Please sign up everyone. MEChA will be organizing a workshop for this event, so we better represent!!!!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Tina Duong <t9600407@...>
Date: 2009/12/7
Subject: RSVP for 2010 LTS Asian American Issues Conference!
To: AASA Core 08-09 <aasacore0809@...>, AASA Core 09-10 <aasacore0910@...>, API Leaders <apileaders@...>, Hep B Volunteers <hepbvolunteers@...>, LTS Planning 2009 <lts_planning09@...>, Okada <the-okadark-knight@...>, SAAAC <saaacisbaaac@...>, SAAAC Announce <saaac-announce@...>, Gavilan <chat-gavilan2009@...>, Loro <chat-loro2009@...>, Mirlo <chat-mirlo2009@...>, Paloma <chat-paloma2009@...>, collective@...

****************Please Forward Widely****************

14th Annual Listen to the Silence Conference:
Learn to See...

Jan 23rd 2010

Cubberley

*****************************
Learn to See...

Struggle. Oppression. Love. Dreams. Hate. Family. 
History. Pain. Freedom. Truth. Justice. Communities. Pride. 
Action. Loss. Unity. Stereotypes. Lies. Power. 
Violence. Movements. Hope. Life. Imprisonment. Poverty.  
War. Liberty. Solidarity. Equality. Faith.  

Learn to See...

Change.
****************************

Register NOW at aasa.stanford.edu/lts

Listen to the Silence (LTS) is an annual full day conference sponsored by the Asian American Students Association (AASA) that seeks to educate individuals from all over the West Coast on issues facing the Asian American community. The conference will feature workshops run by various student groups and community organizations. It also offers an opportunity to network with people from all over the West Coast and beyond, including our keynote speaker, Shahid Buttar, the current executive director of the Bill of Rights Defense Committee. After a long day, unwind with a concert featuring Tim Be Told.

If that's not enticing enough, the conference is entirely FREE! 

Direct any questions to the Conference Chair

Michael To (mto1@...)

--
Tina Duong
Stanford University '12
Biology and Asian American Studies

LTS Workshops Cochair

--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==
collective mailing list
collective@...
https://mailman.stanford.edu/mailman/listinfo/collective

--
Alexandra Salgado
Stanford University | Class of 2011
B.A. Candidate | Political Science & History
MEChA de Stanford | Co-Chair
Stanford Immigrant Rights Project (SIRP)

_______________________________________________
MEChA de Stanford E-Mail List
http://mecha.stanford.edu
https://mailman.stanford.edu/mailman/listinfo/MEChA

December 15th, 5 PM San Francisco @ Hilton Hotel Protest the AIPAC annual dinner 333 O'Farrell St  MAP - Protest this gathering for AIPAC as they support a political agenda supporting war and occupation.

November 11, 2009

Dear Friends, 

I am writing today to ask for your financial contribution to my second trip to the Occupied Palestinian territories of the West Bank and Gaza. I will be volunteering with International Solidarity Movement "http://www.palsolidarity.org" in the communities and refugee camps in Palestine in December, 2009 and January, 2010.  I’ve just been awarded a financial sponsorship of five hundred dollars from ISM to travel to refugee camps in West Bank and hold educational presentations and workshops upon my return. ISM is “a Palestinian-led movement committed to resisting the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land using nonviolent, direct-action methods and principles. Founded by a small group of activists in August, 2001, ISM aims to support and strengthen the Palestinian popular resistance by providing the Palestinian people with two resources, international protection and a voice with which to nonviolently resist an overwhelming military occupation force”. 

This is a critical moment in Palestinian history as the prospects of a negotiated settlement appear to have dimmed, PA President Mahmoud Abbas has announced his withdrawal from the next election, and renewed tension in Jerusalem has escalated the potential for conflict. I hope to learn about the present crisis and report back to people in the U.S. about the situation on the ground.

I travelled to the West Bank and Gaza for the first time in the summer of 2002. It was truly an eye-opening and life changing experience. I was studying post-apartheid history and politics in South Africa and, after the program was over, I decided to join ISM in the West Bank, to support the Palestinians in their struggle to end an Israeli occupation. I met many international activists, filmmakers, journalists, policymakers and scholars who were also a part of ISM. Soon after I arrived, the Israeli Defense Forces invaded the Jenin Refugee Camp and I traveled there to help in any way I could. I also visited the Jewish Settlements to talk with the Israeli residents about the on-going conflict and attended a court trial of an Israeli soldier who refused to serve in the Occupied Territories. I participated in many non-violent protests in Al-Ain refugee camp, Balata refugee camp and in Ramallah. I also joined in efforts/protests to open up check points in Nablus, Hebron, Ramallah, and Jenin in the West Bank and the Abu Holi check point in Gaza. I rode in ambulances in Jenin, to make sure that injured Palestinians could get through check points, to get to the hospital. 

I lived in Tripoli, Libya for 6 years with my family. Although I was a child, I have such fond memories of my family’s interaction with Libyan Muslims and the Islamic culture to which I was exposed, including their remarkable hospitality toward foreigners. My father used to tell us about the plight of Palestinian refugees in Libya. My family, together with other Libyans and Korean workers, had to take refuge in a bomb shelter in Tripoli when the US bombed the city in 1986. My experiences in Libya and growing up in Korea led me to study the history of the Middle East and South and East Asia at UCLA. The Israel’s occupation of Palestine is one of the major causes for the political struggle across the Middle East, against US foreign policy, which supports Israel’s occupation. I want to participate in activism that reflects the solidarity with Palestinians, by utilizing my knowledge about the history of region and the experiences as an activist/organizer in various social justice causes. 

The Israeli’ bombing campaign in Gaza in January, 2009 killed 1400 and injured thousands more and it also has destroyed much of its infrastructure, industry, and agriculture. The latest U.N. Goldstone Report describes the war crimes committed by the Israeli military, but an appropriate response has yet to occur. I want to go to Palestine to learn about how the attacks in Gaza and the continuing occupation of the West Bank is affecting Palestinians, especially the lives of Palestinian women, and hold educational presentations/workshops in the Bay Area after my return. I also will be participating in non-violent protests in the West Bank and Gaza to break the Israeli siege of Gaza.

Since my first trip, I have been engaged in activism to stop rape and sex trafficking in the Bay Area. Until very recently, I worked as an anti-rape activist and a Volunteer Program Coordinator and Sexual Trauma Counselor/Victim Advocate at Rape Trauma Services (RTS). 

I am currently unemployed and the timing could not be better for me to travel to Palestine. As an anti-racist feminist, I will also learn and investigate the Palestinian women’s role in non-violent resistance against the Israeli occupation and how the on-going conflict is impacting women and children’s lives. Palestinian women have not only been subject to increasing violence, but their responsibilities within households have expanded due to the death, imprisonment or unemployment of male members of households.

This is not a job. It is not something I am being paid to do. In fact, I have to cover my own costs, which includes airfare, food, lodging and transportation during my stay in Palestine. I am estimating the total cost of the trip till be around $1700-2000. My saving and the financial sponsorship from ISM will cover some of the expenses but I still need to raise $800. 

If there is any way you could contribute to this effort please do. No gift is too small. I understand that this is economically a very trying time for all of us, but even if everyone gave $25 or $30 that would be a tremendous help. Please help. I will try to send out e-mail updates as often as I can. Please give me a call or write me an e-mail with any questions you have. 

greenostalgia [at] gmail [dot] com

Please forward widely.

--
Aurora Victoria Herrera David
Stanford University '12
650.491.4561
P.O. Box 14264
Stanford, CA 94309

_______________________________________________
MEChA de Stanford E-Mail List
http://mecha.stanford.edu
https://mailman.stanford.edu/mailman/listinfo/MEChA

From: "jack dresser" <jack@...>

Date: December 5, 2009 1:45:13 PM PST

Subject: RE: [A] Tight budgets mean some prisoners go light  on meals

This reminds me of an Israeli general’s explanation of the Gaza blockade, that “We don’t want to starve them to death, just put them on a diet.”  The $3 billion we hand out to Israel annually might be better spent re-directed to our prisons.  As an added benefit, Israel might have to stop imprisoning Palestinians gratuitously to reduce its own grocery bill.

 

The way to reduce prison costs is to reduce imprisonment by decriminalizing drug use and most other victimless crimes, and to direct resources away from the DoD into the civilian economy (e.g., alternative energy development) so fewer people need to kill and steal to survive through military “service” and other types of crime.  The motive for lunch deprivation of our helpless captives, like the Gaza blockade, is pure and simple sadism.

 

Jack Dresser, Ph.D.

Eugene, Oregon

Political & Prevention Psychology

Veterans for Peace

Co-director, The Al-Nakba Awareness Project

www.al-nakba-history.com

---

From: Donna Wallach [mailto:dbwall@...]
Sent: Friday, December 04, 2009 11:44 PM
To: CJA; endpolicebrutality@yahoogroups.com; sbm@...; south_bay_activists@yahoogroups.com; Lenore Sheridan
Subject: Fwd: [A] Tight budgets mean some prisoners go light on meals

 

Greetings all,

 

This is beyond an outrage! You can be sure that the prisoners meals are already very limited and they aren't getting much food, even if they are getting 3 meals a day. Cutting to 2 meals is reprehensible!

 

I found this article by accident.

 

Donna

 

 

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-11-22-prison-meals-budgets-skip_N.htm

 

Tight budgets mean some prisoners go light  on meals

By John Tuohy, The Indianapolis Star

INDIANAPOLIS — The inmates at Plainfield Correctional Facility east of Indianapolis can't be accused of getting a free lunch. Or any lunch at all. At least on some days.

