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Local Actions and Campaigns: Good Anti-War Calendars: Next BAUAW Meeting: |
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Friday, March 18, 2005
BAUAW NEWSLETTER-FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2005
*******************************************************
THE NEXT BAUAW MEETING:
SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 11:30AM
474 VALENCIA STREET, SF
(FIRST FLOOR, TO THE LEFT AND ALL THE WAY BACK
TO THE COMPAÑEROS DEL BARRIO CHILDREN'S CENTER)
*******************************************************
BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR PRESENTS
A PREMIERE FILM SHOWING OF:
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
One man, one camera. Two sides of a story
TONIGHT, MARCH 18TH, 6 P.M.
FOUR STAR TWIN
220 CLEMENT ST. NEAR 23RD AVENUE
SAN FRANCISCO
415-666-3488
(There will be a short question and answer period
at 7:30 P.M. immediately following the film.)
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED is a gripping documentary
by veteran British journalist Sean Langan. Langan gets
up close and personal accounts of the war from U.S.
and coalition soldiers, Iraqi resistance fighters, and
captures Abu Ghraib prison abuses long before the
torture reached the popular Press.
The most powerful statement of the film is the
depiction of the total devastation brought to Iraq
by this war. It is the constant backdrop to the interviews
in the film as is the almost universal hatred exhibited
by the Iraqi people toward any U.S. presence in Iraq-both
from those interviewed and from those included among
the rubble in the background scenes. This film's a must
for anyone thinking of joining the military or who is
unsure of what our government is doing there in our name.
************************************************************
CINEMA LIBRE STUDIO -
www.VOICESINWARTIME.org -
LANDMARK THEATRES -
GLOBAL EXCHANGE -
THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY GUARDIAN -
CORPWATCH -
BAY.AREA.UNITED.AGAINST.WAR
Invite you to join us for a special sneak preview of the
film "Voices in Wartime."
Wednesday, March 30, 2005, 7:30 p.m.
Landmark Lumiere Theatre
1572 California St (near Polk)
San Francisco, CA 94109
Please RSVP via e-mail to VIWSF@ebcoms.com by March 26, 2005.
Include your name and number of guests in the subject line e.g.
"Your Name + 1."
Please note: Screening is FREE. Seating is limited, based
on RSVPs received. If we are not able to accommodate you,
we will let you know by return email. Please bring a copy
of this invitation with you.
************************************************************
MILITARY RECRUITERS WILL BE AT THE CAREER FAIR AT
GEORGE WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL
600 32nd Avenue between Geary and Balboa Sts.
TUESDAY, APRIL 5TH, 9:50AM-12:20PM
Come to the BAUAW meeting April 2 and help plan ways to
keep the military out all the career fairs and out
of our schools!
SAT. APRIL 2, 11:30 a.m.
474 VALENCIA STREET, SF
(FIRST FLOOR, TO THE LEFT AND ALL THE WAY BACK
TO THE COMPAÑEROS DEL BARRIO CHILDREN'S CENTER)
************************************************************
[This is the full text of a statement only partially given by
Tim Tuomey, a veteran, to the Board of Education meeting
last evening, March 17th. He was allowed only a minute.
But the board members, mesmerized by his quiet voice and
the power of his words, were captivated and let him go on
for at least another minute before they realized his time
was up. They cut him off in mid sentence. He left me
a copy of his statement:
Gang Way of Life
Just because they are government employees doesn't
mean they are looking out for your kid's better half.
No, they will look at taking care of the government's
better half.
By Tim Tuomey
I refer to these recruiters as gang members and animals
because in 1987 a Marine gang member approached me.
He also sold me on a better way of life. He sold me on
how I can be high speed and low drag by enlisting and
taking Recon indoct. He also told me of these benefits
I would be eligible for after I'm done servicing his machine.
It's his machine that has left me with horrors I still cannot
comprehend. What lives inside me is a screaming
white-hot anger that has made me a social recluse.
I'm afraid of the anger that lives inside. Fifteen years
later I still deal with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
and the inability to sleep through the night.
But what he didn't highlight was how I will give up everything
I know and what is good in this world to trade it in for
a violent and very mean view of life. I'm not going to preach
to you today about the lies they weave to hit quota.
No, what I am asking you for today is to consider this...
imagine your child, grandson, daughter, neighbor's
kids-children. See the mold of clay waiting to become
a work of art.
They're good kids.
Kids you love.
Kids who love you.
Kids with such promise.
Kids who just need a better understanding of what's
out there.
A kid who could be the next doctor to come up with
the answer for cancer...O.K., ya got that...?
Now imagine this kid goes and joins the military.
Let's use the United States Marine Corps (USMC). What
is it that you think they teach them? The first teach them
how to defend the constitution from aggressors both
foreign and domestic. Not how to work on seven tons...or
build radar systems, or how to rebuild Harrier jet turbines.
Things they are promised by the recruiter. No! The job
of the military personal-ya know, the good kid-is to
defend the constitution and our way of life 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. That means
job 1 is to kill until the killin is done. How do you think
they teach a good kid to kill? Good kids don't know the
first thing about killing. It's why they're good kids.
So what do you do...brainwash them to do it. That's
what boot camp is for. That son and daughter will
become a sanction government 03-killer at the end of
12 weeks of boot camp. Have you ever lived with a killer?
Probably not. But my wife and parents have.
To this day my mom doesn't recognize me as the same
person who left in 1987. Her words, "What happened
to you over there? You left me a happy and carefree
kid who loved being around people. And now you
come back as a mean, hateful, angry animal who
hates people. Where is my child?"
"I don't know mom, you need to ask the recruiter."
And the beast came to feed on my innocents. When
he was done he left me with anger and memories
of horror.
I come here today to speak to your group about the
hijacking of your kids and your efforts to create
a better world.
Question: Would any of you allow gang-bangers to
roam freely in your school districts? Or allow the
local crack dealer to sell his junk on your playgrounds?
Then why would you let something more dangerous
in your schools? I have no problem with the ROTC
programs. This program does have valid merits which
extend to things like leadership, and understanding
the difference between right and wrong. My gripe is
not with this organization but instead with the
recruiter itself.
Question: Is it frustrating to watch hard-earned work
go down the drain?
You people are educators, right?
I would assume somewhere in your mission statement
you try to give students the RIGHT tools for them to
go out in the world so their lives will be fulfilling end
enjoyable, RIGHT?
THEN WHY WOULD YOU LET THESE GOVERNMENT
GANG MEMBERS IN YOUR SCHOOLS TO TRY AND
PREACH THERE?
************************************************************
Volunteers are needed for March 19th!
Show up March 19th at Dolores Park
or Civic Center at 9:00 a.m.
and sign up at the A.N.S.W.E.R. volunteer table.
Or contact A.N.S.W.E.R. OFFICE AT:
2489 Mission St. #24, 415-821-6545
Hello to members of United for Peace and Justice Bay Area,
On March 19 UPJ-Bay Area will be meeting at 10:30 a.m. on
18th and Dolores Streets before marching down to Civic Center.
We will be carrying panels of the faces of the victims of the
war-American soldiers and Iraqi civilians-and need your help
in carrying them to Civic Center where we will have a table.
Please send out this request to your listserv.
Thanks.
Jackie Barshak
for UPJ-Bay Area
415.308.9416
jackie barshak jbarshak@hotmail.com
************************************************************
Saturday, March 19
10AM at 16th and Mission St.
(the 16th Street BART station)
***
AT SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY, military recruiters
were forced to leave early without any recruits because of
the hundreds of students that came out to protest their
presence at the school!
This is not an isolated incident. Seattle, Chicago, New York,
Madison, Connecticut, Minnesota. In community colleges,
high schools, and universities around the nation, students,
faculty, and campus workers have come out to protest the
BLACKMAILING of education. As billions are being diverted
from schools to the war, our students are being told that
they need to die before they see a dime of it.
THIS IS DEAD WRONG.
As recruiters are failing to meet quotas for the first time
in a decade, despite more than tripling signing bonuses,
we need to rebuild the anti-war movement by fighting
against the war where it is weakest.
Join students, parents, teachers, military families, veterans,
community members, and activists on the second anniversary
of the war at the 16th Street BART station at 10AM to march
up to Dolores Park together.
Sponsored by the Campus Anti-War Network and the College
Not Combat Committee.
Money for Jobs and Education! Not for War and Occupation!
For more info please contact: ragina@mac.com / 415.412.4540
sue sandlin design | srsndln@pacbell.net
************************************************************
Stop the Eviction Picket !!!
When: Monday, March 21
Time: 5:00 PM
Where: 1353-57 Folsom (between 9th & 10th Streets)
Hi
This from the Tenants Union...hope you can all join us
Monday...expose the lie of SFSOS and Plan C about TICs,
come see the human cost of this form of "homeownership"
in SF....
tommi
The Scoop: Â Uldarico is a 70 year-old Filipino immigrant
who lives with his family in a three-unit building in SOMA.
The building houses over 20 people including seniors and
young children. All are facing eviction under the Ellis Act.
Uldarico worked for the state for years before retiring in 1999.
He and his wife, Lolita (67), have lived in the building since 1979.
Their children and young grandchildren live with them—three
generations residing together in affordable, rent-controlled
housing. Amparo and Romulo, 72 years old, reside in another
apartment in the building. Their son Hector works for a local
landscaper. Hector has lived in the apartment for over a decade.
His parents are retired. Maria, age 62, and her family live in the
building as well. Her son Ricardo is a tow truck driver in San
Francisco. They are immigrants from Mexico. The family has
lived in the apartment for over a deca de. Now their new
landlords, Alda and Joe Chan, are evicting all the tenants
under the Ellis Act.
Another Unjust Ellis Eviction Done Within Days of The
Landlord Buying The Building !!!!
Clearly, this is an eviction for speculation and conversion
of the buildingâ€"the Chan's bought the building
March 12, 2004 and decided to "go out of the business
of Being a landlord " 18 days later on March 30, when,
they served the tenants eviction notices under the state
Ellis Act. Supposedly, Ellis allows landlords to "get out of
the rental business." If the Chan's didn't want to be in the
rental business, why did they buy this apartment building??
Probably because they can evict the tenants here and get
a huge profit by converting the building to condos. This is
exactly the type of abuse of the Ellis Act that Assembly
Member Mark Leno is seeking to stop with his legislation
(Assembly Bill 781) requiring a landlord to own a building
for at least 5 years before they can use Ellis to evict all of
the tenants to "get out of the business" of being a landlord.
To download flyer, go to www.sftu.org .
************************************************************
EYES WIDE OPEN EXHIBIT
STILL NEEDS SHOES:
* Tie each pair together, or, if no laces, securely attach
them together.
* Count the pairs of shoes and place in heavy-duty
garbage bags. Attach a tag with the count on it.
* Shoes will be donated at the end of the exhibit.
Children's and men's shoes are especially needed.
* Call Nabil at 415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email
shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* Drop off shoes 9 am to 5 pm at AFSC, 65 Ninth St.
(between Mission and Market) until Thursday, March 24.
Last minute shoes may be brought to Civic Center Plaza
Friday, March 25. No shoes accepted after Friday.
* Collect phone cards for military personnel
We are also collecting telephone calling cards to donate to
military personnel and to returning Iraq war veterans in
a Bay Area hospital and the USOs at local airports. Please
purchase phone cards to donate with your shoes or bring
to the exhibit.
* To volunteer with the shoe project, call Nabil at
415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email
shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* To volunteer to help with the exhibit call AFSC at
415-565-0201 ext. 15 or email sleeds@afsc.org
SAN FRANCISCO DATES:
March 25 (Friday), 11:00 am with all night vigil
Civic Center between Polk and Larkin
March 26 (Saturday), 10:00 am to 5 pm
Civic Center Voices and Requiem - 2 pm
March 27 (Easter Sunday), 10:00 am to dusk
Union Square (Powell and Geary)
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation of Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People's Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
2) COMING TO THE BAY AREA SOON-POWERFUL ANTIWAR MOVIES
3) Iraqi War Veteran's Personal Journey of Conscience
Tuesday, March 22, 7:00 PM
Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church
55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek
Aidan Delgado, 23 year-old returned war veteran, relates the
personal journey of his deployment in Iraq at Abu Grhraib Prison,
and how he came to establish himself as a conscientious objector.
For more information call the Peace & Justice
Center 925/933-7850
4) Un-Volunteering: (LINK ONLY)
Troops Improvise to Find Way Out
By MONICA DAVEY
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/18/national/
18soldiers.html?hp&ex=1111208400&en=dba04a0271e65534&ei=5094&partner=h
omepage
5) TELL BUSH CONGRESS:HANDS OFF SOCIAL SECURITY!
STOP THE BUDGET CUTS!
FUND PEOPLE'S NEEDS - NOT WAR IN IRAQ!
SATURDAY, April 30, 2005
National People's Speak-Out in San Francisco with
Ramsey Clark and others
SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2005
National People's Speak-Out in Washington, DC
6) On March 31, the Selective Service (LINK ONLY)
System will report to President
Bush that it is ready to implement
a draft within 75 days. We have to
organize now to stop the draft
before it starts.
http://www.NoDraftNoWay.org
7) US Army seeks longer enlistments (LINK ONLY)
as recruitment falters
Posted 10:24pm (Mla time) Mar 17, 2005
By Maxim Kniazkov
Agence France-Presse
http://news.inq7.net/world/index.php?index=1&story_id=30824
8) Military Recruiters Target Campus Activists
Hadas Their and Katrina Yeaw
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation ˆ Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People‚s Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
[Volunteers are needed for March 19. Show up at Dolores Park
at 9:00am-or at the Civic Center at 9:00am and sign up at the
A.N.S.W.E.R. volunteer table or call the A.N.S.W.E.R. office
at 415-821-6545.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
2) BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR PRESENTS:
"Mission Accomplished" a brutally vivid documentary
filmed entirely on the ground in Iraq. The reality of this
war for American troops is contrasted to the
overwhelming reality of the devastation felt and experienced
by the people of Iraq.
"Mission Accomplished" will open Tonight, March 18th, 6pm:
The Four Star Twin
2200 Clement St. (near 23rd Ave.)
San Francisco, CA 94121
415.666.3488
CINEMA LIBRE STUDIO -
www.VOICESINWARTIME.org -
LANDMARK THEATRES -
GLOBAL EXCHANGE -
THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY GUARDIAN -
CORPWATCH -
BAY.AREA.UNITED.AGAINST.WAR
Invite you to join us for a special sneak preview of the
film "Voices in Wartime."
Wednesday, March 30, 2005, 7:30 p.m.
Landmark Lumiere Theatre
1572 California St (near Polk)
San Francisco, CA 94109
Please RSVP via e-mail to VIWSF@ebcoms.com by
March 26, 2005. Include your name and number of
guests in the subject line e.g. "Your Name + 1."
Please note: Screening is FREE. Seating is limited,
based on RSVPs received. If we are not able to
accommodate you, we will let you know by return
email. Please bring a copy of this invitation with you.
ABOUT THE FILM
==============
"Voices in Wartime" gives the gut-wrenching
experience of war a fresh perspective. It steps away
to look at all wars - not just the conflicts currently
in the news. The terrible beauty of poetry is its guide,
distilling the grim realities and complex emotions of
war. In addition soldiers, journalists, historians and
experts on combat are interviewed, adding diverse
perspectives on war's effects. History and literature
have shown that in times of war, poets can lead us
to greater truths and that the power of poetry can
help us understand the trauma, violence and death
caused by armed conflict.
EARLY REVIEWS
=============
"'Voices' is a compelling look at poets caught up
in the evils of war, with nowhere to hide but in the
solace of words. But these are not words to be locked
away. They are words to be shouted from the rooftop,
or better yet, from the movie screens of every town
in America.
The film relates a history of war poetry with
narratives that range from Sam Hamill 3-star
general William Lennox Jr., superintendant of
West Point.
This movie arrives just in time for the second
anniversary of "shock and awe". It may not be as
shocking, but actually, it's a lot more awesome." -
Karl Weyrauch, EZAAPP, from the Association of
American Physician Poets.
"A history of verse is laid alongside that of warfare,
and the ways in which they are braided together proves
fascinating." - Variety Magazine"
* * * * - Entertainment Insiders
www.VoicesInWartime.org
4509 Interlake Ave. N. #263 | Seattle, WA 98103-6782
www.CinemaLibreStudio.com
[This poem by fourth-grader Cameron Penny was read
by Marie Howe in this very beautiful film
directed by Rick King.
"If you are lucky in this life
A window will appear on a battlefield between two armies
And when the soldiers look into the window
They don't see their enemies
They see themselves as children
And they stop fighting
And go home and go to sleep
When they wake up, the land is well again."
By Cameron Penny]
Landmark
Lumiere 3
San Francisco
1572 California Street
50th St
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
3) Iraqi War Veteran's Personal Journey of Conscience
Tuesday, March 22, 7:00 PM
Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church
55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek
Aidan Delgado, 23 year-old returned war veteran, relates the
personal journey of his deployment in Iraq at Abu Grhraib Prison,
and how he came to establish himself as a conscientious objector.
For more information call the Peace & Justice Center
925/933-7850
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
4) Un-Volunteering: (LINK ONLY)
Troops Improvise to Find Way Out
By MONICA DAVEY
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/18/national/
18soldiers.html?hp&ex=1111208400&en=dba04a0271e65534&ei=5094&partner=h
omepage
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
5) TELL BUSH CONGRESS:HANDS OFF SOCIAL SECURITY!
STOP THE BUDGET CUTS!
FUND PEOPLE'S NEEDS - NOT WAR IN IRAQ!
SATURDAY, April 30, 2005
National People's Speak-Out in San Francisco with
Ramsey Clark and others
SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2005
National People's Speak-Out in Washington, DC
Thousands will demonstrate on March 19/20. The movement
is expanding. The A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition Action Plan includes
merging the struggle against endless war with resistance and
opposition to Bush's assault on Social Security, social programs,
unions and working people's rights at home. Please see below
for the next step after March 19/20, as well as an update on
demonstrations taking place this weekend across the country.
TELL BUSH CONGRESS:HANDS OFF SOCIAL SECURITY!
STOP THE BUDGET CUTS!
FUND PEOPLE'S NEEDS - NOT WAR IN IRAQ!
SATURDAY, April 30, 2005
National People's Speak-Out in San Francisco
with Ramsey Clark and others
SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2005
National People's Speak-Out in Washington, DC
Bush has launched a taxpayer funded campaign, complete
with a strategizing "war room," to push through his plan
to privatize Social Security. Bush and his corporate advisors
are falsely crying "crisis" to scare younger workers into
accepting "reforms." What is really going on is a scheme
to channel hundreds of billions of dollars to the big Wall
Street banks and investment firms at our expense. Currently
Bush is on a 60-day, 60-city tour to convince people around
the country to support his plan to destroy this vital social
program.
The Bush administration intends to slash virtually all
remaining social services, including Social Security, to
fund unlimited war and occupation in Iraq, Palestine,
Afghanistan, Haiti and more. They continue to spend
more than $200 million a day on the war in Iraq, while
targeting over 150 vital health, housing, education and
jobs programs for complete elimination in this year's
budget. The impact would be devastating for millions
of people, and we must stop them in their tracks.
Here's what you can do:
1) If you are organizing or attending a March 19/20
Event, help spread the word about the campaign to
defend social security, stop the budget cuts, and fund
people's needs - not war.
For downloadable flyers and fact sheets, click here:
http://www.pephost.org/downloads
2) You can endorse the call to say "Hands Off Our Social
Security! Fund People's Needs, Not War in Iraq!" Endorsements
from organizations and individuals are welcome. To
endorse, click here:
http://www.pephost.org/May7Endorse
3) Organize or join the protests in every city of Bush's
"Destroy Social Security" tour. The AFL-CIO and other
organizations are mobilizing protesters, young and old,
to meet Bush and say "Hands Off Social Security!" A.N.S.W.E.R.
calls the antiwar movement and all activists to join these
demonstrations and connect the issue of Iraq and militarism
with the fight to defend Social Security and to defeat the Bush
budget cuts. If Bush is coming to your city, contact our National
Office in Washington DC at 202-544-3389.
4) Contact us to find a Speak-Out near you or for assistance
and resources to organize your own action. Fact sheets and
other materials can be downloaded from our website at
www.ANSWERcoalition.org .
Fill out the Event Listing form to help spread the word
about your action:
http://www.pephost.org/A30M6SpeakOut
5) Come to the National People's Speak-Out in San Francisco
on Saturday April 30 at Mission High School at 3750 18th St.
at 7:00 pm. On May 7 in Washington, DC we will stand together
at Bush's doorstep to say "Hands Off Our Social Security! Fund
People's Needs, Not War in Iraq!" Join us! Call us at 415-821-6545
or email answer@actionsf.org
if you are organizing a bus, car pool, or transportation to
San Francisco on April 30 from your area.
HELP SPREAD THE WORD!
Downloadable PDF flyers and fact sheets:
http://www.pephost.org/downloads
Downloadable PDF flyer for San Francisco April 30 National
People's Speak out:
http://www.actionsf.org/images/pdf-files/ssflyer.pdf
MARCH 19/20 GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION:
Nearly 600 actions in every U.S. state!
On March 19/20, actions will take place in hundreds of cities
across the U.S. and around the world as part of the Global
Day of Action on the second anniversary of the "shock and
awe" invasion of Iraq.
* View the list of actions (updated daily):
http://www.pephost.org/m19actions
* Fill out the Event Listing form for your event:
http://www.pephost.org/M19event
* Show your support for the March 19/20 Global Day of Action:
http://www.pephost.org/M1920endorse
If you are organizing or attending a March 19/20 Event, help
spread the word about the campaign to defend social security,
stop the budget cuts, and fund people's needs - not war.
For downloadable flyers and fact sheets, click here:
http://www.pephost.org/downloads
This week:
STUDENTS YOUTH MOBILIZE AGAINST WAR RACISM
The Students Youth Week of Resistance initiated by The
Global Resistance Network and Youth Student A.N.S.W.E.R.
is taking place this week!
* View a list of events taking place across the country:
http://www.pephost.org/youthm1418events
FUNDS ARE URGENTLY NEEDED
Funds are urgently needed to help the antiwar movement
continue to get stronger. We can't do it without your help.
You can make a contribution through a secure server, where
you can also find information on how to contribute by check,
by clicking here:
http://www.pephost.org/ANSWERcontribute
A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition
Act Now to Stop War End Racism
www.ANSWERcoalition.org
answer@actionsf.org
National Office in Washington DC: 202-544-3389
New York City: 212-533-0417
Los Angeles: 323-464-1636
San Francisco: 415-821-6545
For media inquiries, call 415-821-6545
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
6) On March 31, the Selective Service (LINK ONLY)
System will report to President
Bush that it is ready to implement
a draft within 75 days. We have to
organize now to stop the draft
before it starts.
http://www.NoDraftNoWay.org
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
7) US Army seeks longer enlistments (LINK ONLY)
as recruitment falters
Posted 10:24pm (Mla time) Mar 17, 2005
By Maxim Kniazkov
Agence France-Presse
http://news.inq7.net/world/index.php?index=1&story_id=30824
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
8) Military Recruiters Target Campus Activists
Hadas Their and Katrina Yeaw
On Wednesday, March 9, I and two other students from the City College of
New York (CCNY), Justino Rodriguez and Nicholas Bergreen, were
brutalized and arrested by campus security guards for peacefully
protesting the presence of military recruiters at CCNY's "career fair."
We were charged with misdemeanor counts of assaulting an officer,
resisting arrest, and disturbing the peace, among other things. Hospital
records from Mt. Sinai confirm that Bergreen and Rodriguez suffered
multiple contusions and post-concussion syndrome. Our court date is set
for April 5.
What was the reaction of CCNY's administration to these events? Without
so much as a phone call to see if we were alright, or to find out our
side of the story, Gregory H. Williams, the president of our college,
sent an email to the entire faculty and student body repeating the
allegations against us as if they were facts.
- (Read full)
- http://www.lefthook.org/Ground/Their031705.html
-
A Report on an Iraq Vet Speaking Out, and Some Reasons to be Optimistic
Derek Seidman
Over eighty students showed up to hear Iraq war veteran Patrick Resta
(Specialist E/4) speak at Brown University on Thursday, March 10th, and
about thirty people heard him speak the following night at the Cathedral
of St. John in Providence. Patrick returned from Iraq in November, 2004.
He is a member of Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) and has been
speaking out against the war and occupation for a several months. As he
said in a recent interview, "I will continue to speak out until the last
soldier leaves Iraq."
In his talks, Patrick tried to give the attendees an idea of what he
experienced in Iraq, to present the reality of the war and occupation
that the US media refuses to show. He had a slide show with pictures he
took from Iraq- pictures he originally never intended to show to anyone
other than friends and family.
- (Read full)
- http://www.lefthook.org/Ground/Seidman031705.html
-
Outsourcing Torture
Igor Volsky
Morality extends beyond the bedroom. Yet Americans are still focused on
the mating habits of their fellow citizens. When we have sex, with whom
we have sex and what results in the wake of that sex has preoccupied and
often outraged the public. On the contrary, America's direct
participation in humiliating, immoral and illegal prisoner abuse has
garnered only modest indignation. Popular media and Congressional
reactionaries have said relatively little of the moral implications of
such behavior.
- (Read full)
- http://www.lefthook.org/Politics/Volsky031705.html
-
Restarting the Anti-War Movement
Ralph Nader
Political movements require momentum, they need to consistently build
and aggregate. When they take a lengthy break from organizing and stop
the momentum it is difficult to re-start.
During the Vietnam War there was a consistent expansion of anti-war
efforts. Every year the movement built and grew. Anti-war activists did
not take breaks during election years. In fact, they targeted members of
both political parties for their support for the war. Indeed, their work
led to a sitting president, Lyndon Johnson; dropping out during the
primaries as it became evident the Vietnam War would destroy his chances
of re-election. This occurred even though Johnson was elected in what
was the largest landslide ever in his previous 1964 campaign. And when
that election year was over even Richard Nixon was pressured to announce
a withdrawal plan.
- (Read full)
- http://www.lefthook.org/Politics/Nader031705.html
-
Iraq and the United States Worse Off After Two Years of Occupation
Kevin B. Zeese
Both the United States and Iraq have had thousands of casualties as a
result of the U.S. occupation of Iraq, both countries are poorer, less
safe and less secure. The two year anniversary of the Iraq War should be
a time for facing up to the mistakes made and re-evaluation U.S.
occupation of Iraq.
In the last week I had the pleasure of interviewing an outspoken and
intelligent anti-war activist living in Baghdad, Ghazwan Al-Mukhtar.
Democracy Rising will be publishing his interview in the next week. As
we were exchanging emails one very basic point became evident: the
people in Iraq are clearly worse off today than they were under Saddam
Hussein. They are worse of economically, they are worse of politically
and they are less safe and less secure.
- (Read full)
- http://www.lefthook.org/Politics/Zeese031705.html
-
Marxism mailing list
Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu
http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/marxism
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
THE NEXT BAUAW MEETING:
SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 11:30AM
474 VALENCIA STREET, SF
(FIRST FLOOR, TO THE LEFT AND ALL THE WAY BACK
TO THE COMPAÑEROS DEL BARRIO CHILDREN'S CENTER)
*******************************************************
BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR PRESENTS
A PREMIERE FILM SHOWING OF:
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
One man, one camera. Two sides of a story
TONIGHT, MARCH 18TH, 6 P.M.
FOUR STAR TWIN
220 CLEMENT ST. NEAR 23RD AVENUE
SAN FRANCISCO
415-666-3488
(There will be a short question and answer period
at 7:30 P.M. immediately following the film.)
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED is a gripping documentary
by veteran British journalist Sean Langan. Langan gets
up close and personal accounts of the war from U.S.
and coalition soldiers, Iraqi resistance fighters, and
captures Abu Ghraib prison abuses long before the
torture reached the popular Press.
The most powerful statement of the film is the
depiction of the total devastation brought to Iraq
by this war. It is the constant backdrop to the interviews
in the film as is the almost universal hatred exhibited
by the Iraqi people toward any U.S. presence in Iraq-both
from those interviewed and from those included among
the rubble in the background scenes. This film's a must
for anyone thinking of joining the military or who is
unsure of what our government is doing there in our name.
************************************************************
CINEMA LIBRE STUDIO -
www.VOICESINWARTIME.org -
LANDMARK THEATRES -
GLOBAL EXCHANGE -
THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY GUARDIAN -
CORPWATCH -
BAY.AREA.UNITED.AGAINST.WAR
Invite you to join us for a special sneak preview of the
film "Voices in Wartime."
Wednesday, March 30, 2005, 7:30 p.m.
Landmark Lumiere Theatre
1572 California St (near Polk)
San Francisco, CA 94109
Please RSVP via e-mail to VIWSF@ebcoms.com by March 26, 2005.
Include your name and number of guests in the subject line e.g.
"Your Name + 1."
Please note: Screening is FREE. Seating is limited, based
on RSVPs received. If we are not able to accommodate you,
we will let you know by return email. Please bring a copy
of this invitation with you.
************************************************************
MILITARY RECRUITERS WILL BE AT THE CAREER FAIR AT
GEORGE WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL
600 32nd Avenue between Geary and Balboa Sts.
TUESDAY, APRIL 5TH, 9:50AM-12:20PM
Come to the BAUAW meeting April 2 and help plan ways to
keep the military out all the career fairs and out
of our schools!
SAT. APRIL 2, 11:30 a.m.
474 VALENCIA STREET, SF
(FIRST FLOOR, TO THE LEFT AND ALL THE WAY BACK
TO THE COMPAÑEROS DEL BARRIO CHILDREN'S CENTER)
************************************************************
[This is the full text of a statement only partially given by
Tim Tuomey, a veteran, to the Board of Education meeting
last evening, March 17th. He was allowed only a minute.
But the board members, mesmerized by his quiet voice and
the power of his words, were captivated and let him go on
for at least another minute before they realized his time
was up. They cut him off in mid sentence. He left me
a copy of his statement:
Gang Way of Life
Just because they are government employees doesn't
mean they are looking out for your kid's better half.
No, they will look at taking care of the government's
better half.
By Tim Tuomey
I refer to these recruiters as gang members and animals
because in 1987 a Marine gang member approached me.
He also sold me on a better way of life. He sold me on
how I can be high speed and low drag by enlisting and
taking Recon indoct. He also told me of these benefits
I would be eligible for after I'm done servicing his machine.
It's his machine that has left me with horrors I still cannot
comprehend. What lives inside me is a screaming
white-hot anger that has made me a social recluse.
I'm afraid of the anger that lives inside. Fifteen years
later I still deal with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
and the inability to sleep through the night.
But what he didn't highlight was how I will give up everything
I know and what is good in this world to trade it in for
a violent and very mean view of life. I'm not going to preach
to you today about the lies they weave to hit quota.
No, what I am asking you for today is to consider this...
imagine your child, grandson, daughter, neighbor's
kids-children. See the mold of clay waiting to become
a work of art.
They're good kids.
Kids you love.
Kids who love you.
Kids with such promise.
Kids who just need a better understanding of what's
out there.
A kid who could be the next doctor to come up with
the answer for cancer...O.K., ya got that...?
Now imagine this kid goes and joins the military.
Let's use the United States Marine Corps (USMC). What
is it that you think they teach them? The first teach them
how to defend the constitution from aggressors both
foreign and domestic. Not how to work on seven tons...or
build radar systems, or how to rebuild Harrier jet turbines.
Things they are promised by the recruiter. No! The job
of the military personal-ya know, the good kid-is to
defend the constitution and our way of life 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. That means
job 1 is to kill until the killin is done. How do you think
they teach a good kid to kill? Good kids don't know the
first thing about killing. It's why they're good kids.
So what do you do...brainwash them to do it. That's
what boot camp is for. That son and daughter will
become a sanction government 03-killer at the end of
12 weeks of boot camp. Have you ever lived with a killer?
Probably not. But my wife and parents have.
To this day my mom doesn't recognize me as the same
person who left in 1987. Her words, "What happened
to you over there? You left me a happy and carefree
kid who loved being around people. And now you
come back as a mean, hateful, angry animal who
hates people. Where is my child?"
"I don't know mom, you need to ask the recruiter."
And the beast came to feed on my innocents. When
he was done he left me with anger and memories
of horror.
I come here today to speak to your group about the
hijacking of your kids and your efforts to create
a better world.
Question: Would any of you allow gang-bangers to
roam freely in your school districts? Or allow the
local crack dealer to sell his junk on your playgrounds?
Then why would you let something more dangerous
in your schools? I have no problem with the ROTC
programs. This program does have valid merits which
extend to things like leadership, and understanding
the difference between right and wrong. My gripe is
not with this organization but instead with the
recruiter itself.
Question: Is it frustrating to watch hard-earned work
go down the drain?
You people are educators, right?
I would assume somewhere in your mission statement
you try to give students the RIGHT tools for them to
go out in the world so their lives will be fulfilling end
enjoyable, RIGHT?
THEN WHY WOULD YOU LET THESE GOVERNMENT
GANG MEMBERS IN YOUR SCHOOLS TO TRY AND
PREACH THERE?
************************************************************
Volunteers are needed for March 19th!
Show up March 19th at Dolores Park
or Civic Center at 9:00 a.m.
and sign up at the A.N.S.W.E.R. volunteer table.
Or contact A.N.S.W.E.R. OFFICE AT:
2489 Mission St. #24, 415-821-6545
Hello to members of United for Peace and Justice Bay Area,
On March 19 UPJ-Bay Area will be meeting at 10:30 a.m. on
18th and Dolores Streets before marching down to Civic Center.
We will be carrying panels of the faces of the victims of the
war-American soldiers and Iraqi civilians-and need your help
in carrying them to Civic Center where we will have a table.
Please send out this request to your listserv.
Thanks.
Jackie Barshak
for UPJ-Bay Area
415.308.9416
jackie barshak jbarshak@hotmail.com
************************************************************
Saturday, March 19
10AM at 16th and Mission St.
(the 16th Street BART station)
***
AT SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY, military recruiters
were forced to leave early without any recruits because of
the hundreds of students that came out to protest their
presence at the school!
This is not an isolated incident. Seattle, Chicago, New York,
Madison, Connecticut, Minnesota. In community colleges,
high schools, and universities around the nation, students,
faculty, and campus workers have come out to protest the
BLACKMAILING of education. As billions are being diverted
from schools to the war, our students are being told that
they need to die before they see a dime of it.
THIS IS DEAD WRONG.
As recruiters are failing to meet quotas for the first time
in a decade, despite more than tripling signing bonuses,
we need to rebuild the anti-war movement by fighting
against the war where it is weakest.
Join students, parents, teachers, military families, veterans,
community members, and activists on the second anniversary
of the war at the 16th Street BART station at 10AM to march
up to Dolores Park together.
Sponsored by the Campus Anti-War Network and the College
Not Combat Committee.
Money for Jobs and Education! Not for War and Occupation!
For more info please contact: ragina@mac.com / 415.412.4540
sue sandlin design | srsndln@pacbell.net
************************************************************
Stop the Eviction Picket !!!
When: Monday, March 21
Time: 5:00 PM
Where: 1353-57 Folsom (between 9th & 10th Streets)
Hi
This from the Tenants Union...hope you can all join us
Monday...expose the lie of SFSOS and Plan C about TICs,
come see the human cost of this form of "homeownership"
in SF....
tommi
The Scoop: Â Uldarico is a 70 year-old Filipino immigrant
who lives with his family in a three-unit building in SOMA.
The building houses over 20 people including seniors and
young children. All are facing eviction under the Ellis Act.
Uldarico worked for the state for years before retiring in 1999.
He and his wife, Lolita (67), have lived in the building since 1979.
Their children and young grandchildren live with them—three
generations residing together in affordable, rent-controlled
housing. Amparo and Romulo, 72 years old, reside in another
apartment in the building. Their son Hector works for a local
landscaper. Hector has lived in the apartment for over a decade.
His parents are retired. Maria, age 62, and her family live in the
building as well. Her son Ricardo is a tow truck driver in San
Francisco. They are immigrants from Mexico. The family has
lived in the apartment for over a deca de. Now their new
landlords, Alda and Joe Chan, are evicting all the tenants
under the Ellis Act.
Another Unjust Ellis Eviction Done Within Days of The
Landlord Buying The Building !!!!
Clearly, this is an eviction for speculation and conversion
of the buildingâ€"the Chan's bought the building
March 12, 2004 and decided to "go out of the business
of Being a landlord " 18 days later on March 30, when,
they served the tenants eviction notices under the state
Ellis Act. Supposedly, Ellis allows landlords to "get out of
the rental business." If the Chan's didn't want to be in the
rental business, why did they buy this apartment building??
Probably because they can evict the tenants here and get
a huge profit by converting the building to condos. This is
exactly the type of abuse of the Ellis Act that Assembly
Member Mark Leno is seeking to stop with his legislation
(Assembly Bill 781) requiring a landlord to own a building
for at least 5 years before they can use Ellis to evict all of
the tenants to "get out of the business" of being a landlord.
To download flyer, go to www.sftu.org .
************************************************************
EYES WIDE OPEN EXHIBIT
STILL NEEDS SHOES:
* Tie each pair together, or, if no laces, securely attach
them together.
* Count the pairs of shoes and place in heavy-duty
garbage bags. Attach a tag with the count on it.
* Shoes will be donated at the end of the exhibit.
