 4007.

The Charges and The Facts

Disorderly Conduct 720 ILCS 5/26-1(a)(1) - "Defendant knowingly
without a county permit, staged a war protest on the Great Western
Trail overpass in unincorporated DuPage County, Illinois causing a
traffic disturbance because unknown objects were being thrown onto
the expressway, as well as the American flag being displayed in an
upside down manner from the overpass."

Reckless Conduct 720 ILCS 5/12-5(a) - "Defendant endangered the
bodily safety of motorists traveling on southbound I-355 approaching
a highway overpass, known as the Great Western Trail Overpass, in
that, while acting in a reckless manner, threw debris from the Great
Western Trail Overpass onto southbound I-355, while motorists were
plainly visible and were traveling in close proximity to the
overpass."

FACT: Jeff and Sarah did not throw anything from the overpass.  FACT:
Traffic flowed normally during the protest.  FACT: No law prohibits
displaying an American flag in an upside down manner, which is a
well-known traditional distress signal.

Unauthorized Display of Sign 625 ILCS 11-310(a) - "Defendant
displayed an unauthorized sign and upside down American flag on a
highway overpass, known as The Great Western Trail Overpass, which
interfered with the movement of traffic."

What The Law Book Says: "Unauthorized Display of Sign - No person
shall place, maintain or display upon or in view of any highway any
unauthorized sign, signal, marking, or device which purports to be
or is an imitation of or resembles an official traffic-control
device or railroad sign or signal, or which attempts to direct the
movement of traffic, or which hides from view or interferes with the
movement of traffic or the effectiveness of an official traffic-
control device or any railroad sign or signal."

FACT: Jeff's and Sarah's "IMPEACH Bush & Cheney - LIARS" sign and
upside down flag didn't purport to be or in any way resemble an
official traffic control device or railroad sign.  FACT: Jeff's and
Sarah's signs did not attempt to direct, nor did they interfere
with, the movement of traffic.  FACT: There are no traffic control
devices or railroad signs anyplace near the bridge where Jeff and
Sarah stood with their display. FACT: The signs were displayed
against the inside of the bridge's eight-foot-tall chain link
fencing. There was no danger of them falling off the bridge.  FACT:
The Illinois State Trooper who first arrived at the scene did not
ask Jeff and Sarah for their identification, nor did he receive any
complaints regarding traffic disturbances or objects being thrown
from the bridge.

** This Peaceful Event Is Being Held Near A Busy Workplace. We Must
Always Be Respectful Of The Workers and Visitors.**

What You Can Do To Help

· Attend the peaceful demonstration at the States Attorney building
(503 N County Farm Rd) on October 11th at 12:00 noon. Stand up for
Free Speech Rights!

** This Peaceful Event Is Being Held Near A Busy Workplace. We Must
Always Be Respectful Of The Workers and Visitors.**

· Contact the States Attorney and request that all charges against
Jeff and Sarah be dismissed.

Joseph Birket, States Attorney
503 N County Farm Rd
Wheaton, IL 60187
stsattn@...
630-407-8000

. Contact the DuPage County Sheriff. Let him know what you think
about his Deputies' behavior.
John E. Zaruba, DuPage County Sheriff
501 N. County Farm Rd.
Wheaton, IL 60187
sheriff@...
  630 407-2400

· Support Jeff and Sarah and the 1st Amendment by attending the
trial - October 15th, 9:30am, 505 N County Farm Rd, Room 4007. It is
expected to last 2-4 days.