The medium-security prison has eliminated lunch on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays — part of a pilot program that could go statewide. The Indiana Department of Correction (DOC) insists it's not about saving money but what's in the best interest of prisoners. The move is being criticized by national civil rights groups and lawmakers.

"Denying food or cutting back on meals is beneath the dignity of the state of Indiana and is not in sync with our Hoosier values," said state Sen. Mike Delph, R-Carmel. Delph is chairman of the state Senate corrections subcommittee.

Indiana Department of Correction spokesman Doug Garrison said the department has received few complaints since rolling out the changes last month.

Because of tight budgets, a handful of other states have cut meals to save money. Georgia inmates don't get lunch on the weekends, according to the Associated Press, and Ohio is considering ending its weekend breakfasts. Other states have thinned menus or limited items such as milk and fresh fruit.

 

Indiana prison officials said the driving force here was to give prisoners more classroom and recreational time.

"Serving meals is a time-consuming effort that takes hours," Garrison said. "By eliminating one meal, we are able to operate our programs more efficiently."

Elizabeth Alexander, director of the American Civil Liberties Union's National Prison Project, said cutting lunch creates "a tremendous gap between meals."

"Making prisoners go hungry for long periods is not the way to solve anything," she said. "Food is not the place to make cuts, especially since it is such a small percentage of a prison's budget."

Food service accounts for about 5% of the Department of Correction's $726 million budget in 2010, according to the House Ways and Means Committee.

The new meal plan in Indiana combines breakfast and lunch and is served beginning at 6 a.m., said Kevin Mulroony, Plainfield Correctional spokesman. Dinner is served 10 hours later, at 4 p.m. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. Mondays through Thursdays.

Gil Holmes, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana, said the organization was aware of the change but had not received any complaints from prisoners.

Until it does, the ACLU of Indiana probably won't take any action, Holmes said.

The DOC said the pilot program would last an indefinite length of time and is being reviewed to determine other prisons where it might work. Eventually, all 30 prisons in the system could switch to the new eating schedule, Garrison said.

DOC officials said inmates can always get chips, cookies and Ramen noodles in the commissary to tide them over between meals. Prisoners have to pay for those.

"You'd be amazed at what prisoners can do with a bag of Ramen," Mulroony said. "It's as good as anything served in a restaurant."

Forward always, you are in our thoughts.

---

Date: Fri, 4 Dec 2009 19:30:58 -0500
From: info@...
To: zemazatzin@...
Subject: BAY AREA CALENDAR FOR DECEMBER 6-15

December 4, 2009 Dear Mazatzin, December got off to a rough start as President Obama delivered his escalation announcement at West Point on Tuesday, December 1 - and many Bay Area CODEPINKers joined in a press conference, vigils and protests in San Francisco, Berkeley, Piedmont and elsewhere. If you stood up and spoke out: thank you! We have many opportunities to say "no to war, yes to peace" in this last month of 2009. Over 40 Bay Area activists, including a number of college students, are going on the Gaza Freedom March. The students need your financial support to make their participation happen, so please look at videos and bios of students and donate online. Four young women in California especially need your help to make their trip a reality (click on their names to make a donation): Maryam, a student at UC Davis, Miriam, a student at UC Santa Barbara, Kelly, a young woman photographer for the women's contingent who lives in LA, and Ariel, a young CODEPINK activist.  For more information, email our campus organizer, Ali Glenesk. Sunday, December 6, 10 AM, East Bay: Creech/drones Protest Debriefing Brunch. We will debrief over brunch and songs. Location TBA; call Zanne Joi at 510-540-7007 or email mzsam@... for details. Monday, December 7, 7 AM, San Ramon: Join with our allies Global Exchange, Greenpeace and many others at a climate justice demonstration at Chevron Headquarters, 6001 Bollinger Canyon Road, San Ramon as part of the mobilization leading up to Copenhagen climate talks. Bring signs, wear pink and green, or just be there! Shuttles from Walnut Creek BART to Chevron HQ will be available in the early morning, or carpool (plenty of free parking at shopping center across the street.) Click here for more details! Wednesday, December 9, 6:30 PM, Oakland: Golden Gate Local Group Meeting and Knit-In at A Cuppa Tea at College and Alcatraz, Oakland. Discuss upcoming events, knit or crochet hats and scarves for homeless youth. For info: email Holly. Wednesday, December 9, 7-9 PM, San Francisco: Gaza Freedom March Bay Area Delegate Send-Off Party!  Global Exchange/CODEPINK office, 2017 Mission Street, second floor, at Mission/16th BART.  RSVP to rae@.... Sunday, December 13, 11 AM-12 noon, Berkeley: Arrest Yoo! Peaceful protest of "torture author" Yoo at his home, 1241 Grizzly Peak Blvd. Let Yoo know it's NEVER legal to torture. Dismiss, disbar, prosecute Yoo. Banners, flyers provided. For info: Cynthia_papermaster@....  Click here for a map. Sunday, December 13, noon, San Francisco: Peace March across the Golden Gate Bridge.  A Peace Surge is the change we want to see: End the illegal occupations in Afghanistan and Iraq now.  Meet up at 11:45 AM on either end of the bridge near eastern walkway and then march to the center.  Bring your messages of peace on clothing and signs (up to 2x3 ft. allowed). Email Toby or call 510-215-5974 for carpooling or more info. Tuesday, December 15, 5 PM, San Francisco: Protest AIPAC's annual dinner at the Hilton Hotel, 333 O'Farrell Street. We raise our voices in protest outside this AIPAC gathering, as they support a political agenda supporting war and occupation. Contact: email Nancy Mancias. Tuesday, December 15, 7:30 PM, San Jose: The South Bay local group is holding the regularly scheduled meeting on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at the Peace & Justice Center, 48 7th Street, San Jose. For agenda and other details: email Katrina Cepeda. REPEATING EVENTS: Every Wednesday, noon-1:30 PM, Berkeley: CODEPINK Day of Action at the MRS. We are committed to having a CODEPINK Counter-Recruitment presence for peace. Wear hot pink, bring signs "NOT IN BERKELEY" and "OUT OF IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN" - or just be there! MRS (Marine Recruiting Station), 2 blocks north of downtown Berkeley BART, 64 Shattuck Square. Info: email Zanne Joi. Every Friday, 7:30 AM, Berkeley: Bannering at University overpass over I-80. Contact Zanne to join in! 510-540-7007. For info on the now-monthly vigil in downtown San Francisco: please email Renay Davis or call 415-845-4498. Best wishes for the holidays and for a more peaceful world, Cynthia, Holly, Janet, Katrina, Marina, Nancy, Rae, Toby and Zanne PS: Save the Date! Sunday, December 27, 4-6 PM, San Francisco: We will hold a candlelight vigil at Union Square in solidarity with the Gaza Freedom March. Thursday, Dec. 31, 12 noon-2 PM, San Francisco: a local Gaza Freedom March across the Golden Gate Bridge. Bring small signs or banners in support of the people of Gaza and lifting the siege. For more details: email Nancy.	Climate Justice Action at Chevron: Monday, Dec 7, 7AM Protest Torture Author John Yoo: Sunday, Dec 13, 11AM Golden Gate Bridge March: Sunday, Dec 13, 12PM Protest AIPAC: Tuesday, Dec 15, 5PM Sponsor a CA Student or Young Woman Marcher! Support Maryam Support Miriam Support Kelly Support Ariel unsubscribe from this list

---

Chat with Messenger straight from your Hotmail inbox. Check it out

The medium-security prison has eliminated lunch on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays — part of a pilot program that could go statewide. The Indiana Department of Correction (DOC) insists it's not about saving money but what's in the best interest of prisoners. The move is being criticized by national civil rights groups and lawmakers.

"Denying food or cutting back on meals is beneath the dignity of the state of Indiana and is not in sync with our Hoosier values," said state Sen. Mike Delph, R-Carmel. Delph is chairman of the state Senate corrections subcommittee.

Indiana Department of Correction spokesman Doug Garrison said the department has received few complaints since rolling out the changes last month.

Because of tight budgets, a handful of other states have cut meals to save money. Georgia inmates don't get lunch on the weekends, according to the Associated Press, and Ohio is considering ending its weekend breakfasts. Other states have thinned menus or limited items such as milk and fresh fruit.

Indiana prison officials said the driving force here was to give prisoners more classroom and recreational time.

"Serving meals is a time-consuming effort that takes hours," Garrison said. "By eliminating one meal, we are able to operate our programs more efficiently."

Elizabeth Alexander, director of the American Civil Liberties Union's National Prison Project, said cutting lunch creates "a tremendous gap between meals."

"Making prisoners go hungry for long periods is not the way to solve anything," she said. "Food is not the place to make cuts, especially since it is such a small percentage of a prison's budget."

Food service accounts for about 5% of the Department of Correction's $726 million budget in 2010, according to the House Ways and Means Committee.

The new meal plan in Indiana combines breakfast and lunch and is served beginning at 6 a.m., said Kevin Mulroony, Plainfield Correctional spokesman. Dinner is served 10 hours later, at 4 p.m. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. Mondays through Thursdays.

Gil Holmes, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana, said the organization was aware of the change but had not received any complaints from prisoners.

Until it does, the ACLU of Indiana probably won't take any action, Holmes said.

The DOC said the pilot program would last an indefinite length of time and is being reviewed to determine other prisons where it might work. Eventually, all 30 prisons in the system could switch to the new eating schedule, Garrison said.

DOC officials said inmates can always get chips, cookies and Ramen noodles in the commissary to tide them over between meals. Prisoners have to pay for those.