Children's and men's shoes are especially needed.
* Call Nabil at 415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email
shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* Drop off shoes 9 am to 5 pm at AFSC, 65 Ninth St.
(between Mission and Market) until Thursday, March 24.
Last minute shoes may be brought to Civic Center Plaza
Friday, March 25. No shoes accepted after Friday.
* Collect phone cards for military personnel
We are also collecting telephone calling cards to donate to
military personnel and to returning Iraq war veterans in
a Bay Area hospital and the USOs at local airports. Please
purchase phone cards to donate with your shoes or bring
to the exhibit.
* To volunteer with the shoe project, call Nabil at
415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email
shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* To volunteer to help with the exhibit call AFSC at
415-565-0201 ext. 15 or email sleeds@afsc.org
SAN FRANCISCO DATES:
March 25 (Friday), 11:00 am with all night vigil
Civic Center between Polk and Larkin
March 26 (Saturday), 10:00 am to 5 pm
Civic Center Voices and Requiem - 2 pm
March 27 (Easter Sunday), 10:00 am to dusk
Union Square (Powell and Geary)
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation of Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People's Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
2) COMING TO THE BAY AREA SOON-POWERFUL ANTIWAR MOVIES
3) Iraqi War Veteran's Personal Journey of Conscience
Tuesday, March 22, 7:00 PM
Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church
55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek
Aidan Delgado, 23 year-old returned war veteran, relates the
personal journey of his deployment in Iraq at Abu Grhraib Prison,
and how he came to establish himself as a conscientious objector.
For more information call the Peace & Justice
Center 925/933-7850
4) Un-Volunteering: (LINK ONLY)
Troops Improvise to Find Way Out
By MONICA DAVEY
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/18/national/
18soldiers.html?hp&ex=1111208400&en=dba04a0271e65534&ei=5094&partner=h
omepage
5) TELL BUSH CONGRESS:HANDS OFF SOCIAL SECURITY!
STOP THE BUDGET CUTS!
FUND PEOPLE'S NEEDS - NOT WAR IN IRAQ!
SATURDAY, April 30, 2005
National People's Speak-Out in San Francisco with
Ramsey Clark and others
SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2005
National People's Speak-Out in Washington, DC
6) On March 31, the Selective Service (LINK ONLY)
System will report to President
Bush that it is ready to implement
a draft within 75 days. We have to
organize now to stop the draft
before it starts.
http://www.NoDraftNoWay.org
7) US Army seeks longer enlistments (LINK ONLY)
as recruitment falters
Posted 10:24pm (Mla time) Mar 17, 2005
By Maxim Kniazkov
Agence France-Presse
http://news.inq7.net/world/index.php?index=1&story_id=30824
8) Military Recruiters Target Campus Activists
Hadas Their and Katrina Yeaw
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation ˆ Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People‚s Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
[Volunteers are needed for March 19. Show up at Dolores Park
at 9:00am-or at the Civic Center at 9:00am and sign up at the
A.N.S.W.E.R. volunteer table or call the A.N.S.W.E.R. office
at 415-821-6545.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
2) BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR PRESENTS:
"Mission Accomplished" a brutally vivid documentary
filmed entirely on the ground in Iraq. The reality of this
war for American troops is contrasted to the
overwhelming reality of the devastation felt and experienced
by the people of Iraq.
"Mission Accomplished" will open Tonight, March 18th, 6pm:
The Four Star Twin
2200 Clement St. (near 23rd Ave.)
San Francisco, CA 94121
415.666.3488
CINEMA LIBRE STUDIO -
www.VOICESINWARTIME.org -
LANDMARK THEATRES -
GLOBAL EXCHANGE -
THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY GUARDIAN -
CORPWATCH -
BAY.AREA.UNITED.AGAINST.WAR
Invite you to join us for a special sneak preview of the
film "Voices in Wartime."
Wednesday, March 30, 2005, 7:30 p.m.
Landmark Lumiere Theatre
1572 California St (near Polk)
San Francisco, CA 94109
Please RSVP via e-mail to VIWSF@ebcoms.com by
March 26, 2005. Include your name and number of
guests in the subject line e.g. "Your Name + 1."
Please note: Screening is FREE. Seating is limited,
based on RSVPs received. If we are not able to
accommodate you, we will let you know by return
email. Please bring a copy of this invitation with you.
ABOUT THE FILM
==============
"Voices in Wartime" gives the gut-wrenching
experience of war a fresh perspective. It steps away
to look at all wars - not just the conflicts currently
in the news. The terrible beauty of poetry is its guide,
distilling the grim realities and complex emotions of
war. In addition soldiers, journalists, historians and
experts on combat are interviewed, adding diverse
perspectives on war's effects. History and literature
have shown that in times of war, poets can lead us
to greater truths and that the power of poetry can
help us understand the trauma, violence and death
caused by armed conflict.
EARLY REVIEWS
=============
"'Voices' is a compelling look at poets caught up
in the evils of war, with nowhere to hide but in the
solace of words. But these are not words to be locked
away. They are words to be shouted from the rooftop,
or better yet, from the movie screens of every town
in America.
The film relates a history of war poetry with
narratives that range from Sam Hamill 3-star
general William Lennox Jr., superintendant of
West Point.
This movie arrives just in time for the second
anniversary of "shock and awe". It may not be as
shocking, but actually, it's a lot more awesome." -
Karl Weyrauch, EZAAPP, from the Association of
American Physician Poets.
"A history of verse is laid alongside that of warfare,
and the ways in which they are braided together proves
fascinating." - Variety Magazine"
* * * * - Entertainment Insiders
www.VoicesInWartime.org
4509 Interlake Ave. N. #263 | Seattle, WA 98103-6782
www.CinemaLibreStudio.com
[This poem by fourth-grader Cameron Penny was read
by Marie Howe in this very beautiful film
directed by Rick King.
"If you are lucky in this life
A window will appear on a battlefield between two armies
And when the soldiers look into the window
They don't see their enemies
They see themselves as children
And they stop fighting
And go home and go to sleep
When they wake up, the land is well again."
By Cameron Penny]
Landmark
Lumiere 3
San Francisco
1572 California Street
50th St
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
3) Iraqi War Veteran's Personal Journey of Conscience
Tuesday, March 22, 7:00 PM
Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church
55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek
Aidan Delgado, 23 year-old returned war veteran, relates the
personal journey of his deployment in Iraq at Abu Grhraib Prison,
and how he came to establish himself as a conscientious objector.
For more information call the Peace & Justice Center
925/933-7850
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
4) Un-Volunteering: (LINK ONLY)
Troops Improvise to Find Way Out
By MONICA DAVEY
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/18/national/
18soldiers.html?hp&ex=1111208400&en=dba04a0271e65534&ei=5094&partner=h
omepage
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
5) TELL BUSH CONGRESS:HANDS OFF SOCIAL SECURITY!
STOP THE BUDGET CUTS!
FUND PEOPLE'S NEEDS - NOT WAR IN IRAQ!
SATURDAY, April 30, 2005
National People's Speak-Out in San Francisco with
Ramsey Clark and others
SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2005
National People's Speak-Out in Washington, DC
Thousands will demonstrate on March 19/20. The movement
is expanding. The A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition Action Plan includes
merging the struggle against endless war with resistance and
opposition to Bush's assault on Social Security, social programs,
unions and working people's rights at home. Please see below
for the next step after March 19/20, as well as an update on
demonstrations taking place this weekend across the country.
TELL BUSH CONGRESS:HANDS OFF SOCIAL SECURITY!
STOP THE BUDGET CUTS!
FUND PEOPLE'S NEEDS - NOT WAR IN IRAQ!
SATURDAY, April 30, 2005
National People's Speak-Out in San Francisco
with Ramsey Clark and others
SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2005
National People's Speak-Out in Washington, DC
Bush has launched a taxpayer funded campaign, complete
with a strategizing "war room," to push through his plan
to privatize Social Security. Bush and his corporate advisors
are falsely crying "crisis" to scare younger workers into
accepting "reforms." What is really going on is a scheme
to channel hundreds of billions of dollars to the big Wall
Street banks and investment firms at our expense. Currently
Bush is on a 60-day, 60-city tour to convince people around
the country to support his plan to destroy this vital social
program.
The Bush administration intends to slash virtually all
remaining social services, including Social Security, to
fund unlimited war and occupation in Iraq, Palestine,
Afghanistan, Haiti and more. They continue to spend
more than $200 million a day on the war in Iraq, while
targeting over 150 vital health, housing, education and
jobs programs for complete elimination in this year's
budget. The impact would be devastating for millions
of people, and we must stop them in their tracks.
Here's what you can do:
1) If you are organizing or attending a March 19/20
Event, help spread the word about the campaign to
defend social security, stop the budget cuts, and fund
people's needs - not war.
For downloadable flyers and fact sheets, click here:
http://www.pephost.org/downloads
2) You can endorse the call to say "Hands Off Our Social
Security! Fund People's Needs, Not War in Iraq!" Endorsements
from organizations and individuals are welcome. To
endorse, click here:
http://www.pephost.org/May7Endorse
3) Organize or join the protests in every city of Bush's
"Destroy Social Security" tour. The AFL-CIO and other
organizations are mobilizing protesters, young and old,
to meet Bush and say "Hands Off Social Security!" A.N.S.W.E.R.
calls the antiwar movement and all activists to join these
demonstrations and connect the issue of Iraq and militarism
with the fight to defend Social Security and to defeat the Bush
budget cuts. If Bush is coming to your city, contact our National
Office in Washington DC at 202-544-3389.
4) Contact us to find a Speak-Out near you or for assistance
and resources to organize your own action. Fact sheets and
other materials can be downloaded from our website at
www.ANSWERcoalition.org
Fill out the Event Listing form to help spread the word
about your action:
http://www.pephost.org/A30M6SpeakOut
5) Come to the National People's Speak-Out in San Francisco
on Saturday April 30 at Mission High School at 3750 18th St.
at 7:00 pm. On May 7 in Washington, DC we will stand together
at Bush's doorstep to say "Hands Off Our Social Security! Fund
People's Needs, Not War in Iraq!" Join us! Call us at 415-821-6545
or email answer@actionsf.org
if you are organizing a bus, car pool, or transportation to
San Francisco on April 30 from your area.
HELP SPREAD THE WORD!
Downloadable PDF flyers and fact sheets:
http://www.pephost.org/downloads
Downloadable PDF flyer for San Francisco April 30 National
People's Speak out:
http://www.actionsf.org/images/pdf-files/ssflyer.pdf
MARCH 19/20 GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION:
Nearly 600 actions in every U.S. state!
On March 19/20, actions will take place in hundreds of cities
across the U.S. and around the world as part of the Global
Day of Action on the second anniversary of the "shock and
awe" invasion of Iraq.
* View the list of actions (updated daily):
http://www.pephost.org/m19actions
* Fill out the Event Listing form for your event:
http://www.pephost.org/M19event
* Show your support for the March 19/20 Global Day of Action:
http://www.pephost.org/M1920endorse
If you are organizing or attending a March 19/20 Event, help
spread the word about the campaign to defend social security,
stop the budget cuts, and fund people's needs - not war.
For downloadable flyers and fact sheets, click here:
http://www.pephost.org/downloads
This week:
STUDENTS YOUTH MOBILIZE AGAINST WAR RACISM
The Students Youth Week of Resistance initiated by The
Global Resistance Network and Youth Student A.N.S.W.E.R.
is taking place this week!
* View a list of events taking place across the country:
http://www.pephost.org/youthm1418events
FUNDS ARE URGENTLY NEEDED
Funds are urgently needed to help the antiwar movement
continue to get stronger. We can't do it without your help.
You can make a contribution through a secure server, where
you can also find information on how to contribute by check,
by clicking here:
http://www.pephost.org/ANSWERcontribute
A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition
Act Now to Stop War End Racism
www.ANSWERcoalition.org
answer@actionsf.org
National Office in Washington DC: 202-544-3389
New York City: 212-533-0417
Los Angeles: 323-464-1636
San Francisco: 415-821-6545
For media inquiries, call 415-821-6545
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
6) On March 31, the Selective Service (LINK ONLY)
System will report to President
Bush that it is ready to implement
a draft within 75 days. We have to
organize now to stop the draft
before it starts.
http://www.NoDraftNoWay.org
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
7) US Army seeks longer enlistments (LINK ONLY)
as recruitment falters
Posted 10:24pm (Mla time) Mar 17, 2005
By Maxim Kniazkov
Agence France-Presse
http://news.inq7.net/world/index.php?index=1&story_id=30824
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
8) Military Recruiters Target Campus Activists
Hadas Their and Katrina Yeaw
On Wednesday, March 9, I and two other students from the City College of
New York (CCNY), Justino Rodriguez and Nicholas Bergreen, were
brutalized and arrested by campus security guards for peacefully
protesting the presence of military recruiters at CCNY's "career fair."
We were charged with misdemeanor counts of assaulting an officer,
resisting arrest, and disturbing the peace, among other things. Hospital
records from Mt. Sinai confirm that Bergreen and Rodriguez suffered
multiple contusions and post-concussion syndrome. Our court date is set
for April 5.
What was the reaction of CCNY's administration to these events? Without
so much as a phone call to see if we were alright, or to find out our
side of the story, Gregory H. Williams, the president of our college,
sent an email to the entire faculty and student body repeating the
allegations against us as if they were facts.
- (Read full)
- http://www.lefthook.org/Ground/Their031705.html
-
A Report on an Iraq Vet Speaking Out, and Some Reasons to be Optimistic
Derek Seidman
Over eighty students showed up to hear Iraq war veteran Patrick Resta
(Specialist E/4) speak at Brown University on Thursday, March 10th, and
about thirty people heard him speak the following night at the Cathedral
of St. John in Providence. Patrick returned from Iraq in November, 2004.
He is a member of Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) and has been
speaking out against the war and occupation for a several months. As he
said in a recent interview, "I will continue to speak out until the last
soldier leaves Iraq."
In his talks, Patrick tried to give the attendees an idea of what he
experienced in Iraq, to present the reality of the war and occupation
that the US media refuses to show. He had a slide show with pictures he
took from Iraq- pictures he originally never intended to show to anyone
other than friends and family.
- (Read full)
- http://www.lefthook.org/Ground/Seidman031705.html
-
Outsourcing Torture
Igor Volsky
Morality extends beyond the bedroom. Yet Americans are still focused on
the mating habits of their fellow citizens. When we have sex, with whom
we have sex and what results in the wake of that sex has preoccupied and
often outraged the public. On the contrary, America's direct
participation in humiliating, immoral and illegal prisoner abuse has
garnered only modest indignation. Popular media and Congressional
reactionaries have said relatively little of the moral implications of
such behavior.
- (Read full)
- http://www.lefthook.org/Politics/Volsky031705.html
-
Restarting the Anti-War Movement
Ralph Nader
Political movements require momentum, they need to consistently build
and aggregate. When they take a lengthy break from organizing and stop
the momentum it is difficult to re-start.
During the Vietnam War there was a consistent expansion of anti-war
efforts. Every year the movement built and grew. Anti-war activists did
not take breaks during election years. In fact, they targeted members of
both political parties for their support for the war. Indeed, their work
led to a sitting president, Lyndon Johnson; dropping out during the
primaries as it became evident the Vietnam War would destroy his chances
of re-election. This occurred even though Johnson was elected in what
was the largest landslide ever in his previous 1964 campaign. And when
that election year was over even Richard Nixon was pressured to announce
a withdrawal plan.
- (Read full)
- http://www.lefthook.org/Politics/Nader031705.html
-
Iraq and the United States Worse Off After Two Years of Occupation
Kevin B. Zeese
Both the United States and Iraq have had thousands of casualties as a
result of the U.S. occupation of Iraq, both countries are poorer, less
safe and less secure. The two year anniversary of the Iraq War should be
a time for facing up to the mistakes made and re-evaluation U.S.
occupation of Iraq.
In the last week I had the pleasure of interviewing an outspoken and
intelligent anti-war activist living in Baghdad, Ghazwan Al-Mukhtar.
Democracy Rising will be publishing his interview in the next week. As
we were exchanging emails one very basic point became evident: the
people in Iraq are clearly worse off today than they were under Saddam
Hussein. They are worse of economically, they are worse of politically
and they are less safe and less secure.
- (Read full)
- http://www.lefthook.org/Politics/Zeese031705.html
-
Marxism mailing list
Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu
http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/marxism
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
Thursday, March 17, 2005
BAUAW NEWSLETTER-THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2005
*******************************************************
THE NEXT BAUAW MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE:
SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 11:30AM
474 VALENCIA STREET, SF
(FIRST FLOOR, TO THE LEFT AND ALL THE WAY BACK
TO THE COMPANEROS DEL BARRIO CHILDREN'S CENTER)
*******************************************************
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TONIGHT, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Today, Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
At the March 8th meeting JROTC teachers lied about what the
main purpose of JROTC was and about what they are teaching to the
children of San Francisco at the district's expense.
I received the following letter this morning from
"Arson G.," one of those students.
Arson G.'s words speak for themselves.
"Out of the mouths of babes!"
Peace,
Bonnie Weinstein, Bay Area United Against War
--- Nelly Gabuera
I don't know where you guys get your ideas, but
JROTC does NOT promote warfare or joining the army or
any sort of that. It's my second year in the JROTC
program and I love it, it teaches me leadership
skills, educates me, it PROMOTES my moral standards.
The mission of JROTC is to Promote Young Cadets To
Become Better Citizens. You do not know what you are
talking about, you are not IN the program, you have
never been in the program because if you have you
wouldve loved it, one paper does not mean im going to
join the Army. Now that we have ROTC settled,
let's focus on the war. If it wasn't for wars would
you still enjoy the freedoms you have today? NO? if it
wasn't for war half of the world would be run by
dictators like Hitler or Stalin or Mussolini, Castro?
SADAM? All we're doing in Iraq is bringing democracy.
We fought BACK because of 9-11. You cannot JUDGE the
JROTC in the last two years we have not even DISCUSSED
THE WAR class wise maybe amongst friends BUT NOT IN
THE JROTC CLASSROOM.
The only thing we do, is march, learn
how to tell right from wrong. We have fun in the JROTC
program. Think of what effect it would have on kids
that don't have as good opportunities. The kids that
live in poverty that depend on JROTC to teach them
better, I believe JROTC saved lot's of lives. I
believe that if there isn't ONE person in the world
that is unsuccessful in his life that passed the
JROTC program with flying colors. I really hope you
fail canceling the JROTC program, and for any grudge
you have against Bush take it out on him not the kids.
P.S. I AM joining the marine corps, it has been my
DREAM to be in the army since i was 7 years old. My
father served, my grandfather server and i will serve.
One thing i do admit though, the JROTC did make me
braver on my decision for joining the marines.
-Sincerely Arson G.
************************************************************
MILITARY RECRUITERS WILL BE AT THE CAREER FAIR AT
GEORGE WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL
600 32nd Avenue between Geary and Balboa Sts.
TUESDAY, APRIL 5TH, 9:50AM-12:20PM
ALL ARE INVITED TO HELP WITH COUNTER-RECRUITMENT!
************************************************************
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR PRESENTS
A PREMIERE FILM SHOWING OF:
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
One man, one camera. Two sides of a story
FRIDAY, MARCH 18TH, 6 P.M.
(There will be a short question and answer period
at 7:30 P.M. immediately following the film.)
FOUR STAR TWIN
220 CLEMENT ST. NEAR 23RD AVENUE
SAN FRANCISCO
415-666-3488
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED is a gripping documentary by veteran
British journalist Sean Langan. Langan gets up close and
personal accounts of the war from U.S. and coalition soldiers,
Iraqi resistance fighters, and captures Abu Ghraib prison abuses
long before the torture reached the popular Press.
The most powerful statement of the film is the depiction
of the total devastation brought to Iraq by this war. It is the
constant backdrop to the interviews in the film as is the almost
universal hatred exhibited by the Iraqi people toward any U.S.
presence in Iraq-both from those interviewed and from those
included among the rubble in the background scenes. This film's
a must for anyone thinking of joining the military or who is
unsure of what our government is doing there in our name.
************************************************************
CINEMA LIBRE STUDIO -
www.VOICESINWARTIME.org -
LANDMARK THEATRES -
GLOBAL EXCHANGE -
THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY GUARDIAN -
CORPWATCH -
BAY.AREA.UNITED.AGAINST.WAR
Invite you to join us for a special sneak preview of the
film "Voices in Wartime."
Wednesday, March 30, 2005, 7:30 p.m.
Landmark Lumiere Theatre
1572 California St (near Polk)
San Francisco, CA 94109
Please RSVP via e-mail to VIWSF@ebcoms.com by March 26, 2005.
Include your name and number of guests in the subject line e.g.
"Your Name + 1."
Please note: Screening is FREE. Seating is limited, based
on RSVPs received. If we are not able to accommodate you,
we will let you know by return email. Please bring a copy
of this invitation with you.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
Volunteers are needed for March 19th!
Show up March 19th at Dolores Park
or Civic Center at 9:00 a.m.
and sign up at the A.N.S.W.E.R. volunteer table.
Or contact A.N.S.W.E.R. OFFICE AT:
2489 Mission St. #24, 415-821-6545
Hello to members of United for Peace and Justice Bay Area,
On March 19 UPJ-Bay Area will be meeting at 10:30 a.m. on
18th Street in front of Mission High School before marching down
to Civic Center. We will be carrying panels of the faces of the
victims of the war-American soldiers and Iraqi civilians-and need
your help in carrying them to Civic Center where we will have
a table. Please send out this request to your listserv.
Also, we are updating our members' directory and need your
updated contact information.
Please send your email, phone number and website address to me
as soon as possible. A donation of $25 is also requested to
cover printing charges. Please send to:
United for Peace and Justice-Bay Area
c/o War Resisters League West
POB 410744
San Francisco, CA 94141
Thanks.
Jackie Barshak
for UPJ-Bay Area
415.308.9416
jackie barshak jbarshak@hotmail.com
Not in Our Name Bay Area
Help Not in Our Name build for the March 19 mass
mobilization in San Francisco to end war and occupation!
Community postering for March 19 march and rally.
Also, help prepare for the March 18 anti-war
morning visiblity action.
Planning Meeting & Work Party
Wednesday, March 16 ~ 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Not in Our Name office. 3945 Opal Street,
Oakland CA 94609
Morning Visibilty Action
Friday, March 18 ~ 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM
Call us to hook up and help get the message out
to tens of thousands of morning commuters --
"Out of Iraq now!"
U.S. Out of Iraq Now!
March 19: International Day of Action
On the second anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, let's
show Bush and Co. that the people of the world say
NO to war and occupation!
On Saturday, March 19 join the Not in Our Name Earth
Flag Contingent at the mass march and rally organized by
ANSWER Coalition -- 11 am, Dolores Park, San Francisco.
Join up with the Not in Our Name Earth Flag Contingent at
the corner of 18th Street and Dolores (map). March to Civic
Center for a 1 pm rally.
Not In Our Name will also be organizing acts of creative
resistance around this weekend. We encourage folks to
strategize and brainstorm with us about how to broaden
resistance and bring awareness to the millions in this country
that our message must reach; and to join us as we unite with
groups around the Bay to bring out all who oppose the deadly
course of this government. Come to a general meeting,
call our office, or check out the website.
Against Military Recruitment in our Schools?
On the second anniversary of the war, join the
Counter-Recruitment Contingent!
***
Saturday, March 19
10AM at 16th and Mission St.
(the 16th Street BART station)
***
AT SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY, military recruiters were
forced to leave early without any recruits because of the hundreds
of students that came out to protest their presence at the school!
This is not an isolated incident. Seattle, Chicago, New York,
Madison, Connecticut, Minnesota. In community colleges,
high schools, and universities around the nation, students,
faculty, and campus workers have come out to protest the
BLACKMAILING of education. As billions are being diverted
from schools to the war, our students are being told that they
need to die before they see a dime of it.
THIS IS DEAD WRONG.
As recruiters are failing to meet quotas for the first time in
a decade, despite more than tripling signing bonuses, we need
to rebuild the anti-war movement by fighting against the war
where it is weakest.
Join students, parents, teachers, military families, veterans,
community members, and activists on the second anniversary
of the war at the 16th Street BART station at 10AM to march
up to Dolores Park together.
Sponsored by the Campus Anti-War Network and the College
Not Combat Committee.
Money for Jobs and Education! Not for War and Occupation!
For more info please contact: ragina@mac.com / 415.412.4540
sue sandlin design | srsndln@pacbell.net
National Teach-in on Iraq: How Can We End this War?
Thursday, March 24 ~ 7 PM to 10 PM
Mission High School, 3750 18th Street (at Dolores), San Francisco
On the 40th Anniversary of the first teach-ins on the Vietnam War.
With presentations by Iraq veteran Rahul Mahajan, Cindy Sheehan,
Fernando Suarez, Aimee Allison, Howard Wallace, Sean O'Neil,
and Medea Benjamin. Sponsored by Global Exchange and
CODEPINK. $5 donation requested. (more info)
Resistance Cinema Presents "Hidden in Plain Sight"
Sunday, April 10 ~ 3 PM to 5 PM
Parkway Pizza/Pub Theater, 1834 Park Blvd., Oakland
A short history, a spirited debate, a personal story, and a call
for accountability, "Hidden in Plain Sight" is a bold, unflinching
look at the nature and consequences of U.S. policy in Latin
America. Brief presentation by Laura Slattery, Pace e Bene
Nonviolence. A free event sponsored by Not in Our Name.
The Not in Our Name Project needs your support!
Donate online: donate.notinourname.net
Or send your tax-deductible contribution today to:
Not in Our Name
3945 Opal Street, Oakland CA 94609
www.notinourname.net
phone: 510-601-8000
email: bayarea@notinourname.net
local: bayarea.notinourname.net
Another World Is Possible!
http://www.notinourname.net
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
Dear Friends Please read the following request from Families for
Peaceful Tomorrows one of the many co-sponsors of the Eyes Wide
Open exhibit. They have committed to trying to collecting the
16,000 additional pairs of shoes. Please think about becoming
a collection point. In my opinion donating a pair of shoes is a
great way to challenge people to think about the human cost of
war. It is a way to involve people before the exhibit arrives and
encourage them to come. Some ideas for dealing with the collection
include; put out a barrel or box asking for the donation in your
school, church, neighborhood center or place of work. Put a flyer
on the box explaining why we are collecting the shoes. Thanks.
Sandra Schwartz
Peace Education Coordinator, AFSC
Dear Friends,
Eyes Wide Open, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
exhibit that reminds us of the human cost of war is coming to San
Francisco March 25-27. The exhibit features over 1,500 pairs of
combat boots tagged with the names of U.S. soldiers who have
died in the Iraq war. It also memorializes the Iraqi civilians killed
in the war.
In San Francisco, we are adding a new element to this powerful
exhibit: instead of just 1,000 shoes to represent all the Iraqi civilian
deaths, we have set a goal of collecting 16,000[1] pairs of shoes
to more accurately demonstrate the scale of Iraqi deaths as a result
of the war. The shoe memorial has been initiated by September
11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows and it will not happen
without your support.
We need your help to meet the goal of collecting 16,000 pairs
of shoes!
What you can do:
1. Collect shoes for the exhibit
* Please gather usable shoes from your family and friends
or set up a shoe collection site in your community, school,
workplace or place of worship.
* Tie each pair together, or, if no laces, securely attach them
together.
* Count the pairs of shoes and place in heavy-duty garbage
bags. Attach a tag with the count on it.
* Shoes will be donated at the end of the exhibit. Children's
and men's shoes are especially needed.
* Call Nabil at 415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email
shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* Drop off shoes 9 am to 5 pm at AFSC, 65 Ninth St.
(between Mission and Market) until Thursday, March 24.
Last minute shoes may be brought to Civic Center Plaza
Friday, March 25. No shoes accepted after Friday.
2. Collect phone cards for military personnel
We are also collecting telephone calling cards to donate to
military personnel and to returning Iraq war veterans in
a Bay Area hospital and the USOs at local airports. Please
purchase phone cards to donate with your shoes or bring
to the exhibit.
3. Volunteer
Volunteers are needed for the shoe project as well as the
overall exhibit.
* To volunteer with the shoe project, call Nabil at
415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email
shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* To volunteer to help with the exhibit call AFSC at
415-565-0201 ext. 15 or email sleeds@afsc.org
4. Spread the word! Please forward this information to
your networks.
5. Come to the exhibit, encourage others to come, and
bring last minute shoe donations and help us honor all
those who have died in Iraq.
[1] The number 16,000 is the approximate minimum number
of Iraqi civilians reported killed by military intervention in
Iraq by www.iraqbodycount.net.
Eyes Wide Open
"An exhibit that speaks directly to our hearts and reminds
us of the human cost of war."
Over 1,500 pairs of empty combat boots - tagged with the
names of U.S. soldiers who died in the Iraq war - will be
displayed, together with thousands of shoes and wall of
names to memorialize the Iraqis killed.
SAN FRANCISCO DATES:
March 25 (Friday), 11:00 am with all night vigil
Civic Center between Polk and Larkin
March 26 (Saturday), 10:00 am to 5 pm
Civic Center Voices and Requiem - 2 pm
March 27 (Easter Sunday), 10:00 am to dusk
Union Square (Powell and Geary)
American Friends Service Committee
We Need Good Shoes (Especially for Men and Children) and
Telephone Cards!
Call 415-565-0201 x14 or shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
See www.afsc.org/eyes
Until Thursday March 24, drop off shoes at 65 Ninth St.
(betw. Mission and Market) from 9-5 weekdays
Donate phone cards for military families Donate shoes to
memorialize the Iraqi casualties
Co-Sponsors (partial list) Agape Fdn; American Muslim Voice;
Archdiocese of SF: Comm. Of Public Policy and Social Concern;
Bay Area Pax Christi; Bay Area United for Peace and Justice;
Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists; Berkeley Friends
Church; Buddhist Peace Fellowship; Grace Cathedral: Diocese
of CA of the Episcopal Church; Los Altos Voices for Peace; Military
Families Speak Out; Pacifica Peace People; Pacifica Women in
Black; SFUSD School Board; Strawberry Creek Friends Meeting;
Veterans for Peace; 9/11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows,
San Francisco Friends Meeting, Code Pink
Our postal address is
P.O. Box 1818
Peter Stuyvesant Station
New York, New York 10009
United States
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TOMORROW, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
2) WE ALL STAND WITH LYNNE STEWART!
NO JAIL TIME FOR LYNNE!
PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TODAY
3) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation of Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People's Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
4) COMING TO THE BAY AREA SOON-POWERFUL ANTIWAR MOVIES
5) Iraqi War Veteran's Personal Journey of Conscience
Tuesday, March 22, 7:00 PM
Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church
55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek
Aidan Delgado, 23 year-old returned war veteran, relates the
personal journey of his deployment in Iraq at Abu Grhraib Prison,
and how he came to establish himself as a conscientious objector.
For more information call the Peace & Justice Center 925/933-7850
6) The US Student movement is surging, with campuses coast
to coast staging non-violent actions to protest the war
and military recruitment.
See http://www.campusresistance.org
for upcoming and recent actions during this Week of
Campus Resistance.
7) SECRET U.S. PLANS FOR IRAQ'S OIL (LINK ONLY)
By Greg Palast
Reporting for BBC Newsnight
17 March 2005
Date: Thu, 17 Mar 2005 01:41:19 -0500
From: palast@gregpalast.com
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/4354269.stm
8) House Approves $81.4 Billion (LINK ONLY)
War Spending Package
by Liz Sidoti
Published on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 by the Associated Press
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0316-11.htm
9) Fate of the Union (LINK ONLY)
By Frank Joyce, AlterNet
Posted on February 22, 2005, Printed on March 17, 2005
http://www.alternet.org/story/21312/
10) Remember the Disappeared: An Appeal to the Anti-War
Movement from Blue Triangles Network
NationalOffice@BlueTriangle.org
mailto:NationalOffice@BlueTriangle.org
11) White House press conference (LINK ONLY)
Bush defends rendition of detainees to torture regimes
By Barry Grey
World Socialist Web Site www.wsws.org
17 March 2005
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/mar2005/bush-m17.shtml
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TONIGHT, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
At the March 8th meeting JROTC teachers lied about what the
main purpose of JROTC was and about what they are teaching to the
children of San Francisco at the district's expense.
I received the following letter this morning from
"Arson G.," one of those students.
Arson G.'s words speak for themselves.
"Out of the mouths of babes!"
Peace,
Bonnie Weinstein, Bay Area United Against War
--- Nelly Gabuera
I don't know where you guys get your ideas, but
JROTC does NOT promote warfare or joining the army or
any sort of that. It's my second year in the JROTC
program and I love it, it teaches me leadership
skills, educates me, it PROMOTES my moral standards.
The mission of JROTC is to Promote Young Cadets To
Become Better Citizens. You do not know what you are
talking about, you are not IN the program, you have
never been in the program because if you have you
wouldve loved it, one paper does not mean im going to
join the Army. Now that we have ROTC settled,
let's focus on the war. If it wasn't for wars would
you still enjoy the freedoms you have today? NO? if it
wasn't for war half of the world would be run by
dictators like Hitler or Stalin or Mussolini, Castro?
SADAM? All we're doing in Iraq is bringing democracy.
We fought BACK because of 9-11. You cannot JUDGE the
JROTC in the last two years we have not even DISCUSSED
THE WAR class wise maybe amongst friends BUT NOT IN
THE JROTC CLASSROOM. The only thing we do, is march, learn
how to tell right from wrong. We have fun in the JROTC
program. Think of what effect it would have on kids
that don't have as good opportunities. The kids that
live in poverty that depend on JROTC to teach them
better, I believe JROTC saved lot's of lives. I
believe that if there isn't ONE person in the world
that is unsuccessfull in his life that passed the
JROTC program with flying colors. I really hope you
fail canceling the JROTC program, and for any grudge
you have against Bush take it out on him not the kids.
P.S. I AM joining the marine corps, it has been my
DREAM to be in the army since i was 7 years old. My
father served, my grandfather server and i will serve.
One thing i do admit though, the JROTC did make me
braver on my decision for joining the marines.
-Sincerely Arson G.
BAUAW has submitted the following resolution to the board:
Draft Resolution for San Francisco Board of Education
Cut Ties with the Military:
WHEREAS, the United States military is
actively recruiting high school students into
the military to fight in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, many young San Francisco
high school alumni are presently serving in
military units fighting in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, it is San Francisco City policy
by virtue of Proposition N, to bring all U.S.
troops home from Iraq now; and
WHEREAS, over 1,448 U.S. soldiers and
approximately 100,000 Iraqis have been
killed in this war and over 10,000 U.S.
soldiers and unknown thousands of
Iraqis have been wounded; and
WHEREAS, the hundreds of billions of dollars
spent on the war have robbed our children of
resources that should be spent on
education and other human needs; and
WHEREAS, military presence in our schools
legitimizes the message that violence is
acceptable;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
It shall be the policy of the San Francisco
Board of Education to cut all ties
with the United States military,
including, but not limited to: Ending military
recruitment on campuses; ending the
Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps
(JROTC); and guaranteeing that all students
and parents are informed of their right to
deny military recruiters access to their
names, addresses and telephone numbers.
MILITARY SPENDING IN THE SCHOOLS:
To: CodePinkCounterRecruitGroup@yahoogroups.com
From: "iampohet"
Subject: Which schools have jrotc?
I don't know specifically if military science is jrotc. I didn't find the
right person to ask. But, if it isn't, then what the hell is it?
Oh, heck, just for fun, here are the athletics funds listed in
the profile:
School: Amt: FTE's:Mil.Sci. FTE's:
Balboa: $6,000 2.0
Burton: $6,000 2.0
Galileo: $6,000 2.0
Lincoln: $7,000 3.0
Mission: $6,000 2.0
Lowell: $7,000 2.0
Washington: $7,000 2.0
The money, just over 2 mil, is all the funds... 1mil+
from the Feds and 1mil + in matching funds from
the sfusd.
In CodePinkCounterRecruitGroup@yahoogroups.com,
Ms sam joi wrote:
question - mil sci is jrotc? and this $$ was
alotted by the feds to the individual schools?
iampohet wrote:
School Money alotted to Mil Sci
as per fiscal profile Apr. 2004
Balboa: $261,335
Burton: $258,177
Galileo: $343,913
Lincoln: $429,106
Mission: $265,303
Lowell: $276,877
Wash: $344,093
Total: $2,178,804
I found this info by digging in the
individual school's profiles on
the sfusd website. Hope it's helpful.
erin
Bay Area United Against War (BAUAW)
www.bauaw.org
414-824-8730
Donations are urgently needed to carry
out this important work. We have no
paid staff but need money for posters,
buttons, flyers and informational material
to hand out to students and parents.
Make a tax-deductible donation to:
Bay Area United Against War/NVM
P.O. Box 318021
San Francisco, CA 94131-8021
Coming Up:
Global Day of Action
March 19, 2005
No to War and Occupation in Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People's Needs, Not War!
San Francisco March Assembles:
11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
2) WE ALL STAND WITH LYNNE STEWART!
NO JAIL TIME FOR LYNNE!
PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TODAY:
SUGGESTION AS TO FORMAT OF LETTERS
TO BE WRITTEN ON BEHALF OF LYNNE STEWART
MARGIN: Please leave at least a one-inch left-hand
margin to allow us to bind the letter into the
appendix to the sentencing memorandum that
is being filed on Lynne's behalf.