Dear Peace Folks,

Please join us this Saturday for
A Hopeful Celebration:  Bands Not Bombs
1:00pm Saturday, September 15, Old Town Park in Bloomingdale
As President Bush and General Petraeus lobby Congresss and the American People
to 'stay the course' in Iraq, the good people of Chicago's west suburbs will
mobilize this Saturday to show Congressman Peter Roskam and our fellow citizens
that we want the war stopped and the troops brought home.
Join us for a hopeful, upbeat celebration Saturday from 1-3:00 p.m. – at Old
Town Park in Bloomingdale (just blocks from Mr. Roskam's office).  At 3:30,
we'll march to Representative Peter Roskam’s office (3 blocks away) calling for
an end to the war.   **This will be a great event for people who’ve never
attended a public peace event before.**  You don't want to miss this one!
Local bands will headline the celebration, including Agents of Change,
Expendable Youth, La Armada, and Phillip Morris. A freewill collection will also
be taken up for the Midwest Homeless Veterans Shelter - in downtown Wheaton.
MHVS provides both shelter and a full array of services to veterans
transitioning to civilian life.
Old Town Park is 1 block W. of Bloomingdale Rd and 1 block S. of Lake St.
Congressman Roskam’s office is at 150 S. Bloomingdale Road, Suite 200
Bloomingdale, IL
As Congress prepares to vote on billions more for war funding in September -
let's make sure they know where we stand.  Stand with us in calling for an end
to this war.
Hoping you can join us,
-Dave Martin, for WSFPC
this event is co-sponsored by: West Suburban Faith-based Peace Coalition, DuPage
Peace Through Justice Coalition, DuPage Against War Now, Pax Christi Illinois,
Chicago Fellowship of Reconciliation, Fox Valley Citizens for Peace, Greater
Aurora Peace & Justice and DeKalb Interfaith Network for Peace

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* **Project Vote Smart Gives Citizens a Fighting Chance with *
*Voters' Self Defense System*

*Presentation at **Columbia** **College** Launches Voters' Guide to
Candidates' Positions, Experience, etc.*
*Voters' Self-Defense System, 2008 Edition* –An Evening with Project Vote
Smart Founder Richard Kimball.

Richard Kimball, president and founder of Project Vote Smart (PVS), a
non-partisan, not-for-profit, online searchable database containing a wealth
of information on elected officials and political candidates, will speak
about the history and mission of PVS and explain how citizens can Vote Smart
in the next election with the online Voters' Self-Defense System.

Project Vote Smart has been lauded for its unbiased and detailed information
about candidates' positions on causes and issues. PVS has been called
"heaven for political junkies" (*USA Today*) and recommended for its
"reliable, meat and potatoes political information" (*New York Times*). The
American Political Science Association has honored PVS as "The Best" source
for accurate political information on the internet.

Diverse political figures including Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Michael
Dukakis, Barry Goldwater, Geraldine Ferraro and John McCain helped found
PVS. Explore the organization's resources at www.vote-smart.org

** Monday, September 24, 2007, 6 – 7:30 p.m.

1104 S. Wabash, Conaway Center, 1st Floor

Free and open to the public

312-344-7072

This event is co-sponsored by Columbia College Chicago's Critical Encounters
Program and Civic Engagement Committee, and the Illinois League of
Conservation Voters [www.lcvillinois.org].



-end-


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Folks,
I encourage people to join in this AFSC Vigil, Thursday Noon.  This a legal,
permitted public 'die-in' in Federal Plaza.  The first Iraq Moratorium Day in
Chicago.  I'm sure it will be very stirring, disciplined and reverent event.

Note: Printable Flyer and Info Sheet attached
-Dave Martin, WSFPC
=====================================================
Take Action to End the US War and Occupation in Iraq!

Help Chicagoans Understand that 100 + Iraqis Die Each Day

Join AFSC in nonviolent direct action on September 21st
(First Iraq Moratorium Day and International Day of Peace)

AFSC will be assembling 100 + volunteers in Federal Plaza at noon on September
21st to create a stunning visual for the media and people of Chicago to show the
daily reality of Iraqi civilian casualties.

We need you to volunteer as an individual, or as someone willing to organize a
3-5 person affinity group. This is a permitted action in Federal Plaza, so we
expect no arrests. Please wear a white shirt and bring a white sheet (preferably
fitted). Supporters are needed also.

Day of Action:
Friday, September 21,
-11:00 a.m.  Meet at AFSC (637 S. Dearborn),
-walk to Federal Plaza together for ACTION at NOON in Federal Plaza (Adams and
Dearborn).
-Noon to 12:30 Die-In w singing of Iraqi names

Please call or email AFSC to let us know if you will participate.
Ask for Erin 312.427.2533, epolley@...