"You'd be amazed at what prisoners can do with a bag of Ramen," Mulroony said. "It's as good as anything served in a restaurant."

Dear InfoLULAC.org:

Over the years I have been consistent with regard to alcohol and tobacco industries' masked social marketing and reach into our communities and have consistently said, "Dance too close to the coyote you too become the coyote."  Another major Latino organization that is a recipient of millions of dollars from the alcohol industry and even on its company board says," We are not so concerned about the activities of our funders, we are more concerned about our own activities to create positive change."  With that policy statement, the message I get from youth is they will show us where the real money is if activities are open to drugs, violence laundering, murder, etc.  IF there is true leadership at LULAC, show us so we can show the younger ones who will follow.  If you look around, there is plenty of money to go around, we have not learned how to respect it nor prioritize it.

Please remove me from your list.  Thank you.

Steve Delgadillo

---

From: LULAC National <info@...>
To: Steve Delgadillo <erdelgadillo@...>
Sent: Fri, December 4, 2009 10:02:08 AM
Subject: MillerCoors Líderes Unveils the 2009 Líder of the Year

Donate | Unsubscribe | Tell A Friend | Subscribe December 4, 2009 Contact: Karina Diehl , MillerCoors, T. 312-496-2973,diehl.karina@... Kati Anderson, Comunicad, T. 703-807-0500, ka@... Press Release MillerCoors Líderes Unveils the 2009 Líder of the Year Lizette Jenness OImos from LULAC named 2009 Líder of the Year Chicago, Illinois (December 4, 2009) — MillerCoors announced today that the 2009 Líder of the Year is Lizette Jenness Olmos from the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) in Washington, D.C. Jenness Olmos was chosen through public vote on the MillerCoors Líderes website from among this year’s twelve nominated Líderes. The announcement was made last night during a reception held at the MillerCoors headquarters in downtown Chicago, among local Hispanic community leaders. “Lizette’s dedication inspires those around her, and she proves that one person can make a significant difference,” said Joedis Avila, Multicultural Relations Manager for MillerCoors. “Through the MillerCoors Líderes program, we hope to raise awareness about the important work and contributions Hispanic leaders are making in their communities.” As Líder of the Year, Jenness Olmos will be featured in print advertising recognizing her achievement. Her organization, LULAC, will also receive a $25,000 grant to develop and implement a leadership program in partnership with MillerCoors. “I am deeply honored to be named the MillerCoors 2009 Líder of the Year,” said Jenness Olmos. “I hope that by receiving this recognition I will inspire future generations to reach for their aspirations and continue to work toward the advancement of the Hispanic community.” As the largest and oldest Hispanic organization in the United States, LULAC advances the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, health and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based programs. During her time at LULAC, Jenness Olmos has been passionately committed to the advancement of the Hispanic community by working on major issues, including health care, immigration, education, hate crimes and discrimination. An energetic and courageous activist, Jenness Olmos’s dedication to the Hispanic community bolsters LULAC’s core values. Since 2006, Líderes has highlighted the achievements of a diverse group of respected national and local leaders within the Hispanic community, and provided helpful online resources on leadership topics. In addition, the program has hosted a series of workshops across the country, where participants were provided the opportunity to network and explore themes related to leadership. Líderes has also showcased national and local leaders in the Hispanic community through advertising campaigns portraying the diverse demographics represented in the U.S. Hispanic community, celebrating its leadership, biculturalism and bilingualism. The 2009 MillerCoors Líderes ads featured 12 Hispanic leaders selected by Hispanic national and local non-profit partners and organizations to help identify community leaders who represent the values of their organizations and the communities they serve. The public was invited to participate in the selection of the candidates by casting their vote for the 2009 Líder of the Year on www.MillerCoorsLideres.com. In 2008, Lupe Barrera, Board Member of the National Latino Peace Officers Association, was named MillerCoors Líder of the Year. In 2007, Lillian Rodríguez López, president of the Hispanic Federation, received the honor. For more information on MillerCoors Líderes, please visit www.millercoorslideres.com. ### About MillerCoors Built on a foundation of great beer brands and more than 288 years of brewing heritage, MillerCoors continues the commitment of its founders to brew the highest quality beers. MillerCoors is the second largest beer company in America, capturing nearly 30 percent of U.S. beer sales. Led by two of the best-selling beers in the industry, MillerCoors has a broad portfolio of highly complementary brands across every major industry segment. Miller Lite is the great tasting beer that established the American light beer category in 1975, and Coors Light is the brand that introduced consumers to refreshment as cold as the Rockies. MGD 64 completes the company’s premium light beer portfolio, offering consumers fresh, crisp taste at just 64 calories. MillerCoors brews premium beers Coors Banquet and Miller Genuine Draft; and economy brands Miller High Life and Keystone Light. The company also imports Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Pilsner Urquell, Grolsch and Molson Canadian and offers innovative products such as Miller Chill and Sparks. MillerCoors features craft brews from the Jacob Leinenkugel Company, Blue Moon Brewing Company and the Blitz-Weinhard Brewing Company. MillerCoors operates eight major breweries in the U.S., as well as the Leinenkugel’s craft brewery in Chippewa Falls, WI and two microbreweries, the 10th Street Brewery in Milwaukee and the Blue Moon Brewing Company at Coors Field in Denver. MillerCoors vision is to create America’s best beer company by driving profitable industry growth. MillerCoors insists on building its brands the right way through brewing quality, responsible marketing and environmental and community impact. MillerCoors is a joint venture of SABMiller plc and Molson Coors Brewing Company. ### MillerCoors Líderes anuncia la Líder del Año 2009 Lizette Jenness OImos, de LULAC, nombrada Líder del Año 2009 Chicago, Illinois (diciembre 4, 2009) — MillerCoors ha anunciado hoy que la Líder del Año 2009 es Lizette Jenness Olmos, de la League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC, Liga de Ciudadanos Latinoamericanos Unidos) en Washington, D.C. Jenness Olmos fue seleccionada por votación del público, a través del sitio en Internet del programa Líderes de MillerCoors, de entre los doce candidatos nominados este año para el premio. El anuncio se hizo anoche durante una recepción en la sede principal de MillerCoors, en el centro de Chicago, que contó con la presencia de líderes de la comunidad hispana de esta ciudad. “La dedicación de Lizette es motivo de inspiración para cuantos la rodean. Ella ha demostrado que una sola persona puede hacer un aporte significativo”, dijo Joedis Ávila, director de relaciones multiculturales de MillerCoors. “Mediante el programa Líderes de MillerCoors esperamos lograr una mayor difusión de la importante labor y los valiosos aportes que los líderes hispanos están haciendo en sus comunidades.” Como Líder del Año, Jenness Olmos figurará en anuncios publicitarios publicados en medios impresos que destacarán los éxitos logrados por ella. LULAC, la organización de la que forma parte, recibirá una donación de $25,000 para crear y poner en marcha un programa de liderazgo que llevará a cabo en asociación con MillerCoors. “Me siento profundamente honrada por la selección como Líder del Año 2009 de MillerCoors”, dijo Jenness Olmos. “Al recibir este premio espero poder inspirar a las generaciones futuras para que alcancen las metas a las que aspiran y para que continúen trabajando por el progreso de la comunidad hispana.” LULAC, la organización hispana más grande y antigua de los Estados Unidos, promueve y defiende la situación económica, los logros educativos, la influencia política, la salud y los derechos civiles de hispanoamericanos mediante programas de base comunitaria. Durante todo el tiempo que lleva trabajando en LULAC, Jenness Olmos ha demostrado su sólido compromiso con el progreso de la comunidad hispana dedicándose a temas principales, como son la atención de la salud, la inmigración, la educación, los crímenes de odio y la discriminación. La dedicación a la comunidad hispana por parte de Jenness Olmos, una activista enérgica y valiente, pone de relieve los valores fundamentales de LULAC. Desde 2006, el programa Líderes viene destacando los éxitos de un diverso grupo de respetados líderes nacionales y locales dentro de la comunidad hispana y ofreciendo útiles recursos informativos en línea sobre temas vinculados con el liderazgo. Además, este programa ha patrocinado una serie de cursillos en todo el país, cuyos participantes tienen la oportunidad de relacionarse y de explorar dichos temas. Líderes también ha destacado a líderes nacionales y locales de la comunidad hispana mediante campañas publicitarias que reflejan la diversidad demográfica de la comunidad hispana en los Estados Unidos, celebrando sus cualidades de liderazgo y su naturaleza bicultural y bilingüe. En los anuncios publicitarios del programa de MillerCoors Líderes 2009 figuran 12 líderes hispanos seleccionados por entidades y organizaciones hispanas sin fines de lucro, nacionales y locales, asociadas al programa, las que ayudaron a identificar a líderes comunitarios que representan los valores de las organizaciones a las que pertenecen y de las comunidades a las que prestan servicios. El público fue invitado a participar en la selección de candidatos emitiendo su voto para Líder del Año 2009 en www.MillerCoorsLideres.com. En 2008, Lupe Barrera, miembro de la junta directiva de la National Latino Peace Officers Association (Asociación nacional de agentes del orden latinos), fue nombrada Líder del Año MillerCoors. En 2007, Lillian Rodríguez López, presidenta de la Hispanic Federation, recibió este galardón. Para más información sobre MillerCoors Líderes, sírvase visitar www.millercoorslideres.com. ### About MillerCoors Built on a foundation of great beer brands and more than 288 years of brewing heritage, MillerCoors continues the commitment of its founders to brew the highest quality beers. MillerCoors is the second largest beer company in America, capturing nearly 30 percent of U.S. beer sales. Led by two of the best-selling beers in the industry, MillerCoors has a broad portfolio of highly complementary brands across every major industry segment. Miller Lite is the great tasting beer that established the American light beer category in 1975, and Coors Light is the brand that introduced consumers to refreshment as cold as the Rockies. MGD 64 completes the company’s premium light beer portfolio, offering consumers fresh, crisp taste at just 64 calories. MillerCoors brews premium beers Coors Banquet and Miller Genuine Draft; and economy brands Miller High Life and Keystone Light. The company also imports Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Pilsner Urquell, Grolsch and Molson Canadian and offers innovative products such as Miller Chill and Sparks. MillerCoors features craft brews from the Jacob Leinenkugel Company, Blue Moon Brewing Company and the Blitz-Weinhard Brewing Company. MillerCoors operates eight major breweries in the U.S., as well as the Leinenkugel’s craft brewery in Chippewa Falls, WI and two microbreweries, the 10th Street Brewery in Milwaukee and the Blue Moon Brewing Company at Coors Field in Denver. MillerCoors vision is to create America’s best beer company by driving profitable industry growth. MillerCoors insists on building its brands the right way through brewing quality, responsible marketing and environmental and community impact. MillerCoors is a joint venture of SABMiller plc and Molson Coors Brewing Company. ### This email was sent to: erdelgadillo@... Click here to unsubscribe from email sent by LULAC. LULAC National Office, 2000 L Street, NW, Suite 610 Washington DC 20036, (202) 833-6130, (202) 833-6135 FAX