INSIDE ADDRESS: Honorable John G. Koeltl
United States District Judge
Southern District of New York
United States Courthouse
500 Pearl Street
New York, New York 10007
GREETING: Honorable Sir or Dear Judge Koeltl:
BODY: Briefly introduce yourself and set forth your
relationship to Lynne.
Briefly discuss yourself - your position in work
and in society.
State that you are aware that Lynne is to be
sentenced following a jury verdict of guilty on
serious charges: The remainder of your letter
should discuss whatever you believe to weigh
in favor of no jail time. If possible, you should
tell of an incident where she helped you out or
engaged in commendable community service.
Do not try to argue that she is not guilty or was
unfairly conviction. Focus on the unfairness of
the government's actions in bringing the charges;
the way in which the government portrayed her, etc.
* Typewritten letters if possible are preferred.
*
WHEN LETTER IS COMPLETED: Please mail the
final product to the following address:
Jill R. Shellow-Lavine, Esq.
2537 Post Road
Southport, CT 06890
Do not send your letters to the judge. We ask that you
forward your letter me so that the lawyers can present
it to Judge Koeltl with the other letters being written for
this purpose. This is the manner in which letters will
have the greatest impact. If they are sent directly to the
Judge's chambers, they may have less of an impact and
could cause the judge a substantial inconvenience
(and annoyance).
Thank you for your cooperation. If you have any
questions, please do not hesitate to contact the
defense committee at www.lynnestewart.org.
Sincerely,
Jill R. Shellow-Lavine
Attorney for Lynne Stewart
For more information go to:
www.LynneStewart.org
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
3) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation ˆ Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People‚s Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
[Volunteers are needed for March 19. Show up at Dolores Park
at 9:00am-or at the Civic Center at 9:00am and sign up at the
A.N.S.W.E.R. volunteer table or call the A.N.S.W.E.R. office
at 415-821-6545.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
4) BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR PRESENTS:
"Mission Accomplished" a brutally vivid documentary
filmed entirely on the ground in Iraq. The reality of this
war for American troops is contrasted to the
overwhelming reality of the devastation felt and experienced
by the people of Iraq.
"Mission Accomplished" will open March 18th, 6pm:
The Four Star Twin
2200 Clement St. (near 23rd Ave.)
San Francisco, CA 94121
415.666.3488
CINEMA LIBRE STUDIO -
www.VOICESINWARTIME.org -
LANDMARK THEATRES -
GLOBAL EXCHANGE -
THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY GUARDIAN -
CORPWATCH -
BAY.AREA.UNITED.AGAINST.WAR
Invite you to join us for a special sneak
preview of the film "Voices in Wartime."
Wednesday, March 30, 2005, 7:30 p.m.
Landmark Lumiere Theatre
1572 California St (near Polk)
San Francisco, CA 94109
Please RSVP via e-mail to VIWSF@ebcoms.com
by March 26, 2005. Include your name and
number of guests in the subject line e.g. "Your Name + 1."
Please note: Screening is FREE. Seating is limited, based on
RSVPs received. If we are not able to accommodate you, we
will let you know by return email. Please bring a copy of this
invitation with you.
ABOUT THE FILM
==============
"Voices in Wartime" gives the gut-wrenching experience
of war a fresh perspective. It steps away to look at all wars
- not just the conflicts currently in the news. The terrible
beauty of poetry is its guide, distilling the grim realities and
complex emotions of war. In addition soldiers, journalists,
historians and experts on combat are interviewed, adding
diverse perspectives on war's effects. History and literature
have shown that in times of war, poets can lead us to greater
truths and that the power of poetry can help us understand
the trauma, violence and death caused by armed conflict.
EARLY REVIEWS
=============
"'Voices' is a compelling look at poets caught up in the evils
of war, with nowhere to hide but in the solace of words.
But these are not words to be locked away. They are words
to be shouted from the rooftop, or better yet, from the movie
screens of every town in America.
The film relates a history of war poetry with narratives
that range from Sam Hamill 3-star general William Lennox Jr.,
superintendant of West Point.
This movie arrives just in time for the second anniversary
of "shock and awe". It may not be as shocking, but actually,
it's a lot more awesome." - Karl Weyrauch, EZAAPP, from the
Association of American Physician Poets.
"A history of verse is laid alongside that of warfare, and
the ways in which they are braided together proves
fascinating." - Variety Magazine"
* * * * - Entertainment Insiders
www.VoicesInWartime.org
4509 Interlake Ave. N. #263 | Seattle, WA 98103-6782
www.CinemaLibreStudio.com
[This poem by fourth-grader Cameron Penny was read
by Marie Howe in this very beautiful film
directed by Rick King.
"If you are lucky in this life
A window will appear on a battlefield between two armies
And when the soldiers look into the window
They don't see their enemies
They see themselves as children
And they stop fighting
And go home and go to sleep
When they wake up, the land is well again."
By Cameron Penny]
Landmark
Lumiere 3
San Francisco
1572 California Street
50th St
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
5) Iraqi War Veteran's Personal Journey of Conscience
Tuesday, March 22, 7:00 PM
Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church
55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek
Aidan Delgado, 23 year-old returned war veteran, relates the
personal journey of his deployment in Iraq at Abu Grhraib Prison,
and how he came to establish himself as a conscientious objector.
For more information call the Peace & Justice Center 925/933-7850
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
6) The US Student movement is surging, with campuses coast
to coast staging non-violent actions to protest the war
and military recruitment.
See http://www.campusresistance.org
for upcoming and recent actions during this Week of
Campus Resistance.
The Campus Antiwar Network (CAN), Lefthook.org and
GlobalResistanceNetwork.com
initiated the call for campuses to organize
actions and protests this week leading
up to the second anniversary of the
invasion of Iraq. CAN's website is found at
http://www.campusantiwar.net
Counter-recruitment actions at
CCNY and SFSU have had major media coverage
due to arrests and police brutality
claims. These arrests have spurred calls
for free speech and protests. CCNY
students have called for a picket of the
City College of New York administration
in defense of free speech on March
17, 2005.
http://www.traprockpeace.org/free_speech_ccny.htm
In San Francisco, students have put out a call to
defend free speech at SFSU
http://www.traprockpeace.org/free_speech_sfsu.htm
See "Counter-Recruitment is Gaining Strength -
Military Recruiters Target
Campus Activists" in CounterPunch, an article by
CAN organizers Hadas Their
(CCNY) and Katrina Yeaw (SFSU) -
http://counterpunch.org/their03152005.html
Updates on other counter-recruitment actions, organized
by CAN members or in
cooperation with other groups, may be found at
http://www.traprockpeace.org/campus_antiwar.html
The Week of Campus Resistance actions
are leading up to student actions this
weekend to protest the war. On
March 1, CAN put out the call for a student
contingent for the mass march in
Fayetteville on March 19th, as reported in
CommonDreams at the time. An updated
notice - put out on the CAN listserv -
is available at
http://www.traprockpeace.org/can_fayetteville.html
(The primary contact person for the
CAN contingent in Fayetteville is
Catherine Geary 336-202-5038 - catgeary@peoplepc.com )
ENDORSEMENTS FOR WEEK OF CAMPUS RESISTANCE
The Week of Campus Resistance has been
endorsed internationally by
• Noam Chomsky;
• Ralph Nader;
• Kathy Kelly, Co-coordinator of
Voices in the Wilderness;
• Michael Yates, Associate Editor at
Monthly Review, and Professor Emeritus
at University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown;
• Robert Jensen;
• Lou Plummer, an organizer of the
March 19 demonstration in Fayetteville,
NC, a member of Military Families Speak
Out, Veterans for Peace, and a
member of the national steering committee
of the Bring Them Home Now!
campaign;
• James Petras;
• Mickey Z;
• Anthony Arnove, member of the
International Socialist Org. and
co-editor, with Howard Zinn, of
Voices of A People's History of the United
States;
• Mkhaimar Abusada, professor
at Al-Azhar University, Gaza;
• Howard Zinn;
• Michael Letwin Co-Convener,
New York City Labor Against the War, Former
President, UAW Local 2325;
• Norman Solomon, associate of FAIR;
• Sunny Miller, Executive Director
of Traprock Peace Center;
• Students Stop the War Coalition (UK);
• Father John Dear;
• Phil Gasper, professor of
Philosophy at Notre Dame de Namur University;
• Pol Devos, coordinator of
StopUSA, anti-war movement in Belgium;
• Norm Dixon, Socialist Alliance
member and former editor of Green Left
Weekly, Sydney, Australia;
• Traprock Peace Center.
MORE INFORMATION
CAN is the national democratic and
independent network of campus antiwar
organizations. http://www.campusantiwar.net
NYU students have produced an excellent CAN pamphlet.
http://www.traprockpeace.org/withdrawal.pdf
Traprock has published "Recruiters Off Our
Campuses" by Desmond Gardfrey,
CAN CC member, a primary CAN
organizer of the Week of Campus Resistance and
an organizer of CAN's student
contingent in Fayetteville.
http://www.traprockpeace.org/gardfrey_11mar05.html
####
Charles Jenks, attorney at law
President of the Core Group
Traprock Peace Center
103A Keets Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
413-773-5188; Fax 413-773-7507
charles@mtdata.com
http://traprockpeace.org
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ufpj-news/
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
7) SECRET U.S. PLANS FOR IRAQ'S OIL (LINK ONLY)
By Greg Palast
Reporting for BBC Newsnight
17 March 2005
Date: Thu, 17 Mar 2005 01:41:19 -0500
From: palast@gregpalast.com
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/4354269.stm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
8) House Approves $81.4 Billion (LINK ONLY)
War Spending Package
by Liz Sidoti
Published on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 by the Associated Press
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0316-11.htm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
9) Fate of the Union (LINK ONLY)
By Frank Joyce, AlterNet
Posted on February 22, 2005, Printed on March 17, 2005
http://www.alternet.org/story/21312/
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
10) Remember the Disappeared: An Appeal to the Anti-War
Movement from Blue Triangles Network
NationalOffice@BlueTriangle.org
mailto:NationalOffice@BlueTriangle.org
March 16, 2005
"Remember the Disappeared: Wear Blue Triangles on March 18-20"
During the anti-war activities on 18-20th March, the Blue Triangle
Network (BTN) calls on all people to include opposition to repression
against Muslim, Arab and South Asian immigrants as an important
part of activities by wearing a Blue Triangle with the names of the
detained and disappeared, and distributing this Appeal and the
Blue Triangle Network Fact Sheet.
March 20, 2005 marks two years since the invasion and occupation
of Iraq by the U.S. The anti-war movement has called on people
around the world to come out on this day to protest this unjust
war and occupation. This global "war on terror" has two components:
one, an ongoing war on the world with the occupation of Iraq
and threats against other countries, and two, a domestic war
on Muslim, Arab and South Asian immigrants, including the
repression of dissent.
The repression of Muslim, Arab and South Asian immigrants has
intensified and escalated since 9-11. >From the registrations,
raids, detentions and deportations of tens of thousands of
immigrants and government-sanctioned racial profiling to the
consolidation of a legal infrastructure that allows indefinite
detention of immigrants and U.S. citizens, a climate of overall
repression has descended and is spreading into far broader
sections of society. The confirmations of Alberto Gonzales as
U.S. Attorney General and Michael Chertoff as the head of the
Dept of Homeland Security make it chillingly clear that this
administration plans to continue on this course.
The Blue Triangle Network calls on the people living in this
country to come to the defense of Muslim, Arab and South
Asian immigrants, the first targets of these attacks. However,
these communities are not the only groups of people whose
rights are being trampled. The initial attacks on these
communities served as a window through which repressive
policies like Homeland Security Act, SEVIS, Special Registration,
the USA PATRIOT ACT, the "enemy combatant" status (in which
the President can hold anyone indefinitely without charges and
which the U.S. Supreme Court recently approved) have been
launched. These policies have widened the net of repression
and persecution. Activists and dissenters have also been targeted,
as was clearly evident during the Republican National Convention
and Bush's inauguration, in which protesters were categorized
as "terrorists" and labeled as a "national security threat".
The repression facing the Muslim, Arab and South Asian
communities in the present time has taken a different face
than immediately after 9-11. While there are no longer mass
round-ups, detentions and registrations, racial profiling
continues to occur and is likely to worsen. As the occupation
of Iraq continues, and other countries in the Middle East
are threatened with war, the view of Arabs and Muslims as
the "ENEMY WITHIN" will continue to be propagated by the
government and mainstream media. With the government
apparatus of repression gaining more and more strength,
the future of immigrants in this country is under serious
threat.
March 18-20, the Blue Triangle Network calls on the
anti-war movement to take up the struggle to stop the
repression against Muslim, Arab and South Asian immigrants
as an integral part of what you are doing. WEAR A BLUE
TRIANGLE WITH THE NAME OF ONE OF THE DISAPPEARED,
one of those rounded up and secretly jailed immediately
following 9-11, to demonstrate our solidarity with those
being targeted today. Download blue triangles from the
BTN website: www.bluetriangle.org
ORDER THE BTN 12 PAGE TABLOID SIZE FACT SHEET
FOR ON-G0ING USE IN YOUR ANTI-WAR ACTIVITIES. T
his fact sheet analyzes this repression and tells stories
of individuals attacked.
1000 fact sheets--$100
500 fact sheets--$ 50
100 fact sheets--$15
To order: email NationalOffice@bluetriangle.org
or call 313-942-7187.
BLUE TRIANGLE NETWORK
P.O. BOX 7451, DEARBORN, MI 48121-7451
313-942-7187
www.bluetriangle.org
Email: NationalOffice@bluetriangle.org
US-Mexico Border Actions
No Militarization of Borders! Support Immigrant Rights!
New York: (212)330-8172
Los Angeles: (213)403-0131
e-mail: Info@ActionLA.org
Please subscribe Border Information listserv, send e-mail to:
Border01-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
or visit: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Border01
Also, please join our national immigrant
Solidarity Network daily news litserv, send
e-mail to: isn-subscribe@lists.riseup.net
or visit: http://lists.riseup.net/www/info/isn
**Please consider making a donation to the
important work of the US-Mexico Border Actions!
Send check pay to:
ActionLA/SEE
1013 Mission St. #6
South Pasadena CA 91030
(All donations are tax deductible)
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
11) White House press conference (LINK ONLY)
Bush defends rendition of detainees to torture regimes
By Barry Grey
World Socialist Web Site www.wsws.org
17 March 2005
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/mar2005/bush-m17.shtml
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
THE NEXT BAUAW MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE:
SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 11:30AM
474 VALENCIA STREET, SF
(FIRST FLOOR, TO THE LEFT AND ALL THE WAY BACK
TO THE COMPANEROS DEL BARRIO CHILDREN'S CENTER)
*******************************************************
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TONIGHT, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Today, Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
At the March 8th meeting JROTC teachers lied about what the
main purpose of JROTC was and about what they are teaching to the
children of San Francisco at the district's expense.
I received the following letter this morning from
"Arson G.," one of those students.
Arson G.'s words speak for themselves.
"Out of the mouths of babes!"
Peace,
Bonnie Weinstein, Bay Area United Against War
--- Nelly Gabuera
I don't know where you guys get your ideas, but
JROTC does NOT promote warfare or joining the army or
any sort of that. It's my second year in the JROTC
program and I love it, it teaches me leadership
skills, educates me, it PROMOTES my moral standards.
The mission of JROTC is to Promote Young Cadets To
Become Better Citizens. You do not know what you are
talking about, you are not IN the program, you have
never been in the program because if you have you
wouldve loved it, one paper does not mean im going to
join the Army. Now that we have ROTC settled,
let's focus on the war. If it wasn't for wars would
you still enjoy the freedoms you have today? NO? if it
wasn't for war half of the world would be run by
dictators like Hitler or Stalin or Mussolini, Castro?
SADAM? All we're doing in Iraq is bringing democracy.
We fought BACK because of 9-11. You cannot JUDGE the
JROTC in the last two years we have not even DISCUSSED
THE WAR class wise maybe amongst friends BUT NOT IN
THE JROTC CLASSROOM.
The only thing we do, is march, learn
how to tell right from wrong. We have fun in the JROTC
program. Think of what effect it would have on kids
that don't have as good opportunities. The kids that
live in poverty that depend on JROTC to teach them
better, I believe JROTC saved lot's of lives. I
believe that if there isn't ONE person in the world
that is unsuccessful in his life that passed the
JROTC program with flying colors. I really hope you
fail canceling the JROTC program, and for any grudge
you have against Bush take it out on him not the kids.
P.S. I AM joining the marine corps, it has been my
DREAM to be in the army since i was 7 years old. My
father served, my grandfather server and i will serve.
One thing i do admit though, the JROTC did make me
braver on my decision for joining the marines.
-Sincerely Arson G.
************************************************************
MILITARY RECRUITERS WILL BE AT THE CAREER FAIR AT
GEORGE WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL
600 32nd Avenue between Geary and Balboa Sts.
TUESDAY, APRIL 5TH, 9:50AM-12:20PM
ALL ARE INVITED TO HELP WITH COUNTER-RECRUITMENT!
************************************************************
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR PRESENTS
A PREMIERE FILM SHOWING OF:
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
One man, one camera. Two sides of a story
FRIDAY, MARCH 18TH, 6 P.M.
(There will be a short question and answer period
at 7:30 P.M. immediately following the film.)
FOUR STAR TWIN
220 CLEMENT ST. NEAR 23RD AVENUE
SAN FRANCISCO
415-666-3488
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED is a gripping documentary by veteran
British journalist Sean Langan. Langan gets up close and
personal accounts of the war from U.S. and coalition soldiers,
Iraqi resistance fighters, and captures Abu Ghraib prison abuses
long before the torture reached the popular Press.
The most powerful statement of the film is the depiction
of the total devastation brought to Iraq by this war. It is the
constant backdrop to the interviews in the film as is the almost
universal hatred exhibited by the Iraqi people toward any U.S.
presence in Iraq-both from those interviewed and from those
included among the rubble in the background scenes. This film's
a must for anyone thinking of joining the military or who is
unsure of what our government is doing there in our name.
************************************************************
CINEMA LIBRE STUDIO -
www.VOICESINWARTIME.org -
LANDMARK THEATRES -
GLOBAL EXCHANGE -
THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY GUARDIAN -
CORPWATCH -
BAY.AREA.UNITED.AGAINST.WAR
Invite you to join us for a special sneak preview of the
film "Voices in Wartime."
Wednesday, March 30, 2005, 7:30 p.m.
Landmark Lumiere Theatre
1572 California St (near Polk)
San Francisco, CA 94109
Please RSVP via e-mail to VIWSF@ebcoms.com by March 26, 2005.
Include your name and number of guests in the subject line e.g.
"Your Name + 1."
Please note: Screening is FREE. Seating is limited, based
on RSVPs received. If we are not able to accommodate you,
we will let you know by return email. Please bring a copy
of this invitation with you.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
Volunteers are needed for March 19th!
Show up March 19th at Dolores Park
or Civic Center at 9:00 a.m.
and sign up at the A.N.S.W.E.R. volunteer table.
Or contact A.N.S.W.E.R. OFFICE AT:
2489 Mission St. #24, 415-821-6545
Hello to members of United for Peace and Justice Bay Area,
On March 19 UPJ-Bay Area will be meeting at 10:30 a.m. on
18th Street in front of Mission High School before marching down
to Civic Center. We will be carrying panels of the faces of the
victims of the war-American soldiers and Iraqi civilians-and need
your help in carrying them to Civic Center where we will have
a table. Please send out this request to your listserv.
Also, we are updating our members' directory and need your
updated contact information.
Please send your email, phone number and website address to me
as soon as possible. A donation of $25 is also requested to
cover printing charges. Please send to:
United for Peace and Justice-Bay Area
c/o War Resisters League West
POB 410744
San Francisco, CA 94141
Thanks.
Jackie Barshak
for UPJ-Bay Area
415.308.9416
jackie barshak jbarshak@hotmail.com
Not in Our Name Bay Area
Help Not in Our Name build for the March 19 mass
mobilization in San Francisco to end war and occupation!
Community postering for March 19 march and rally.
Also, help prepare for the March 18 anti-war
morning visiblity action.
Planning Meeting & Work Party
Wednesday, March 16 ~ 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Not in Our Name office. 3945 Opal Street,
Oakland CA 94609
Morning Visibilty Action
Friday, March 18 ~ 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM
Call us to hook up and help get the message out
to tens of thousands of morning commuters --
"Out of Iraq now!"
U.S. Out of Iraq Now!
March 19: International Day of Action
On the second anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, let's
show Bush and Co. that the people of the world say
NO to war and occupation!
On Saturday, March 19 join the Not in Our Name Earth
Flag Contingent at the mass march and rally organized by
ANSWER Coalition -- 11 am, Dolores Park, San Francisco.
Join up with the Not in Our Name Earth Flag Contingent at
the corner of 18th Street and Dolores (map). March to Civic
Center for a 1 pm rally.
Not In Our Name will also be organizing acts of creative
resistance around this weekend. We encourage folks to
strategize and brainstorm with us about how to broaden
resistance and bring awareness to the millions in this country
that our message must reach; and to join us as we unite with
groups around the Bay to bring out all who oppose the deadly
course of this government. Come to a general meeting,
call our office, or check out the website.
Against Military Recruitment in our Schools?
On the second anniversary of the war, join the
Counter-Recruitment Contingent!
***
Saturday, March 19
10AM at 16th and Mission St.
(the 16th Street BART station)
***
AT SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY, military recruiters were
forced to leave early without any recruits because of the hundreds
of students that came out to protest their presence at the school!
This is not an isolated incident. Seattle, Chicago, New York,
Madison, Connecticut, Minnesota. In community colleges,
high schools, and universities around the nation, students,
faculty, and campus workers have come out to protest the
BLACKMAILING of education. As billions are being diverted
from schools to the war, our students are being told that they
need to die before they see a dime of it.
THIS IS DEAD WRONG.
As recruiters are failing to meet quotas for the first time in
a decade, despite more than tripling signing bonuses, we need
to rebuild the anti-war movement by fighting against the war
where it is weakest.
Join students, parents, teachers, military families, veterans,
community members, and activists on the second anniversary
of the war at the 16th Street BART station at 10AM to march
up to Dolores Park together.
Sponsored by the Campus Anti-War Network and the College
Not Combat Committee.
Money for Jobs and Education! Not for War and Occupation!
For more info please contact: ragina@mac.com / 415.412.4540
sue sandlin design | srsndln@pacbell.net
National Teach-in on Iraq: How Can We End this War?
Thursday, March 24 ~ 7 PM to 10 PM
Mission High School, 3750 18th Street (at Dolores), San Francisco
On the 40th Anniversary of the first teach-ins on the Vietnam War.
With presentations by Iraq veteran Rahul Mahajan, Cindy Sheehan,
Fernando Suarez, Aimee Allison, Howard Wallace, Sean O'Neil,
and Medea Benjamin. Sponsored by Global Exchange and
CODEPINK. $5 donation requested. (more info)
Resistance Cinema Presents "Hidden in Plain Sight"
Sunday, April 10 ~ 3 PM to 5 PM
Parkway Pizza/Pub Theater, 1834 Park Blvd., Oakland
A short history, a spirited debate, a personal story, and a call
for accountability, "Hidden in Plain Sight" is a bold, unflinching
look at the nature and consequences of U.S. policy in Latin
America. Brief presentation by Laura Slattery, Pace e Bene
Nonviolence. A free event sponsored by Not in Our Name.
The Not in Our Name Project needs your support!
Donate online: donate.notinourname.net
Or send your tax-deductible contribution today to:
Not in Our Name
3945 Opal Street, Oakland CA 94609
www.notinourname.net
phone: 510-601-8000
email: bayarea@notinourname.net
local: bayarea.notinourname.net
Another World Is Possible!
http://www.notinourname.net
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
Dear Friends Please read the following request from Families for
Peaceful Tomorrows one of the many co-sponsors of the Eyes Wide
Open exhibit. They have committed to trying to collecting the
16,000 additional pairs of shoes. Please think about becoming
a collection point. In my opinion donating a pair of shoes is a
great way to challenge people to think about the human cost of
war. It is a way to involve people before the exhibit arrives and
encourage them to come. Some ideas for dealing with the collection
include; put out a barrel or box asking for the donation in your
school, church, neighborhood center or place of work. Put a flyer
on the box explaining why we are collecting the shoes. Thanks.
Sandra Schwartz
Peace Education Coordinator, AFSC
Dear Friends,
Eyes Wide Open, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
exhibit that reminds us of the human cost of war is coming to San
Francisco March 25-27. The exhibit features over 1,500 pairs of
combat boots tagged with the names of U.S. soldiers who have
died in the Iraq war. It also memorializes the Iraqi civilians killed
in the war.
In San Francisco, we are adding a new element to this powerful
exhibit: instead of just 1,000 shoes to represent all the Iraqi civilian
deaths, we have set a goal of collecting 16,000[1] pairs of shoes
to more accurately demonstrate the scale of Iraqi deaths as a result
of the war. The shoe memorial has been initiated by September
11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows and it will not happen
without your support.
We need your help to meet the goal of collecting 16,000 pairs
of shoes!
What you can do:
1. Collect shoes for the exhibit
* Please gather usable shoes from your family and friends
or set up a shoe collection site in your community, school,
workplace or place of worship.
* Tie each pair together, or, if no laces, securely attach them
together.
* Count the pairs of shoes and place in heavy-duty garbage
bags. Attach a tag with the count on it.
* Shoes will be donated at the end of the exhibit. Children's
and men's shoes are especially needed.
* Call Nabil at 415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email
shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* Drop off shoes 9 am to 5 pm at AFSC, 65 Ninth St.
(between Mission and Market) until Thursday, March 24.
Last minute shoes may be brought to Civic Center Plaza
Friday, March 25. No shoes accepted after Friday.
2. Collect phone cards for military personnel
We are also collecting telephone calling cards to donate to
military personnel and to returning Iraq war veterans in
a Bay Area hospital and the USOs at local airports. Please
purchase phone cards to donate with your shoes or bring
to the exhibit.
3. Volunteer
Volunteers are needed for the shoe project as well as the
overall exhibit.
* To volunteer with the shoe project, call Nabil at
415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email
shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* To volunteer to help with the exhibit call AFSC at
415-565-0201 ext. 15 or email sleeds@afsc.org
4. Spread the word! Please forward this information to
your networks.
5. Come to the exhibit, encourage others to come, and
bring last minute shoe donations and help us honor all
those who have died in Iraq.
[1] The number 16,000 is the approximate minimum number
of Iraqi civilians reported killed by military intervention in
Iraq by www.iraqbodycount.net.
Eyes Wide Open
"An exhibit that speaks directly to our hearts and reminds
us of the human cost of war."
Over 1,500 pairs of empty combat boots - tagged with the
names of U.S. soldiers who died in the Iraq war - will be
displayed, together with thousands of shoes and wall of
names to memorialize the Iraqis killed.
SAN FRANCISCO DATES:
March 25 (Friday), 11:00 am with all night vigil
Civic Center between Polk and Larkin
March 26 (Saturday), 10:00 am to 5 pm
Civic Center Voices and Requiem - 2 pm
March 27 (Easter Sunday), 10:00 am to dusk
Union Square (Powell and Geary)
American Friends Service Committee
We Need Good Shoes (Especially for Men and Children) and
Telephone Cards!
Call 415-565-0201 x14 or shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
See www.afsc.org/eyes
Until Thursday March 24, drop off shoes at 65 Ninth St.
(betw. Mission and Market) from 9-5 weekdays
Donate phone cards for military families Donate shoes to
memorialize the Iraqi casualties
Co-Sponsors (partial list) Agape Fdn; American Muslim Voice;
Archdiocese of SF: Comm. Of Public Policy and Social Concern;
Bay Area Pax Christi; Bay Area United for Peace and Justice;
Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists; Berkeley Friends
Church; Buddhist Peace Fellowship; Grace Cathedral: Diocese
of CA of the Episcopal Church; Los Altos Voices for Peace; Military
Families Speak Out; Pacifica Peace People; Pacifica Women in
Black; SFUSD School Board; Strawberry Creek Friends Meeting;
Veterans for Peace; 9/11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows,
San Francisco Friends Meeting, Code Pink
Our postal address is
P.O. Box 1818
Peter Stuyvesant Station
New York, New York 10009
United States
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TOMORROW, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
2) WE ALL STAND WITH LYNNE STEWART!
NO JAIL TIME FOR LYNNE!
PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TODAY
3) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation of Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People's Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
4) COMING TO THE BAY AREA SOON-POWERFUL ANTIWAR MOVIES
5) Iraqi War Veteran's Personal Journey of Conscience
Tuesday, March 22, 7:00 PM
Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church
55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek
Aidan Delgado, 23 year-old returned war veteran, relates the
personal journey of his deployment in Iraq at Abu Grhraib Prison,
and how he came to establish himself as a conscientious objector.
For more information call the Peace & Justice Center 925/933-7850
6) The US Student movement is surging, with campuses coast
to coast staging non-violent actions to protest the war
and military recruitment.
See http://www.campusresistance.org
for upcoming and recent actions during this Week of
Campus Resistance.
7) SECRET U.S. PLANS FOR IRAQ'S OIL (LINK ONLY)
By Greg Palast
Reporting for BBC Newsnight
17 March 2005
Date: Thu, 17 Mar 2005 01:41:19 -0500
From: palast@gregpalast.com
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/4354269.stm
8) House Approves $81.4 Billion (LINK ONLY)
War Spending Package
by Liz Sidoti
Published on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 by the Associated Press
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0316-11.htm
9) Fate of the Union (LINK ONLY)
By Frank Joyce, AlterNet
Posted on February 22, 2005, Printed on March 17, 2005
http://www.alternet.org/story/21312/
10) Remember the Disappeared: An Appeal to the Anti-War
Movement from Blue Triangles Network
NationalOffice@BlueTriangle.org
mailto:NationalOffice@BlueTriangle.org
11) White House press conference (LINK ONLY)
Bush defends rendition of detainees to torture regimes
By Barry Grey
World Socialist Web Site www.wsws.org
17 March 2005
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/mar2005/bush-m17.shtml
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TONIGHT, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
At the March 8th meeting JROTC teachers lied about what the
main purpose of JROTC was and about what they are teaching to the
children of San Francisco at the district's expense.
I received the following letter this morning from
"Arson G.," one of those students.
Arson G.'s words speak for themselves.
"Out of the mouths of babes!"
Peace,
Bonnie Weinstein, Bay Area United Against War
--- Nelly Gabuera
I don't know where you guys get your ideas, but
JROTC does NOT promote warfare or joining the army or
any sort of that. It's my second year in the JROTC
program and I love it, it teaches me leadership
skills, educates me, it PROMOTES my moral standards.
The mission of JROTC is to Promote Young Cadets To
Become Better Citizens. You do not know what you are
talking about, you are not IN the program, you have
never been in the program because if you have you
wouldve loved it, one paper does not mean im going to
join the Army. Now that we have ROTC settled,
let's focus on the war. If it wasn't for wars would
you still enjoy the freedoms you have today? NO? if it
wasn't for war half of the world would be run by
dictators like Hitler or Stalin or Mussolini, Castro?
SADAM? All we're doing in Iraq is bringing democracy.
We fought BACK because of 9-11. You cannot JUDGE the
JROTC in the last two years we have not even DISCUSSED
THE WAR class wise maybe amongst friends BUT NOT IN
THE JROTC CLASSROOM. The only thing we do, is march, learn
how to tell right from wrong. We have fun in the JROTC
program. Think of what effect it would have on kids
that don't have as good opportunities. The kids that
live in poverty that depend on JROTC to teach them
better, I believe JROTC saved lot's of lives. I
believe that if there isn't ONE person in the world
that is unsuccessfull in his life that passed the
JROTC program with flying colors. I really hope you
fail canceling the JROTC program, and for any grudge
you have against Bush take it out on him not the kids.
P.S. I AM joining the marine corps, it has been my
DREAM to be in the army since i was 7 years old. My
father served, my grandfather server and i will serve.
One thing i do admit though, the JROTC did make me
braver on my decision for joining the marines.
-Sincerely Arson G.
BAUAW has submitted the following resolution to the board:
Draft Resolution for San Francisco Board of Education
Cut Ties with the Military:
WHEREAS, the United States military is
actively recruiting high school students into
the military to fight in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, many young San Francisco
high school alumni are presently serving in
military units fighting in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, it is San Francisco City policy
by virtue of Proposition N, to bring all U.S.
troops home from Iraq now; and
WHEREAS, over 1,448 U.S. soldiers and
approximately 100,000 Iraqis have been
killed in this war and over 10,000 U.S.
soldiers and unknown thousands of
Iraqis have been wounded; and
WHEREAS, the hundreds of billions of dollars
spent on the war have robbed our children of
resources that should be spent on
education and other human needs; and
WHEREAS, military presence in our schools
legitimizes the message that violence is
acceptable;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
It shall be the policy of the San Francisco
Board of Education to cut all ties
with the United States military,
including, but not limited to: Ending military
recruitment on campuses; ending the
Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps
(JROTC); and guaranteeing that all students
and parents are informed of their right to
deny military recruiters access to their
names, addresses and telephone numbers.
MILITARY SPENDING IN THE SCHOOLS:
To: CodePinkCounterRecruitGroup@yahoogroups.com
From: "iampohet"
Subject: Which schools have jrotc?
I don't know specifically if military science is jrotc. I didn't find the
right person to ask. But, if it isn't, then what the hell is it?
Oh, heck, just for fun, here are the athletics funds listed in
the profile:
School: Amt: FTE's:Mil.Sci. FTE's:
Balboa: $6,000 2.0
Burton: $6,000 2.0
Galileo: $6,000 2.0
Lincoln: $7,000 3.0
Mission: $6,000 2.0
Lowell: $7,000 2.0
Washington: $7,000 2.0
The money, just over 2 mil, is all the funds... 1mil+
from the Feds and 1mil + in matching funds from
the sfusd.
In CodePinkCounterRecruitGroup@yahoogroups.com,
Ms sam joi
question - mil sci is jrotc? and this $$ was
alotted by the feds to the individual schools?
iampohet
School Money alotted to Mil Sci
as per fiscal profile Apr. 2004
Balboa: $261,335
Burton: $258,177
Galileo: $343,913
Lincoln: $429,106
Mission: $265,303
Lowell: $276,877
Wash: $344,093
Total: $2,178,804
I found this info by digging in the
individual school's profiles on
the sfusd website. Hope it's helpful.
erin
Bay Area United Against War (BAUAW)
www.bauaw.org
414-824-8730
Donations are urgently needed to carry
out this important work. We have no
paid staff but need money for posters,
buttons, flyers and informational material
to hand out to students and parents.
Make a tax-deductible donation to:
Bay Area United Against War/NVM
P.O. Box 318021
San Francisco, CA 94131-8021
Coming Up:
Global Day of Action
March 19, 2005
No to War and Occupation in Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People's Needs, Not War!
San Francisco March Assembles:
11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
2) WE ALL STAND WITH LYNNE STEWART!
NO JAIL TIME FOR LYNNE!
PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TODAY:
SUGGESTION AS TO FORMAT OF LETTERS
TO BE WRITTEN ON BEHALF OF LYNNE STEWART
MARGIN: Please leave at least a one-inch left-hand
margin to allow us to bind the letter into the
appendix to the sentencing memorandum that
is being filed on Lynne's behalf.
INSIDE ADDRESS: Honorable John G. Koeltl
United States District Judge
Southern District of New York
United States Courthouse
500 Pearl Street
New York, New York 10007
GREETING: Honorable Sir or Dear Judge Koeltl:
BODY: Briefly introduce yourself and set forth your
relationship to Lynne.
Briefly discuss yourself - your position in work
and in society.
State that you are aware that Lynne is to be
sentenced following a jury verdict of guilty on
serious charges: The remainder of your letter
should discuss whatever you believe to weigh
in favor of no jail time. If possible, you should
tell of an incident where she helped you out or
engaged in commendable community service.
Do not try to argue that she is not guilty or was
unfairly conviction. Focus on the unfairness of
the government's actions in bringing the charges;
the way in which the government portrayed her, etc.
* Typewritten letters if possible are preferred.
*
WHEN LETTER IS COMPLETED: Please mail the
final product to the following address:
Jill R. Shellow-Lavine, Esq.
2537 Post Road
Southport, CT 06890
Do not send your letters to the judge. We ask that you
forward your letter me so that the lawyers can present
it to Judge Koeltl with the other letters being written for
this purpose. This is the manner in which letters will
have the greatest impact. If they are sent directly to the
Judge's chambers, they may have less of an impact and
could cause the judge a substantial inconvenience
(and annoyance).
Thank you for your cooperation. If you have any
questions, please do not hesitate to contact the
defense committee at www.lynnestewart.org.
Sincerely,
Jill R. Shellow-Lavine
Attorney for Lynne Stewart
For more information go to:
www.LynneStewart.org
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
3) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation ˆ Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People‚s Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
[Volunteers are needed for March 19. Show up at Dolores Park
at 9:00am-or at the Civic Center at 9:00am and sign up at the
A.N.S.W.E.R. volunteer table or call the A.N.S.W.E.R. office
at 415-821-6545.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
4) BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR PRESENTS:
"Mission Accomplished" a brutally vivid documentary
filmed entirely on the ground in Iraq. The reality of this
war for American troops is contrasted to the
overwhelming reality of the devastation felt and experienced
by the people of Iraq.