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Near West Citizens for Peace and Justice Presents a Film:
   WAR MADE EASY

   How Presidents & Pundits Keep Spinning Us to Death.  Narrated by Sean Penn
September 22, 2007 3:00  pm,
    Riverside Public Library, One Burling Rd., Riverside, IL


       War Made Easy reaches into the Orwellian memory hole to expose a 50-year
pattern of government deception and media spin that has dragged the United
States into one war after another from Vietnam to Iraq. Narrated by actor and
activist Sean Penn, the film exhumes remarkable archival footage of official
distortion and exaggeration from LBJ to George W. Bush, revealing in stunning
detail how the American news media have uncritically disseminated the pro-war
messages of successive presidential administrations.
        War Made Easy gives special attention to parallels between the Vietnam
War and the war in Iraq. Guided by media critic Norman Solomon, the film
presents disturbing examples of propaganda and media complicity from the present
alongside rare footage of political leaders and leading journalists from the
past.
   www.warmadeeasythemove.org    Approx. 72 minutes
        A discussion will follow the film.
   September 22, 2007 3:00  pm,
   Riverside Public Library, One Burling Rd., Riverside, IL
                                                       Sponsored by:  Near West
Citizens for Peace & Justice (NWCPJ),  a group of area residents in Illinois'
3rd Congressional District who came together in opposition to the continued Iraq
War and its disastrous consequences.  Newcomers are welcome to our meetings, 3
pm on each 2nd Saturday of the month, at the Riverside Public Library.
   FMI: www.nwcpj.org, email llambertschmidt@... or call 708-447-9577.


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****Save the date!****

7pm on October 27, 2007
@ University of Illinois-Chicago
750 South Halsted

After the Chicago antiwar protests—attend a forum with journalist Dahr Jamail,
author of
the new book *Beyond the Green Zone: Dispatches from an Unembedded Journalists
in
Occupied Iraq* (Haymarket Books, 2007)

"While the powerful media conglomerates embedded on the ground with the invading
and
occupying forces, Jamail embedded with the suffering people of Iraq and
uncovered the
horrors of this war of `liberation.' Dahr Jamail is the conscience of American
war reporting,
the quintessential unembedded reporter." –Jeremey Scahill

"Every conflict spawns a handful of journalists who are willing to not only
brave the war
zone but to seek out the stories ignored by the press pack. The Iraq War has
brought us
Dahr Jamail." –Mother Jones magazine

Dahr Jamail is an independent journalist who has covered the Middle East for
more than
four years. He has reported extensively from inside Iraq and has also reported
from Syria,
Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan. Jamail writes for the Inter Press Service, The Asia
Times, and
many other outlets. His reports have been published in the Nation, The Sunday
Herald, The
Guardian, Foreign Policy in Focus, and The Independent, among other
publications.

On radio as well as television, Jamail has reported for Democracy Now!—and
numerous
other stations around the globe. Jamail is also special correspondent for
Flashpoints (KPFA
Radio/Pacifica).

Beyond the Green Zone: Dispatches from an Unembedded Journalist in Iraq, with a
forward
by Amy Goodman, is his first book.

For more information visit:

www.beyondthegreenzone.org
www.dahrjamailiraq.com
www.haymarketbooks.org

In Chicago, e-mail: scruggs48@...

Sponsored by Haymarket Books

Please join us at Third Unitarian Church, Sunday, 9/23, 10 a.m. for a forum:

   EVIL MANNERS: BOOKS AND CENSORSHIP IN 21st CENTURY AMERICA

   Deborah Caldwell-Stone, deputy director of the American Library Association's
Office for Intellectual Freedom, will present. Stone will outline the problem of
censorship in our public libraries, schools, and government institutions. She
will talk about current controversies, including the U.S. Bureau of Prisons'
initiative to remove disfavored religious works from prison chapel libraries.
Banned Books Week, ALA's annual celebration of our freedom to read, will take
place from September 29 to October 6. Banned Books Week stresses the importance
of ensuring the availability of unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints to all who
wish to read them.

   Third Unitarian Church is at 301 N. Mayfield Avenue in Chicago. Two blocks
east of Austin Blvd. and one block south of the CTA Green Line (Lake Street El).
See www.thirdunitarianchurch.org for more information.


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