Please forward widely

--
Aurora Victoria Herrera David
Stanford University '12
650.491.4561
P.O. Box 14264
Stanford, CA 94309

_______________________________________________
MEChA de Stanford E-Mail List
http://mecha.stanford.edu
https://mailman.stanford.edu/mailman/listinfo/MEChA

Buried Alive: Breathing in a Living Tomb

by Efrén Paredes, Jr.

Waking in an 8' x 11' concrete box each day is a painful reminder of the walls that forcefully keep me separated from society and the people I love. It is within these merciless barriers that I toil and struggle to keep the flame of hope and liberation burning.

Today, December 4, 2009, marks one complete year since my public hearing was convened. The wait has been arduous and often times seemingly endless. Some days the wait has felt like weeks and months have elapsed, other days it has felt like the past year has been longer than the previous 19-1/2 years of my imprisonment.

A year ago over 150 members of my family, friends and supporters traveled to the G. Robert Cotton Facility through the cold elements to observe the hearing and express their support. They packed a standing room only area, which typically only has one row of chairs reserved for most public hearings. At my hearing there were dozens of rows filled with chairs.

People wore the Free Efrén T-shirt, Free Efrén stickers, and braved the nine hour long hearing in a small room where every seat was filled. Some stood for hours along the wall and others sat on the floor due to the unavailability of seating.

Most people did not even eat a full meal the entire time. They consumed protein bars and other snacks and stayed the entire duration of the hearing so they would not miss any of what would be the longest and most attended public hearing in Michigan history. The only time some people left the room was occasionally to use the restroom.

Seeing the prosecutor and police who investigated my case at the hearing again after two decades since my original trial evokes myriad memories. As I raced through the corridors of my thoughts I felt myself recalling my arrest, court proceedings, sense of hopelessness and the soul-crushing tears I fought hard to suppress as I sat alone for weeks in a cold jail cell (at age 15, under constant light 24 hours a day) wondering when this nightmare would ever end.

I sat during the hearing last year the entire time handcuffed in a chair, shuffling through papers, responding to a barrage of inquiries, and only drank cups of water — all while defending myself against manufactured stories, distortions, verbal assaults, unwarranted remarks, and unprofessionalism of an Asst. Attorney General who argued to the Parole Board that I should remain in prison because "20 years in prison is not a lot of time."

It was a skillfully rehearsed performance of political theatre; one the Asst. Attorney General and Berrien County Prosecutor's Office hoped would result in transforming my prison cell into a death chamber. Their fixation on plotting my extinction was a total abandonment of civility and the concept of redemption — two signposts of their moral impoverishment.

In the midst of it all I felt the warmth, love and strength of all those who came out to support me. I was never discouraged and I never felt alone. I was wrapped in the solidarity we shared and spread widely throughout the room.

While the weight of the past year has been enormous and often disheartening, I have vigorously sought to stave off feelings of disappointment and despair. I have often sought refuge in the Creator, prayer, and meditation, and wrapped myself in the solace of my writings and activism.

Thinking about the people who love and care about me has been a constant source of strength as well. They have provided me with a lifeline when I have been most challenged, confronted with difficult moments, and found myself trudging through the pockets of pathology and ubiquitous darkness of daily prison life. I am grateful for all their love and support and I think about them often. I never take any of them for granted.

Despite everything going on the past year, I have continued to work on my personal growth and development and I persist in my work educating others, promoting worthy causes, and enriching the lives of others. I have not allowed my personal struggle to consume me or diminish my work helping others.

I know the value of service to others because it has been the gracious selfless acts of wonderful people who have helped me become the person I am today. I try to pass those blessings on to others every opportunity I receive.

This experience has not defined me in a negative way. It has only motivated me to fight even more diligently to pursue justice and evolve as a human being. I have worked hard to transform the negative energy into positive energy and use it to fuel my resiliency and determination to never be defeated by lies and inhumane policies.

While my life and future continue to be deliberated by the Hon. Governor Granholm, I ask each of you to please continue inviting people to sign our petition, asking her to grant my commutation request. It is a small contribution to my campaign that will go a long way. The petition is available at http://tinyurl.com/FreeEPJ.

The outcome of the Governor's decision could result in my release in the near future or condemn me to spend many more years in prison — a veritable death sentence. The urgency of this very critical hour cannot be underscored enough.

It is a possibility that I may never again receive this opportunity for release from another Governor of conscience willing to utilize their extraordinary clemency power to correct an injustice.

Collectively we have established that I am a worthy candidate for release, that I would pose no danger to society if released, and that I would thrive and be a productive member of the community. Others, who have achieved less than I have while incarcerated, and contributed less to society than me, have been afforded the opportunity for release. All we have ever said is that I am equally deserving.

Today I will reflect about the past year. I will nourish my spirit and continue exploring new ways to avoid the minefields of self-destructive thoughts. I will also endeavor to persist converting gulfs of sadness into healing sanctuaries, and summon radiant rainbows from storm-filled clouds of despair. I will disallow any embargoes on my creativity.

I intimately know the human capacity for survival. It has taught me to thrive and reminds me that I will emerge from this experience stronger than ever. It has also inculcated in me that the Creator didn't create human beings to live in chains or condemn their lives to expire in them.

As W.E.B. DuBois wrote, "There is in this world no such force as the force of a person determined to rise. The human soul cannot be permanently chained." The onus is on us to make this reality manifest each day.

Please continue to keep me in your thoughts and prayers.

Greetings all

FYI

Begin forwarded message:

From: Seth Donnelly <sethdonnelly2000@...>

Date: December 1, 2009 5:14:33 PM PST

Subject: important invite from high school students-- pass the word!

You Are Invited to an Important Peace and Justice Event   A Panel Discussion on the Struggle for Immigrant Rights in the US and the Struggle to Change US Foreign Policy   Where:       Los Altos High School Eagle Theater 201 Almond Ave. Los Altos, CA 94022   When:         December 7th, Monday, 7 PM Admission Free, Open to the Public   Many of youth in this community are from immigrant families and live in conditions of economic and political insecurity. This forum will address the underlying issues of why so many people leave their home countries to come here to survive, the human rights violations they experience here, and the need to change US policies at home and abroad to better honor peace, justice, and human rights of all.   Panelists will include:   Sergio Maraboli, a former political prisoner and torture survivor under the Pinochet regime in Chile Pierre Labossiere, a founder of the Haiti Action Committee Efrain Trujillo Jr. and Zelica Rodriguez, organizers and experts with the Service, Immigrant Rights, and Education Network (SIREN)   Sponsored by the Los Altos High School Amnesty International Club and the Los Altos Voices for Peace For more information, contact Seth Donnelly at seth.donnelly@...

From: aamir q <aamirq@...>

Date: December 1, 2009 10:11:35 PM PST

To: sbm <sbm@...>

Subject: [SBM] Re: Friday Dec 4th: Life and Struggle of a Palestinian in Israel (A Doctor in Galilee)

Skimmed through this memoir - its an amazing book. Hope to see you all on Friday! --- On Tue, 12/1/09, Culture and Conflict Forum <contact@...> wrote: From: Culture and Conflict Forum <contact@...> Subject: Friday Dec 4th: Life and Struggle of a Palestinian in Israel (A Doctor in Galilee) To: aamirq@... Date: Tuesday, December 1, 2009, 4:19 PM Download Half page flyer... Click here for map to event... You are subscribed to this list as aamirq@.... Click here to unsubscribe, or send email to unsubscribe.395681.300392863.6217207329298595925-aamirq_yahoo.com@.... Our postal address is 48 South 7th St. Suite 102 San Jose, California 95112 United States

 

Dear Friend:

The mega-merger of Comcast and NBC is bad news for consumers. But Washington and Wall Street have already bought into the idea that it's a done deal. That's why I’m speaking out to stop this bad merger.

Tell Washington: Say No to the Comcast and NBC Merger: http://free.convio.net/comcast_nbc_email

To learn more about the proposed deal, visit freepress.net/comcast.

Dear family, friends, colleagues - Enough is enough. We bail out the banks, you and I, unconditionally, and then they in turn practice their extortion on us with higher fees, hidden penalties, etc. with impunity.