"Mission Accomplished" will open March 18th, 6pm:
The Four Star Twin
2200 Clement St. (near 23rd Ave.)
San Francisco, CA 94121
415.666.3488
CINEMA LIBRE STUDIO -
www.VOICESINWARTIME.org -
LANDMARK THEATRES -
GLOBAL EXCHANGE -
THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY GUARDIAN -
CORPWATCH -
BAY.AREA.UNITED.AGAINST.WAR
Invite you to join us for a special sneak
preview of the film "Voices in Wartime."
Wednesday, March 30, 2005, 7:30 p.m.
Landmark Lumiere Theatre
1572 California St (near Polk)
San Francisco, CA 94109
Please RSVP via e-mail to VIWSF@ebcoms.com
by March 26, 2005. Include your name and
number of guests in the subject line e.g. "Your Name + 1."
Please note: Screening is FREE. Seating is limited, based on
RSVPs received. If we are not able to accommodate you, we
will let you know by return email. Please bring a copy of this
invitation with you.
ABOUT THE FILM
==============
"Voices in Wartime" gives the gut-wrenching experience
of war a fresh perspective. It steps away to look at all wars
- not just the conflicts currently in the news. The terrible
beauty of poetry is its guide, distilling the grim realities and
complex emotions of war. In addition soldiers, journalists,
historians and experts on combat are interviewed, adding
diverse perspectives on war's effects. History and literature
have shown that in times of war, poets can lead us to greater
truths and that the power of poetry can help us understand
the trauma, violence and death caused by armed conflict.
EARLY REVIEWS
=============
"'Voices' is a compelling look at poets caught up in the evils
of war, with nowhere to hide but in the solace of words.
But these are not words to be locked away. They are words
to be shouted from the rooftop, or better yet, from the movie
screens of every town in America.
The film relates a history of war poetry with narratives
that range from Sam Hamill 3-star general William Lennox Jr.,
superintendant of West Point.
This movie arrives just in time for the second anniversary
of "shock and awe". It may not be as shocking, but actually,
it's a lot more awesome." - Karl Weyrauch, EZAAPP, from the
Association of American Physician Poets.
"A history of verse is laid alongside that of warfare, and
the ways in which they are braided together proves
fascinating." - Variety Magazine"
* * * * - Entertainment Insiders
www.VoicesInWartime.org
4509 Interlake Ave. N. #263 | Seattle, WA 98103-6782
www.CinemaLibreStudio.com
[This poem by fourth-grader Cameron Penny was read
by Marie Howe in this very beautiful film
directed by Rick King.
"If you are lucky in this life
A window will appear on a battlefield between two armies
And when the soldiers look into the window
They don't see their enemies
They see themselves as children
And they stop fighting
And go home and go to sleep
When they wake up, the land is well again."
By Cameron Penny]
Landmark
Lumiere 3
San Francisco
1572 California Street
50th St
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
5) Iraqi War Veteran's Personal Journey of Conscience
Tuesday, March 22, 7:00 PM
Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church
55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek
Aidan Delgado, 23 year-old returned war veteran, relates the
personal journey of his deployment in Iraq at Abu Grhraib Prison,
and how he came to establish himself as a conscientious objector.
For more information call the Peace & Justice Center 925/933-7850
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
6) The US Student movement is surging, with campuses coast
to coast staging non-violent actions to protest the war
and military recruitment.
See http://www.campusresistance.org
for upcoming and recent actions during this Week of
Campus Resistance.
The Campus Antiwar Network (CAN), Lefthook.org and
GlobalResistanceNetwork.com
initiated the call for campuses to organize
actions and protests this week leading
up to the second anniversary of the
invasion of Iraq. CAN's website is found at
http://www.campusantiwar.net
Counter-recruitment actions at
CCNY and SFSU have had major media coverage
due to arrests and police brutality
claims. These arrests have spurred calls
for free speech and protests. CCNY
students have called for a picket of the
City College of New York administration
in defense of free speech on March
17, 2005.
http://www.traprockpeace.org/free_speech_ccny.htm
In San Francisco, students have put out a call to
defend free speech at SFSU
http://www.traprockpeace.org/free_speech_sfsu.htm
See "Counter-Recruitment is Gaining Strength -
Military Recruiters Target
Campus Activists" in CounterPunch, an article by
CAN organizers Hadas Their
(CCNY) and Katrina Yeaw (SFSU) -
http://counterpunch.org/their03152005.html
Updates on other counter-recruitment actions, organized
by CAN members or in
cooperation with other groups, may be found at
http://www.traprockpeace.org/campus_antiwar.html
The Week of Campus Resistance actions
are leading up to student actions this
weekend to protest the war. On
March 1, CAN put out the call for a student
contingent for the mass march in
Fayetteville on March 19th, as reported in
CommonDreams at the time. An updated
notice - put out on the CAN listserv -
is available at
http://www.traprockpeace.org/can_fayetteville.html
(The primary contact person for the
CAN contingent in Fayetteville is
Catherine Geary 336-202-5038 - catgeary@peoplepc.com )
ENDORSEMENTS FOR WEEK OF CAMPUS RESISTANCE
The Week of Campus Resistance has been
endorsed internationally by
• Noam Chomsky;
• Ralph Nader;
• Kathy Kelly, Co-coordinator of
Voices in the Wilderness;
• Michael Yates, Associate Editor at
Monthly Review, and Professor Emeritus
at University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown;
• Robert Jensen;
• Lou Plummer, an organizer of the
March 19 demonstration in Fayetteville,
NC, a member of Military Families Speak
Out, Veterans for Peace, and a
member of the national steering committee
of the Bring Them Home Now!
campaign;
• James Petras;
• Mickey Z;
• Anthony Arnove, member of the
International Socialist Org. and
co-editor, with Howard Zinn, of
Voices of A People's History of the United
States;
• Mkhaimar Abusada, professor
at Al-Azhar University, Gaza;
• Howard Zinn;
• Michael Letwin Co-Convener,
New York City Labor Against the War, Former
President, UAW Local 2325;
• Norman Solomon, associate of FAIR;
• Sunny Miller, Executive Director
of Traprock Peace Center;
• Students Stop the War Coalition (UK);
• Father John Dear;
• Phil Gasper, professor of
Philosophy at Notre Dame de Namur University;
• Pol Devos, coordinator of
StopUSA, anti-war movement in Belgium;
• Norm Dixon, Socialist Alliance
member and former editor of Green Left
Weekly, Sydney, Australia;
• Traprock Peace Center.
MORE INFORMATION
CAN is the national democratic and
independent network of campus antiwar
organizations. http://www.campusantiwar.net
NYU students have produced an excellent CAN pamphlet.
http://www.traprockpeace.org/withdrawal.pdf
Traprock has published "Recruiters Off Our
Campuses" by Desmond Gardfrey,
CAN CC member, a primary CAN
organizer of the Week of Campus Resistance and
an organizer of CAN's student
contingent in Fayetteville.
http://www.traprockpeace.org/gardfrey_11mar05.html
####
Charles Jenks, attorney at law
President of the Core Group
Traprock Peace Center
103A Keets Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
413-773-5188; Fax 413-773-7507
charles@mtdata.com
http://traprockpeace.org
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ufpj-news/
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
7) SECRET U.S. PLANS FOR IRAQ'S OIL (LINK ONLY)
By Greg Palast
Reporting for BBC Newsnight
17 March 2005
Date: Thu, 17 Mar 2005 01:41:19 -0500
From: palast@gregpalast.com
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/4354269.stm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
8) House Approves $81.4 Billion (LINK ONLY)
War Spending Package
by Liz Sidoti
Published on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 by the Associated Press
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0316-11.htm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
9) Fate of the Union (LINK ONLY)
By Frank Joyce, AlterNet
Posted on February 22, 2005, Printed on March 17, 2005
http://www.alternet.org/story/21312/
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
10) Remember the Disappeared: An Appeal to the Anti-War
Movement from Blue Triangles Network
NationalOffice@BlueTriangle.org
mailto:NationalOffice@BlueTriangle.org
March 16, 2005
"Remember the Disappeared: Wear Blue Triangles on March 18-20"
During the anti-war activities on 18-20th March, the Blue Triangle
Network (BTN) calls on all people to include opposition to repression
against Muslim, Arab and South Asian immigrants as an important
part of activities by wearing a Blue Triangle with the names of the
detained and disappeared, and distributing this Appeal and the
Blue Triangle Network Fact Sheet.
March 20, 2005 marks two years since the invasion and occupation
of Iraq by the U.S. The anti-war movement has called on people
around the world to come out on this day to protest this unjust
war and occupation. This global "war on terror" has two components:
one, an ongoing war on the world with the occupation of Iraq
and threats against other countries, and two, a domestic war
on Muslim, Arab and South Asian immigrants, including the
repression of dissent.
The repression of Muslim, Arab and South Asian immigrants has
intensified and escalated since 9-11. >From the registrations,
raids, detentions and deportations of tens of thousands of
immigrants and government-sanctioned racial profiling to the
consolidation of a legal infrastructure that allows indefinite
detention of immigrants and U.S. citizens, a climate of overall
repression has descended and is spreading into far broader
sections of society. The confirmations of Alberto Gonzales as
U.S. Attorney General and Michael Chertoff as the head of the
Dept of Homeland Security make it chillingly clear that this
administration plans to continue on this course.
The Blue Triangle Network calls on the people living in this
country to come to the defense of Muslim, Arab and South
Asian immigrants, the first targets of these attacks. However,
these communities are not the only groups of people whose
rights are being trampled. The initial attacks on these
communities served as a window through which repressive
policies like Homeland Security Act, SEVIS, Special Registration,
the USA PATRIOT ACT, the "enemy combatant" status (in which
the President can hold anyone indefinitely without charges and
which the U.S. Supreme Court recently approved) have been
launched. These policies have widened the net of repression
and persecution. Activists and dissenters have also been targeted,
as was clearly evident during the Republican National Convention
and Bush's inauguration, in which protesters were categorized
as "terrorists" and labeled as a "national security threat".
The repression facing the Muslim, Arab and South Asian
communities in the present time has taken a different face
than immediately after 9-11. While there are no longer mass
round-ups, detentions and registrations, racial profiling
continues to occur and is likely to worsen. As the occupation
of Iraq continues, and other countries in the Middle East
are threatened with war, the view of Arabs and Muslims as
the "ENEMY WITHIN" will continue to be propagated by the
government and mainstream media. With the government
apparatus of repression gaining more and more strength,
the future of immigrants in this country is under serious
threat.
March 18-20, the Blue Triangle Network calls on the
anti-war movement to take up the struggle to stop the
repression against Muslim, Arab and South Asian immigrants
as an integral part of what you are doing. WEAR A BLUE
TRIANGLE WITH THE NAME OF ONE OF THE DISAPPEARED,
one of those rounded up and secretly jailed immediately
following 9-11, to demonstrate our solidarity with those
being targeted today. Download blue triangles from the
BTN website: www.bluetriangle.org
ORDER THE BTN 12 PAGE TABLOID SIZE FACT SHEET
FOR ON-G0ING USE IN YOUR ANTI-WAR ACTIVITIES. T
his fact sheet analyzes this repression and tells stories
of individuals attacked.
1000 fact sheets--$100
500 fact sheets--$ 50
100 fact sheets--$15
To order: email NationalOffice@bluetriangle.org
or call 313-942-7187.
BLUE TRIANGLE NETWORK
P.O. BOX 7451, DEARBORN, MI 48121-7451
313-942-7187
www.bluetriangle.org
Email: NationalOffice@bluetriangle.org
US-Mexico Border Actions
No Militarization of Borders! Support Immigrant Rights!
New York: (212)330-8172
Los Angeles: (213)403-0131
e-mail: Info@ActionLA.org
Please subscribe Border Information listserv, send e-mail to:
Border01-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
or visit: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Border01
Also, please join our national immigrant
Solidarity Network daily news litserv, send
e-mail to: isn-subscribe@lists.riseup.net
or visit: http://lists.riseup.net/www/info/isn
**Please consider making a donation to the
important work of the US-Mexico Border Actions!
Send check pay to:
ActionLA/SEE
1013 Mission St. #6
South Pasadena CA 91030
(All donations are tax deductible)
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
11) White House press conference (LINK ONLY)
Bush defends rendition of detainees to torture regimes
By Barry Grey
World Socialist Web Site www.wsws.org
17 March 2005
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/mar2005/bush-m17.shtml
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
BAUAW NEWSLETTER-THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2005
*******************************************************
THE NEXT BAUAW MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE:
SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 11:30AM
474 VALENCIA STREET, SF
(FIRST FLOOR, TO THE LEFT AND ALL THE WAY BACK
TO THE COMPANEROS DEL BARRIO CHILDREN'S CENTER)
*******************************************************
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TONIGHT, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Today, Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
At the March 8th meeting JROTC teachers lied about what the
main purpose of JROTC was and about what they are teaching to the
children of San Francisco at the district's expense.
I received the following letter this morning from
"Arson G.," one of those students.
Arson G.'s words speak for themselves.
"Out of the mouths of babes!"
Peace,
Bonnie Weinstein, Bay Area United Against War
--- Nelly Gabuera
I don't know where you guys get your ideas, but
JROTC does NOT promote warfare or joining the army or
any sort of that. It's my second year in the JROTC
program and I love it, it teaches me leadership
skills, educates me, it PROMOTES my moral standards.
The mission of JROTC is to Promote Young Cadets To
Become Better Citizens. You do not know what you are
talking about, you are not IN the program, you have
never been in the program because if you have you
wouldve loved it, one paper does not mean im going to
join the Army. Now that we have ROTC settled,
let's focus on the war. If it wasn't for wars would
you still enjoy the freedoms you have today? NO? if it
wasn't for war half of the world would be run by
dictators like Hitler or Stalin or Mussolini, Castro?
SADAM? All we're doing in Iraq is bringing democracy.
We fought BACK because of 9-11. You cannot JUDGE the
JROTC in the last two years we have not even DISCUSSED
THE WAR class wise maybe amongst friends BUT NOT IN
THE JROTC CLASSROOM.
The only thing we do, is march, learn
how to tell right from wrong. We have fun in the JROTC
program. Think of what effect it would have on kids
that don't have as good opportunities. The kids that
live in poverty that depend on JROTC to teach them
better, I believe JROTC saved lot's of lives. I
believe that if there isn't ONE person in the world
that is unsuccessful in his life that passed the
JROTC program with flying colors. I really hope you
fail canceling the JROTC program, and for any grudge
you have against Bush take it out on him not the kids.
P.S. I AM joining the marine corps, it has been my
DREAM to be in the army since i was 7 years old. My
father served, my grandfather server and i will serve.
One thing i do admit though, the JROTC did make me
braver on my decision for joining the marines.
-Sincerely Arson G.
************************************************************
MILITARY RECRUITERS WILL BE AT THE CAREER FAIR AT
GEORGE WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL
600 32nd Avenue between Geary and Balboa Sts.
TUESDAY, APRIL 5TH, 9:50AM-12:20PM
ALL ARE INVITED TO HELP WITH COUNTER-RECRUITMENT!
************************************************************
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR PRESENTS
A PREMIERE FILM SHOWING OF:
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
One man, one camera. Two sides of a story
FRIDAY, MARCH 18TH, 6 P.M.
(There will be a short question and answer period
at 7:30 P.M. immediately following the film.)
FOUR STAR TWIN
220 CLEMENT ST. NEAR 23RD AVENUE
SAN FRANCISCO
415-666-3488
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED is a gripping documentary by veteran
British journalist Sean Langan. Langan gets up close and
personal accounts of the war from U.S. and coalition soldiers,
Iraqi resistance fighters, and captures Abu Ghraib prison abuses
long before the torture reached the popular Press.
The most powerful statement of the film is the depiction
of the total devastation brought to Iraq by this war. It is the
constant backdrop to the interviews in the film as is the almost
universal hatred exhibited by the Iraqi people toward any U.S.
presence in Iraq-both from those interviewed and from those
included among the rubble in the background scenes. This film's
a must for anyone thinking of joining the military or who is
unsure of what our government is doing there in our name.
************************************************************
CINEMA LIBRE STUDIO -
www.VOICESINWARTIME.org -
LANDMARK THEATRES -
GLOBAL EXCHANGE -
THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY GUARDIAN -
CORPWATCH -
BAY.AREA.UNITED.AGAINST.WAR
Invite you to join us for a special sneak preview of the
film "Voices in Wartime."
Wednesday, March 30, 2005, 7:30 p.m.
Landmark Lumiere Theatre
1572 California St (near Polk)
San Francisco, CA 94109
Please RSVP via e-mail to VIWSF@ebcoms.com by March 26, 2005.
Include your name and number of guests in the subject line e.g.
"Your Name + 1."
Please note: Screening is FREE. Seating is limited, based
on RSVPs received. If we are not able to accommodate you,
we will let you know by return email. Please bring a copy
of this invitation with you.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
Volunteers are needed for March 19th!
Show up March 19th at Dolores Park
or Civic Center at 9:00 a.m.
and sign up at the A.N.S.W.E.R. volunteer table.
Or contact A.N.S.W.E.R. OFFICE AT:
2489 Mission St. #24, 415-821-6545
Hello to members of United for Peace and Justice Bay Area,
On March 19 UPJ-Bay Area will be meeting at 10:30 a.m. on
18th Street in front of Mission High School before marching down
to Civic Center. We will be carrying panels of the faces of the
victims of the war-American soldiers and Iraqi civilians-and need
your help in carrying them to Civic Center where we will have
a table. Please send out this request to your listserv.
Also, we are updating our members' directory and need your
updated contact information.
Please send your email, phone number and website address to me
as soon as possible. A donation of $25 is also requested to
cover printing charges. Please send to:
United for Peace and Justice-Bay Area
c/o War Resisters League West
POB 410744
San Francisco, CA 94141
Thanks.
Jackie Barshak
for UPJ-Bay Area
415.308.9416
jackie barshak jbarshak@hotmail.com
Not in Our Name Bay Area
Help Not in Our Name build for the March 19 mass
mobilization in San Francisco to end war and occupation!
Community postering for March 19 march and rally.
Also, help prepare for the March 18 anti-war
morning visiblity action.
Planning Meeting & Work Party
Wednesday, March 16 ~ 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Not in Our Name office. 3945 Opal Street,
Oakland CA 94609
Morning Visibilty Action
Friday, March 18 ~ 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM
Call us to hook up and help get the message out
to tens of thousands of morning commuters --
"Out of Iraq now!"
U.S. Out of Iraq Now!
March 19: International Day of Action
On the second anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, let's
show Bush and Co. that the people of the world say
NO to war and occupation!
On Saturday, March 19 join the Not in Our Name Earth
Flag Contingent at the mass march and rally organized by
ANSWER Coalition -- 11 am, Dolores Park, San Francisco.
Join up with the Not in Our Name Earth Flag Contingent at
the corner of 18th Street and Dolores (map). March to Civic
Center for a 1 pm rally.
Not In Our Name will also be organizing acts of creative
resistance around this weekend. We encourage folks to
strategize and brainstorm with us about how to broaden
resistance and bring awareness to the millions in this country
that our message must reach; and to join us as we unite with
groups around the Bay to bring out all who oppose the deadly
course of this government. Come to a general meeting,
call our office, or check out the website.
Against Military Recruitment in our Schools?
On the second anniversary of the war, join the
Counter-Recruitment Contingent!
***
Saturday, March 19
10AM at 16th and Mission St.
(the 16th Street BART station)
***
AT SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY, military recruiters were
forced to leave early without any recruits because of the hundreds
of students that came out to protest their presence at the school!
This is not an isolated incident. Seattle, Chicago, New York,
Madison, Connecticut, Minnesota. In community colleges,
high schools, and universities around the nation, students,
faculty, and campus workers have come out to protest the
BLACKMAILING of education. As billions are being diverted
from schools to the war, our students are being told that they
need to die before they see a dime of it.
THIS IS DEAD WRONG.
As recruiters are failing to meet quotas for the first time in
a decade, despite more than tripling signing bonuses, we need
to rebuild the anti-war movement by fighting against the war
where it is weakest.
Join students, parents, teachers, military families, veterans,
community members, and activists on the second anniversary
of the war at the 16th Street BART station at 10AM to march
up to Dolores Park together.
Sponsored by the Campus Anti-War Network and the College
Not Combat Committee.
Money for Jobs and Education! Not for War and Occupation!
For more info please contact: ragina@mac.com / 415.412.4540
sue sandlin design | srsndln@pacbell.net
National Teach-in on Iraq: How Can We End this War?
Thursday, March 24 ~ 7 PM to 10 PM
Mission High School, 3750 18th Street (at Dolores), San Francisco
On the 40th Anniversary of the first teach-ins on the Vietnam War.
With presentations by Iraq veteran Rahul Mahajan, Cindy Sheehan,
Fernando Suarez, Aimee Allison, Howard Wallace, Sean O'Neil,
and Medea Benjamin. Sponsored by Global Exchange and
CODEPINK. $5 donation requested. (more info)
Resistance Cinema Presents "Hidden in Plain Sight"
Sunday, April 10 ~ 3 PM to 5 PM
Parkway Pizza/Pub Theater, 1834 Park Blvd., Oakland
A short history, a spirited debate, a personal story, and a call
for accountability, "Hidden in Plain Sight" is a bold, unflinching
look at the nature and consequences of U.S. policy in Latin
America. Brief presentation by Laura Slattery, Pace e Bene
Nonviolence. A free event sponsored by Not in Our Name.
The Not in Our Name Project needs your support!
Donate online: donate.notinourname.net
Or send your tax-deductible contribution today to:
Not in Our Name
3945 Opal Street, Oakland CA 94609
www.notinourname.net
phone: 510-601-8000
email: bayarea@notinourname.net
local: bayarea.notinourname.net
Another World Is Possible!
http://www.notinourname.net
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
Dear Friends Please read the following request from Families for
Peaceful Tomorrows one of the many co-sponsors of the Eyes Wide
Open exhibit. They have committed to trying to collecting the
16,000 additional pairs of shoes. Please think about becoming
a collection point. In my opinion donating a pair of shoes is a
great way to challenge people to think about the human cost of
war. It is a way to involve people before the exhibit arrives and
encourage them to come. Some ideas for dealing with the collection
include; put out a barrel or box asking for the donation in your
school, church, neighborhood center or place of work. Put a flyer
on the box explaining why we are collecting the shoes. Thanks.
Sandra Schwartz
Peace Education Coordinator, AFSC
Dear Friends,
Eyes Wide Open, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
exhibit that reminds us of the human cost of war is coming to San
Francisco March 25-27. The exhibit features over 1,500 pairs of
combat boots tagged with the names of U.S. soldiers who have
died in the Iraq war. It also memorializes the Iraqi civilians killed
in the war.
In San Francisco, we are adding a new element to this powerful
exhibit: instead of just 1,000 shoes to represent all the Iraqi civilian
deaths, we have set a goal of collecting 16,000[1] pairs of shoes
to more accurately demonstrate the scale of Iraqi deaths as a result
of the war. The shoe memorial has been initiated by September
11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows and it will not happen
without your support.
We need your help to meet the goal of collecting 16,000 pairs
of shoes!
What you can do:
1. Collect shoes for the exhibit
* Please gather usable shoes from your family and friends
or set up a shoe collection site in your community, school,
workplace or place of worship.
* Tie each pair together, or, if no laces, securely attach them
together.
* Count the pairs of shoes and place in heavy-duty garbage
bags. Attach a tag with the count on it.
* Shoes will be donated at the end of the exhibit. Children's
and men's shoes are especially needed.
* Call Nabil at 415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email
shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* Drop off shoes 9 am to 5 pm at AFSC, 65 Ninth St.
(between Mission and Market) until Thursday, March 24.
Last minute shoes may be brought to Civic Center Plaza
Friday, March 25. No shoes accepted after Friday.
2. Collect phone cards for military personnel
We are also collecting telephone calling cards to donate to
military personnel and to returning Iraq war veterans in
a Bay Area hospital and the USOs at local airports. Please
purchase phone cards to donate with your shoes or bring
to the exhibit.
3. Volunteer
Volunteers are needed for the shoe project as well as the
overall exhibit.
* To volunteer with the shoe project, call Nabil at
415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email
shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* To volunteer to help with the exhibit call AFSC at
415-565-0201 ext. 15 or email sleeds@afsc.org
4. Spread the word! Please forward this information to
your networks.
5. Come to the exhibit, encourage others to come, and
bring last minute shoe donations and help us honor all
those who have died in Iraq.
[1] The number 16,000 is the approximate minimum number
of Iraqi civilians reported killed by military intervention in
Iraq by www.iraqbodycount.net.
Eyes Wide Open
"An exhibit that speaks directly to our hearts and reminds
us of the human cost of war."
Over 1,500 pairs of empty combat boots - tagged with the
names of U.S. soldiers who died in the Iraq war - will be
displayed, together with thousands of shoes and wall of
names to memorialize the Iraqis killed.
SAN FRANCISCO DATES:
March 25 (Friday), 11:00 am with all night vigil
Civic Center between Polk and Larkin
March 26 (Saturday), 10:00 am to 5 pm
Civic Center Voices and Requiem - 2 pm
March 27 (Easter Sunday), 10:00 am to dusk
Union Square (Powell and Geary)
American Friends Service Committee
We Need Good Shoes (Especially for Men and Children) and
Telephone Cards!
Call 415-565-0201 x14 or shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
See www.afsc.org/eyes
Until Thursday March 24, drop off shoes at 65 Ninth St.
(betw. Mission and Market) from 9-5 weekdays
Donate phone cards for military families Donate shoes to
memorialize the Iraqi casualties
Co-Sponsors (partial list) Agape Fdn; American Muslim Voice;
Archdiocese of SF: Comm. Of Public Policy and Social Concern;
Bay Area Pax Christi; Bay Area United for Peace and Justice;
Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists; Berkeley Friends
Church; Buddhist Peace Fellowship; Grace Cathedral: Diocese
of CA of the Episcopal Church; Los Altos Voices for Peace; Military
Families Speak Out; Pacifica Peace People; Pacifica Women in
Black; SFUSD School Board; Strawberry Creek Friends Meeting;
Veterans for Peace; 9/11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows,
San Francisco Friends Meeting, Code Pink
Our postal address is
P.O. Box 1818
Peter Stuyvesant Station
New York, New York 10009
United States
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TOMORROW, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
2) WE ALL STAND WITH LYNNE STEWART!
NO JAIL TIME FOR LYNNE!
PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TODAY
3) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation of Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People's Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
4) COMING TO THE BAY AREA SOON-POWERFUL ANTIWAR MOVIES
5) Iraqi War Veteran's Personal Journey of Conscience
Tuesday, March 22, 7:00 PM
Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church
55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek
Aidan Delgado, 23 year-old returned war veteran, relates the
personal journey of his deployment in Iraq at Abu Grhraib Prison,
and how he came to establish himself as a conscientious objector.
For more information call the Peace & Justice Center 925/933-7850
6) The US Student movement is surging, with campuses coast
to coast staging non-violent actions to protest the war
and military recruitment.
See http://www.campusresistance.org
for upcoming and recent actions during this Week of
Campus Resistance.
7) SECRET U.S. PLANS FOR IRAQ'S OIL (LINK ONLY)
By Greg Palast
Reporting for BBC Newsnight
17 March 2005
Date: Thu, 17 Mar 2005 01:41:19 -0500
From: palast@gregpalast.com
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/4354269.stm
8) House Approves $81.4 Billion (LINK ONLY)
War Spending Package
by Liz Sidoti
Published on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 by the Associated Press
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0316-11.htm
9) Fate of the Union (LINK ONLY)
By Frank Joyce, AlterNet
Posted on February 22, 2005, Printed on March 17, 2005
http://www.alternet.org/story/21312/
10) Remember the Disappeared: An Appeal to the Anti-War
Movement from Blue Triangles Network
NationalOffice@BlueTriangle.org
mailto:NationalOffice@BlueTriangle.org
11) White House press conference (LINK ONLY)
Bush defends rendition of detainees to torture regimes
By Barry Grey
World Socialist Web Site www.wsws.org
17 March 2005
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/mar2005/bush-m17.shtml
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TONIGHT, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
At the March 8th meeting JROTC teachers lied about what the
main purpose of JROTC was and about what they are teaching to the
children of San Francisco at the district's expense.
I received the following letter this morning from
"Arson G.," one of those students.
Arson G.'s words speak for themselves.
"Out of the mouths of babes!"
Peace,
Bonnie Weinstein, Bay Area United Against War
--- Nelly Gabuera
I don't know where you guys get your ideas, but
JROTC does NOT promote warfare or joining the army or
any sort of that. It's my second year in the JROTC
program and I love it, it teaches me leadership
skills, educates me, it PROMOTES my moral standards.
The mission of JROTC is to Promote Young Cadets To
Become Better Citizens. You do not know what you are
talking about, you are not IN the program, you have
never been in the program because if you have you
wouldve loved it, one paper does not mean im going to
join the Army. Now that we have ROTC settled,
let's focus on the war. If it wasn't for wars would
you still enjoy the freedoms you have today? NO? if it
wasn't for war half of the world would be run by
dictators like Hitler or Stalin or Mussolini, Castro?
SADAM? All we're doing in Iraq is bringing democracy.
We fought BACK because of 9-11. You cannot JUDGE the
JROTC in the last two years we have not even DISCUSSED
THE WAR class wise maybe amongst friends BUT NOT IN
THE JROTC CLASSROOM. The only thing we do, is march, learn
how to tell right from wrong. We have fun in the JROTC
program. Think of what effect it would have on kids
that don't have as good opportunities. The kids that
live in poverty that depend on JROTC to teach them
better, I believe JROTC saved lot's of lives. I
believe that if there isn't ONE person in the world
that is unsuccessfull in his life that passed the
JROTC program with flying colors. I really hope you
fail canceling the JROTC program, and for any grudge
you have against Bush take it out on him not the kids.
P.S. I AM joining the marine corps, it has been my
DREAM to be in the army since i was 7 years old. My
father served, my grandfather server and i will serve.
One thing i do admit though, the JROTC did make me
braver on my decision for joining the marines.
-Sincerely Arson G.
BAUAW has submitted the following resolution to the board:
Draft Resolution for San Francisco Board of Education
Cut Ties with the Military:
WHEREAS, the United States military is
actively recruiting high school students into
the military to fight in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, many young San Francisco
high school alumni are presently serving in
military units fighting in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, it is San Francisco City policy
by virtue of Proposition N, to bring all U.S.
troops home from Iraq now; and
WHEREAS, over 1,448 U.S. soldiers and
approximately 100,000 Iraqis have been
killed in this war and over 10,000 U.S.
soldiers and unknown thousands of
Iraqis have been wounded; and
WHEREAS, the hundreds of billions of dollars
spent on the war have robbed our children of
resources that should be spent on
education and other human needs; and
WHEREAS, military presence in our schools
legitimizes the message that violence is
acceptable;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
It shall be the policy of the San Francisco
Board of Education to cut all ties
with the United States military,
including, but not limited to: Ending military
recruitment on campuses; ending the
Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps
(JROTC); and guaranteeing that all students
and parents are informed of their right to
deny military recruiters access to their
names, addresses and telephone numbers.
MILITARY SPENDING IN THE SCHOOLS:
To: CodePinkCounterRecruitGroup@yahoogroups.com
From: "iampohet"
Subject: Which schools have jrotc?
I don't know specifically if military science is jrotc. I didn't find the
right person to ask. But, if it isn't, then what the hell is it?
Oh, heck, just for fun, here are the athletics funds listed in
the profile:
School: Amt: FTE's:Mil.Sci. FTE's:
Balboa: $6,000 2.0
Burton: $6,000 2.0
Galileo: $6,000 2.0
Lincoln: $7,000 3.0
Mission: $6,000 2.0
Lowell: $7,000 2.0
Washington: $7,000 2.0
The money, just over 2 mil, is all the funds... 1mil+
from the Feds and 1mil + in matching funds from
the sfusd.
In CodePinkCounterRecruitGroup@yahoogroups.com,
Ms sam joi wrote:
question - mil sci is jrotc? and this $$ was
alotted by the feds to the individual schools?
iampohet wrote:
School Money alotted to Mil Sci
as per fiscal profile Apr. 2004
Balboa: $261,335
Burton: $258,177
Galileo: $343,913
Lincoln: $429,106
Mission: $265,303
Lowell: $276,877
Wash: $344,093
Total: $2,178,804
I found this info by digging in the
individual school's profiles on
the sfusd website. Hope it's helpful.
erin
Bay Area United Against War (BAUAW)
www.bauaw.org
414-824-8730
Donations are urgently needed to carry
out this important work. We have no
paid staff but need money for posters,
buttons, flyers and informational material
to hand out to students and parents.
Make a tax-deductible donation to:
Bay Area United Against War/NVM
P.O. Box 318021
San Francisco, CA 94131-8021
Coming Up:
Global Day of Action
March 19, 2005
No to War and Occupation in Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People's Needs, Not War!
San Francisco March Assembles:
11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
2) WE ALL STAND WITH LYNNE STEWART!
NO JAIL TIME FOR LYNNE!
PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TODAY:
SUGGESTION AS TO FORMAT OF LETTERS
TO BE WRITTEN ON BEHALF OF LYNNE STEWART
MARGIN: Please leave at least a one-inch left-hand
margin to allow us to bind the letter into the
appendix to the sentencing memorandum that
is being filed on Lynne's behalf.
INSIDE ADDRESS: Honorable John G. Koeltl
United States District Judge
Southern District of New York
United States Courthouse
500 Pearl Street
New York, New York 10007
GREETING: Honorable Sir or Dear Judge Koeltl:
BODY: Briefly introduce yourself and set forth your
relationship to Lynne.
Briefly discuss yourself - your position in work
and in society.
State that you are aware that Lynne is to be
sentenced following a jury verdict of guilty on
serious charges: The remainder of your letter
should discuss whatever you believe to weigh
in favor of no jail time. If possible, you should
tell of an incident where she helped you out or
engaged in commendable community service.
Do not try to argue that she is not guilty or was
unfairly conviction. Focus on the unfairness of
the government's actions in bringing the charges;
the way in which the government portrayed her, etc.
* Typewritten letters if possible are preferred.
*
WHEN LETTER IS COMPLETED: Please mail the
final product to the following address:
Jill R. Shellow-Lavine, Esq.
2537 Post Road
Southport, CT 06890
Do not send your letters to the judge. We ask that you
forward your letter me so that the lawyers can present
it to Judge Koeltl with the other letters being written for
this purpose. This is the manner in which letters will
have the greatest impact. If they are sent directly to the
Judge's chambers, they may have less of an impact and
could cause the judge a substantial inconvenience
(and annoyance).
Thank you for your cooperation. If you have any
questions, please do not hesitate to contact the
defense committee at www.lynnestewart.org.
Sincerely,
Jill R. Shellow-Lavine
Attorney for Lynne Stewart
For more information go to:
www.LynneStewart.org
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
3) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation ˆ Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People‚s Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
[Volunteers are needed for March 19. Show up at Dolores Park
at 9:00am-or at the Civic Center at 9:00am and sign up at the
A.N.S.W.E.R. volunteer table or call the A.N.S.W.E.R. office
at 415-821-6545.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
4) BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR PRESENTS:
"Mission Accomplished" a brutally vivid documentary
filmed entirely on the ground in Iraq. The reality of this
war for American troops is contrasted to the
overwhelming reality of the devastation felt and experienced
by the people of Iraq.
"Mission Accomplished" will open March 18th, 6pm:
The Four Star Twin
2200 Clement St. (near 23rd Ave.)
San Francisco, CA 94121
415.666.3488
CINEMA LIBRE STUDIO -
www.VOICESINWARTIME.org -
LANDMARK THEATRES -
GLOBAL EXCHANGE -
THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY GUARDIAN -
CORPWATCH -
BAY.AREA.UNITED.AGAINST.WAR
Invite you to join us for a special sneak
preview of the film "Voices in Wartime."
Wednesday, March 30, 2005, 7:30 p.m.
Landmark Lumiere Theatre
1572 California St (near Polk)
San Francisco, CA 94109
Please RSVP via e-mail to VIWSF@ebcoms.com
by March 26, 2005. Include your name and
number of guests in the subject line e.g. "Your Name + 1."
Please note: Screening is FREE. Seating is limited, based on
RSVPs received. If we are not able to accommodate you, we
will let you know by return email. Please bring a copy of this
invitation with you.
ABOUT THE FILM
==============
"Voices in Wartime" gives the gut-wrenching experience
of war a fresh perspective. It steps away to look at all wars
- not just the conflicts currently in the news. The terrible
beauty of poetry is its guide, distilling the grim realities and
complex emotions of war. In addition soldiers, journalists,
historians and experts on combat are interviewed, adding
diverse perspectives on war's effects. History and literature
have shown that in times of war, poets can lead us to greater
truths and that the power of poetry can help us understand
the trauma, violence and death caused by armed conflict.
EARLY REVIEWS
=============
"'Voices' is a compelling look at poets caught up in the evils
of war, with nowhere to hide but in the solace of words.
But these are not words to be locked away. They are words
to be shouted from the rooftop, or better yet, from the movie
screens of every town in America.
The film relates a history of war poetry with narratives
that range from Sam Hamill 3-star general William Lennox Jr.,
superintendant of West Point.
This movie arrives just in time for the second anniversary
of "shock and awe". It may not be as shocking, but actually,
it's a lot more awesome." - Karl Weyrauch, EZAAPP, from the
Association of American Physician Poets.
"A history of verse is laid alongside that of warfare, and
the ways in which they are braided together proves
fascinating." - Variety Magazine"
* * * * - Entertainment Insiders
www.VoicesInWartime.org
4509 Interlake Ave. N. #263 | Seattle, WA 98103-6782
www.CinemaLibreStudio.com
[This poem by fourth-grader Cameron Penny was read
by Marie Howe in this very beautiful film
directed by Rick King.
"If you are lucky in this life
A window will appear on a battlefield between two armies
And when the soldiers look into the window
They don't see their enemies
They see themselves as children
And they stop fighting
And go home and go to sleep
When they wake up, the land is well again."
By Cameron Penny]
Landmark
Lumiere 3
San Francisco
1572 California Street
50th St
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
5) Iraqi War Veteran's Personal Journey of Conscience
Tuesday, March 22, 7:00 PM
Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church
55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek
Aidan Delgado, 23 year-old returned war veteran, relates the
personal journey of his deployment in Iraq at Abu Grhraib Prison,
and how he came to establish himself as a conscientious objector.
For more information call the Peace & Justice Center 925/933-7850
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
6) The US Student movement is surging, with campuses coast
to coast staging non-violent actions to protest the war
and military recruitment.
See http://www.campusresistance.org
for upcoming and recent actions during this Week of
Campus Resistance.
The Campus Antiwar Network (CAN), Lefthook.org and
GlobalResistanceNetwork.com
initiated the call for campuses to organize
actions and protests this week leading
up to the second anniversary of the
invasion of Iraq. CAN's website is found at
http://www.campusantiwar.net
Counter-recruitment actions at
CCNY and SFSU have had major media coverage
due to arrests and police brutality
claims. These arrests have spurred calls
for free speech and protests. CCNY
students have called for a picket of the
City College of New York administration
in defense of free speech on March
17, 2005.
http://www.traprockpeace.org/free_speech_ccny.htm
In San Francisco, students have put out a call to
defend free speech at SFSU
http://www.traprockpeace.org/free_speech_sfsu.htm
See "Counter-Recruitment is Gaining Strength -
Military Recruiters Target
Campus Activists" in CounterPunch, an article by
CAN organizers Hadas Their
(CCNY) and Katrina Yeaw (SFSU) -
http://counterpunch.org/their03152005.html
Updates on other counter-recruitment actions, organized
by CAN members or in
cooperation with other groups, may be found at
http://www.traprockpeace.org/campus_antiwar.html
The Week of Campus Resistance actions
are leading up to student actions this
weekend to protest the war. On
March 1, CAN put out the call for a student
contingent for the mass march in
Fayetteville on March 19th, as reported in
CommonDreams at the time. An updated
notice - put out on the CAN listserv -
is available at
http://www.traprockpeace.org/can_fayetteville.html
(The primary contact person for the
CAN contingent in Fayetteville is
Catherine Geary 336-202-5038 - catgeary@peoplepc.com )
ENDORSEMENTS FOR WEEK OF CAMPUS RESISTANCE
The Week of Campus Resistance has been
endorsed internationally by
• Noam Chomsky;
• Ralph Nader;
• Kathy Kelly, Co-coordinator of
Voices in the Wilderness;
• Michael Yates, Associate Editor at
Monthly Review, and Professor Emeritus
at University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown;
• Robert Jensen;
• Lou Plummer, an organizer of the
March 19 demonstration in Fayetteville,
NC, a member of Military Families Speak
Out, Veterans for Peace, and a
member of the national steering committee
of the Bring Them Home Now!
campaign;
• James Petras;
• Mickey Z;
• Anthony Arnove, member of the
International Socialist Org. and
co-editor, with Howard Zinn, of
Voices of A People's History of the United
States;
• Mkhaimar Abusada, professor
at Al-Azhar University, Gaza;
• Howard Zinn;
• Michael Letwin Co-Convener,
New York City Labor Against the War, Former
President, UAW Local 2325;
• Norman Solomon, associate of FAIR;
• Sunny Miller, Executive Director
of Traprock Peace Center;
• Students Stop the War Coalition (UK);
• Father John Dear;
• Phil Gasper, professor of
Philosophy at Notre Dame de Namur University;
• Pol Devos, coordinator of
StopUSA, anti-war movement in Belgium;
• Norm Dixon, Socialist Alliance
member and former editor of Green Left
Weekly, Sydney, Australia;
• Traprock Peace Center.
MORE INFORMATION
CAN is the national democratic and
independent network of campus antiwar
organizations. http://www.campusantiwar.net
NYU students have produced an excellent CAN pamphlet.
http://www.traprockpeace.org/withdrawal.pdf
Traprock has published "Recruiters Off Our
Campuses" by Desmond Gardfrey,
CAN CC member, a primary CAN
organizer of the Week of Campus Resistance and
an organizer of CAN's student
contingent in Fayetteville.
http://www.traprockpeace.org/gardfrey_11mar05.html
####
Charles Jenks, attorney at law
President of the Core Group
Traprock Peace Center
103A Keets Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
413-773-5188; Fax 413-773-7507
charles@mtdata.com
http://traprockpeace.org
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ufpj-news/
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
7) SECRET U.S. PLANS FOR IRAQ'S OIL (LINK ONLY)
By Greg Palast
Reporting for BBC Newsnight
17 March 2005
Date: Thu, 17 Mar 2005 01:41:19 -0500
From: palast@gregpalast.com
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/4354269.stm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
8) House Approves $81.4 Billion (LINK ONLY)
War Spending Package
by Liz Sidoti
Published on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 by the Associated Press
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0316-11.htm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
9) Fate of the Union (LINK ONLY)
By Frank Joyce, AlterNet
Posted on February 22, 2005, Printed on March 17, 2005
http://www.alternet.org/story/21312/
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
10) Remember the Disappeared: An Appeal to the Anti-War
Movement from Blue Triangles Network
NationalOffice@BlueTriangle.org
mailto:NationalOffice@BlueTriangle.org
March 16, 2005
"Remember the Disappeared: Wear Blue Triangles on March 18-20"
During the anti-war activities on 18-20th March, the Blue Triangle
Network (BTN) calls on all people to include opposition to repression
against Muslim, Arab and South Asian immigrants as an important
part of activities by wearing a Blue Triangle with the names of the
detained and disappeared, and distributing this Appeal and the
Blue Triangle Network Fact Sheet.
March 20, 2005 marks two years since the invasion and occupation
of Iraq by the U.S. The anti-war movement has called on people
around the world to come out on this day to protest this unjust
war and occupation. This global "war on terror" has two components:
one, an ongoing war on the world with the occupation of Iraq
and threats against other countries, and two, a domestic war
on Muslim, Arab and South Asian immigrants, including the
repression of dissent.
The repression of Muslim, Arab and South Asian immigrants has
intensified and escalated since 9-11. >From the registrations,
raids, detentions and deportations of tens of thousands of
immigrants and government-sanctioned racial profiling to the
consolidation of a legal infrastructure that allows indefinite
detention of immigrants and U.S. citizens, a climate of overall
repression has descended and is spreading into far broader
sections of society. The confirmations of Alberto Gonzales as
U.S. Attorney General and Michael Chertoff as the head of the
Dept of Homeland Security make it chillingly clear that this
administration plans to continue on this course.
The Blue Triangle Network calls on the people living in this
country to come to the defense of Muslim, Arab and South
Asian immigrants, the first targets of these attacks. However,
these communities are not the only groups of people whose
rights are being trampled. The initial attacks on these
communities served as a window through which repressive
policies like Homeland Security Act, SEVIS, Special Registration,
the USA PATRIOT ACT, the "enemy combatant" status (in which
the President can hold anyone indefinitely without charges and
which the U.S. Supreme Court recently approved) have been
launched. These policies have widened the net of repression
and persecution. Activists and dissenters have also been targeted,
as was clearly evident during the Republican National Convention
and Bush's inauguration, in which protesters were categorized
as "terrorists" and labeled as a "national security threat".
The repression facing the Muslim, Arab and South Asian
communities in the present time has taken a different face
than immediately after 9-11. While there are no longer mass
round-ups, detentions and registrations, racial profiling
continues to occur and is likely to worsen. As the occupation
of Iraq continues, and other countries in the Middle East
are threatened with war, the view of Arabs and Muslims as
the "ENEMY WITHIN" will continue to be propagated by the
government and mainstream media. With the government
apparatus of repression gaining more and more strength,
the future of immigrants in this country is under serious
threat.
March 18-20, the Blue Triangle Network calls on the
anti-war movement to take up the struggle to stop the
repression against Muslim, Arab and South Asian immigrants
as an integral part of what you are doing. WEAR A BLUE
TRIANGLE WITH THE NAME OF ONE OF THE DISAPPEARED,
one of those rounded up and secretly jailed immediately
following 9-11, to demonstrate our solidarity with those
being targeted today. Download blue triangles from the
BTN website: www.bluetriangle.org
ORDER THE BTN 12 PAGE TABLOID SIZE FACT SHEET
FOR ON-G0ING USE IN YOUR ANTI-WAR ACTIVITIES. T
his fact sheet analyzes this repression and tells stories
of individuals attacked.
1000 fact sheets--$100
500 fact sheets--$ 50
100 fact sheets--$15
To order: email NationalOffice@bluetriangle.org
or call 313-942-7187.
BLUE TRIANGLE NETWORK
P.O. BOX 7451, DEARBORN, MI 48121-7451
313-942-7187
www.bluetriangle.org
Email: NationalOffice@bluetriangle.org
US-Mexico Border Actions
No Militarization of Borders! Support Immigrant Rights!
New York: (212)330-8172
Los Angeles: (213)403-0131
e-mail: Info@ActionLA.org
Please subscribe Border Information listserv, send e-mail to:
Border01-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
or visit: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Border01
Also, please join our national immigrant
Solidarity Network daily news litserv, send
e-mail to: isn-subscribe@lists.riseup.net
or visit: http://lists.riseup.net/www/info/isn
**Please consider making a donation to the
important work of the US-Mexico Border Actions!
Send check pay to:
ActionLA/SEE
1013 Mission St. #6
South Pasadena CA 91030
(All donations are tax deductible)
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
11) White House press conference (LINK ONLY)
Bush defends rendition of detainees to torture regimes
By Barry Grey
World Socialist Web Site www.wsws.org
17 March 2005
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/mar2005/bush-m17.shtml
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
THE NEXT BAUAW MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE:
SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 11:30AM
474 VALENCIA STREET, SF
(FIRST FLOOR, TO THE LEFT AND ALL THE WAY BACK
TO THE COMPANEROS DEL BARRIO CHILDREN'S CENTER)
*******************************************************
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TONIGHT, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Today, Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
At the March 8th meeting JROTC teachers lied about what the
main purpose of JROTC was and about what they are teaching to the
children of San Francisco at the district's expense.
I received the following letter this morning from
"Arson G.," one of those students.
Arson G.'s words speak for themselves.
"Out of the mouths of babes!"
Peace,
Bonnie Weinstein, Bay Area United Against War
--- Nelly Gabuera
I don't know where you guys get your ideas, but
JROTC does NOT promote warfare or joining the army or
any sort of that. It's my second year in the JROTC
program and I love it, it teaches me leadership
skills, educates me, it PROMOTES my moral standards.
The mission of JROTC is to Promote Young Cadets To
Become Better Citizens. You do not know what you are
talking about, you are not IN the program, you have
never been in the program because if you have you
wouldve loved it, one paper does not mean im going to
join the Army. Now that we have ROTC settled,
let's focus on the war. If it wasn't for wars would
you still enjoy the freedoms you have today? NO? if it
wasn't for war half of the world would be run by
dictators like Hitler or Stalin or Mussolini, Castro?
SADAM? All we're doing in Iraq is bringing democracy.
We fought BACK because of 9-11. You cannot JUDGE the
JROTC in the last two years we have not even DISCUSSED
THE WAR class wise maybe amongst friends BUT NOT IN
THE JROTC CLASSROOM.
The only thing we do, is march, learn
how to tell right from wrong. We have fun in the JROTC
program. Think of what effect it would have on kids
that don't have as good opportunities. The kids that
live in poverty that depend on JROTC to teach them
better, I believe JROTC saved lot's of lives. I
believe that if there isn't ONE person in the world
that is unsuccessful in his life that passed the
JROTC program with flying colors. I really hope you
fail canceling the JROTC program, and for any grudge
you have against Bush take it out on him not the kids.
P.S. I AM joining the marine corps, it has been my
DREAM to be in the army since i was 7 years old. My
father served, my grandfather server and i will serve.
One thing i do admit though, the JROTC did make me
braver on my decision for joining the marines.
-Sincerely Arson G.
************************************************************
MILITARY RECRUITERS WILL BE AT THE CAREER FAIR AT
GEORGE WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL
600 32nd Avenue between Geary and Balboa Sts.
TUESDAY, APRIL 5TH, 9:50AM-12:20PM
ALL ARE INVITED TO HELP WITH COUNTER-RECRUITMENT!
************************************************************
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR PRESENTS
A PREMIERE FILM SHOWING OF:
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
One man, one camera. Two sides of a story
FRIDAY, MARCH 18TH, 6 P.M.
(There will be a short question and answer period
at 7:30 P.M. immediately following the film.)
FOUR STAR TWIN
220 CLEMENT ST. NEAR 23RD AVENUE
SAN FRANCISCO
415-666-3488
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED is a gripping documentary by veteran
British journalist Sean Langan. Langan gets up close and
personal accounts of the war from U.S. and coalition soldiers,
Iraqi resistance fighters, and captures Abu Ghraib prison abuses
long before the torture reached the popular Press.
The most powerful statement of the film is the depiction
of the total devastation brought to Iraq by this war. It is the
constant backdrop to the interviews in the film as is the almost
universal hatred exhibited by the Iraqi people toward any U.S.
presence in Iraq-both from those interviewed and from those
included among the rubble in the background scenes. This film's
a must for anyone thinking of joining the military or who is
unsure of what our government is doing there in our name.
************************************************************
CINEMA LIBRE STUDIO -
www.VOICESINWARTIME.org -
LANDMARK THEATRES -
GLOBAL EXCHANGE -
THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY GUARDIAN -
CORPWATCH -
BAY.AREA.UNITED.AGAINST.WAR
Invite you to join us for a special sneak preview of the
film "Voices in Wartime."
Wednesday, March 30, 2005, 7:30 p.m.
Landmark Lumiere Theatre
1572 California St (near Polk)
San Francisco, CA 94109
Please RSVP via e-mail to VIWSF@ebcoms.com by March 26, 2005.
Include your name and number of guests in the subject line e.g.
"Your Name + 1."
Please note: Screening is FREE. Seating is limited, based
on RSVPs received. If we are not able to accommodate you,
we will let you know by return email. Please bring a copy
of this invitation with you.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
Volunteers are needed for March 19th!
Show up March 19th at Dolores Park
or Civic Center at 9:00 a.m.
and sign up at the A.N.S.W.E.R. volunteer table.
Or contact A.N.S.W.E.R. OFFICE AT:
2489 Mission St. #24, 415-821-6545
Hello to members of United for Peace and Justice Bay Area,
On March 19 UPJ-Bay Area will be meeting at 10:30 a.m. on
18th Street in front of Mission High School before marching down
to Civic Center. We will be carrying panels of the faces of the
victims of the war-American soldiers and Iraqi civilians-and need
your help in carrying them to Civic Center where we will have
a table. Please send out this request to your listserv.
Also, we are updating our members' directory and need your
updated contact information.
Please send your email, phone number and website address to me
as soon as possible. A donation of $25 is also requested to
cover printing charges. Please send to:
United for Peace and Justice-Bay Area
c/o War Resisters League West
POB 410744
San Francisco, CA 94141
Thanks.
Jackie Barshak
for UPJ-Bay Area
415.308.9416
jackie barshak jbarshak@hotmail.com
Not in Our Name Bay Area
Help Not in Our Name build for the March 19 mass
mobilization in San Francisco to end war and occupation!
Community postering for March 19 march and rally.
Also, help prepare for the March 18 anti-war
morning visiblity action.
Planning Meeting & Work Party
Wednesday, March 16 ~ 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Not in Our Name office. 3945 Opal Street,
Oakland CA 94609
Morning Visibilty Action
Friday, March 18 ~ 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM
Call us to hook up and help get the message out
to tens of thousands of morning commuters --
"Out of Iraq now!"
U.S. Out of Iraq Now!
March 19: International Day of Action
On the second anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, let's
show Bush and Co. that the people of the world say
NO to war and occupation!
On Saturday, March 19 join the Not in Our Name Earth
Flag Contingent at the mass march and rally organized by
ANSWER Coalition -- 11 am, Dolores Park, San Francisco.
Join up with the Not in Our Name Earth Flag Contingent at
the corner of 18th Street and Dolores (map). March to Civic
Center for a 1 pm rally.
Not In Our Name will also be organizing acts of creative
resistance around this weekend. We encourage folks to
strategize and brainstorm with us about how to broaden
resistance and bring awareness to the millions in this country
that our message must reach; and to join us as we unite with
groups around the Bay to bring out all who oppose the deadly
course of this government. Come to a general meeting,
call our office, or check out the website.
Against Military Recruitment in our Schools?
On the second anniversary of the war, join the
Counter-Recruitment Contingent!
***
Saturday, March 19
10AM at 16th and Mission St.
(the 16th Street BART station)
***
AT SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY, military recruiters were
forced to leave early without any recruits because of the hundreds
of students that came out to protest their presence at the school!
This is not an isolated incident. Seattle, Chicago, New York,
Madison, Connecticut, Minnesota. In community colleges,
high schools, and universities around the nation, students,
faculty, and campus workers have come out to protest the
BLACKMAILING of education. As billions are being diverted
from schools to the war, our students are being told that they
need to die before they see a dime of it.
THIS IS DEAD WRONG.
As recruiters are failing to meet quotas for the first time in
a decade, despite more than tripling signing bonuses, we need
to rebuild the anti-war movement by fighting against the war
where it is weakest.
Join students, parents, teachers, military families, veterans,
community members, and activists on the second anniversary
of the war at the 16th Street BART station at 10AM to march
up to Dolores Park together.
Sponsored by the Campus Anti-War Network and the College
Not Combat Committee.
Money for Jobs and Education! Not for War and Occupation!
For more info please contact: ragina@mac.com / 415.412.4540
sue sandlin design | srsndln@pacbell.net
National Teach-in on Iraq: How Can We End this War?
Thursday, March 24 ~ 7 PM to 10 PM
Mission High School, 3750 18th Street (at Dolores), San Francisco
On the 40th Anniversary of the first teach-ins on the Vietnam War.
With presentations by Iraq veteran Rahul Mahajan, Cindy Sheehan,
Fernando Suarez, Aimee Allison, Howard Wallace, Sean O'Neil,
and Medea Benjamin. Sponsored by Global Exchange and
CODEPINK. $5 donation requested. (more info)
Resistance Cinema Presents "Hidden in Plain Sight"
Sunday, April 10 ~ 3 PM to 5 PM
Parkway Pizza/Pub Theater, 1834 Park Blvd., Oakland
A short history, a spirited debate, a personal story, and a call
for accountability, "Hidden in Plain Sight" is a bold, unflinching
look at the nature and consequences of U.S. policy in Latin
America. Brief presentation by Laura Slattery, Pace e Bene
Nonviolence. A free event sponsored by Not in Our Name.
The Not in Our Name Project needs your support!
Donate online: donate.notinourname.net
Or send your tax-deductible contribution today to:
Not in Our Name
3945 Opal Street, Oakland CA 94609
www.notinourname.net
phone: 510-601-8000
email: bayarea@notinourname.net
local: bayarea.notinourname.net
Another World Is Possible!
http://www.notinourname.net
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
Dear Friends Please read the following request from Families for
Peaceful Tomorrows one of the many co-sponsors of the Eyes Wide
Open exhibit. They have committed to trying to collecting the
16,000 additional pairs of shoes. Please think about becoming
a collection point. In my opinion donating a pair of shoes is a
great way to challenge people to think about the human cost of
war. It is a way to involve people before the exhibit arrives and
encourage them to come. Some ideas for dealing with the collection
include; put out a barrel or box asking for the donation in your
school, church, neighborhood center or place of work. Put a flyer
on the box explaining why we are collecting the shoes. Thanks.
Sandra Schwartz
Peace Education Coordinator, AFSC
Dear Friends,
Eyes Wide Open, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
exhibit that reminds us of the human cost of war is coming to San
Francisco March 25-27. The exhibit features over 1,500 pairs of
combat boots tagged with the names of U.S. soldiers who have
died in the Iraq war. It also memorializes the Iraqi civilians killed
in the war.
In San Francisco, we are adding a new element to this powerful
exhibit: instead of just 1,000 shoes to represent all the Iraqi civilian
deaths, we have set a goal of collecting 16,000[1] pairs of shoes
to more accurately demonstrate the scale of Iraqi deaths as a result
of the war. The shoe memorial has been initiated by September
11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows and it will not happen
without your support.
We need your help to meet the goal of collecting 16,000 pairs
of shoes!
What you can do:
1. Collect shoes for the exhibit
* Please gather usable shoes from your family and friends
or set up a shoe collection site in your community, school,
workplace or place of worship.
* Tie each pair together, or, if no laces, securely attach them
together.
* Count the pairs of shoes and place in heavy-duty garbage
bags. Attach a tag with the count on it.
* Shoes will be donated at the end of the exhibit. Children's
and men's shoes are especially needed.
* Call Nabil at 415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email
shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* Drop off shoes 9 am to 5 pm at AFSC, 65 Ninth St.
(between Mission and Market) until Thursday, March 24.
Last minute shoes may be brought to Civic Center Plaza
Friday, March 25. No shoes accepted after Friday.
2. Collect phone cards for military personnel
We are also collecting telephone calling cards to donate to
military personnel and to returning Iraq war veterans in
a Bay Area hospital and the USOs at local airports. Please
purchase phone cards to donate with your shoes or bring
to the exhibit.
3. Volunteer
Volunteers are needed for the shoe project as well as the
overall exhibit.
* To volunteer with the shoe project, call Nabil at
415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email
shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* To volunteer to help with the exhibit call AFSC at
415-565-0201 ext. 15 or email sleeds@afsc.org
4. Spread the word! Please forward this information to
your networks.
5. Come to the exhibit, encourage others to come, and
bring last minute shoe donations and help us honor all
those who have died in Iraq.
[1] The number 16,000 is the approximate minimum number
of Iraqi civilians reported killed by military intervention in
Iraq by www.iraqbodycount.net.
Eyes Wide Open
"An exhibit that speaks directly to our hearts and reminds
us of the human cost of war."
Over 1,500 pairs of empty combat boots - tagged with the
names of U.S. soldiers who died in the Iraq war - will be
displayed, together with thousands of shoes and wall of
names to memorialize the Iraqis killed.
SAN FRANCISCO DATES:
March 25 (Friday), 11:00 am with all night vigil
Civic Center between Polk and Larkin
March 26 (Saturday), 10:00 am to 5 pm
Civic Center Voices and Requiem - 2 pm
March 27 (Easter Sunday), 10:00 am to dusk
Union Square (Powell and Geary)
American Friends Service Committee
We Need Good Shoes (Especially for Men and Children) and
Telephone Cards!
Call 415-565-0201 x14 or shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
See www.afsc.org/eyes
Until Thursday March 24, drop off shoes at 65 Ninth St.
(betw. Mission and Market) from 9-5 weekdays
Donate phone cards for military families Donate shoes to
memorialize the Iraqi casualties
Co-Sponsors (partial list) Agape Fdn; American Muslim Voice;
Archdiocese of SF: Comm. Of Public Policy and Social Concern;
Bay Area Pax Christi; Bay Area United for Peace and Justice;
Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists; Berkeley Friends
Church; Buddhist Peace Fellowship; Grace Cathedral: Diocese
of CA of the Episcopal Church; Los Altos Voices for Peace; Military
Families Speak Out; Pacifica Peace People; Pacifica Women in
Black; SFUSD School Board; Strawberry Creek Friends Meeting;
Veterans for Peace; 9/11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows,
San Francisco Friends Meeting, Code Pink
Our postal address is
P.O. Box 1818
Peter Stuyvesant Station
New York, New York 10009
United States
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TOMORROW, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
2) WE ALL STAND WITH LYNNE STEWART!
NO JAIL TIME FOR LYNNE!
PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TODAY
3) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation of Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People's Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
4) COMING TO THE BAY AREA SOON-POWERFUL ANTIWAR MOVIES
5) Iraqi War Veteran's Personal Journey of Conscience
Tuesday, March 22, 7:00 PM
Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church
55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek
Aidan Delgado, 23 year-old returned war veteran, relates the
personal journey of his deployment in Iraq at Abu Grhraib Prison,
and how he came to establish himself as a conscientious objector.
For more information call the Peace & Justice Center 925/933-7850
6) The US Student movement is surging, with campuses coast
to coast staging non-violent actions to protest the war
and military recruitment.
See http://www.campusresistance.org
for upcoming and recent actions during this Week of
Campus Resistance.
7) SECRET U.S. PLANS FOR IRAQ'S OIL (LINK ONLY)
By Greg Palast
Reporting for BBC Newsnight
17 March 2005
Date: Thu, 17 Mar 2005 01:41:19 -0500
From: palast@gregpalast.com
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/4354269.stm
8) House Approves $81.4 Billion (LINK ONLY)
War Spending Package
by Liz Sidoti
Published on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 by the Associated Press
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0316-11.htm
9) Fate of the Union (LINK ONLY)
By Frank Joyce, AlterNet
Posted on February 22, 2005, Printed on March 17, 2005
http://www.alternet.org/story/21312/
10) Remember the Disappeared: An Appeal to the Anti-War
Movement from Blue Triangles Network
NationalOffice@BlueTriangle.org
mailto:NationalOffice@BlueTriangle.org
11) White House press conference (LINK ONLY)
Bush defends rendition of detainees to torture regimes
By Barry Grey
World Socialist Web Site www.wsws.org
17 March 2005
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/mar2005/bush-m17.shtml
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TONIGHT, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
At the March 8th meeting JROTC teachers lied about what the
main purpose of JROTC was and about what they are teaching to the
children of San Francisco at the district's expense.
I received the following letter this morning from
"Arson G.," one of those students.
Arson G.'s words speak for themselves.
"Out of the mouths of babes!"
Peace,
Bonnie Weinstein, Bay Area United Against War
--- Nelly Gabuera
I don't know where you guys get your ideas, but
JROTC does NOT promote warfare or joining the army or
any sort of that. It's my second year in the JROTC
program and I love it, it teaches me leadership
skills, educates me, it PROMOTES my moral standards.
The mission of JROTC is to Promote Young Cadets To
Become Better Citizens. You do not know what you are
talking about, you are not IN the program, you have
never been in the program because if you have you
wouldve loved it, one paper does not mean im going to
join the Army. Now that we have ROTC settled,
let's focus on the war. If it wasn't for wars would
you still enjoy the freedoms you have today? NO? if it
wasn't for war half of the world would be run by
dictators like Hitler or Stalin or Mussolini, Castro?
SADAM? All we're doing in Iraq is bringing democracy.
We fought BACK because of 9-11. You cannot JUDGE the
JROTC in the last two years we have not even DISCUSSED
THE WAR class wise maybe amongst friends BUT NOT IN
THE JROTC CLASSROOM. The only thing we do, is march, learn
how to tell right from wrong. We have fun in the JROTC
program. Think of what effect it would have on kids
that don't have as good opportunities. The kids that
live in poverty that depend on JROTC to teach them
better, I believe JROTC saved lot's of lives. I
believe that if there isn't ONE person in the world
that is unsuccessfull in his life that passed the
JROTC program with flying colors. I really hope you
fail canceling the JROTC program, and for any grudge
you have against Bush take it out on him not the kids.
P.S. I AM joining the marine corps, it has been my
DREAM to be in the army since i was 7 years old. My
father served, my grandfather server and i will serve.
One thing i do admit though, the JROTC did make me
braver on my decision for joining the marines.
-Sincerely Arson G.
BAUAW has submitted the following resolution to the board:
Draft Resolution for San Francisco Board of Education
Cut Ties with the Military:
WHEREAS, the United States military is
actively recruiting high school students into
the military to fight in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, many young San Francisco
high school alumni are presently serving in
military units fighting in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, it is San Francisco City policy
by virtue of Proposition N, to bring all U.S.
troops home from Iraq now; and
WHEREAS, over 1,448 U.S. soldiers and
approximately 100,000 Iraqis have been
killed in this war and over 10,000 U.S.
soldiers and unknown thousands of
Iraqis have been wounded; and
WHEREAS, the hundreds of billions of dollars
spent on the war have robbed our children of
resources that should be spent on
education and other human needs; and
WHEREAS, military presence in our schools
legitimizes the message that violence is
acceptable;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
It shall be the policy of the San Francisco
Board of Education to cut all ties
with the United States military,
including, but not limited to: Ending military
recruitment on campuses; ending the
Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps
(JROTC); and guaranteeing that all students
and parents are informed of their right to
deny military recruiters access to their
names, addresses and telephone numbers.
MILITARY SPENDING IN THE SCHOOLS:
To: CodePinkCounterRecruitGroup@yahoogroups.com
From: "iampohet"
Subject: Which schools have jrotc?
I don't know specifically if military science is jrotc. I didn't find the
right person to ask. But, if it isn't, then what the hell is it?
Oh, heck, just for fun, here are the athletics funds listed in
the profile:
School: Amt: FTE's:Mil.Sci. FTE's:
Balboa: $6,000 2.0
Burton: $6,000 2.0
Galileo: $6,000 2.0
Lincoln: $7,000 3.0
Mission: $6,000 2.0
Lowell: $7,000 2.0
Washington: $7,000 2.0
The money, just over 2 mil, is all the funds... 1mil+
from the Feds and 1mil + in matching funds from
the sfusd.
In CodePinkCounterRecruitGroup@yahoogroups.com,
Ms sam joi
question - mil sci is jrotc? and this $$ was
alotted by the feds to the individual schools?
iampohet
School Money alotted to Mil Sci
as per fiscal profile Apr. 2004
Balboa: $261,335
Burton: $258,177
Galileo: $343,913
Lincoln: $429,106
Mission: $265,303
Lowell: $276,877
Wash: $344,093
Total: $2,178,804
I found this info by digging in the
individual school's profiles on
the sfusd website. Hope it's helpful.
erin
Bay Area United Against War (BAUAW)
www.bauaw.org
414-824-8730
Donations are urgently needed to carry
out this important work. We have no
paid staff but need money for posters,
buttons, flyers and informational material
to hand out to students and parents.
Make a tax-deductible donation to:
Bay Area United Against War/NVM
P.O. Box 318021
San Francisco, CA 94131-8021
Coming Up:
Global Day of Action
March 19, 2005
No to War and Occupation in Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People's Needs, Not War!
San Francisco March Assembles:
11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
2) WE ALL STAND WITH LYNNE STEWART!
NO JAIL TIME FOR LYNNE!
PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TODAY:
SUGGESTION AS TO FORMAT OF LETTERS
TO BE WRITTEN ON BEHALF OF LYNNE STEWART
MARGIN: Please leave at least a one-inch left-hand
margin to allow us to bind the letter into the
appendix to the sentencing memorandum that
is being filed on Lynne's behalf.
INSIDE ADDRESS: Honorable John G. Koeltl
United States District Judge
Southern District of New York
United States Courthouse
500 Pearl Street
New York, New York 10007
GREETING: Honorable Sir or Dear Judge Koeltl:
BODY: Briefly introduce yourself and set forth your
relationship to Lynne.
Briefly discuss yourself - your position in work
and in society.
State that you are aware that Lynne is to be
sentenced following a jury verdict of guilty on
serious charges: The remainder of your letter
should discuss whatever you believe to weigh
in favor of no jail time. If possible, you should
tell of an incident where she helped you out or
engaged in commendable community service.
Do not try to argue that she is not guilty or was
unfairly conviction. Focus on the unfairness of
the government's actions in bringing the charges;
the way in which the government portrayed her, etc.
* Typewritten letters if possible are preferred.
*
WHEN LETTER IS COMPLETED: Please mail the
final product to the following address:
Jill R. Shellow-Lavine, Esq.
2537 Post Road
Southport, CT 06890
Do not send your letters to the judge. We ask that you
forward your letter me so that the lawyers can present
it to Judge Koeltl with the other letters being written for
this purpose. This is the manner in which letters will
have the greatest impact. If they are sent directly to the
Judge's chambers, they may have less of an impact and
could cause the judge a substantial inconvenience
(and annoyance).
Thank you for your cooperation. If you have any
questions, please do not hesitate to contact the
defense committee at www.lynnestewart.org.
Sincerely,
Jill R. Shellow-Lavine
Attorney for Lynne Stewart
For more information go to:
www.LynneStewart.org
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
3) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation ˆ Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People‚s Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
[Volunteers are needed for March 19. Show up at Dolores Park
at 9:00am-or at the Civic Center at 9:00am and sign up at the
A.N.S.W.E.R. volunteer table or call the A.N.S.W.E.R. office
at 415-821-6545.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
4) BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR PRESENTS:
"Mission Accomplished" a brutally vivid documentary
filmed entirely on the ground in Iraq. The reality of this
war for American troops is contrasted to the
overwhelming reality of the devastation felt and experienced
by the people of Iraq.
"Mission Accomplished" will open March 18th, 6pm:
The Four Star Twin
2200 Clement St. (near 23rd Ave.)
San Francisco, CA 94121
415.666.3488
CINEMA LIBRE STUDIO -
www.VOICESINWARTIME.org -
LANDMARK THEATRES -
GLOBAL EXCHANGE -
THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY GUARDIAN -
CORPWATCH -
BAY.AREA.UNITED.AGAINST.WAR
Invite you to join us for a special sneak
preview of the film "Voices in Wartime."
Wednesday, March 30, 2005, 7:30 p.m.
Landmark Lumiere Theatre
1572 California St (near Polk)
San Francisco, CA 94109
Please RSVP via e-mail to VIWSF@ebcoms.com
by March 26, 2005. Include your name and
number of guests in the subject line e.g. "Your Name + 1."
Please note: Screening is FREE. Seating is limited, based on
RSVPs received. If we are not able to accommodate you, we
will let you know by return email. Please bring a copy of this
invitation with you.
ABOUT THE FILM
==============
"Voices in Wartime" gives the gut-wrenching experience
of war a fresh perspective. It steps away to look at all wars
- not just the conflicts currently in the news. The terrible
beauty of poetry is its guide, distilling the grim realities and
complex emotions of war. In addition soldiers, journalists,
historians and experts on combat are interviewed, adding
diverse perspectives on war's effects. History and literature
have shown that in times of war, poets can lead us to greater
truths and that the power of poetry can help us understand
the trauma, violence and death caused by armed conflict.
EARLY REVIEWS
=============
"'Voices' is a compelling look at poets caught up in the evils
of war, with nowhere to hide but in the solace of words.
But these are not words to be locked away. They are words
to be shouted from the rooftop, or better yet, from the movie
screens of every town in America.
The film relates a history of war poetry with narratives
that range from Sam Hamill 3-star general William Lennox Jr.,
superintendant of West Point.
This movie arrives just in time for the second anniversary
of "shock and awe". It may not be as shocking, but actually,
it's a lot more awesome." - Karl Weyrauch, EZAAPP, from the
Association of American Physician Poets.
"A history of verse is laid alongside that of warfare, and
the ways in which they are braided together proves
fascinating." - Variety Magazine"
* * * * - Entertainment Insiders
www.VoicesInWartime.org
4509 Interlake Ave. N. #263 | Seattle, WA 98103-6782
www.CinemaLibreStudio.com
[This poem by fourth-grader Cameron Penny was read
by Marie Howe in this very beautiful film
directed by Rick King.
"If you are lucky in this life
A window will appear on a battlefield between two armies
And when the soldiers look into the window
They don't see their enemies
They see themselves as children
And they stop fighting
And go home and go to sleep
When they wake up, the land is well again."
By Cameron Penny]
Landmark
Lumiere 3
San Francisco
1572 California Street
50th St
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
5) Iraqi War Veteran's Personal Journey of Conscience
Tuesday, March 22, 7:00 PM
Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church
55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek
Aidan Delgado, 23 year-old returned war veteran, relates the
personal journey of his deployment in Iraq at Abu Grhraib Prison,
and how he came to establish himself as a conscientious objector.
For more information call the Peace & Justice Center 925/933-7850
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
6) The US Student movement is surging, with campuses coast
to coast staging non-violent actions to protest the war
and military recruitment.
See http://www.campusresistance.org
for upcoming and recent actions during this Week of
Campus Resistance.