I just told the top brass at the credit card companies exactly what I think about their recent rate and fee increases. They get to borrow for almost nothing, but they want to charge average families 25% or more? The card game is rigged, and it's about time customers spoke with one voice.

A bill that might have helped was blocked by a single Senator before it could be debated--even though it passed the House by a wide and bipartisan vote. So Consumers Union is making it easy to speak to the biggest banks directly.

I just sent an email to the CEOs of Chase, Citibank and Bank of America demanding that they halt the rate and fee increases now, and telling them that I won't play this rigged game anymore. Would you do the same? Just go to Consumers Union's website, CreditCardReform.org, to add your voice to this effort.

Thank you!

And as for cell phone companies who are guilty of virtually the same practices, here is what Democrats.com has to say:

While we support outstanding progressive candidates, the Political Action Committees of AT&T and Verizon Wireless give huge amounts to Blue Dog Democrats and right-wingers like George W. Bush  and Oklahoma Senators Jim Inhofe and Tom Coburn,  who are obstructing the progressive change we're all fighting for.

Wouldn't you prefer a phone company that's given $63 million to progressive causes  we support like ACLU, Doctors Without Borders, Planned Parenthood and Earthjustice?

Bob Fertik, Democrats.com

                        R. J. G.

CREDO Mobile: Act now to get at 10% discount on your monthly fee.

Does your phone company fund right-wingers and Blue Dogs?

Contract buyout plus 10% off your

monthly service fee.

 

Minerva Novoa,
Advocacy  Web Administrator

Dear Rafael J.,

A bill that would put credit card reforms in place now rather than in three months was just blocked in the Senate. So it's time to take the fight straight to the banks!

Tell the credit card companies exactly what you think of them, and that they won't get your business until they stop raising interest rates, adding new fees and penalties, and other tricks prior to the credit card rules going into effect in February.

What better way to tell the banks "bah, humbug!" than to stop charging on their cards during the holidays. Use this link to directly tell the credit card companies what you think of them.  We can put the pressure on at the corporate level now if we all speak out together!

 

---

Washington, look out for us!
If we had a watchdog to prevent credit card tricks and other financial scams, we wouldn't have to rely on Congress to fix problems after they happen. An independent regulator would put our money needs first, but the banks hate the idea! Tell Congress stand up for us, not just the banks. 

Cell phone on your holiday list?

Verizon just hit most smartphone customers with a $350 fee for canceling their service early. Tactics like these are outrageous, and it's time they're stopped so we can shop for the best wireless deals. A bill was just introduced; let's move it now! 

Your picture is worth 1,000 words!
A bill to dramatically improve food safety is stuck in the Senate. What better way to move it then showing Congress what's at stake from tainted food - your family's health. A family photo can help us change minds in Washington, find out how here. 

Come to DC and change the world
Consumers Union's three-day summit February 9-11 trains you to make change in your hometown or the nation. Meet some of the new administration's key leadership on banking, insurance, and food. Choose from among dozens of workshops. Register today! 

Discover the best protections when doing your online holiday shopping.

 

Which store chickens might make you sick? Find out here 

 

 

Sound off on the credit card interest-rate freeze bill that was blocked in the Senate.

 

---

 

Your Privacy |

Change Email Preferences |

About Consumers Union

If you want to update your contact information please click here. Scroll down and enter (in the "Email me my password" box) your user name, which is rjgonzalez@...  and your email address, then we'll email you your password and you can log in to change your information.  If you have any problems, please contact us by replying to this email. 

Consumers Union, 506 West 14th St., Suite A, Austin, Texas 78701

-- 

Rafael Jesús González
P.O. Box 5638
Berkeley, CA 94705

(If you have trouble receiving my emails, please add me to your address book so that my messages do not end up in the "spam" folder. If you would rather not receive to group mailings, please let me know and I will take your name off that list. Thank you.)

(Si se le dificulta recibir mis e-mails, por favor añada mis señas a su lista para que mis mensages no vayan a dar en los archivos de "spam." Si prefiere no recibir mis envíos de grupo, por favor hágamelo saber y quitaré su nombre de la lista. Gracias.)

From: Arturo Aleman [mailto:aaleman01@...]
Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 10:47 AM
Subject: United Latinos

  
United Latinos, Promoviendo Accion Civica, a non-profit, non-partisan, organization dedicated to ensuring the full participation of Latinos in the civic affairs of California.  Right now we are concentrating on the Sacramento Region.  We are looking to improve the participation of Latinos in the decision making political process.  As it is, our community is losing out on a great number of opportunities related to the stimulus package and other economic benefits for the lack of our active participation.  We intend to open doors to participate with the greater community.

Please see our attached brochure for more information.  Additionally, we will be speaking on Foro Comunitario, Sunday, December 13, 2009 at 6 PM on the following radio stations:

Sacramento
• KTTA 94.3 FM.
• KLMG 97.9 FM.
• Azteca America 32 KSTV.

Modesto/Stockton
• KBBU 93.9 FM.
• Azteca America 32 KSTV.

Yuba City/Marysville
• KBBA 103.3 FM

 Please listen in for more information on United Latinos, Promoviendo Accion Civica.

 

Arturo Aleman

CEO

A Aleman & Associates

5960 South Land Park Dr. #356

Sacramento, CA  95822

(916) 213-3717

 

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Octavio Gonzalez <octaviog@...>
Date: Mon, Nov 30, 2009 at 11:50 PM
Subject: Volunteer Opportunity: Stanford Immigrants' Rights Clinic
To: ahocampo@..., rvasquez1@..., asalgado@..., cantero1@..., oromero@...


MEChistas:

I'm writing to you for help spreading the word on a wonderful volunteer opportunity with the Stanford Immigrants' Rights Clinic at Stanford Law School.  We are working with two clients during the winter quarter who are monolingual Spanish speakers.  Bother are in danger of deportation and their case is before the San Francisco Immigration Court.  We are looking for two fluent Spanish speakers who can help interpret for law students as they work on their cases.  This is a great opportunity to help the immigrant community and see the immigration (and deportation) system in practice (hopefully with positive results for the clients).  Would it be possible to forward the announcement I've included below to your membership list?  Please let me know if you have any questions. 

Thank you in advance,

Octavio
Legal Assistant
Stanford Immigrants' Rights Clinic

--------------------------------------------------------
The Stanford Law School Immigrants' Rights Clinic is in dire need of two volunteer Spanish-language interpreters to help interpret for two Spanish-speaking, pro bono clients facing possible deportation.  The Immigrants' Rights Clinic will provide training for any interested volunteers.  No previous experience is necessary, although we do require fluency in the language being interpreted (Spanish in this case).  Volunteer interpreters with the IRC typically volunteer for 10 hours throughout the law school quarter.

This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone interested in immigration law or discerning going to law school.  Volunteers work directly with current Stanford Law students and immigration law faculty.  The IRC could not help immigrants in our community without the help of volunteer interpreters.  Any interested students should complete the enclosed questionnaire and email it to me at: octaviog@....
----------------------------------------------------------
Octavio González
Legal Assistant
Immigrants' Rights Clinic &
Organizations and Transactions Clinic
Stanford Law School

p: 650-724-9068
f: 650-723-4426
octaviog@...

--
Alexandra Salgado
Stanford University | Class of 2011
B.A. Candidate | Political Science & History
MEChA de Stanford | Co-Chair
Stanford Immigrant Rights Project (SIRP)

_______________________________________________
MEChA de Stanford E-Mail List
http://mecha.stanford.edu
https://mailman.stanford.edu/mailman/listinfo/MEChA

We are being conned by Sen. Reid and virtually all of the establishment. The corporations which dominate Washington do not want anything like a significant health care bill with a "public option". "Reconciliation" is a very difficult way to pass anything meaningful. As I have pointed out in two recent articles per my column on The Rag Blog, and note again in a pending column, there appear to be two viable options (1) as per Christopher Hayes in a recent article in THe Nation, the Senate can change their rules with a mare majority vote, thus doing away with the filibuster. On one instance several years ago a majority in the Senate changed the filibuster rule from 67 to 60, and this could be done again with the desire and the courage, change from 60 to 51. (2) The "nuclear option" is also available. This is described in Wikipedia under that designation. Of course this, as well, would take courage and true desire to serve the public.

In my  pending article on the Rag Blog I outline the minimum of needs to produce a meaningful public option.

Dr. Stephen R. Keister

On Nov 30, 2009, at 2:57 PM, dorinda moreno wrote:

 

 

FOOTNOTE:  What in the hell is the present U.S. Senate thinking about anyway?  Even with all of the "distractions" that the American People have encountered.in the media in relation to Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, the  economy, and of course Sarah Palin recently, all that Harry Reid needs to do is draft a bill will with the Single Payer Medicare for All public option plan--and then proceed to the "Senate Reconciliation" voting format and pass this Health Care Bill that will require only "51" Senate votes contrary to the customary sixty votes.  The Senate should stop trying to find an excuse or method to "not" pass this health bill with a Public Option provision in it that would promote competition within the Corporate Health Insurance Firms--and also should listen to 65% of the American People who now support the Single Payer Public Option--and not be persuaded in regard to only a handful of Senators who have their very own personal special interest agenda at stake in this matter so that they will become more wealthy than they already are today.  Our present elected leaders should listen to The American People for a change!!  