The Campus Antiwar Network (CAN), Lefthook.org and
GlobalResistanceNetwork.com
initiated the call for campuses to organize
actions and protests this week leading
up to the second anniversary of the
invasion of Iraq. CAN's website is found at
http://www.campusantiwar.net
Counter-recruitment actions at
CCNY and SFSU have had major media coverage
due to arrests and police brutality
claims. These arrests have spurred calls
for free speech and protests. CCNY
students have called for a picket of the
City College of New York administration
in defense of free speech on March
17, 2005.
http://www.traprockpeace.org/free_speech_ccny.htm
In San Francisco, students have put out a call to
defend free speech at SFSU
http://www.traprockpeace.org/free_speech_sfsu.htm
See "Counter-Recruitment is Gaining Strength -
Military Recruiters Target
Campus Activists" in CounterPunch, an article by
CAN organizers Hadas Their
(CCNY) and Katrina Yeaw (SFSU) -
http://counterpunch.org/their03152005.html
Updates on other counter-recruitment actions, organized
by CAN members or in
cooperation with other groups, may be found at
http://www.traprockpeace.org/campus_antiwar.html
The Week of Campus Resistance actions
are leading up to student actions this
weekend to protest the war. On
March 1, CAN put out the call for a student
contingent for the mass march in
Fayetteville on March 19th, as reported in
CommonDreams at the time. An updated
notice - put out on the CAN listserv -
is available at
http://www.traprockpeace.org/can_fayetteville.html
(The primary contact person for the
CAN contingent in Fayetteville is
Catherine Geary 336-202-5038 - catgeary@peoplepc.com )
ENDORSEMENTS FOR WEEK OF CAMPUS RESISTANCE
The Week of Campus Resistance has been
endorsed internationally by
• Noam Chomsky;
• Ralph Nader;
• Kathy Kelly, Co-coordinator of
Voices in the Wilderness;
• Michael Yates, Associate Editor at
Monthly Review, and Professor Emeritus
at University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown;
• Robert Jensen;
• Lou Plummer, an organizer of the
March 19 demonstration in Fayetteville,
NC, a member of Military Families Speak
Out, Veterans for Peace, and a
member of the national steering committee
of the Bring Them Home Now!
campaign;
• James Petras;
• Mickey Z;
• Anthony Arnove, member of the
International Socialist Org. and
co-editor, with Howard Zinn, of
Voices of A People's History of the United
States;
• Mkhaimar Abusada, professor
at Al-Azhar University, Gaza;
• Howard Zinn;
• Michael Letwin Co-Convener,
New York City Labor Against the War, Former
President, UAW Local 2325;
• Norman Solomon, associate of FAIR;
• Sunny Miller, Executive Director
of Traprock Peace Center;
• Students Stop the War Coalition (UK);
• Father John Dear;
• Phil Gasper, professor of
Philosophy at Notre Dame de Namur University;
• Pol Devos, coordinator of
StopUSA, anti-war movement in Belgium;
• Norm Dixon, Socialist Alliance
member and former editor of Green Left
Weekly, Sydney, Australia;
• Traprock Peace Center.
MORE INFORMATION
CAN is the national democratic and
independent network of campus antiwar
organizations. http://www.campusantiwar.net
NYU students have produced an excellent CAN pamphlet.
http://www.traprockpeace.org/withdrawal.pdf
Traprock has published "Recruiters Off Our
Campuses" by Desmond Gardfrey,
CAN CC member, a primary CAN
organizer of the Week of Campus Resistance and
an organizer of CAN's student
contingent in Fayetteville.
http://www.traprockpeace.org/gardfrey_11mar05.html
####
Charles Jenks, attorney at law
President of the Core Group
Traprock Peace Center
103A Keets Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
413-773-5188; Fax 413-773-7507
charles@mtdata.com
http://traprockpeace.org
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ufpj-news/
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
7) SECRET U.S. PLANS FOR IRAQ'S OIL (LINK ONLY)
By Greg Palast
Reporting for BBC Newsnight
17 March 2005
Date: Thu, 17 Mar 2005 01:41:19 -0500
From: palast@gregpalast.com
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/4354269.stm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
8) House Approves $81.4 Billion (LINK ONLY)
War Spending Package
by Liz Sidoti
Published on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 by the Associated Press
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0316-11.htm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
9) Fate of the Union (LINK ONLY)
By Frank Joyce, AlterNet
Posted on February 22, 2005, Printed on March 17, 2005
http://www.alternet.org/story/21312/
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
10) Remember the Disappeared: An Appeal to the Anti-War
Movement from Blue Triangles Network
NationalOffice@BlueTriangle.org
mailto:NationalOffice@BlueTriangle.org
March 16, 2005
"Remember the Disappeared: Wear Blue Triangles on March 18-20"
During the anti-war activities on 18-20th March, the Blue Triangle
Network (BTN) calls on all people to include opposition to repression
against Muslim, Arab and South Asian immigrants as an important
part of activities by wearing a Blue Triangle with the names of the
detained and disappeared, and distributing this Appeal and the
Blue Triangle Network Fact Sheet.
March 20, 2005 marks two years since the invasion and occupation
of Iraq by the U.S. The anti-war movement has called on people
around the world to come out on this day to protest this unjust
war and occupation. This global "war on terror" has two components:
one, an ongoing war on the world with the occupation of Iraq
and threats against other countries, and two, a domestic war
on Muslim, Arab and South Asian immigrants, including the
repression of dissent.
The repression of Muslim, Arab and South Asian immigrants has
intensified and escalated since 9-11. >From the registrations,
raids, detentions and deportations of tens of thousands of
immigrants and government-sanctioned racial profiling to the
consolidation of a legal infrastructure that allows indefinite
detention of immigrants and U.S. citizens, a climate of overall
repression has descended and is spreading into far broader
sections of society. The confirmations of Alberto Gonzales as
U.S. Attorney General and Michael Chertoff as the head of the
Dept of Homeland Security make it chillingly clear that this
administration plans to continue on this course.
The Blue Triangle Network calls on the people living in this
country to come to the defense of Muslim, Arab and South
Asian immigrants, the first targets of these attacks. However,
these communities are not the only groups of people whose
rights are being trampled. The initial attacks on these
communities served as a window through which repressive
policies like Homeland Security Act, SEVIS, Special Registration,
the USA PATRIOT ACT, the "enemy combatant" status (in which
the President can hold anyone indefinitely without charges and
which the U.S. Supreme Court recently approved) have been
launched. These policies have widened the net of repression
and persecution. Activists and dissenters have also been targeted,
as was clearly evident during the Republican National Convention
and Bush's inauguration, in which protesters were categorized
as "terrorists" and labeled as a "national security threat".
The repression facing the Muslim, Arab and South Asian
communities in the present time has taken a different face
than immediately after 9-11. While there are no longer mass
round-ups, detentions and registrations, racial profiling
continues to occur and is likely to worsen. As the occupation
of Iraq continues, and other countries in the Middle East
are threatened with war, the view of Arabs and Muslims as
the "ENEMY WITHIN" will continue to be propagated by the
government and mainstream media. With the government
apparatus of repression gaining more and more strength,
the future of immigrants in this country is under serious
threat.
March 18-20, the Blue Triangle Network calls on the
anti-war movement to take up the struggle to stop the
repression against Muslim, Arab and South Asian immigrants
as an integral part of what you are doing. WEAR A BLUE
TRIANGLE WITH THE NAME OF ONE OF THE DISAPPEARED,
one of those rounded up and secretly jailed immediately
following 9-11, to demonstrate our solidarity with those
being targeted today. Download blue triangles from the
BTN website: www.bluetriangle.org
ORDER THE BTN 12 PAGE TABLOID SIZE FACT SHEET
FOR ON-G0ING USE IN YOUR ANTI-WAR ACTIVITIES. T
his fact sheet analyzes this repression and tells stories
of individuals attacked.
1000 fact sheets--$100
500 fact sheets--$ 50
100 fact sheets--$15
To order: email NationalOffice@bluetriangle.org
or call 313-942-7187.
BLUE TRIANGLE NETWORK
P.O. BOX 7451, DEARBORN, MI 48121-7451
313-942-7187
www.bluetriangle.org
Email: NationalOffice@bluetriangle.org
US-Mexico Border Actions
No Militarization of Borders! Support Immigrant Rights!
New York: (212)330-8172
Los Angeles: (213)403-0131
e-mail: Info@ActionLA.org
Please subscribe Border Information listserv, send e-mail to:
Border01-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
or visit: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Border01
Also, please join our national immigrant
Solidarity Network daily news litserv, send
e-mail to: isn-subscribe@lists.riseup.net
or visit: http://lists.riseup.net/www/info/isn
**Please consider making a donation to the
important work of the US-Mexico Border Actions!
Send check pay to:
ActionLA/SEE
1013 Mission St. #6
South Pasadena CA 91030
(All donations are tax deductible)
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
11) White House press conference (LINK ONLY)
Bush defends rendition of detainees to torture regimes
By Barry Grey
World Socialist Web Site www.wsws.org
17 March 2005
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/mar2005/bush-m17.shtml
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
BAUAW NEWSLETTER-THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2005
BAUAW NEWSLETTER-THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2005
*******************************************************
THE NEXT BAUAW MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE:
SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 11:30AM
474 VALENCIA STREET, SF
(FIRST FLOOR, TO THE LEFT AND ALL THE WAY BACK
TO THE COMPANEROS DEL BARRIO CHILDREN'S CENTER)
*******************************************************
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TONIGHT, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Today, Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
At the March 8th meeting JROTC teachers lied about what the
main purpose of JROTC was and about what they are teaching to the
children of San Francisco at the district's expense.
I received the following letter this morning from
"Arson G.," one of those students.
Arson G.'s words speak for themselves.
"Out of the mouths of babes!"
Peace,
Bonnie Weinstein, Bay Area United Against War
--- Nelly Gabuera
I don't know where you guys get your ideas, but
JROTC does NOT promote warfare or joining the army or
any sort of that. It's my second year in the JROTC
program and I love it, it teaches me leadership
skills, educates me, it PROMOTES my moral standards.
The mission of JROTC is to Promote Young Cadets To
Become Better Citizens. You do not know what you are
talking about, you are not IN the program, you have
never been in the program because if you have you
wouldve loved it, one paper does not mean im going to
join the Army. Now that we have ROTC settled,
let's focus on the war. If it wasn't for wars would
you still enjoy the freedoms you have today? NO? if it
wasn't for war half of the world would be run by
dictators like Hitler or Stalin or Mussolini, Castro?
SADAM? All we're doing in Iraq is bringing democracy.
We fought BACK because of 9-11. You cannot JUDGE the
JROTC in the last two years we have not even DISCUSSED
THE WAR class wise maybe amongst friends BUT NOT IN
THE JROTC CLASSROOM.
The only thing we do, is march, learn
how to tell right from wrong. We have fun in the JROTC
program. Think of what effect it would have on kids
that don't have as good opportunities. The kids that
live in poverty that depend on JROTC to teach them
better, I believe JROTC saved lot's of lives. I
believe that if there isn't ONE person in the world
that is unsuccessful in his life that passed the
JROTC program with flying colors. I really hope you
fail canceling the JROTC program, and for any grudge
you have against Bush take it out on him not the kids.
P.S. I AM joining the marine corps, it has been my
DREAM to be in the army since i was 7 years old. My
father served, my grandfather server and i will serve.
One thing i do admit though, the JROTC did make me
braver on my decision for joining the marines.
-Sincerely Arson G.
************************************************************
MILITARY RECRUITERS WILL BE AT THE CAREER FAIR AT
GEORGE WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL
600 32nd Avenue between Geary and Balboa Sts.
TUESDAY, APRIL 5TH, 9:50AM-12:20PM
ALL ARE INVITED TO HELP WITH COUNTER-RECRUITMENT!
************************************************************
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR PRESENTS
A PREMIERE FILM SHOWING OF:
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
One man, one camera. Two sides of a story
FRIDAY, MARCH 18TH, 6 P.M.
(There will be a short question and answer period
at 7:30 P.M. immediately following the film.)
FOUR STAR TWIN
220 CLEMENT ST. NEAR 23RD AVENUE
SAN FRANCISCO
415-666-3488
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED is a gripping documentary by veteran
British journalist Sean Langan. Langan gets up close and
personal accounts of the war from U.S. and coalition soldiers,
Iraqi resistance fighters, and captures Abu Ghraib prison abuses
long before the torture reached the popular Press.
The most powerful statement of the film is the depiction
of the total devastation brought to Iraq by this war. It is the
constant backdrop to the interviews in the film as is the almost
universal hatred exhibited by the Iraqi people toward any U.S.
presence in Iraq-both from those interviewed and from those
included among the rubble in the background scenes. This film's
a must for anyone thinking of joining the military or who is
unsure of what our government is doing there in our name.
************************************************************
CINEMA LIBRE STUDIO -
www.VOICESINWARTIME.org -
LANDMARK THEATRES -
GLOBAL EXCHANGE -
THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY GUARDIAN -
CORPWATCH -
BAY.AREA.UNITED.AGAINST.WAR
Invite you to join us for a special sneak preview of the
film "Voices in Wartime."
Wednesday, March 30, 2005, 7:30 p.m.
Landmark Lumiere Theatre
1572 California St (near Polk)
San Francisco, CA 94109
Please RSVP via e-mail to VIWSF@ebcoms.com by March 26, 2005.
Include your name and number of guests in the subject line e.g.
"Your Name + 1."
Please note: Screening is FREE. Seating is limited, based
on RSVPs received. If we are not able to accommodate you,
we will let you know by return email. Please bring a copy
of this invitation with you.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
Volunteers are needed for March 19th!
Show up March 19th at Dolores Park
or Civic Center at 9:00 a.m.
and sign up at the A.N.S.W.E.R. volunteer table.
Or contact A.N.S.W.E.R. OFFICE AT:
2489 Mission St. #24, 415-821-6545
Hello to members of United for Peace and Justice Bay Area,
On March 19 UPJ-Bay Area will be meeting at 10:30 a.m. on
18th Street in front of Mission High School before marching down
to Civic Center. We will be carrying panels of the faces of the
victims of the war-American soldiers and Iraqi civilians-and need
your help in carrying them to Civic Center where we will have
a table. Please send out this request to your listserv.
Also, we are updating our members' directory and need your
updated contact information.
Please send your email, phone number and website address to me
as soon as possible. A donation of $25 is also requested to
cover printing charges. Please send to:
United for Peace and Justice-Bay Area
c/o War Resisters League West
POB 410744
San Francisco, CA 94141
Thanks.
Jackie Barshak
for UPJ-Bay Area
415.308.9416
jackie barshak jbarshak@hotmail.com
Not in Our Name Bay Area
Help Not in Our Name build for the March 19 mass
mobilization in San Francisco to end war and occupation!
Community postering for March 19 march and rally.
Also, help prepare for the March 18 anti-war
morning visiblity action.
Planning Meeting & Work Party
Wednesday, March 16 ~ 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Not in Our Name office. 3945 Opal Street,
Oakland CA 94609
Morning Visibilty Action
Friday, March 18 ~ 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM
Call us to hook up and help get the message out
to tens of thousands of morning commuters --
"Out of Iraq now!"
U.S. Out of Iraq Now!
March 19: International Day of Action
On the second anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, let's
show Bush and Co. that the people of the world say
NO to war and occupation!
On Saturday, March 19 join the Not in Our Name Earth
Flag Contingent at the mass march and rally organized by
ANSWER Coalition -- 11 am, Dolores Park, San Francisco.
Join up with the Not in Our Name Earth Flag Contingent at
the corner of 18th Street and Dolores (map). March to Civic
Center for a 1 pm rally.
Not In Our Name will also be organizing acts of creative
resistance around this weekend. We encourage folks to
strategize and brainstorm with us about how to broaden
resistance and bring awareness to the millions in this country
that our message must reach; and to join us as we unite with
groups around the Bay to bring out all who oppose the deadly
course of this government. Come to a general meeting,
call our office, or check out the website.
Against Military Recruitment in our Schools?
On the second anniversary of the war, join the
Counter-Recruitment Contingent!
***
Saturday, March 19
10AM at 16th and Mission St.
(the 16th Street BART station)
***
AT SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY, military recruiters were
forced to leave early without any recruits because of the hundreds
of students that came out to protest their presence at the school!
This is not an isolated incident. Seattle, Chicago, New York,
Madison, Connecticut, Minnesota. In community colleges,
high schools, and universities around the nation, students,
faculty, and campus workers have come out to protest the
BLACKMAILING of education. As billions are being diverted
from schools to the war, our students are being told that they
need to die before they see a dime of it.
THIS IS DEAD WRONG.
As recruiters are failing to meet quotas for the first time in
a decade, despite more than tripling signing bonuses, we need
to rebuild the anti-war movement by fighting against the war
where it is weakest.
Join students, parents, teachers, military families, veterans,
community members, and activists on the second anniversary
of the war at the 16th Street BART station at 10AM to march
up to Dolores Park together.
Sponsored by the Campus Anti-War Network and the College
Not Combat Committee.
Money for Jobs and Education! Not for War and Occupation!
For more info please contact: ragina@mac.com / 415.412.4540
sue sandlin design | srsndln@pacbell.net
National Teach-in on Iraq: How Can We End this War?
Thursday, March 24 ~ 7 PM to 10 PM
Mission High School, 3750 18th Street (at Dolores), San Francisco
On the 40th Anniversary of the first teach-ins on the Vietnam War.
With presentations by Iraq veteran Rahul Mahajan, Cindy Sheehan,
Fernando Suarez, Aimee Allison, Howard Wallace, Sean O'Neil,
and Medea Benjamin. Sponsored by Global Exchange and
CODEPINK. $5 donation requested. (more info)
Resistance Cinema Presents "Hidden in Plain Sight"
Sunday, April 10 ~ 3 PM to 5 PM
Parkway Pizza/Pub Theater, 1834 Park Blvd., Oakland
A short history, a spirited debate, a personal story, and a call
for accountability, "Hidden in Plain Sight" is a bold, unflinching
look at the nature and consequences of U.S. policy in Latin
America. Brief presentation by Laura Slattery, Pace e Bene
Nonviolence. A free event sponsored by Not in Our Name.
The Not in Our Name Project needs your support!
Donate online: donate.notinourname.net
Or send your tax-deductible contribution today to:
Not in Our Name
3945 Opal Street, Oakland CA 94609
www.notinourname.net
phone: 510-601-8000
email: bayarea@notinourname.net
local: bayarea.notinourname.net
Another World Is Possible!
http://www.notinourname.net
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
Dear Friends Please read the following request from Families for
Peaceful Tomorrows one of the many co-sponsors of the Eyes Wide
Open exhibit. They have committed to trying to collecting the
16,000 additional pairs of shoes. Please think about becoming
a collection point. In my opinion donating a pair of shoes is a
great way to challenge people to think about the human cost of
war. It is a way to involve people before the exhibit arrives and
encourage them to come. Some ideas for dealing with the collection
include; put out a barrel or box asking for the donation in your
school, church, neighborhood center or place of work. Put a flyer
on the box explaining why we are collecting the shoes. Thanks.
Sandra Schwartz
Peace Education Coordinator, AFSC
Dear Friends,
Eyes Wide Open, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
exhibit that reminds us of the human cost of war is coming to San
Francisco March 25-27. The exhibit features over 1,500 pairs of
combat boots tagged with the names of U.S. soldiers who have
died in the Iraq war. It also memorializes the Iraqi civilians killed
in the war.
In San Francisco, we are adding a new element to this powerful
exhibit: instead of just 1,000 shoes to represent all the Iraqi civilian
deaths, we have set a goal of collecting 16,000[1] pairs of shoes
to more accurately demonstrate the scale of Iraqi deaths as a result
of the war. The shoe memorial has been initiated by September
11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows and it will not happen
without your support.
We need your help to meet the goal of collecting 16,000 pairs
of shoes!
What you can do:
1. Collect shoes for the exhibit
* Please gather usable shoes from your family and friends
or set up a shoe collection site in your community, school,
workplace or place of worship.
* Tie each pair together, or, if no laces, securely attach them
together.
* Count the pairs of shoes and place in heavy-duty garbage
bags. Attach a tag with the count on it.
* Shoes will be donated at the end of the exhibit. Children's
and men's shoes are especially needed.
* Call Nabil at 415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email
shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* Drop off shoes 9 am to 5 pm at AFSC, 65 Ninth St.
(between Mission and Market) until Thursday, March 24.
Last minute shoes may be brought to Civic Center Plaza
Friday, March 25. No shoes accepted after Friday.
2. Collect phone cards for military personnel
We are also collecting telephone calling cards to donate to
military personnel and to returning Iraq war veterans in
a Bay Area hospital and the USOs at local airports. Please
purchase phone cards to donate with your shoes or bring
to the exhibit.
3. Volunteer
Volunteers are needed for the shoe project as well as the
overall exhibit.
* To volunteer with the shoe project, call Nabil at
415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email
shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* To volunteer to help with the exhibit call AFSC at
415-565-0201 ext. 15 or email sleeds@afsc.org
4. Spread the word! Please forward this information to
your networks.
5. Come to the exhibit, encourage others to come, and
bring last minute shoe donations and help us honor all
those who have died in Iraq.
[1] The number 16,000 is the approximate minimum number
of Iraqi civilians reported killed by military intervention in
Iraq by www.iraqbodycount.net.
Eyes Wide Open
"An exhibit that speaks directly to our hearts and reminds
us of the human cost of war."
Over 1,500 pairs of empty combat boots - tagged with the
names of U.S. soldiers who died in the Iraq war - will be
displayed, together with thousands of shoes and wall of
names to memorialize the Iraqis killed.
SAN FRANCISCO DATES:
March 25 (Friday), 11:00 am with all night vigil
Civic Center between Polk and Larkin
March 26 (Saturday), 10:00 am to 5 pm
Civic Center Voices and Requiem - 2 pm
March 27 (Easter Sunday), 10:00 am to dusk
Union Square (Powell and Geary)
American Friends Service Committee
We Need Good Shoes (Especially for Men and Children) and
Telephone Cards!
Call 415-565-0201 x14 or shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
See www.afsc.org/eyes
Until Thursday March 24, drop off shoes at 65 Ninth St.
(betw. Mission and Market) from 9-5 weekdays
Donate phone cards for military families Donate shoes to
memorialize the Iraqi casualties
Co-Sponsors (partial list) Agape Fdn; American Muslim Voice;
Archdiocese of SF: Comm. Of Public Policy and Social Concern;
Bay Area Pax Christi; Bay Area United for Peace and Justice;
Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists; Berkeley Friends
Church; Buddhist Peace Fellowship; Grace Cathedral: Diocese
of CA of the Episcopal Church; Los Altos Voices for Peace; Military
Families Speak Out; Pacifica Peace People; Pacifica Women in
Black; SFUSD School Board; Strawberry Creek Friends Meeting;
Veterans for Peace; 9/11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows,
San Francisco Friends Meeting, Code Pink
Our postal address is
P.O. Box 1818
Peter Stuyvesant Station
New York, New York 10009
United States
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TOMORROW, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
2) WE ALL STAND WITH LYNNE STEWART!
NO JAIL TIME FOR LYNNE!
PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TODAY
3) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation of Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People's Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
4) COMING TO THE BAY AREA SOON-POWERFUL ANTIWAR MOVIES
5) Iraqi War Veteran's Personal Journey of Conscience
Tuesday, March 22, 7:00 PM
Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church
55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek
Aidan Delgado, 23 year-old returned war veteran, relates the
personal journey of his deployment in Iraq at Abu Grhraib Prison,
and how he came to establish himself as a conscientious objector.
For more information call the Peace & Justice Center 925/933-7850
6) The US Student movement is surging, with campuses coast
to coast staging non-violent actions to protest the war
and military recruitment.
See http://www.campusresistance.org
for upcoming and recent actions during this Week of
Campus Resistance.
7) SECRET U.S. PLANS FOR IRAQ'S OIL (LINK ONLY)
By Greg Palast
Reporting for BBC Newsnight
17 March 2005
Date: Thu, 17 Mar 2005 01:41:19 -0500
From: palast@gregpalast.com
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/4354269.stm
8) House Approves $81.4 Billion (LINK ONLY)
War Spending Package
by Liz Sidoti
Published on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 by the Associated Press
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0316-11.htm
9) Fate of the Union (LINK ONLY)
By Frank Joyce, AlterNet
Posted on February 22, 2005, Printed on March 17, 2005
http://www.alternet.org/story/21312/
10) Remember the Disappeared: An Appeal to the Anti-War
Movement from Blue Triangles Network
NationalOffice@BlueTriangle.org
mailto:NationalOffice@BlueTriangle.org
11) White House press conference (LINK ONLY)
Bush defends rendition of detainees to torture regimes
By Barry Grey
World Socialist Web Site www.wsws.org
17 March 2005
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/mar2005/bush-m17.shtml
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TONIGHT, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
At the March 8th meeting JROTC teachers lied about what the
main purpose of JROTC was and about what they are teaching to the
children of San Francisco at the district's expense.
I received the following letter this morning from
"Arson G.," one of those students.
Arson G.'s words speak for themselves.
"Out of the mouths of babes!"
Peace,
Bonnie Weinstein, Bay Area United Against War
--- Nelly Gabuera
I don't know where you guys get your ideas, but
JROTC does NOT promote warfare or joining the army or
any sort of that. It's my second year in the JROTC
program and I love it, it teaches me leadership
skills, educates me, it PROMOTES my moral standards.
The mission of JROTC is to Promote Young Cadets To
Become Better Citizens. You do not know what you are
talking about, you are not IN the program, you have
never been in the program because if you have you
wouldve loved it, one paper does not mean im going to
join the Army. Now that we have ROTC settled,
let's focus on the war. If it wasn't for wars would
you still enjoy the freedoms you have today? NO? if it
wasn't for war half of the world would be run by
dictators like Hitler or Stalin or Mussolini, Castro?
SADAM? All we're doing in Iraq is bringing democracy.
We fought BACK because of 9-11. You cannot JUDGE the
JROTC in the last two years we have not even DISCUSSED
THE WAR class wise maybe amongst friends BUT NOT IN
THE JROTC CLASSROOM. The only thing we do, is march, learn
how to tell right from wrong. We have fun in the JROTC
program. Think of what effect it would have on kids
that don't have as good opportunities. The kids that
live in poverty that depend on JROTC to teach them
better, I believe JROTC saved lot's of lives. I
believe that if there isn't ONE person in the world
that is unsuccessfull in his life that passed the
JROTC program with flying colors. I really hope you
fail canceling the JROTC program, and for any grudge
you have against Bush take it out on him not the kids.
P.S. I AM joining the marine corps, it has been my
DREAM to be in the army since i was 7 years old. My
father served, my grandfather server and i will serve.
One thing i do admit though, the JROTC did make me
braver on my decision for joining the marines.
-Sincerely Arson G.
BAUAW has submitted the following resolution to the board:
Draft Resolution for San Francisco Board of Education
Cut Ties with the Military:
WHEREAS, the United States military is
actively recruiting high school students into
the military to fight in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, many young San Francisco
high school alumni are presently serving in
military units fighting in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, it is San Francisco City policy
by virtue of Proposition N, to bring all U.S.
troops home from Iraq now; and
WHEREAS, over 1,448 U.S. soldiers and
approximately 100,000 Iraqis have been
killed in this war and over 10,000 U.S.
soldiers and unknown thousands of
Iraqis have been wounded; and
WHEREAS, the hundreds of billions of dollars
spent on the war have robbed our children of
resources that should be spent on
education and other human needs; and
WHEREAS, military presence in our schools
legitimizes the message that violence is
acceptable;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
It shall be the policy of the San Francisco
Board of Education to cut all ties
with the United States military,
including, but not limited to: Ending military
recruitment on campuses; ending the
Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps
(JROTC); and guaranteeing that all students
and parents are informed of their right to
deny military recruiters access to their
names, addresses and telephone numbers.
MILITARY SPENDING IN THE SCHOOLS:
To: CodePinkCounterRecruitGroup@yahoogroups.com
From: "iampohet"
Subject: Which schools have jrotc?
I don't know specifically if military science is jrotc. I didn't find the
right person to ask. But, if it isn't, then what the hell is it?
Oh, heck, just for fun, here are the athletics funds listed in
the profile:
School: Amt: FTE's:Mil.Sci. FTE's:
Balboa: $6,000 2.0
Burton: $6,000 2.0
Galileo: $6,000 2.0
Lincoln: $7,000 3.0
Mission: $6,000 2.0
Lowell: $7,000 2.0
Washington: $7,000 2.0
The money, just over 2 mil, is all the funds... 1mil+
from the Feds and 1mil + in matching funds from
the sfusd.
In CodePinkCounterRecruitGroup@yahoogroups.com,
Ms sam joi wrote:
question - mil sci is jrotc? and this $$ was
alotted by the feds to the individual schools?
iampohet wrote:
School Money alotted to Mil Sci
as per fiscal profile Apr. 2004
Balboa: $261,335
Burton: $258,177
Galileo: $343,913
Lincoln: $429,106
Mission: $265,303
Lowell: $276,877
Wash: $344,093
Total: $2,178,804
I found this info by digging in the
individual school's profiles on
the sfusd website. Hope it's helpful.
erin
Bay Area United Against War (BAUAW)
www.bauaw.org
414-824-8730
Donations are urgently needed to carry
out this important work. We have no
paid staff but need money for posters,
buttons, flyers and informational material
to hand out to students and parents.
Make a tax-deductible donation to:
Bay Area United Against War/NVM
P.O. Box 318021
San Francisco, CA 94131-8021
Coming Up:
Global Day of Action
March 19, 2005
No to War and Occupation in Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People's Needs, Not War!
San Francisco March Assembles:
11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
2) WE ALL STAND WITH LYNNE STEWART!
NO JAIL TIME FOR LYNNE!
PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TODAY:
SUGGESTION AS TO FORMAT OF LETTERS
TO BE WRITTEN ON BEHALF OF LYNNE STEWART
MARGIN: Please leave at least a one-inch left-hand
margin to allow us to bind the letter into the
appendix to the sentencing memorandum that
is being filed on Lynne's behalf.
INSIDE ADDRESS: Honorable John G. Koeltl
United States District Judge
Southern District of New York
United States Courthouse
500 Pearl Street
New York, New York 10007
GREETING: Honorable Sir or Dear Judge Koeltl:
BODY: Briefly introduce yourself and set forth your
relationship to Lynne.
Briefly discuss yourself - your position in work
and in society.
State that you are aware that Lynne is to be
sentenced following a jury verdict of guilty on
serious charges: The remainder of your letter
should discuss whatever you believe to weigh
in favor of no jail time. If possible, you should
tell of an incident where she helped you out or
engaged in commendable community service.
Do not try to argue that she is not guilty or was
unfairly conviction. Focus on the unfairness of
the government's actions in bringing the charges;
the way in which the government portrayed her, etc.
* Typewritten letters if possible are preferred.
*
WHEN LETTER IS COMPLETED: Please mail the
final product to the following address:
Jill R. Shellow-Lavine, Esq.
2537 Post Road
Southport, CT 06890
Do not send your letters to the judge. We ask that you
forward your letter me so that the lawyers can present
it to Judge Koeltl with the other letters being written for
this purpose. This is the manner in which letters will
have the greatest impact. If they are sent directly to the
Judge's chambers, they may have less of an impact and
could cause the judge a substantial inconvenience
(and annoyance).
Thank you for your cooperation. If you have any
questions, please do not hesitate to contact the
defense committee at www.lynnestewart.org.
Sincerely,
Jill R. Shellow-Lavine
Attorney for Lynne Stewart
For more information go to:
www.LynneStewart.org
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
3) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation ˆ Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People‚s Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
[Volunteers are needed for March 19. Show up at Dolores Park
at 9:00am-or at the Civic Center at 9:00am and sign up at the
A.N.S.W.E.R. volunteer table or call the A.N.S.W.E.R. office
at 415-821-6545.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
4) BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR PRESENTS:
"Mission Accomplished" a brutally vivid documentary
filmed entirely on the ground in Iraq. The reality of this
war for American troops is contrasted to the
overwhelming reality of the devastation felt and experienced
by the people of Iraq.
"Mission Accomplished" will open March 18th, 6pm:
The Four Star Twin
2200 Clement St. (near 23rd Ave.)
San Francisco, CA 94121
415.666.3488
CINEMA LIBRE STUDIO -
www.VOICESINWARTIME.org -
LANDMARK THEATRES -
GLOBAL EXCHANGE -
THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY GUARDIAN -
CORPWATCH -
BAY.AREA.UNITED.AGAINST.WAR
Invite you to join us for a special sneak
preview of the film "Voices in Wartime."
Wednesday, March 30, 2005, 7:30 p.m.
Landmark Lumiere Theatre
1572 California St (near Polk)
San Francisco, CA 94109
Please RSVP via e-mail to VIWSF@ebcoms.com
by March 26, 2005. Include your name and
number of guests in the subject line e.g. "Your Name + 1."
Please note: Screening is FREE. Seating is limited, based on
RSVPs received. If we are not able to accommodate you, we
will let you know by return email. Please bring a copy of this
invitation with you.
ABOUT THE FILM
==============
"Voices in Wartime" gives the gut-wrenching experience
of war a fresh perspective. It steps away to look at all wars
- not just the conflicts currently in the news. The terrible
beauty of poetry is its guide, distilling the grim realities and
complex emotions of war. In addition soldiers, journalists,
historians and experts on combat are interviewed, adding
diverse perspectives on war's effects. History and literature
have shown that in times of war, poets can lead us to greater
truths and that the power of poetry can help us understand
the trauma, violence and death caused by armed conflict.
EARLY REVIEWS
=============
"'Voices' is a compelling look at poets caught up in the evils
of war, with nowhere to hide but in the solace of words.
But these are not words to be locked away. They are words
to be shouted from the rooftop, or better yet, from the movie
screens of every town in America.
The film relates a history of war poetry with narratives
that range from Sam Hamill 3-star general William Lennox Jr.,
superintendant of West Point.
This movie arrives just in time for the second anniversary
of "shock and awe". It may not be as shocking, but actually,
it's a lot more awesome." - Karl Weyrauch, EZAAPP, from the
Association of American Physician Poets.
"A history of verse is laid alongside that of warfare, and
the ways in which they are braided together proves
fascinating." - Variety Magazine"
* * * * - Entertainment Insiders
www.VoicesInWartime.org
4509 Interlake Ave. N. #263 | Seattle, WA 98103-6782
www.CinemaLibreStudio.com
[This poem by fourth-grader Cameron Penny was read
by Marie Howe in this very beautiful film
directed by Rick King.
"If you are lucky in this life
A window will appear on a battlefield between two armies
And when the soldiers look into the window
They don't see their enemies
They see themselves as children
And they stop fighting
And go home and go to sleep
When they wake up, the land is well again."
By Cameron Penny]
Landmark
Lumiere 3
San Francisco
1572 California Street
50th St
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
5) Iraqi War Veteran's Personal Journey of Conscience
Tuesday, March 22, 7:00 PM
Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church
55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek
Aidan Delgado, 23 year-old returned war veteran, relates the
personal journey of his deployment in Iraq at Abu Grhraib Prison,
and how he came to establish himself as a conscientious objector.
For more information call the Peace & Justice Center 925/933-7850
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
6) The US Student movement is surging, with campuses coast
to coast staging non-violent actions to protest the war
and military recruitment.
See http://www.campusresistance.org
for upcoming and recent actions during this Week of
Campus Resistance.
The Campus Antiwar Network (CAN), Lefthook.org and
GlobalResistanceNetwork.com
initiated the call for campuses to organize
actions and protests this week leading
up to the second anniversary of the
invasion of Iraq. CAN's website is found at
http://www.campusantiwar.net
Counter-recruitment actions at
CCNY and SFSU have had major media coverage
due to arrests and police brutality
claims. These arrests have spurred calls
for free speech and protests. CCNY
students have called for a picket of the
City College of New York administration
in defense of free speech on March
17, 2005.
http://www.traprockpeace.org/free_speech_ccny.htm
In San Francisco, students have put out a call to
defend free speech at SFSU
http://www.traprockpeace.org/free_speech_sfsu.htm
See "Counter-Recruitment is Gaining Strength -
Military Recruiters Target
Campus Activists" in CounterPunch, an article by
CAN organizers Hadas Their
(CCNY) and Katrina Yeaw (SFSU) -
http://counterpunch.org/their03152005.html
Updates on other counter-recruitment actions, organized
by CAN members or in
cooperation with other groups, may be found at
http://www.traprockpeace.org/campus_antiwar.html
The Week of Campus Resistance actions
are leading up to student actions this
weekend to protest the war. On
March 1, CAN put out the call for a student
contingent for the mass march in
Fayetteville on March 19th, as reported in
CommonDreams at the time. An updated
notice - put out on the CAN listserv -
is available at
http://www.traprockpeace.org/can_fayetteville.html
(The primary contact person for the
CAN contingent in Fayetteville is
Catherine Geary 336-202-5038 - catgeary@peoplepc.com )
ENDORSEMENTS FOR WEEK OF CAMPUS RESISTANCE
The Week of Campus Resistance has been
endorsed internationally by
• Noam Chomsky;
• Ralph Nader;
• Kathy Kelly, Co-coordinator of
Voices in the Wilderness;
• Michael Yates, Associate Editor at
Monthly Review, and Professor Emeritus
at University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown;
• Robert Jensen;
• Lou Plummer, an organizer of the
March 19 demonstration in Fayetteville,
NC, a member of Military Families Speak
Out, Veterans for Peace, and a
member of the national steering committee
of the Bring Them Home Now!
campaign;
• James Petras;
• Mickey Z;
• Anthony Arnove, member of the
International Socialist Org. and
co-editor, with Howard Zinn, of
Voices of A People's History of the United
States;
• Mkhaimar Abusada, professor
at Al-Azhar University, Gaza;
• Howard Zinn;
• Michael Letwin Co-Convener,
New York City Labor Against the War, Former
President, UAW Local 2325;
• Norman Solomon, associate of FAIR;
• Sunny Miller, Executive Director
of Traprock Peace Center;
• Students Stop the War Coalition (UK);
• Father John Dear;
• Phil Gasper, professor of
Philosophy at Notre Dame de Namur University;
• Pol Devos, coordinator of
StopUSA, anti-war movement in Belgium;
• Norm Dixon, Socialist Alliance
member and former editor of Green Left
Weekly, Sydney, Australia;
• Traprock Peace Center.