OK TO FORWARD

 

                                                       

          http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/29/opinion/29sun1.html?hpw=&pagewanted=all

 

 

Editorial

A Modest Public Plan

Elders of 4 Colors 4 Directions
Hitec Aztec Collaborations/FM Global
We Are the Ones We Have Been Waiting For!
<fuerzamundial@...>

Corazon Del Pueblo Cultural Center
4814 International Blvd.
Oakland, CA 94601
510 532-6733

Sakura Kone', National Campaign Coordinator to save/restore Wesley United. western region speaking/media tour to address current conditions in post hurricane Katrina <natambu3@...>
Founder, CoProducer & CoPromoter of the annual Lower 9th Ward Peoples Festival. Special Events, Speakers Bureau & Media Relations at Rebuild Green/New Orleans.
www.savewesleyunited.org;      www.rebuildgreen.org;

 

Letter to Pres. Obama, signed by reps. of 35 organizations, follows this release.

---

PRESS RELEASE

 

 

For Immediate Release: November 30, 2009 

                    

Contact:

Mike Ferner, President, Veterans for Peace                                                     

Michael McPhearson, Exec. Dir., Veterans for Peace    

 

 

35 ANTIWAR GROUPS UNITE TO TELL OBAMA: NO ESCALATION!

 

Letter ties economic pain at home to suffering in Afghanistan

 

Urges widespread, massive protests day after announcement

 

 

Washington, DC - On November 30^th, representatives of 34 antiwar groups delivered an open letter to President Obama strongly opposing his anticipated decision to escalate the war in Afghanistan with the commitment of tens of thousands of additional U.S. troops. 

 

The document called increased war spending, in light of the ongoing U.S. economic crisis, an “utter folly” and named the war “a war against ordinary people, both here in the United States and in Afghanistan,” which “if continued, will result in the deaths of hundreds if not thousands of U.S. troops and untold thousands of Afghans” and “cause other people in other lands to despise the U.S.” as “the world’s richest nation making war on one of the world’s very poorest.”

 

The signatories pledged “to keep opposing this war in every nonviolent way possible.  We will urge elected representatives to cut all funding for war. Some of us will be led to withhold our taxes, practice civil resistance, and promote slowdowns and strikes at schools and workplaces.”

 

Signed by veterans and peace activists and religious leaders the document represents one of the most widespread antiwar coalitions in decades, including many of the organizations which, in 2003, brought millions onto the streets to oppose the U.S.-Iraq war.

Signers to the letter are urging their colleagues to participate in local demonstrations the day after an announcement of troop escalations is made.

 

The letter ends by warning President Obama, “we will do everything in our power, as nonviolent peace activists, to build the kind of massive movement -- which today represents the sentiments of a majority of the American people – that will play a key role in ending U.S. war in Afghanistan.  Such is the folly of your decision and such is the depth of our opposition to the death and suffering it will cause.”

 ###

 

---

 

President Barack Obama

The White House

Washington, D.C.

 

November 30, 2009

 

Dear President Obama,

 

With millions of U.S. people feeling the fear and desperation of no longer having a home; with millions feeling the terror and loss of dignity that comes with unemployment; with millions of our children slipping further into poverty and hunger, your decision to deploy thousands more troops and throw hundreds of billions more dollars into prolonging the profoundly tragic war in Afghanistan strikes us as utter folly. We believe this decision represents a war against ordinary people, both here in the United States and in Afghanistan.  The war in Afghanistan, if continued, will result in the deaths of hundreds if not thousands of U.S. troops, and untold thousands of Afghans.

 

Polls indicate that a majority of those who labored with so much hope to elect you as president now fear that you will make a wrong decision -- a tragic decision that will destroy their dreams for America. More tragic is the price of your decision. It will be paid with the blood, suffering and broken hearts of our young troops, their loved ones and an even greater number of Afghan men, women and children.

 

The U.S. military claims that this war must be fought to protect U.S. national security, but we believe it is being waged to expand U.S. empire in the interests of oil and pipeline companies.

 

Your decision to escalate U.S. troops and continue the occupation will cause other people in other lands to despise the U.S. as a menacing military power that violates international law. Keep in mind that to most of the peoples of the world, widening the war in Afghanistan will look exactly like what it is: the world's richest nation making war on one of the world's very poorest.

 

The war must be ended now. Humanitarian aid programs should address the deep poverty that has always been a part of the life of Afghan people.

 

We will keep opposing this war in every nonviolent way possible. We will urge elected representatives to cut all funding for war. Some of us will be led to withhold our taxes, practice civil resistance, and promote slowdowns and strikes at schools and workplaces.

 

In short, President Obama, we will do everything in our power, as nonviolent peace activists, to build the kind of massive movement --which today represents the sentiments of a majority of the American people--that will play a key role in ending U.S. war in Afghanistan.

 

Such would be the folly of a decision to escalate troop deployment and such is the depth of our opposition to the death and suffering it would cause.

 

 

Sincerely, (Signers names listed in alphabetical order)

 

Jack Amoureux, Executive Committee

Military Families Speak Out

 

Michael Baxter

Catholic Peace Fellowship

 

Medea Benjamin, Co-founder

Global Exchange

 

Frida Berrigan

Witness Against Torture

 

Imam Mahdi Bray, Executive Director

Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation

 

Elaine Brower

World Can’t Wait

 

Leslie Cagan, Co-Founder

United for Peace and Justice

 

Tom Cornell

Catholic Peace Fellowship

 

Matt Daloisio

War Resisters League

 

Marie Dennis, Director

Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns

 

Robby Diesu

Our Spring Break

 

Pat Elder, Co-coordinator

National Network Opposing Militarization of Youth

 

Mike Ferner, President

Veterans For Peace

 

Joy First, Convener

National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance

 

Sara Flounders, Co-Director

International Action Center

 

Sunil Freeman

ANSWER Coalition, Washington, D.C.

 

Diana Gibson, Coordinator

Multifaith Voices for Peace and Justice

 

Jerry Gordon, Co-Coordinator

National Assembly To End Iraq and Afghanistan Wars and Occupation

 

Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb

Shomer Shalom Network for Jewish Nonviolence

 

David Hartsough

Peaceworkers San Francisco

 

Mike Hearington, Steering Committee

Georgia Peace and Justice Coalition, Atlanta

 

Larry Holmes, Coordinator

Troops Out Now Coalition

 

Mark C. Johnson, Ph.D., Executive Director

Fellowship of Reconciliation

 

Hany Khalil

War Times

 

Kathy Kelly, Co-Coordinator

Voices for Creative Nonviolence

 

Leslie Kielson , Co-Chair

United for Peace and Justice

 

Malachy Kilbride

National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance

 

Adele Kubein, Executive Committee

Military Families Speak Out

 

Jeff Mackler, Co-Coordinator

National Assembly to End Iraq and Afghanistan Wars and Occupations

 

Kevin Martin, Exec. Director

Peace Action

 

Imam Abdul Malik Mujahid, Chair-Elect

World Parliament of Religion

 

Michael T. McPhearson, Executive Director

Veterans For Peace

 

Gael Murphy, Co-founder

Code Pink

 

Michael Nagler, Founder

Metta Center for Nonviolence

 

Max Obuszewski, Director

Baltimore Nonviolence Center

 

Pete Perry

Peace of the Action

 

Dave Robinson, Executive

Director Pax Christi USA

 

Terry Rockefeller

September 11th Families For Peaceful Tomorrows

 

Samina Sundas, Founding Executive Director

American Muslim Voice

 

David Swanson

AfterDowningStreet.org

 

Carmen Trotta

Catholic Worker

 

Nancy Tsou, Coordinator

Rockland Coalition for Peace and Justice

 

Jose Vasquez, Executive Director

Iraq Veterans Against the War

 

Kevin Zeese

Voters for Peace

 

 

 

#   #   #   #

 

 

 

__.

From: SF-8 case <cdhrsupport@...>

Date: November 29, 2009 2:28:22 PM PST

To: Recipient list suppressed:;

Subject: [Freethe SF8] Francisco Torres - Come to court for the SF8 - Thursday 12/3

Reply-To: FreetheSF8@...

Francisco Torres has a court date scheduled Thursday, 12/3 at 9am, 850 Bryant Street.

It is expected that a date will be set to hear the motion to dismiss charges against Cisco Torres as well as a date for the preliminary hearing.

Cisco may or may not be  present, but it is important that we be a presence for every court date to show that we are watching and that community support is powerful. 

DROP THE CHARGES AGAINST THE SF 8 - Dismiss the case against Cisco Torres
 
Sign the Open Letter at www.freethesf8.org

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Please support these brothers by sending a donation. Make checks payable to CDHR/Agape and mail to the address below or donate on line:

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FreetheSF8@...

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Hi Dorinda and whomever else gets this reply, a few things to consider, or as it is said 'food for thought'

there are so many disturbing aspects to this 'debate':
1. 'it is a Federal crime'
no, it is not, it is a civil violation, kind of an 'administrative offense'
2. 'the illegals come here to take advantage of what the US has to offer',
while this is factually correct, it fails to consider that in the first place, the US Corporatist * (Fascist) State, aided and abetted the implementation of economic and political policies in all of Latinamerica which disrupted/destroyed economies, political and legislative systems in these countries and as a result, millions of people were forced to emigrate for basic survival reasons, in addition, the regressive anti-immigrant forces, fail to consider that most likely themselves are also culpable by at least omission and/or dereliction of duty because they actively voted/supported the people who were actually causing the US Citizens and the people of other countries economic hardship and, or, harm.
3. 'no education for the children of 'illegals' (God! How I hate that word)
there is a 76% chance that people who advocate point #3, identify themselves as christian (Yes, small 'c'), for, how can they proclaim adherence to Christian Doctrine and yet are eager to 'visit the sins of the parents onto their children?', besides trite and mostly-not-followed-religious-doctrine, how about basic human fairness and compassion?
4. a blatant distinction is made between undocumented immigrants of color other than white, for, how come we don't see the regressive demonizing (sic) or dehumanizing the white undocumented immigrants?
Not too long ago, Irish people in pro-legalization demonstrations were waving Irish Flags and signs which read 'legalize the Irish', how come not a beep was heard about that? Whereas in comparison, just imagine Mexicans or other Latinamericans waving signs which read 'legalize the Mexicans' or other Latinamerican Nationalities?