MORE INFORMATION
CAN is the national democratic and
independent network of campus antiwar
organizations. http://www.campusantiwar.net
NYU students have produced an excellent CAN pamphlet.
http://www.traprockpeace.org/withdrawal.pdf
Traprock has published "Recruiters Off Our
Campuses" by Desmond Gardfrey,
CAN CC member, a primary CAN
organizer of the Week of Campus Resistance and
an organizer of CAN's student
contingent in Fayetteville.
http://www.traprockpeace.org/gardfrey_11mar05.html
####
Charles Jenks, attorney at law
President of the Core Group
Traprock Peace Center
103A Keets Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
413-773-5188; Fax 413-773-7507
charles@mtdata.com
http://traprockpeace.org
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ufpj-news/
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
7) SECRET U.S. PLANS FOR IRAQ'S OIL (LINK ONLY)
By Greg Palast
Reporting for BBC Newsnight
17 March 2005
Date: Thu, 17 Mar 2005 01:41:19 -0500
From: palast@gregpalast.com
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/4354269.stm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
8) House Approves $81.4 Billion (LINK ONLY)
War Spending Package
by Liz Sidoti
Published on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 by the Associated Press
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0316-11.htm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
9) Fate of the Union (LINK ONLY)
By Frank Joyce, AlterNet
Posted on February 22, 2005, Printed on March 17, 2005
http://www.alternet.org/story/21312/
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
10) Remember the Disappeared: An Appeal to the Anti-War
Movement from Blue Triangles Network
NationalOffice@BlueTriangle.org
mailto:NationalOffice@BlueTriangle.org
March 16, 2005
"Remember the Disappeared: Wear Blue Triangles on March 18-20"
During the anti-war activities on 18-20th March, the Blue Triangle
Network (BTN) calls on all people to include opposition to repression
against Muslim, Arab and South Asian immigrants as an important
part of activities by wearing a Blue Triangle with the names of the
detained and disappeared, and distributing this Appeal and the
Blue Triangle Network Fact Sheet.
March 20, 2005 marks two years since the invasion and occupation
of Iraq by the U.S. The anti-war movement has called on people
around the world to come out on this day to protest this unjust
war and occupation. This global "war on terror" has two components:
one, an ongoing war on the world with the occupation of Iraq
and threats against other countries, and two, a domestic war
on Muslim, Arab and South Asian immigrants, including the
repression of dissent.
The repression of Muslim, Arab and South Asian immigrants has
intensified and escalated since 9-11. >From the registrations,
raids, detentions and deportations of tens of thousands of
immigrants and government-sanctioned racial profiling to the
consolidation of a legal infrastructure that allows indefinite
detention of immigrants and U.S. citizens, a climate of overall
repression has descended and is spreading into far broader
sections of society. The confirmations of Alberto Gonzales as
U.S. Attorney General and Michael Chertoff as the head of the
Dept of Homeland Security make it chillingly clear that this
administration plans to continue on this course.
The Blue Triangle Network calls on the people living in this
country to come to the defense of Muslim, Arab and South
Asian immigrants, the first targets of these attacks. However,
these communities are not the only groups of people whose
rights are being trampled. The initial attacks on these
communities served as a window through which repressive
policies like Homeland Security Act, SEVIS, Special Registration,
the USA PATRIOT ACT, the "enemy combatant" status (in which
the President can hold anyone indefinitely without charges and
which the U.S. Supreme Court recently approved) have been
launched. These policies have widened the net of repression
and persecution. Activists and dissenters have also been targeted,
as was clearly evident during the Republican National Convention
and Bush's inauguration, in which protesters were categorized
as "terrorists" and labeled as a "national security threat".
The repression facing the Muslim, Arab and South Asian
communities in the present time has taken a different face
than immediately after 9-11. While there are no longer mass
round-ups, detentions and registrations, racial profiling
continues to occur and is likely to worsen. As the occupation
of Iraq continues, and other countries in the Middle East
are threatened with war, the view of Arabs and Muslims as
the "ENEMY WITHIN" will continue to be propagated by the
government and mainstream media. With the government
apparatus of repression gaining more and more strength,
the future of immigrants in this country is under serious
threat.
March 18-20, the Blue Triangle Network calls on the
anti-war movement to take up the struggle to stop the
repression against Muslim, Arab and South Asian immigrants
as an integral part of what you are doing. WEAR A BLUE
TRIANGLE WITH THE NAME OF ONE OF THE DISAPPEARED,
one of those rounded up and secretly jailed immediately
following 9-11, to demonstrate our solidarity with those
being targeted today. Download blue triangles from the
BTN website: www.bluetriangle.org
ORDER THE BTN 12 PAGE TABLOID SIZE FACT SHEET
FOR ON-G0ING USE IN YOUR ANTI-WAR ACTIVITIES. T
his fact sheet analyzes this repression and tells stories
of individuals attacked.
1000 fact sheets--$100
500 fact sheets--$ 50
100 fact sheets--$15
To order: email NationalOffice@bluetriangle.org
or call 313-942-7187.
BLUE TRIANGLE NETWORK
P.O. BOX 7451, DEARBORN, MI 48121-7451
313-942-7187
www.bluetriangle.org
Email: NationalOffice@bluetriangle.org
US-Mexico Border Actions
No Militarization of Borders! Support Immigrant Rights!
New York: (212)330-8172
Los Angeles: (213)403-0131
e-mail: Info@ActionLA.org
Please subscribe Border Information listserv, send e-mail to:
Border01-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
or visit: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Border01
Also, please join our national immigrant
Solidarity Network daily news litserv, send
e-mail to: isn-subscribe@lists.riseup.net
or visit: http://lists.riseup.net/www/info/isn
**Please consider making a donation to the
important work of the US-Mexico Border Actions!
Send check pay to:
ActionLA/SEE
1013 Mission St. #6
South Pasadena CA 91030
(All donations are tax deductible)
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
11) White House press conference (LINK ONLY)
Bush defends rendition of detainees to torture regimes
By Barry Grey
World Socialist Web Site www.wsws.org
17 March 2005
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/mar2005/bush-m17.shtml
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
THE NEXT BAUAW MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE:
SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 11:30AM
474 VALENCIA STREET, SF
(FIRST FLOOR, TO THE LEFT AND ALL THE WAY BACK
TO THE COMPANEROS DEL BARRIO CHILDREN'S CENTER)
*******************************************************
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TONIGHT, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Today, Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
At the March 8th meeting JROTC teachers lied about what the
main purpose of JROTC was and about what they are teaching to the
children of San Francisco at the district's expense.
I received the following letter this morning from
"Arson G.," one of those students.
Arson G.'s words speak for themselves.
"Out of the mouths of babes!"
Peace,
Bonnie Weinstein, Bay Area United Against War
--- Nelly Gabuera
I don't know where you guys get your ideas, but
JROTC does NOT promote warfare or joining the army or
any sort of that. It's my second year in the JROTC
program and I love it, it teaches me leadership
skills, educates me, it PROMOTES my moral standards.
The mission of JROTC is to Promote Young Cadets To
Become Better Citizens. You do not know what you are
talking about, you are not IN the program, you have
never been in the program because if you have you
wouldve loved it, one paper does not mean im going to
join the Army. Now that we have ROTC settled,
let's focus on the war. If it wasn't for wars would
you still enjoy the freedoms you have today? NO? if it
wasn't for war half of the world would be run by
dictators like Hitler or Stalin or Mussolini, Castro?
SADAM? All we're doing in Iraq is bringing democracy.
We fought BACK because of 9-11. You cannot JUDGE the
JROTC in the last two years we have not even DISCUSSED
THE WAR class wise maybe amongst friends BUT NOT IN
THE JROTC CLASSROOM.
The only thing we do, is march, learn
how to tell right from wrong. We have fun in the JROTC
program. Think of what effect it would have on kids
that don't have as good opportunities. The kids that
live in poverty that depend on JROTC to teach them
better, I believe JROTC saved lot's of lives. I
believe that if there isn't ONE person in the world
that is unsuccessful in his life that passed the
JROTC program with flying colors. I really hope you
fail canceling the JROTC program, and for any grudge
you have against Bush take it out on him not the kids.
P.S. I AM joining the marine corps, it has been my
DREAM to be in the army since i was 7 years old. My
father served, my grandfather server and i will serve.
One thing i do admit though, the JROTC did make me
braver on my decision for joining the marines.
-Sincerely Arson G.
************************************************************
MILITARY RECRUITERS WILL BE AT THE CAREER FAIR AT
GEORGE WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL
600 32nd Avenue between Geary and Balboa Sts.
TUESDAY, APRIL 5TH, 9:50AM-12:20PM
ALL ARE INVITED TO HELP WITH COUNTER-RECRUITMENT!
************************************************************
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR PRESENTS
A PREMIERE FILM SHOWING OF:
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
One man, one camera. Two sides of a story
FRIDAY, MARCH 18TH, 6 P.M.
(There will be a short question and answer period
at 7:30 P.M. immediately following the film.)
FOUR STAR TWIN
220 CLEMENT ST. NEAR 23RD AVENUE
SAN FRANCISCO
415-666-3488
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED is a gripping documentary by veteran
British journalist Sean Langan. Langan gets up close and
personal accounts of the war from U.S. and coalition soldiers,
Iraqi resistance fighters, and captures Abu Ghraib prison abuses
long before the torture reached the popular Press.
The most powerful statement of the film is the depiction
of the total devastation brought to Iraq by this war. It is the
constant backdrop to the interviews in the film as is the almost
universal hatred exhibited by the Iraqi people toward any U.S.
presence in Iraq-both from those interviewed and from those
included among the rubble in the background scenes. This film's
a must for anyone thinking of joining the military or who is
unsure of what our government is doing there in our name.
************************************************************
CINEMA LIBRE STUDIO -
www.VOICESINWARTIME.org -
LANDMARK THEATRES -
GLOBAL EXCHANGE -
THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY GUARDIAN -
CORPWATCH -
BAY.AREA.UNITED.AGAINST.WAR
Invite you to join us for a special sneak preview of the
film "Voices in Wartime."
Wednesday, March 30, 2005, 7:30 p.m.
Landmark Lumiere Theatre
1572 California St (near Polk)
San Francisco, CA 94109
Please RSVP via e-mail to VIWSF@ebcoms.com by March 26, 2005.
Include your name and number of guests in the subject line e.g.
"Your Name + 1."
Please note: Screening is FREE. Seating is limited, based
on RSVPs received. If we are not able to accommodate you,
we will let you know by return email. Please bring a copy
of this invitation with you.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
Volunteers are needed for March 19th!
Show up March 19th at Dolores Park
or Civic Center at 9:00 a.m.
and sign up at the A.N.S.W.E.R. volunteer table.
Or contact A.N.S.W.E.R. OFFICE AT:
2489 Mission St. #24, 415-821-6545
Hello to members of United for Peace and Justice Bay Area,
On March 19 UPJ-Bay Area will be meeting at 10:30 a.m. on
18th Street in front of Mission High School before marching down
to Civic Center. We will be carrying panels of the faces of the
victims of the war-American soldiers and Iraqi civilians-and need
your help in carrying them to Civic Center where we will have
a table. Please send out this request to your listserv.
Also, we are updating our members' directory and need your
updated contact information.
Please send your email, phone number and website address to me
as soon as possible. A donation of $25 is also requested to
cover printing charges. Please send to:
United for Peace and Justice-Bay Area
c/o War Resisters League West
POB 410744
San Francisco, CA 94141
Thanks.
Jackie Barshak
for UPJ-Bay Area
415.308.9416
jackie barshak jbarshak@hotmail.com
Not in Our Name Bay Area
Help Not in Our Name build for the March 19 mass
mobilization in San Francisco to end war and occupation!
Community postering for March 19 march and rally.
Also, help prepare for the March 18 anti-war
morning visiblity action.
Planning Meeting & Work Party
Wednesday, March 16 ~ 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Not in Our Name office. 3945 Opal Street,
Oakland CA 94609
Morning Visibilty Action
Friday, March 18 ~ 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM
Call us to hook up and help get the message out
to tens of thousands of morning commuters --
"Out of Iraq now!"
U.S. Out of Iraq Now!
March 19: International Day of Action
On the second anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, let's
show Bush and Co. that the people of the world say
NO to war and occupation!
On Saturday, March 19 join the Not in Our Name Earth
Flag Contingent at the mass march and rally organized by
ANSWER Coalition -- 11 am, Dolores Park, San Francisco.
Join up with the Not in Our Name Earth Flag Contingent at
the corner of 18th Street and Dolores (map). March to Civic
Center for a 1 pm rally.
Not In Our Name will also be organizing acts of creative
resistance around this weekend. We encourage folks to
strategize and brainstorm with us about how to broaden
resistance and bring awareness to the millions in this country
that our message must reach; and to join us as we unite with
groups around the Bay to bring out all who oppose the deadly
course of this government. Come to a general meeting,
call our office, or check out the website.
Against Military Recruitment in our Schools?
On the second anniversary of the war, join the
Counter-Recruitment Contingent!
***
Saturday, March 19
10AM at 16th and Mission St.
(the 16th Street BART station)
***
AT SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY, military recruiters were
forced to leave early without any recruits because of the hundreds
of students that came out to protest their presence at the school!
This is not an isolated incident. Seattle, Chicago, New York,
Madison, Connecticut, Minnesota. In community colleges,
high schools, and universities around the nation, students,
faculty, and campus workers have come out to protest the
BLACKMAILING of education. As billions are being diverted
from schools to the war, our students are being told that they
need to die before they see a dime of it.
THIS IS DEAD WRONG.
As recruiters are failing to meet quotas for the first time in
a decade, despite more than tripling signing bonuses, we need
to rebuild the anti-war movement by fighting against the war
where it is weakest.
Join students, parents, teachers, military families, veterans,
community members, and activists on the second anniversary
of the war at the 16th Street BART station at 10AM to march
up to Dolores Park together.
Sponsored by the Campus Anti-War Network and the College
Not Combat Committee.
Money for Jobs and Education! Not for War and Occupation!
For more info please contact: ragina@mac.com / 415.412.4540
sue sandlin design | srsndln@pacbell.net
National Teach-in on Iraq: How Can We End this War?
Thursday, March 24 ~ 7 PM to 10 PM
Mission High School, 3750 18th Street (at Dolores), San Francisco
On the 40th Anniversary of the first teach-ins on the Vietnam War.
With presentations by Iraq veteran Rahul Mahajan, Cindy Sheehan,
Fernando Suarez, Aimee Allison, Howard Wallace, Sean O'Neil,
and Medea Benjamin. Sponsored by Global Exchange and
CODEPINK. $5 donation requested. (more info)
Resistance Cinema Presents "Hidden in Plain Sight"
Sunday, April 10 ~ 3 PM to 5 PM
Parkway Pizza/Pub Theater, 1834 Park Blvd., Oakland
A short history, a spirited debate, a personal story, and a call
for accountability, "Hidden in Plain Sight" is a bold, unflinching
look at the nature and consequences of U.S. policy in Latin
America. Brief presentation by Laura Slattery, Pace e Bene
Nonviolence. A free event sponsored by Not in Our Name.
The Not in Our Name Project needs your support!
Donate online: donate.notinourname.net
Or send your tax-deductible contribution today to:
Not in Our Name
3945 Opal Street, Oakland CA 94609
www.notinourname.net
phone: 510-601-8000
email: bayarea@notinourname.net
local: bayarea.notinourname.net
Another World Is Possible!
http://www.notinourname.net
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
Dear Friends Please read the following request from Families for
Peaceful Tomorrows one of the many co-sponsors of the Eyes Wide
Open exhibit. They have committed to trying to collecting the
16,000 additional pairs of shoes. Please think about becoming
a collection point. In my opinion donating a pair of shoes is a
great way to challenge people to think about the human cost of
war. It is a way to involve people before the exhibit arrives and
encourage them to come. Some ideas for dealing with the collection
include; put out a barrel or box asking for the donation in your
school, church, neighborhood center or place of work. Put a flyer
on the box explaining why we are collecting the shoes. Thanks.
Sandra Schwartz
Peace Education Coordinator, AFSC
Dear Friends,
Eyes Wide Open, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
exhibit that reminds us of the human cost of war is coming to San
Francisco March 25-27. The exhibit features over 1,500 pairs of
combat boots tagged with the names of U.S. soldiers who have
died in the Iraq war. It also memorializes the Iraqi civilians killed
in the war.
In San Francisco, we are adding a new element to this powerful
exhibit: instead of just 1,000 shoes to represent all the Iraqi civilian
deaths, we have set a goal of collecting 16,000[1] pairs of shoes
to more accurately demonstrate the scale of Iraqi deaths as a result
of the war. The shoe memorial has been initiated by September
11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows and it will not happen
without your support.
We need your help to meet the goal of collecting 16,000 pairs
of shoes!
What you can do:
1. Collect shoes for the exhibit
* Please gather usable shoes from your family and friends
or set up a shoe collection site in your community, school,
workplace or place of worship.
* Tie each pair together, or, if no laces, securely attach them
together.
* Count the pairs of shoes and place in heavy-duty garbage
bags. Attach a tag with the count on it.
* Shoes will be donated at the end of the exhibit. Children's
and men's shoes are especially needed.
* Call Nabil at 415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email
shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* Drop off shoes 9 am to 5 pm at AFSC, 65 Ninth St.
(between Mission and Market) until Thursday, March 24.
Last minute shoes may be brought to Civic Center Plaza
Friday, March 25. No shoes accepted after Friday.
2. Collect phone cards for military personnel
We are also collecting telephone calling cards to donate to
military personnel and to returning Iraq war veterans in
a Bay Area hospital and the USOs at local airports. Please
purchase phone cards to donate with your shoes or bring
to the exhibit.
3. Volunteer
Volunteers are needed for the shoe project as well as the
overall exhibit.
* To volunteer with the shoe project, call Nabil at
415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email
shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* To volunteer to help with the exhibit call AFSC at
415-565-0201 ext. 15 or email sleeds@afsc.org
4. Spread the word! Please forward this information to
your networks.
5. Come to the exhibit, encourage others to come, and
bring last minute shoe donations and help us honor all
those who have died in Iraq.
[1] The number 16,000 is the approximate minimum number
of Iraqi civilians reported killed by military intervention in
Iraq by www.iraqbodycount.net.
Eyes Wide Open
"An exhibit that speaks directly to our hearts and reminds
us of the human cost of war."
Over 1,500 pairs of empty combat boots - tagged with the
names of U.S. soldiers who died in the Iraq war - will be
displayed, together with thousands of shoes and wall of
names to memorialize the Iraqis killed.
SAN FRANCISCO DATES:
March 25 (Friday), 11:00 am with all night vigil
Civic Center between Polk and Larkin
March 26 (Saturday), 10:00 am to 5 pm
Civic Center Voices and Requiem - 2 pm
March 27 (Easter Sunday), 10:00 am to dusk
Union Square (Powell and Geary)
American Friends Service Committee
We Need Good Shoes (Especially for Men and Children) and
Telephone Cards!
Call 415-565-0201 x14 or shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
See www.afsc.org/eyes
Until Thursday March 24, drop off shoes at 65 Ninth St.
(betw. Mission and Market) from 9-5 weekdays
Donate phone cards for military families Donate shoes to
memorialize the Iraqi casualties
Co-Sponsors (partial list) Agape Fdn; American Muslim Voice;
Archdiocese of SF: Comm. Of Public Policy and Social Concern;
Bay Area Pax Christi; Bay Area United for Peace and Justice;
Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists; Berkeley Friends
Church; Buddhist Peace Fellowship; Grace Cathedral: Diocese
of CA of the Episcopal Church; Los Altos Voices for Peace; Military
Families Speak Out; Pacifica Peace People; Pacifica Women in
Black; SFUSD School Board; Strawberry Creek Friends Meeting;
Veterans for Peace; 9/11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows,
San Francisco Friends Meeting, Code Pink
Our postal address is
P.O. Box 1818
Peter Stuyvesant Station
New York, New York 10009
United States
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TOMORROW, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
2) WE ALL STAND WITH LYNNE STEWART!
NO JAIL TIME FOR LYNNE!
PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TODAY
3) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation of Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People's Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
4) COMING TO THE BAY AREA SOON-POWERFUL ANTIWAR MOVIES
5) Iraqi War Veteran's Personal Journey of Conscience
Tuesday, March 22, 7:00 PM
Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church
55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek
Aidan Delgado, 23 year-old returned war veteran, relates the
personal journey of his deployment in Iraq at Abu Grhraib Prison,
and how he came to establish himself as a conscientious objector.
For more information call the Peace & Justice Center 925/933-7850
6) The US Student movement is surging, with campuses coast
to coast staging non-violent actions to protest the war
and military recruitment.
See http://www.campusresistance.org
for upcoming and recent actions during this Week of
Campus Resistance.
7) SECRET U.S. PLANS FOR IRAQ'S OIL (LINK ONLY)
By Greg Palast
Reporting for BBC Newsnight
17 March 2005
Date: Thu, 17 Mar 2005 01:41:19 -0500
From: palast@gregpalast.com
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/4354269.stm
8) House Approves $81.4 Billion (LINK ONLY)
War Spending Package
by Liz Sidoti
Published on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 by the Associated Press
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0316-11.htm
9) Fate of the Union (LINK ONLY)
By Frank Joyce, AlterNet
Posted on February 22, 2005, Printed on March 17, 2005
http://www.alternet.org/story/21312/
10) Remember the Disappeared: An Appeal to the Anti-War
Movement from Blue Triangles Network
NationalOffice@BlueTriangle.org
mailto:NationalOffice@BlueTriangle.org
11) White House press conference (LINK ONLY)
Bush defends rendition of detainees to torture regimes
By Barry Grey
World Socialist Web Site www.wsws.org
17 March 2005
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/mar2005/bush-m17.shtml
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TONIGHT, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
At the March 8th meeting JROTC teachers lied about what the
main purpose of JROTC was and about what they are teaching to the
children of San Francisco at the district's expense.
I received the following letter this morning from
"Arson G.," one of those students.
Arson G.'s words speak for themselves.
"Out of the mouths of babes!"
Peace,
Bonnie Weinstein, Bay Area United Against War
--- Nelly Gabuera
I don't know where you guys get your ideas, but
JROTC does NOT promote warfare or joining the army or
any sort of that. It's my second year in the JROTC
program and I love it, it teaches me leadership
skills, educates me, it PROMOTES my moral standards.
The mission of JROTC is to Promote Young Cadets To
Become Better Citizens. You do not know what you are
talking about, you are not IN the program, you have
never been in the program because if you have you
wouldve loved it, one paper does not mean im going to
join the Army. Now that we have ROTC settled,
let's focus on the war. If it wasn't for wars would
you still enjoy the freedoms you have today? NO? if it
wasn't for war half of the world would be run by
dictators like Hitler or Stalin or Mussolini, Castro?
SADAM? All we're doing in Iraq is bringing democracy.
We fought BACK because of 9-11. You cannot JUDGE the
JROTC in the last two years we have not even DISCUSSED
THE WAR class wise maybe amongst friends BUT NOT IN
THE JROTC CLASSROOM. The only thing we do, is march, learn
how to tell right from wrong. We have fun in the JROTC
program. Think of what effect it would have on kids
that don't have as good opportunities. The kids that
live in poverty that depend on JROTC to teach them
better, I believe JROTC saved lot's of lives. I
believe that if there isn't ONE person in the world
that is unsuccessfull in his life that passed the
JROTC program with flying colors. I really hope you
fail canceling the JROTC program, and for any grudge
you have against Bush take it out on him not the kids.
P.S. I AM joining the marine corps, it has been my
DREAM to be in the army since i was 7 years old. My
father served, my grandfather server and i will serve.
One thing i do admit though, the JROTC did make me
braver on my decision for joining the marines.
-Sincerely Arson G.
BAUAW has submitted the following resolution to the board:
Draft Resolution for San Francisco Board of Education
Cut Ties with the Military:
WHEREAS, the United States military is
actively recruiting high school students into
the military to fight in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, many young San Francisco
high school alumni are presently serving in
military units fighting in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, it is San Francisco City policy
by virtue of Proposition N, to bring all U.S.
troops home from Iraq now; and
WHEREAS, over 1,448 U.S. soldiers and
approximately 100,000 Iraqis have been
killed in this war and over 10,000 U.S.
soldiers and unknown thousands of
Iraqis have been wounded; and
WHEREAS, the hundreds of billions of dollars
spent on the war have robbed our children of
resources that should be spent on
education and other human needs; and
WHEREAS, military presence in our schools
legitimizes the message that violence is
acceptable;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
It shall be the policy of the San Francisco
Board of Education to cut all ties
with the United States military,
including, but not limited to: Ending military
recruitment on campuses; ending the
Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps
(JROTC); and guaranteeing that all students
and parents are informed of their right to
deny military recruiters access to their
names, addresses and telephone numbers.
MILITARY SPENDING IN THE SCHOOLS:
To: CodePinkCounterRecruitGroup@yahoogroups.com
From: "iampohet"
Subject: Which schools have jrotc?
I don't know specifically if military science is jrotc. I didn't find the
right person to ask. But, if it isn't, then what the hell is it?
Oh, heck, just for fun, here are the athletics funds listed in
the profile:
School: Amt: FTE's:Mil.Sci. FTE's:
Balboa: $6,000 2.0
Burton: $6,000 2.0
Galileo: $6,000 2.0
Lincoln: $7,000 3.0
Mission: $6,000 2.0
Lowell: $7,000 2.0
Washington: $7,000 2.0
The money, just over 2 mil, is all the funds... 1mil+
from the Feds and 1mil + in matching funds from
the sfusd.
In CodePinkCounterRecruitGroup@yahoogroups.com,
Ms sam joi
question - mil sci is jrotc? and this $$ was
alotted by the feds to the individual schools?
iampohet
School Money alotted to Mil Sci
as per fiscal profile Apr. 2004
Balboa: $261,335
Burton: $258,177
Galileo: $343,913
Lincoln: $429,106
Mission: $265,303
Lowell: $276,877
Wash: $344,093
Total: $2,178,804
I found this info by digging in the
individual school's profiles on
the sfusd website. Hope it's helpful.
erin
Bay Area United Against War (BAUAW)
www.bauaw.org
414-824-8730
Donations are urgently needed to carry
out this important work. We have no
paid staff but need money for posters,
buttons, flyers and informational material
to hand out to students and parents.
Make a tax-deductible donation to:
Bay Area United Against War/NVM
P.O. Box 318021
San Francisco, CA 94131-8021
Coming Up:
Global Day of Action
March 19, 2005
No to War and Occupation in Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People's Needs, Not War!
San Francisco March Assembles:
11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
2) WE ALL STAND WITH LYNNE STEWART!
NO JAIL TIME FOR LYNNE!
PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TODAY:
SUGGESTION AS TO FORMAT OF LETTERS
TO BE WRITTEN ON BEHALF OF LYNNE STEWART
MARGIN: Please leave at least a one-inch left-hand
margin to allow us to bind the letter into the
appendix to the sentencing memorandum that
is being filed on Lynne's behalf.
INSIDE ADDRESS: Honorable John G. Koeltl
United States District Judge
Southern District of New York
United States Courthouse
500 Pearl Street
New York, New York 10007
GREETING: Honorable Sir or Dear Judge Koeltl:
BODY: Briefly introduce yourself and set forth your
relationship to Lynne.
Briefly discuss yourself - your position in work
and in society.
State that you are aware that Lynne is to be
sentenced following a jury verdict of guilty on
serious charges: The remainder of your letter
should discuss whatever you believe to weigh
in favor of no jail time. If possible, you should
tell of an incident where she helped you out or
engaged in commendable community service.
Do not try to argue that she is not guilty or was
unfairly conviction. Focus on the unfairness of
the government's actions in bringing the charges;
the way in which the government portrayed her, etc.
* Typewritten letters if possible are preferred.
*
WHEN LETTER IS COMPLETED: Please mail the
final product to the following address:
Jill R. Shellow-Lavine, Esq.
2537 Post Road
Southport, CT 06890
Do not send your letters to the judge. We ask that you
forward your letter me so that the lawyers can present
it to Judge Koeltl with the other letters being written for
this purpose. This is the manner in which letters will
have the greatest impact. If they are sent directly to the
Judge's chambers, they may have less of an impact and
could cause the judge a substantial inconvenience
(and annoyance).
Thank you for your cooperation. If you have any
questions, please do not hesitate to contact the
defense committee at www.lynnestewart.org.
Sincerely,
Jill R. Shellow-Lavine
Attorney for Lynne Stewart
For more information go to:
www.LynneStewart.org
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
3) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation ˆ Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People‚s Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
[Volunteers are needed for March 19. Show up at Dolores Park
at 9:00am-or at the Civic Center at 9:00am and sign up at the
A.N.S.W.E.R. volunteer table or call the A.N.S.W.E.R. office
at 415-821-6545.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
4) BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR PRESENTS:
"Mission Accomplished" a brutally vivid documentary
filmed entirely on the ground in Iraq. The reality of this
war for American troops is contrasted to the
overwhelming reality of the devastation felt and experienced
by the people of Iraq.
"Mission Accomplished" will open March 18th, 6pm:
The Four Star Twin
2200 Clement St. (near 23rd Ave.)
San Francisco, CA 94121
415.666.3488
CINEMA LIBRE STUDIO -
www.VOICESINWARTIME.org -
LANDMARK THEATRES -
GLOBAL EXCHANGE -
THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY GUARDIAN -
CORPWATCH -
BAY.AREA.UNITED.AGAINST.WAR
Invite you to join us for a special sneak
preview of the film "Voices in Wartime."
Wednesday, March 30, 2005, 7:30 p.m.
Landmark Lumiere Theatre
1572 California St (near Polk)
San Francisco, CA 94109
Please RSVP via e-mail to VIWSF@ebcoms.com
by March 26, 2005. Include your name and
number of guests in the subject line e.g. "Your Name + 1."
Please note: Screening is FREE. Seating is limited, based on
RSVPs received. If we are not able to accommodate you, we
will let you know by return email. Please bring a copy of this
invitation with you.
ABOUT THE FILM
==============
"Voices in Wartime" gives the gut-wrenching experience
of war a fresh perspective. It steps away to look at all wars
- not just the conflicts currently in the news. The terrible
beauty of poetry is its guide, distilling the grim realities and
complex emotions of war. In addition soldiers, journalists,
historians and experts on combat are interviewed, adding
diverse perspectives on war's effects. History and literature
have shown that in times of war, poets can lead us to greater
truths and that the power of poetry can help us understand
the trauma, violence and death caused by armed conflict.
EARLY REVIEWS
=============
"'Voices' is a compelling look at poets caught up in the evils
of war, with nowhere to hide but in the solace of words.
But these are not words to be locked away. They are words
to be shouted from the rooftop, or better yet, from the movie
screens of every town in America.
The film relates a history of war poetry with narratives
that range from Sam Hamill 3-star general William Lennox Jr.,
superintendant of West Point.
This movie arrives just in time for the second anniversary
of "shock and awe". It may not be as shocking, but actually,
it's a lot more awesome." - Karl Weyrauch, EZAAPP, from the
Association of American Physician Poets.
"A history of verse is laid alongside that of warfare, and
the ways in which they are braided together proves
fascinating." - Variety Magazine"
* * * * - Entertainment Insiders
www.VoicesInWartime.org
4509 Interlake Ave. N. #263 | Seattle, WA 98103-6782
www.CinemaLibreStudio.com
[This poem by fourth-grader Cameron Penny was read
by Marie Howe in this very beautiful film
directed by Rick King.
"If you are lucky in this life
A window will appear on a battlefield between two armies
And when the soldiers look into the window
They don't see their enemies
They see themselves as children
And they stop fighting
And go home and go to sleep
When they wake up, the land is well again."
By Cameron Penny]
Landmark
Lumiere 3
San Francisco
1572 California Street
50th St
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
5) Iraqi War Veteran's Personal Journey of Conscience
Tuesday, March 22, 7:00 PM
Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church
55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek
Aidan Delgado, 23 year-old returned war veteran, relates the
personal journey of his deployment in Iraq at Abu Grhraib Prison,
and how he came to establish himself as a conscientious objector.
For more information call the Peace & Justice Center 925/933-7850
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
6) The US Student movement is surging, with campuses coast
to coast staging non-violent actions to protest the war
and military recruitment.
See http://www.campusresistance.org
for upcoming and recent actions during this Week of
Campus Resistance.
The Campus Antiwar Network (CAN), Lefthook.org and
GlobalResistanceNetwork.com
initiated the call for campuses to organize
actions and protests this week leading
up to the second anniversary of the
invasion of Iraq. CAN's website is found at
http://www.campusantiwar.net
Counter-recruitment actions at
CCNY and SFSU have had major media coverage
due to arrests and police brutality
claims. These arrests have spurred calls
for free speech and protests. CCNY
students have called for a picket of the
City College of New York administration
in defense of free speech on March
17, 2005.
http://www.traprockpeace.org/free_speech_ccny.htm
In San Francisco, students have put out a call to
defend free speech at SFSU
http://www.traprockpeace.org/free_speech_sfsu.htm
See "Counter-Recruitment is Gaining Strength -
Military Recruiters Target
Campus Activists" in CounterPunch, an article by
CAN organizers Hadas Their
(CCNY) and Katrina Yeaw (SFSU) -
http://counterpunch.org/their03152005.html
Updates on other counter-recruitment actions, organized
by CAN members or in
cooperation with other groups, may be found at
http://www.traprockpeace.org/campus_antiwar.html
The Week of Campus Resistance actions
are leading up to student actions this
weekend to protest the war. On
March 1, CAN put out the call for a student
contingent for the mass march in
Fayetteville on March 19th, as reported in
CommonDreams at the time. An updated
notice - put out on the CAN listserv -
is available at
http://www.traprockpeace.org/can_fayetteville.html
(The primary contact person for the
CAN contingent in Fayetteville is
Catherine Geary 336-202-5038 - catgeary@peoplepc.com )
ENDORSEMENTS FOR WEEK OF CAMPUS RESISTANCE
The Week of Campus Resistance has been
endorsed internationally by
• Noam Chomsky;
• Ralph Nader;
• Kathy Kelly, Co-coordinator of
Voices in the Wilderness;
• Michael Yates, Associate Editor at
Monthly Review, and Professor Emeritus
at University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown;
• Robert Jensen;
• Lou Plummer, an organizer of the
March 19 demonstration in Fayetteville,
NC, a member of Military Families Speak
Out, Veterans for Peace, and a
member of the national steering committee
of the Bring Them Home Now!
campaign;
• James Petras;
• Mickey Z;
• Anthony Arnove, member of the
International Socialist Org. and
co-editor, with Howard Zinn, of
Voices of A People's History of the United
States;
• Mkhaimar Abusada, professor
at Al-Azhar University, Gaza;
• Howard Zinn;
• Michael Letwin Co-Convener,
New York City Labor Against the War, Former
President, UAW Local 2325;
• Norman Solomon, associate of FAIR;
• Sunny Miller, Executive Director
of Traprock Peace Center;
• Students Stop the War Coalition (UK);
• Father John Dear;
• Phil Gasper, professor of
Philosophy at Notre Dame de Namur University;
• Pol Devos, coordinator of
StopUSA, anti-war movement in Belgium;
• Norm Dixon, Socialist Alliance
member and former editor of Green Left
Weekly, Sydney, Australia;
• Traprock Peace Center.
MORE INFORMATION
CAN is the national democratic and
independent network of campus antiwar
organizations. http://www.campusantiwar.net
NYU students have produced an excellent CAN pamphlet.
http://www.traprockpeace.org/withdrawal.pdf
Traprock has published "Recruiters Off Our
Campuses" by Desmond Gardfrey,
CAN CC member, a primary CAN
organizer of the Week of Campus Resistance and
an organizer of CAN's student
contingent in Fayetteville.
http://www.traprockpeace.org/gardfrey_11mar05.html
####
Charles Jenks, attorney at law
President of the Core Group
Traprock Peace Center
103A Keets Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
413-773-5188; Fax 413-773-7507
charles@mtdata.com
http://traprockpeace.org
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ufpj-news/
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
7) SECRET U.S. PLANS FOR IRAQ'S OIL (LINK ONLY)
By Greg Palast
Reporting for BBC Newsnight
17 March 2005
Date: Thu, 17 Mar 2005 01:41:19 -0500
From: palast@gregpalast.com
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/4354269.stm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
8) House Approves $81.4 Billion (LINK ONLY)
War Spending Package
by Liz Sidoti
Published on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 by the Associated Press
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0316-11.htm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
9) Fate of the Union (LINK ONLY)
By Frank Joyce, AlterNet
Posted on February 22, 2005, Printed on March 17, 2005
http://www.alternet.org/story/21312/
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
10) Remember the Disappeared: An Appeal to the Anti-War
Movement from Blue Triangles Network
NationalOffice@BlueTriangle.org
mailto:NationalOffice@BlueTriangle.org
March 16, 2005
"Remember the Disappeared: Wear Blue Triangles on March 18-20"
During the anti-war activities on 18-20th March, the Blue Triangle
Network (BTN) calls on all people to include opposition to repression
against Muslim, Arab and South Asian immigrants as an important
part of activities by wearing a Blue Triangle with the names of the
detained and disappeared, and distributing this Appeal and the
Blue Triangle Network Fact Sheet.