And that is just to start, but I give a strong warning to you, the regressive, unless you consider and are willing to overhaul all of the factors involved with the mass movement/displacement of people, you will be facing this dilemma till doomsday comes, and it will come, mark my words, you can push the masses only to a point and for as long as that people have something to lose besides their lives, when that day comes, and it will if you continue with your obtuse way of thinking and acting, it will be time for you to 'pay the piper', History show that.

Therefore, so many of us advocate for a comprehensive immigration reform, one that will, hopefully, consider all the aspects of this issue in a fair, equitable and humane manner.

One more thing to consider, the least of what the US wants, is to have countries in this hemisphere struggling economically, most of them are already under that situation, send all of the undocumented immigrants in mass and guess  what will be the impact on these already economically fragile and some in desperate economic strife already.

My $0.02

Aurora



"Tolerance is the presumption of superiority, acceptance is a manifestation of love"
-- Aurora

http://elrinconcitodeaurora.blogspot.com/
http://hladc-sf.blogspot.com/

----- Original Message -----
From: "dorinda moreno" <fuerzamundial@...>

To: ObamaBrigade@yahoogroups.com, "Jr. Curtis" <cckeyes@...>, "Progressives4Obama" <progressivesforobama@yahoogroups.com>, "Nitty Gritty" <grassroots4obama@yahoogroups.com>, "Local/National/Global" <Community4ImmigrantRights@yahoogroups.com>, "Immigrant Solidarity Network" <isn@...>, "National Alliance Immigration Rights Coordinating Committee" <NAIR_CC@googlegroups.com>
Cc: "Justin DeCastro" <justindecastro@...>, "Enrique Morones" <enriquemorones@...>, "jmurguia" <jmurguia@...>, "Donald Bahlinger" <donald@...>, "Carol Barrick" <cfbarrick@...>, "Aurora" <cihuamexica@...>, "Governor Bill Richardson" <nmgov@...>
Sent: Saturday, November 28, 2009 3:55:32 PM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific
Subject: response and exchange: [ObamaBrigade] ** SFGate: Group's leader urges  new strategy on immigrant rights

peggy, you have the right to your opinion and i have the right to differ, but neither you nor i are the last word on this, yet there is an entire grouping of people and their supporters including members of congress (luis gutierrez), civil rights organizations, and churches who will continue lobbying till every last undocumented person here is afforded the human rights deserved by a comprehensive immigration rights approval that was promised, and we shall get that-- even against the blocking of all aligning with the rest of the haters on this issue. respectfully taking a position to differ. and thanks for stating your true feelings on this very important issue for the obama candidacy, it is good to learn the position on this issue of anyone asserting leadership or as an 'opinion maker' obviuosly, this is an item that requires the most astute of negotiation and you like everyone who is an obama supporter keeping close observation on where this issue takes us, and guiding this dialogue towards a humane and peaceful resolve.

all i can say to all obama supporters is that it behooves the obama campaign(ers) to work with the latino community or lose this necessary support, as we are as american as the most privileged and it is imperative becoming aware of this sensitive issue or be aware in taking positions that become the wedge in the obama camp. obviously, it is necessary to demonstrate our best thinking for the next election not more privilege or prejudice by those who benefit by the labor of all people of color here legally or illegally-- firstly of all who contribute putting the food on the table of every individuals kitchens, and take on a demeanor that alienates people of color. it is a mistake to deem all undocumented as either 'illegal' or 'terrorists'.

dorinda

On 11/28/09, Peggy Capwell  wrote:

 

I'm sorry, Dorinda and Justin, but I feel the undocumented in this country have no right to anything but emergency healthcare.  I would even like to make so-called "anchor" babies of undocumented parents also unqualified for citizenship until majority or until the standard for citizenship of the parents is met.  Then the citizenship of the minor would be determined by existing laws.   I am not in favor of contributing to the education of any person residing in the U.S. until they are properly documented.    However, even though I'm personally in favor of marriage and all marital rights of gays and lesbians, which is a state level policy, I believe that question also has to be relegated to the state. --- On Sat, 11/28/09, dorinda moreno <fuerzamundial@...> wrote: From: dorinda moreno <fuerzamundial@...> Subject: [ObamaBrigade] ** SFGate: Group's leader urges new strategy on immigrant rights To: "Nitty Gritty" <grassroots4obama@yahoogroups.com>, "Progressives4Obama" <progressivesforobama@yahoogroups.com>, "ObamaBrigade" <ObamaBrigade@yahoogroups.com>, "marcha-migrante-iv" <marcha-migrante-iv@googlegroups.com>, "Local/National/Global" <Community4ImmigrantRights@yahoogroups.com> Date: Saturday, November 28, 2009, 11:24 AM   thanks justin On 11/28/09, Justin DeCastro The original article can be found on SFGate.com here: http://www.sfgate. com/cgi-bin/ article.cgi? file=/c/a/ 2009/11/27/ MNGA1AIT0V. DTL  ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --- Friday, November 27, 2009 (SF Chronicle) Group's leader urges new strategy on immigrant rights Bob Egelko, Chronicle Staff Writer   The new leader of the nation's largest Latino legal advocacy organization says immigrants' rights forces should focus on modest gains - such as the right to an education for the undocumented, and the right of lesbians and gays to sponsor partners as immigrants - if Congress doesn't overhaul the immigration system by early 2010.   "I think we've waited long enough. It's time for some down payments," Thomas Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, said in an interview during a visit to San Francisco.   Saenz took the job in August after the Obama administration, under pressure from conservatives who saw him as too friendly to undocumented immigrants, withdrew an offer to nominate him as head of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division.   He said MALDEF's top priority is still comprehensive immigration legislation that would offer a path to legalization, with a waiting period and minimal fines or penalties, to the millions of "undocumented immigrants who have been contributing to society." Debate 'coarsened'   But Saenz said he is not optimistic about passage of such a measure in an election year.   The immigration debate "has been coarsened," and President Obama is apparently trying to avoid controversy, Saenz said. He cited Obama's support for a provision in the health care bill sponsored by Senate Democratic leaders that would prohibit illegal immigrants from using their own money to buy coverage in government-backed insurance exchanges.   That restriction is not contained in the House bill, which would bar illegal immigrants from using government subsidies to buy insurance through the exchanges but would let them make the purchases with their own money.   "There seems to be a perception that (immigration) is somehow the third rail of politics," Saenz said. He said immigrants' rights supporters have de-emphasized some lesser measures while concentrating on their main goal, and might be wise to refocus on those measures in the coming year. Others want to fight   Not all advocates agree.   "The environment, the way we've seen it ... makes us increasingly confident that we're going to see comprehensive immigration reform," said Ali Noorani, executive director of the National Immigration Forum. The Obama administration, he said, has "underestimated political support for immigrants," as shown in the health bill that the House approved Nov. 7.   "Instead of a down payment, we should be talking about a major investment," Noorani said.   The Obama administration expects Congress to start moving on a comprehensive immigration measure, including legalization, in early 2010, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said in a Nov. 13 speech. Saenz said this week that he was encouraged by Napolitano's comments but "they do not change my position that we need legislation now."   The measures that Saenz wants MALDEF and its allies to promote in 2010 would:   -- Allow children who entered the United States illegally, and later graduated from high school, to earn legal residence by obtaining a college degree or serving in the armed forces.   -- Allow undocumented farm workers to qualify for legal residence with five to seven years of agricultural employment.   -- Allow lesbians and gays to sponsor their partners for immigration as family members, just as other U.S. citizens and legal residents can now sponsor their spouses or close relatives.   -- Prohibit state and local governments from passing immigration laws that are more restrictive than federal law, such as an Arizona statute requiring employers to verify their workers' immigration status. That law is now before the U.S. Supreme Court. Backs sanctuary laws   "We should have one uniform nationwide policy (on immigration penalties)," Saenz said. He said cities such as San Francisco should be free to establish more generous policies through sanctuary laws that discourage authorities from reporting suspected illegal immigrants to federal authorities.   MALDEF, a nonprofit founded in 1968, was based in San Francisco until 1986, when it moved to Los Angeles. Saenz, 43, was a lawyer with the fund from 1993 until 2005, when he left to become chief counsel to Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.   While with the organization, he argued the lawsuit that overturned Proposition 187, the 1994 initiative that would have eliminated public services to illegal immigrants.   He also represented day laborers fighting local restrictions on soliciting work, and unsuccessfully challenged a 1998 initiative that virtually outlawed bilingual education. Conservative backlash   Attorney General-designate Eric Holder offered him the Civil Rights Division job in January, but told him two months later that the administration had decided not to nominate him, Saenz said.   Some anti-immigration groups labeled Saenz an extremist and an "open-borders advocate." But Saenz said the focus of the backlash, which followed Justice Department leaks of the prospective appointment, was his MALDEF work, particularly the Prop. 187 suit.   He said Holder told him he could probably win Senate confirmation, but "at too high of a cost to the administration, the department and to me."   Although the Obama administration has taken some courageous stands on other issues, Saenz said, in his case, "I wish they had shown more backbone." E-mail Bob Egelko at begelko@sfchronicle .com. ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---- Copyright 2009 SF Chronicle --               JUSTIN DeCASTRO           justindecastro@ gmail.com        Live & Let Live! Love & Let Love! --

On 11/26/09, Gil Chavez <barrioguy@...> wrote:

 Personal message:

FYI.
Immigration reform activists diversifying ranks - Yahoo! News
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091126/ap_on_bi_ge/us_immigration_other_voices

Immigration reform activists diversifying ranks

By SUZANNE GAMBOA, Associated Press Writer Suzanne Gamboa, Associated Press Writer Thu Nov 26, 6:44 pm ET

WASHINGTON – Beyond the noisy town hall meetings, Tea Party protests and sky-is-falling speeches characterizing much of the health care debate is a less visible, but no less intense push to broaden the face of the immigration reform movement.

With the 2010 election year looming, Democrat Barack Obama in the White House and increasing numbers of Asian-American and Pacific Islanders in Congress, many groups, including the NAACP, are working harder in the traditionally Latino-led movement, sensing a fresh opportunity to overhaul laws affecting millions of immigrants, both legal and illegal.

"For far too long, the Latino population in the U.S. has really borne the brunt of the anti-immigrant sentiment," said Rep. Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y. Washington NAACP bureau director Hillary Shelton said: "The immigration debate needs to have, in addition to a Latino face, it needs to have a Haitian face. It needs to have an Asian face."

Unquestionably, the immigration issue is a temperature's-rising matter; opinions are strong, in some cases ranging to demands to close the borders. And no small part of the renewed impetus for revamping the system are the increasing immigrant crackdowns.

Against this backdrop, the collection of voices clamoring for overhaul is expanding — Caribbean-Americans, evangelical churches, labor unions and law enforcement, besides the NAACP. And businesses, too, are becoming increasingly active.

"It's a Godsend," said Arturo Vargas executive director of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials. "We have been trying to make the argument, unsuccessfully in many respects, that immigration is not just a Latino issue because others are affected — Asians, Russians, Africans ... At it's core, this is about the future viability of this country."

The immigration reform movement hasn't been devoid of diversity over the years, however.

Catholic, Jewish, Lutheran, Christian and other churches and faiths have been active leaders. In 2006 and 2007, people wearing T-shirts emblazoned with "Legalize The Irish" in green letters were common sights around the U.S. Capitol. Even immigration groups in Caribbean American communities have participated.

But because the overwhelming majority of immigrants are coming from Mexico and Latin America, the push for a path to citizenship for the estimated 12 million undocumented has been led largely by Latinos. It was mostly Latino immigrants who turned out for the 2006 marches against immigration crackdowns, for instance. It was a massive showing, stoked in part by Spanish-language radio and television.

Thomas Saenz, president and general counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, has said he fully expects work on rewriting immigration law to begin in Congress next year. But he also said Congress may have to deal with it on a piecemeal approach if Democratic leaders delay because of the elections and a hostile political climate.

For his part, Obama said in September he believed that remaking immigration policy would be difficult, "but I think we can get it done." But he has not suggested a timetable.

Meanwhile, proponents of immigration reform are stepping efforts to expand their ranks, and present a more diversified face at the same time.

Part of the problem is that black and Latino communities have divided in the past over illegal immigration reform. There has been friction — and in some communities continues to be — over whether illegal immigrants take jobs from black Americans.

But Clarke, a second-generation American whose parents immigrated from Jamaica and the West Indies, said many in the black community, which includes many African, Caribbean and black Latino communities, realize that ignoring the immigration reform movement means giving up the chance to ensure that the unique problems of black immigrants are addressed.

California Democratic Rep. Mike Honda, a Japanese American, said he wants to make sure reforms address the long waiting periods that Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders face to get visas to legally enter the country and to help lesbian/gay/bisexual and transgender communities have equal chances to bring their loved ones to this country.

"We are being asked to lead. At 29 members strong, we are weighing in with newfound force to ensure Asian American/Pacific Islanders are included in immigration reform," Honda said.

"No longer will we be silent on issues of immigration reform," Bishop Orlando Findlayter, head of Churches United to Save and Heal, a coalition of Carribean-American clergy, said last month. A few moments later, about 100 ministers, pastors and others crossed Independence Avenue in Washington to join him in lobbying members for immigration changes.

The increased intensity behind the movement has been palpable, with many faces and organizations pitching. Activism is on the rise.

_Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., led immigration reform meetings in various churches. And more than 60,000 people attended "house parties" this month and listened in on a conference call with Gutierrez and other members of Congress.

_Lennox Abrigo, pastor of Seventh-Day New Covenant Church in Hyattsville, Md., said the pastors have a Dec. 2 meeting at the White House. He said they have seen increases in immigrants in their congregations and increases in the problems faced by those in the country both legally and illegally.

"Members in our church have been deported ... Families are disrupted. We have families broken up just like it was done in the period of slavery," Abrigo said.

_The National Council of Evangelicals, representing 40 denominations including the Assemblies of God and Church of the Nazarene, recently issued a resolution backing immigration reform.

 

_,__

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Thanksgiving 2009 Paul Mann Rebel Autonomous Zapatista School Lucio Cabañas, Chiapas, Mexico Planet Earth

Dear Dorinda, (Transducción esta en proceso – haz clic para verlo)

It is a bountiful and sweet harvest season here in Chiapas, Mexico; yet I'm having difficulty feeling thankful on this peculiar U.S. holiday.

Seeds of every size and shape and color have matured here in the misty mountains and steamy jungles of the Mexican southeast. A few of these seeds were sown intentionally, but most have found their own way in life - overcoming great obstacles to survive and reproduce. Most of these seeds are life-giving offering sweet nourishment to every kind of life, but a few are neither life-giving nor sweet.

There are many signs that another harvest, a uniquely bitter and difficult harvest, is also on the horizon.

In their handcrafted, organic fields on lands won in rebellion twenty years ago, small Mayan farmers spend Thanksgiving Day 2009 harvesting millions of grains of corn. Without chemical fertilizers or pesticides these Zapatista fields also produce billions of rebel seeds whose fading flowers, weedy branches, and robust seeds celebrate life and resistance by encircling and dancing around every carefully sown corn plant. Life is everywhere and there's sufficient food for another year.

However I'm still having trouble feeling thankful for this sweet harvest; my fear of that other harvest is blocking these positive feelings.

Bitter seeds are maturing here in Mexico. For too long the rich and powerful have indiscriminately sown seeds of injustice, seeds of inequality, seeds of violence. Another harvest is coming and I fear that harvest. Yet my spirit calms as I ramble through these community corn fields, struggling to photograph the color and diversity of non-conformist weeds and towering brown corn plants.

A group of Zapatista students race by and their raucous laughter upsets my artistic musing. Yet I too find myself laughing, marveling at the energy and audaciousness of these kids who have grown up with rebellion their entire lives. Suddenly, I see the millions of brilliantly colored corn seeds being harvested here in Lucio Cabañas feeding these kids – bright yellow fuel for Zapatista education, health, ecology programs; this image is joined by bright flower-faces of friends' from around the world who support freedom-loving education in Chiapas.

And finally, I flash upon a scene during the bitter harvest when multitudes of multicolored, flowery people dance beside “Los de Abajo / The Underdogs” and join together in cries of “Ya Basta / Enough is Enough”. The birthing of a new world here in Mexico is certain to be difficult – even painful; however there is a season under heaven for all things and what has been sown will be reaped.

I sense that life is powerful and resistant; that we rebels will stand together; and that our Mother Earth will survive. Somewhere within this jumble of perceptions I find my own convoluted path towards feeling thankful.

Por y para los niños y las niñas,

Pedro Café aka Peter Brown pedrocafe@...

ps. Thanks for reading my Thanksgiving note. We'll soon be sending you detailed reports from our Chiapas travels along with photos of many new craft items produced in Zapatista communities and available online “The Market of the Others”. Now more than ever your support is vital ~ Hasta la Victoria, ZAPATISTA!

pps. We strongly urge those interested in news from the progressive movement in Mexico to check out the new multilingual web site entitled desinformémonos.org. info@... info@...

---

Escuelas para Chiapas / Schools for Chiapas' principal offices are located in Oventic, Sakamch'en de los Pobres, Chiapas, Mexico. We support the educational programs of the autonomous, indigenous communities of Chiapas, Mexico including school studies, health trainings, ecological investigations, and education supporting "Fairer Trade" commercial programs. Click here to visit our online store of Zapatista products. Escuelas para Chiapas / Schools for Chiapas is a project of Grass Roots Events, Inc. a federal tax-exempt, 501(c)3 California not-for-profit corporation with a U.S. mailing address located at 1631 Dale Street, San Diego, CA 92102. Join us...you'll be in good company!

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Sent: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 3:30 PM

Subject: 11/29 Protest the Elections in Honduras!

Sun. Nov. 29, 11am-1pm Protest the Elections in Honduras at the Honduran Consulate, 870 Market St., near Powell, SF Stand in solidarity with the people of Honduras! Demand No Recognition of the Coup Regime and its Election! Support a Democratic Honduras! Sponsored by Bay Area Latin America Soldiarity Coalition of which the ANSWER Coalition is a member. Contact: balasc@..., call 415-821-6545 or visit http://BALASC.org for more info. A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition Act Now to Stop War & End Racism http://www.ANSWERcoalition.org http://www.answersf.org answer@... 2489 Mission St. Rm. 24 San Francisco: 415-821-6545 Make a tax-deductible donation to A.N.S.W.E.R. by credit card over a secure server, learn how to donate by check. Unsubscribe from this list - if you experience a problem please email answer@...

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