March 20, 2005 marks two years since the invasion and occupation
of Iraq by the U.S. The anti-war movement has called on people
around the world to come out on this day to protest this unjust
war and occupation. This global "war on terror" has two components:
one, an ongoing war on the world with the occupation of Iraq
and threats against other countries, and two, a domestic war
on Muslim, Arab and South Asian immigrants, including the
repression of dissent.
The repression of Muslim, Arab and South Asian immigrants has
intensified and escalated since 9-11. >From the registrations,
raids, detentions and deportations of tens of thousands of
immigrants and government-sanctioned racial profiling to the
consolidation of a legal infrastructure that allows indefinite
detention of immigrants and U.S. citizens, a climate of overall
repression has descended and is spreading into far broader
sections of society. The confirmations of Alberto Gonzales as
U.S. Attorney General and Michael Chertoff as the head of the
Dept of Homeland Security make it chillingly clear that this
administration plans to continue on this course.
The Blue Triangle Network calls on the people living in this
country to come to the defense of Muslim, Arab and South
Asian immigrants, the first targets of these attacks. However,
these communities are not the only groups of people whose
rights are being trampled. The initial attacks on these
communities served as a window through which repressive
policies like Homeland Security Act, SEVIS, Special Registration,
the USA PATRIOT ACT, the "enemy combatant" status (in which
the President can hold anyone indefinitely without charges and
which the U.S. Supreme Court recently approved) have been
launched. These policies have widened the net of repression
and persecution. Activists and dissenters have also been targeted,
as was clearly evident during the Republican National Convention
and Bush's inauguration, in which protesters were categorized
as "terrorists" and labeled as a "national security threat".
The repression facing the Muslim, Arab and South Asian
communities in the present time has taken a different face
than immediately after 9-11. While there are no longer mass
round-ups, detentions and registrations, racial profiling
continues to occur and is likely to worsen. As the occupation
of Iraq continues, and other countries in the Middle East
are threatened with war, the view of Arabs and Muslims as
the "ENEMY WITHIN" will continue to be propagated by the
government and mainstream media. With the government
apparatus of repression gaining more and more strength,
the future of immigrants in this country is under serious
threat.
March 18-20, the Blue Triangle Network calls on the
anti-war movement to take up the struggle to stop the
repression against Muslim, Arab and South Asian immigrants
as an integral part of what you are doing. WEAR A BLUE
TRIANGLE WITH THE NAME OF ONE OF THE DISAPPEARED,
one of those rounded up and secretly jailed immediately
following 9-11, to demonstrate our solidarity with those
being targeted today. Download blue triangles from the
BTN website: www.bluetriangle.org
ORDER THE BTN 12 PAGE TABLOID SIZE FACT SHEET
FOR ON-G0ING USE IN YOUR ANTI-WAR ACTIVITIES. T
his fact sheet analyzes this repression and tells stories
of individuals attacked.
1000 fact sheets--$100
500 fact sheets--$ 50
100 fact sheets--$15
To order: email NationalOffice@bluetriangle.org
BLUE TRIANGLE NETWORK
P.O. BOX 7451, DEARBORN, MI 48121-7451
313-942-7187
www.bluetriangle.org
Email: NationalOffice@bluetriangle.org
US-Mexico Border Actions
No Militarization of Borders! Support Immigrant Rights!
New York: (212)330-8172
Los Angeles: (213)403-0131
e-mail: Info@ActionLA.org
Please subscribe Border Information listserv, send e-mail to:
Border01-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
or visit: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Border01
Also, please join our national immigrant
Solidarity Network daily news litserv, send
e-mail to: isn-subscribe@lists.riseup.net
or visit: http://lists.riseup.net/www/info/isn
**Please consider making a donation to the
important work of the US-Mexico Border Actions!
Send check pay to:
ActionLA/SEE
1013 Mission St. #6
South Pasadena CA 91030
(All donations are tax deductible)
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
11) White House press conference (LINK ONLY)
Bush defends rendition of detainees to torture regimes
By Barry Grey
World Socialist Web Site www.wsws.org
17 March 2005
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/mar2005/bush-m17.shtml
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
BAUAW NEWSLETTER-WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2005
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TOMORROW, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
FOCUS JROTC AND MILITARY RECRUITMENT AT SCHOOLS.
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.
FOCUSING ON SCHOOL CLOSURES:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
At the March 8th meeting JROTC teachers lied about what the
main purpose of JROTC was and about what they are teaching to the
children of San Francisco at the district's expense.
I received the following letter this morning from
"Arson G.," one of those students.
Arson G.'s words speak for themselves.
"Out of the mouths of babes!"
Peace,
Bonnie Weinstein, Bay Area United Against War
I don't know where you guys get your ideas, but
JROTC does NOT promote warfare or joining the army or
any sort of that. It's my second year in the JROTC
program and I love it, it teaches me leadership
skills, educates me, it PROMOTES my moral standards.
The mission of JROTC is to Promote Young Cadets To
Become Better Citizens. You do not know what you are
talking about, you are not IN the program, you have
never been in the program because if you have you
wouldve loved it, one paper does not mean im going to
join the Army. Now that we have ROTC settled,
let's focus on the war. If it wasn't for wars would
you still enjoy the freedoms you have today? NO? if it
wasn't for war half of the world would be run by
dictators like Hitler or Stalin or Mussolini, Castro?
SADAM? All we're doing in Iraq is bringing democracy.
We fought BACK because of 9-11. You cannot JUDGE the
JROTC in the last two years we have not even DISCUSSED
THE WAR class wise maybe amongst friends BUT NOT IN
THE JROTC CLASSROOM.
The only thing we do, is march, learn
how to tell right from wrong. We have fun in the JROTC
program. Think of what effect it would have on kids
that don't have as good opportunities. The kids that
live in poverty that depend on JROTC to teach them
better, I believe JROTC saved lot's of lives. I
believe that if there isn't ONE person in the world
that is unsuccessfull in his life that passed the
JROTC program with flying colors. I really hope you
fail canceling the JROTC program, and for any grudge
you have against Bush take it out on him not the kids.
P.S. I AM joining the marine corps, it has been my
DREAM to be in the army since i was 7 years old. My
father served, my grandfather server and i will serve.
One thing i do admit though, the JROTC did make me
braver on my decision for joining the marines.
-Sincerely Arson G.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR PRESENTS
A PREMIERE FILM SHOWING OF:
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
One man, one camera. Two sides of a story
FRIDAY, MARCH 18TH, 6 P.M.
(There will be a short question and answer period
at 7:30 P.M. immediately following the film.)
FOUR STAR TWIN
220 CLEMENT ST. NEAR 23RD AVENUE
SAN FRANCISCO
415-666-3488
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED is a gripping documentary by veteran
British journalist Sean Langan. Langan gets up close and
personal accounts of the war from U.S. and coalition soldiers,
Iraqi resistance fighters, and captures Abu Ghraib prison abuses
long before the torture reached the popular Press.
The most powerful statement of the film is the depiction
of the total devastation brought to Iraq by this war. It is the
constant backdrop to the interviews in the film as is the almost
universal hatred exhibited by the Iraqi people toward any U.S.
presence in Iraq-both from those interviewed and from those
included among the rubble in the background scenes. This film's
a must for anyone thinking of joining the military or who is
unsure of what our government is doing there in our name.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
Volunteers are needed for March 19th!
Show up March 19th at Dolores Park
or Civic Center at 9:00 a.m.
and sign up at the A.N.S.W.E.R. volunteer table.
Or contact A.N.S.W.E.R. OFFICE AT:
2489 Mission St. #24, 415-821-6545
Hello to members of United for Peace and Justice Bay Area,
On March 19 UPJ-Bay Area will be meeting at 10:30 a.m. on
18th Street in front of Mission High School before marching down
to Civic Center. We will be carrying panels of the faces of the
victims of the war-American soldiers and Iraqi civilians-and need
your help in carrying them to Civic Center where we will have
a table. Please send out this request to your listserv.
Also, we are updating our members' directory and need your
updated contact information.
Please send your email, phone number and website address to me
as soon as possible. A donation of $25 is also requested to
cover printing charges. Please send to:
United for Peace and Justice-Bay Area
c/o War Resisters League West
POB 410744
San Francisco, CA 94141
Thanks.
Jackie Barshak
for UPJ-Bay Area
415.308.9416
jackie barshak jbarshak@hotmail.com
Not in Our Name Bay Area
Help Not in Our Name build for the March 19 mass
mobilization in San Francisco to end war and occupation!
Community postering for March 19 march and rally.
Also, help prepare for the March 18 anti-war
morning visiblity action.
Planning Meeting & Work Party
Wednesday, March 16 ~ 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Not in Our Name office. 3945 Opal Street,
Oakland CA 94609
Morning Visibilty Action
Friday, March 18 ~ 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM
Call us to hook up and help get the message out
to tens of thousands of morning commuters --
"Out of Iraq now!"
U.S. Out of Iraq Now!
March 19: International Day of Action
On the second anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, let's
show Bush and Co. that the people of the world say
NO to war and occupation!
On Saturday, March 19 join the Not in Our Name Earth
Flag Contingent at the mass march and rally organized by
ANSWER Coalition -- 11 am, Dolores Park, San Francisco.
Join up with the Not in Our Name Earth Flag Contingent at
the corner of 18th Street and Dolores (map). March to Civic
Center for a 1 pm rally.
Not In Our Name will also be organizing acts of creative
resistance around this weekend. We encourage folks to
strategize and brainstorm with us about how to broaden
resistance and bring awareness to the millions in this country
that our message must reach; and to join us as we unite with
groups around the Bay to bring out all who oppose the deadly
course of this government. Come to a general meeting,
call our office, or check out the website.
Against Military Recruitment in our Schools?
On the second anniversary of the war, join the
Counter-Recruitment Contingent!
***
Saturday, March 19
10AM at 16th and Mission St.
(the 16th Street BART station)
***
AT SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY, military recruiters were
forced to leave early without any recruits because of the hundreds
of students that came out to protest their presence at the school!
This is not an isolated incident. Seattle, Chicago, New York,
Madison, Connecticut, Minnesota. In community colleges,
high schools, and universities around the nation, students,
faculty, and campus workers have come out to protest the
BLACKMAILING of education. As billions are being diverted
from schools to the war, our students are being told that they
need to die before they see a dime of it.
THIS IS DEAD WRONG.
As recruiters are failing to meet quotas for the first time in
a decade, despite more than tripling signing bonuses, we need
to rebuild the anti-war movement by fighting against the war
where it is weakest.
Join students, parents, teachers, military families, veterans,
community members, and activists on the second anniversary
of the war at the 16th Street BART station at 10AM to march
up to Dolores Park together.
Sponsored by the Campus Anti-War Network and the College
Not Combat Committee.
Money for Jobs and Education! Not for War and Occupation!
For more info please contact: ragina@mac.com / 415.412.4540
sue sandlin design | srsndln@pacbell.net
------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Teach-in on Iraq: How Can We End this War?
Thursday, March 24 ~ 7 PM to 10 PM
Mission High School, 3750 18th Street (at Dolores), San Francisco
On the 40th Anniversary of the first teach-ins on the Vietnam War.
With presentations by Iraq veteran Rahul Mahajan, Cindy Sheehan,
Fernando Suarez, Aimee Allison, Howard Wallace, Sean O'Neil,
and Medea Benjamin. Sponsored by Global Exchange and
CODEPINK. $5 donation requested. (more info)
Resistance Cinema Presents "Hidden in Plain Sight"
Sunday, April 10 ~ 3 PM to 5 PM
Parkway Pizza/Pub Theater, 1834 Park Blvd., Oakland
A short history, a spirited debate, a personal story, and a call
for accountability, "Hidden in Plain Sight" is a bold, unflinching
look at the nature and consequences of U.S. policy in Latin
America. Brief presentation by Laura Slattery, Pace e Bene
Nonviolence. A free event sponsored by Not in Our Name.
The Not in Our Name Project needs your support!
Donate online: donate.notinourname.net
Or send your tax-deductible contribution today to:
Not in Our Name
3945 Opal Street, Oakland CA 94609
www.notinourname.net
phone: 510-601-8000
email: bayarea@notinourname.net
local: bayarea.notinourname.net
Another World Is Possible!
http://www.notinourname.net
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
Dear Friends Please read the following request from Families for
Peaceful Tomorrows one of the many co-sponsors of the Eyes Wide
Open exhibit. They have committed to trying to collecting the
16,000 additional pairs of shoes. Please think about becoming
a collection point. In my opinion donating a pair of shoes is a
great way to challenge people to think about the human cost of
war. It is a way to involve people before the exhibit arrives and
encourage them to come. Some ideas for dealing with the collection
include; put out a barrel or box asking for the donation in your
school, church, neighborhood center or place of work. Put a flyer
on the box explaining why we are collecting the shoes. Thanks.
Sandra Schwartz
Peace Education Coordinator, AFSC
Dear Friends,
Eyes Wide Open, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
exhibit that reminds us of the human cost of war is coming to San
Francisco March 25-27. The exhibit features over 1,500 pairs of
combat boots tagged with the names of U.S. soldiers who have
died in the Iraq war. It also memorializes the Iraqi civilians killed
in the war.
In San Francisco, we are adding a new element to this powerful
exhibit: instead of just 1,000 shoes to represent all the Iraqi civilian
deaths, we have set a goal of collecting 16,000[1] pairs of shoes
to more accurately demonstrate the scale of Iraqi deaths as a result
of the war. The shoe memorial has been initiated by September
11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows and it will not happen
without your support.
We need your help to meet the goal of collecting 16,000 pairs
of shoes!
What you can do:
1. Collect shoes for the exhibit
* Please gather usable shoes from your family and friends
or set up a shoe collection site in your community, school,
workplace or place of worship.
* Tie each pair together, or, if no laces, securely attach them
together.
* Count the pairs of shoes and place in heavy-duty garbage
bags. Attach a tag with the count on it.
* Shoes will be donated at the end of the exhibit. Children's
and men's shoes are especially needed.
* Call Nabil at 415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email
shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* Drop off shoes 9 am to 5 pm at AFSC, 65 Ninth St.
(between Mission and Market) until Thursday, March 24.
Last minute shoes may be brought to Civic Center Plaza
Friday, March 25. No shoes accepted after Friday.
2. Collect phone cards for military personnel
We are also collecting telephone calling cards to donate to
military personnel and to returning Iraq war veterans in
a Bay Area hospital and the USOs at local airports. Please
purchase phone cards to donate with your shoes or bring
to the exhibit.
3. Volunteer
Volunteers are needed for the shoe project as well as the
overall exhibit.
* To volunteer with the shoe project, call Nabil at
415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email
shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* To volunteer to help with the exhibit call AFSC at
415-565-0201 ext. 15 or email sleeds@afsc.org
4. Spread the word! Please forward this information to
your networks.
5. Come to the exhibit, encourage others to come, and
bring last minute shoe donations and help us honor all
those who have died in Iraq.
[1] The number 16,000 is the approximate minimum number
of Iraqi civilians reported killed by military intervention in
Iraq by www.iraqbodycount.net.
Eyes Wide Open
"An exhibit that speaks directly to our hearts and reminds
us of the human cost of war."
Over 1,500 pairs of empty combat boots - tagged with the
names of U.S. soldiers who died in the Iraq war - will be
displayed, together with thousands of shoes and wall of
names to memorialize the Iraqis killed.
SAN FRANCISCO DATES:
March 25 (Friday), 11:00 am with all night vigil
Civic Center between Polk and Larkin
March 26 (Saturday), 10:00 am to 5 pm
Civic Center Voices and Requiem - 2 pm
March 27 (Easter Sunday), 10:00 am to dusk
Union Square (Powell and Geary)
American Friends Service Committee
We Need Good Shoes (Especially for Men and Children) and
Telephone Cards!
Call 415-565-0201 x14 or shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
See www.afsc.org/eyes
Until Thursday March 24, drop off shoes at 65 Ninth St.
(betw. Mission and Market) from 9-5 weekdays
Donate phone cards for military families Donate shoes to
memorialize the Iraqi casualties
Co-Sponsors (partial list) Agape Fdn; American Muslim Voice;
Archdiocese of SF: Comm. Of Public Policy and Social Concern;
Bay Area Pax Christi; Bay Area United for Peace and Justice;
Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists; Berkeley Friends
Church; Buddhist Peace Fellowship; Grace Cathedral: Diocese
of CA of the Episcopal Church; Los Altos Voices for Peace; Military
Families Speak Out; Pacifica Peace People; Pacifica Women in
Black; SFUSD School Board; Strawberry Creek Friends Meeting;
Veterans for Peace; 9/11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows,
San Francisco Friends Meeting, Code Pink
Our postal address is
P.O. Box 1818
Peter Stuyvesant Station
New York, New York 10009
United States
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TOMORROW, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
2) WE ALL STAND WITH LYNNE STEWART!
NO JAIL TIME FOR LYNNE!
PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TODAY
3) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation of Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People's Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
4) COMING TO THE BAY AREA SOON-POWERFUL ANTIWAR MOVIES
5) 5500 U.S. Deserters: (LINK ONLY)
We Won't Fight in Iraq
Doug Lorimer
On February 25, US Army officials at Fort Stewart, Georgia,
announced that Sergeant Kevin Benderman, a 40-year-old army
mechanic who refused to deploy to Iraq for a second tour of
duty, will be court-martialed on desertion charges. If convicted,
he faces up to seven years in prison.
http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2005/619/619p14.htm
6) OIL COMPANIES EYE IRAQ RESERVES (LINK ONLY)
By Laurence Frost
Associated Press
March 15, 2005
http://washingtontimes.com/business/20050315-120755-8864r.htm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TOMORROW, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
At the March 8th meeting JROTC teachers lied about what the
main purpose of JROTC was and about what they are teaching to the
children of San Francisco at the district's expense.
I received the following letter this morning from
"Arson G.," one of those students.
Arson G.'s words speak for themselves.
"Out of the mouths of babes!"
Peace,
Bonnie Weinstein, Bay Area United Against War
--- Nelly Gabuera
I don't know where you guys get your ideas, but
JROTC does NOT promote warfare or joining the army or
any sort of that. It's my second year in the JROTC
program and I love it, it teaches me leadership
skills, educates me, it PROMOTES my moral standards.
The mission of JROTC is to Promote Young Cadets To
Become Better Citizens. You do not know what you are
talking about, you are not IN the program, you have
never been in the program because if you have you
wouldve loved it, one paper does not mean im going to
join the Army. Now that we have ROTC settled,
let's focus on the war. If it wasn't for wars would
you still enjoy the freedoms you have today? NO? if it
wasn't for war half of the world would be run by
dictators like Hitler or Stalin or Mussolini, Castro?
SADAM? All we're doing in Iraq is bringing democracy.
We fought BACK because of 9-11. You cannot JUDGE the
JROTC in the last two years we have not even DISCUSSED
THE WAR class wise maybe amongst friends BUT NOT IN
THE JROTC CLASSROOM. The only thing we do, is march, learn
how to tell right from wrong. We have fun in the JROTC
program. Think of what effect it would have on kids
that don't have as good opportunities. The kids that
live in poverty that depend on JROTC to teach them
better, I believe JROTC saved lot's of lives. I
believe that if there isn't ONE person in the world
that is unsuccessfull in his life that passed the
JROTC program with flying colors. I really hope you
fail canceling the JROTC program, and for any grudge
you have against Bush take it out on him not the kids.
P.S. I AM joining the marine corps, it has been my
DREAM to be in the army since i was 7 years old. My
father served, my grandfather server and i will serve.
One thing i do admit though, the JROTC did make me
braver on my decision for joining the marines.
-Sincerely Arson G.
.............................................................................
The following are statements that were cut off at the board
Meeting due to running over the 1-minute time limit March 8th:
(The JROTC duo got three times as much time as all of us put
together.)
FROM: "Elizabeth Milos" emilos@yahoo.com
At the BofEd meeting on Tuesday, I only had one minute so
I wasn't able to say everything but I was able to state the
first five concrete demands that I believe the Board of
Education should adopt as a district-wide policy.
It would be a good idea if we were to hammer it home
a second time regardless of their intent to table it into
a "community advisory board".
As parents, we should stress that we do NOTconsider the
military a "career option" for our youth. KILLING IS NOT A
CAREER OPTION. The resources that are being spent for war
(with our tax money) should be spent on providing financial
aid to low-income youth that want to go to college.
The fact that young men from poor communities must
register in the selective service in order to be eligible
for financial aid converts the registration process into
a de-facto draft for lower income youth which, during
these times of recruitment shortages and stop loss
orders, practically guarantees that these young men
will be called to "serve their country".
Instead, we need these young men to go to college and
contribute to the economic development of their
neighborhoods and families. There are many legitimate
ways to serve our country: working with homeless families,
in soup kitchens, with the elderly, etc. ways that do not
put our childrens' lives in danger or require them to
kill and become psychologically wounded for life in
order to get a college education.
The Board of Education has an obligation to create and
sustain a life-affirming environment for our children
in our public education system and, in partnership
with the parents, to prepare our children to realize
their potential and to contribute to our society in
positive ways. If the Board continues to allow military
recruitment on our campuses, the Board is becoming
an accomplice to the crime that is being committed
against our low income youth by our government.
It's not only an issue of being permitted to carry out
counter-recruitment activities: We should ask the
Board to keep the military out of our public schools.
I am aware that the "No Child Left Behind Act"
requires school districts to allow military recruiters
the "same level of access" to school campuses that
colleges have or else face serious cuts in federal funding.
Our children are minors and until they turn 18, we,
as parents, are ultimately responsible for their well being.
We are calling on the Board to stand together with
us, to use our imagination and develop ways to
circumvent this law and to make it clear to our
youth what are the true effects of war.
Some of the ways that come to mind is the following:
1.Organize College and Vocational Training Fairs
off-campus in community centers and encourage
attendance by high school juniors and seniors by
making it part of the regular curriculum.
2.Support Mike Honda's bill in Congress. Presently,
parents that do NOT want their children's names to be
given to the military for recruitment purposes must
sign an opt-out form. Representative Mike Honda's
Bill would convert our present opt-out system into
an opt-in system. Only parents that WANT their
children to be contacted or recruited into the military
would thereby give their authorization for the military
to contact their children OFF-CAMPUS.
3.Dedicate a significant portion of the Health
curriculum to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Invite
veterans from the peace movement to share their
personal experiences.
4.Develop curriculum that exposes the effects of war
on the environment, on the health of troops and
civilians and on the economy.
5.Instruct school faculty and counselors to inform
students about their right to register as conscientious
objectors and support them in the registration process,
if they decide to do so.
6.Connect youth with counter-recruitment groups that
can train them as peer counselors as part of their required
100 hours of community service that they are required to
complete as part of graduation.
Yes, we are asking the Board of Education to take a stand,
to "choose sides", so to speak. But where war is concerned,
all sides lose and our children most of all. Stand on the side
of our youth and get those recruiters off of our campuses.
...................
FROM: Bonnie Weinstein giobon@sbcglobal.net
First the good news: According to Tom Philpott of the Fleet
Reserve Association, Black Army recruits are down 41 percent
since 2000.
The bad news is, the San Francisco Unified School District is
subsidizing military recruitment in our schools.
The School district and the military each pay a million towards
a Physical Education teacher-but that teacher is a JROTC
teacher-appointed by the military.
And, since this person is counted as a Physical Education teacher,
and JROTC is counted as a Physical Education class, the public
is told that the Military is contributing a million dollars to the
schools to support the cost of a Physical Education teacher.
We are further told that without the money from the Army, the
schools would not have enough Physical Education classes to go
around and some kids would not earn the necessary graduation
credits to earn their diploma without JROTC.
Well, that tells me we need Physical Education teachers-not
military recruiters. The district must come up with the money to
have the required number of physical education classes to allow
students to graduate without forcing some of them into the military.
What I think needs to happen is that the Board of Education has
to give us a full accounting of how much money we have for
our children's needs and how our dollars are being spent.
I do know, if the District is paying a million dollars to have
military recruiters at our schools the million the Military puts
up is not a "gift" to anyone but themselves.
As a parent and grandparent I feel it puts our kids in harms
way and gets them involved in an immoral and illegal war
that is ruining tens of thousands of lives every day.
We want them out of our schools.
........................................................
From: Carole Seligman caroseligman@aol.com
Dear All,
The main purpose of the
Jr. ROTC presentation at
the March 8 Board of Ed. meeting
was to convince the public that the Jr.
ROTC program has nothing
whatsoever to do with war,
preparation for war, or
military recruitment. In other
words it was the Big Lie in full
operation. Our job must continue
to show how military recruitment and
programs in the schools are
intimately connected to the
war in Iraq and future wars
and occupations the U.S. is planning now.
Ending public school ties with
the military will be a long, uphill fight. and
it will not be lead by the Bd.
of Education or other politicians. In my
opinion, the only reason to speak
out at the Bd. of Ed. meetings is to keep this
struggle before the public and to
help open the door for parent and student
organizing to keep the hands of the
military off our children and out of our
communities' schools.
Again there was a broad coalition of
anti-war organizations speaking out at
the meeting. And this time there were
some young people and some more parents
speaking out too. Most of the 1 minute
speeches were very educational and
effective I thought. There was a young
military veteran (who had gotten in touch
with Bonnie before the meeting) and
a high school student whose school was
trying to put him into a ROTC "class"
against his will.
BAUAW has submitted the following resolution to the board:
Draft Resolution for San Francisco Board of Education
Cut Ties with the Military:
WHEREAS, the United States military is
actively recruiting high school students into
the military to fight in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, many young San Francisco
high school alumni are presently serving in
military units fighting in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, it is San Francisco City policy
by virtue of Proposition N, to bring all U.S.
troops home from Iraq now; and
WHEREAS, over 1,448 U.S. soldiers and
approximately 100,000 Iraqis have been
killed in this war and over 10,000 U.S.
soldiers and unknown thousands of
Iraqis have been wounded; and
WHEREAS, the hundreds of billions of dollars
spent on the war have robbed our children of
resources that should be spent on
education and other human needs; and
WHEREAS, military presence in our schools
legitimizes the message that violence is
acceptable;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
It shall be the policy of the San Francisco
Board of Education to cut all ties
with the United States military,
including, but not limited to: Ending military
recruitment on campuses; ending the
Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps
(JROTC); and guaranteeing that all students
and parents are informed of their right to
deny military recruiters access to their
names, addresses and telephone numbers.
MILITARY SPENDING IN THE SCHOOLS:
To: CodePinkCounterRecruitGroup@yahoogroups.com
From: "iampohet"
Subject: Which schools have jrotc?
I don't know specifically if military science is jrotc. I didn't find the
right person to ask. But, if it isn't, then what the hell is it?
Oh, heck, just for fun, here are the athletics funds listed in the profile:
School: Amt: FTE's:Mil.Sci. FTE's:
Balboa: $6,000 2.0
Burton: $6,000 2.0
Galileo: $6,000 2.0
Lincoln: $7,000 3.0
Mission: $6,000 2.0
Lowell: $7,000 2.0
Washington: $7,000 2.0
The money, just over 2 mil, is all the funds... 1mil+
from the Feds and 1mil + in matching funds from the sfusd.
In CodePinkCounterRecruitGroup@yahoogroups.com,
Ms sam joi wrote:
question - mil sci is jrotc? and this $$ was alotted
by the feds to the individual schools?
iampohet wrote:
School Money alotted to Mil Sci as per fiscal profile Apr. 2004
Balboa: $261,335
Burton: $258,177
Galileo: $343,913
Lincoln: $429,106
Mission: $265,303
Lowell: $276,877
Wash: $344,093
Total: $2,178,804
I found this info by digging in the individual school's profiles on
the sfusd website. Hope it's helpful.
erin
Bay Area United Against War (BAUAW)
www.bauaw.org
414-824-8730
Donations are urgently needed to carry
out this important work. We have no
paid staff but need money for posters,
buttons, flyers and informational material
to hand out to students and parents.
Make a tax-deductible donation to:
Bay Area United Against War/NVM
P.O. Box 318021
San Francisco, CA 94131-8021
Coming Up:
Global Day of Action
March 19, 2005
No to War and Occupation in Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People's Needs, Not War!
San Francisco March Assembles:
11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
THE NEXT BAUAW MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE:
SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 11:30AM
474 VALENCIA STREET, SF
(FIRST FLOOR, TO THE LEFT AND ALL THE WAY BACK
TO THE COMPANEROS DEL BARRIO CHILDREN'S CENTER)
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
2) WE ALL STAND WITH LYNNE STEWART!
NO JAIL TIME FOR LYNNE!
PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TODAY:
SUGGESTION AS TO FORMAT OF LETTERS
TO BE WRITTEN ON BEHALF OF LYNNE STEWART
MARGIN: Please leave at least a one-inch left-hand margin
to allow us to bind the letter into the appendix to the
sentencing memorandum that is being filed on
Lynne's behalf.
INSIDE ADDRESS: Honorable John G. Koeltl
United States District Judge
Southern District of New York
United States Courthouse
500 Pearl Street
New York, New York 10007
GREETING: Honorable Sir or Dear Judge Koeltl:
BODY: Briefly introduce yourself and set forth
your relationship to Lynne.
Briefly discuss yourself - your position in work
and in society.
State that you are aware that Lynne is to be sentenced
following a jury verdict of guilty on serious charges:
The remainder of your letter should discuss whatever
you believe to weigh in favor of no jail time. If possible,
you should tell of an incident where she helped you out
or engaged in commendable community service. Do not
try to argue that she is not guilty or was unfairly conviction.
Focus on the unfairness of the government's actions in
bringing the charges; the way in which the government
portrayed her, etc.
* Typewritten letters if possible are preferred.
*
WHEN LETTER IS COMPLETED: Please mail the final product
to the following address:
Jill R. Shellow-Lavine, Esq.
2537 Post Road
Southport, CT 06890
Do not send your letters to the judge. We ask that you
forward your letter me so that the lawyers can present
it to Judge Koeltl with the other letters being written
for this purpose. This is the manner in which letters
will have the greatest impact. If they are sent directly
to the Judge's chambers, they may have less of an
impact and could cause the judge a substantial
inconvenience (and annoyance).
Thank you for your cooperation. If you have any
questions, please do not hesitate to contact the
defense committee at www.lynnestewart.org.
Sincerely,
Jill R. Shellow-Lavine
Attorney for Lynne Stewart
For more information go to:
www.LynneStewart.org
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
3) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation ˆ Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People‚s Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
· Urgent appeal for volunteers on March 19
· Volunteer opportunities this weekend.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
March 19, 2005: Global Day of Action - San Francisco -
Volunteers Needed!
No to War Occupation ˜ Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere! Bring the Troops
Home Now! Money for People's Needs, Not War!
March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
Send this email to as many friends as you can.
March 19, 2005, will be an International Day of Protest
on the second anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq.
As on the first anniversary of the invasion last year,
millions of people around the world will march to say
„No to War and Occupation from Iraq to Palestine to
Haiti and Everywhere.‰
Volunteers are urgently needed in San Francisco on
March 19 to help with set-up, distributing placards
to spread the anti-war message, carrying banners
for the march, selling buttons and t-shirts to pay
for the march, leafleting to let people know how
to get involved, take down, monitoring, clean up
and more.
Friends, families, and work groups can volunteer
in teams! Take a stand on March 19 against war
and occupation!
No experience necessary! Whether you have volunteered
before or this is your first time your help is urgently
needed. Call 415-821-6545 for more information
and directions to this meeting.
If you cannot make the orientation, you can still
volunteer to help make March 19 Day of Global
Action protest happen:
Come to Dolores Park at 9 a.m. the morning of March 19
and sign in at the Volunteer ANSWER table to get the
latest orientation and take on an area of work for the
protest. Dolores Park is located at 18th and Dolores St.
near the 16th St. BART station.
OR
Come to the Civic Center at 9 a.m. the morning of
March 19 for a volunteer orientation and to get
plugged in. Take BART to Civic Center. Look for
the sign-in table under the ANSWER Volunteer banner.
Volunteers are needed ALL DAY. Any amount of
time you have to help is greatly appreciated.
Together we‚re building a powerful new movement
against war and racism. You‚re needed in the
struggle to win money for peoples‚ needs, not
war and corporate greed. Email, call or come to
the volunteer orientation. Get involved today.
To subscribe to the list, send a message to:
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
4) BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR PRESENTS:
"Mission Accomplished" a brutally vivid documentary
filmed entirely on the ground in Iraq. The reality of this
war for American troops is contrasted to the
overwhelming reality of the devastation felt and experienced
by the people of Iraq.
"Mission Accomplished" will open March 18th, 6pm:
The Four Star Twin
2200 Clement St. (near 23rd Ave.)
San Francisco, CA 94121
415.666.3488
"Voices In Wartime" is a compelling portrayal of human
experience with war through poetry, both from the point
of view of those who were in combat and those who are left
behind.
"Voices In Wartime" will play in S.F. on April 15th at:
Landmark Lumiere 3
1572 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
[This poem by fourth-grader Cameron Penny was read
by Marie Howe in this very beautiful film
directed by Rick King.
"If you are lucky in this life
A window will appear on a battlefield between two armies
And when the soldiers look into the window
They don't see their enemies
They see themselves as children
And they stop fighting
And go home and go to sleep
When they wake up, the land is well again."
By Cameron Penny]
To learn more about these film visit
Cinema Libre Studio
http://www.cinemalibrestudio.com/
Also: check out, GUNNER PALACE |
Some war stories will never make the nightly news.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
5) 5500 U.S. Deserters: (LINK ONLY)
We Won't Fight in Iraq
Doug Lorimer
On February 25, US Army officials at Fort Stewart, Georgia,
announced that Sergeant Kevin Benderman, a 40-year-old army
mechanic who refused to deploy to Iraq for a second tour of
duty, will be court-martialed on desertion charges. If convicted,
he faces up to seven years in prison.
http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2005/619/619p14.htm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
6) OIL COMPANIES EYE IRAQ RESERVES (LINK ONLY)
By Laurence Frost
Associated Press
March 15, 2005
http://washingtontimes.com/business/20050315-120755-8864r.htm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
TOMORROW, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
FOCUS JROTC AND MILITARY RECRUITMENT AT SCHOOLS.
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.
FOCUSING ON SCHOOL CLOSURES:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
At the March 8th meeting JROTC teachers lied about what the
main purpose of JROTC was and about what they are teaching to the
children of San Francisco at the district's expense.
I received the following letter this morning from
"Arson G.," one of those students.
Arson G.'s words speak for themselves.
"Out of the mouths of babes!"
Peace,
Bonnie Weinstein, Bay Area United Against War
I don't know where you guys get your ideas, but
JROTC does NOT promote warfare or joining the army or
any sort of that. It's my second year in the JROTC
program and I love it, it teaches me leadership
skills, educates me, it PROMOTES my moral standards.
The mission of JROTC is to Promote Young Cadets To
Become Better Citizens. You do not know what you are
talking about, you are not IN the program, you have
never been in the program because if you have you
wouldve loved it, one paper does not mean im going to
join the Army. Now that we have ROTC settled,
let's focus on the war. If it wasn't for wars would
you still enjoy the freedoms you have today? NO? if it
wasn't for war half of the world would be run by
dictators like Hitler or Stalin or Mussolini, Castro?
SADAM? All we're doing in Iraq is bringing democracy.
We fought BACK because of 9-11. You cannot JUDGE the
JROTC in the last two years we have not even DISCUSSED
THE WAR class wise maybe amongst friends BUT NOT IN
THE JROTC CLASSROOM.
The only thing we do, is march, learn
how to tell right from wrong. We have fun in the JROTC
program. Think of what effect it would have on kids
that don't have as good opportunities. The kids that
live in poverty that depend on JROTC to teach them
better, I believe JROTC saved lot's of lives. I
believe that if there isn't ONE person in the world
that is unsuccessfull in his life that passed the
JROTC program with flying colors. I really hope you
fail canceling the JROTC program, and for any grudge
you have against Bush take it out on him not the kids.
P.S. I AM joining the marine corps, it has been my
DREAM to be in the army since i was 7 years old. My
father served, my grandfather server and i will serve.
One thing i do admit though, the JROTC did make me
braver on my decision for joining the marines.
-Sincerely Arson G.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR PRESENTS
A PREMIERE FILM SHOWING OF:
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
One man, one camera. Two sides of a story
FRIDAY, MARCH 18TH, 6 P.M.
(There will be a short question and answer period
at 7:30 P.M. immediately following the film.)
FOUR STAR TWIN
220 CLEMENT ST. NEAR 23RD AVENUE
SAN FRANCISCO
415-666-3488
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED is a gripping documentary by veteran
British journalist Sean Langan. Langan gets up close and
personal accounts of the war from U.S. and coalition soldiers,
Iraqi resistance fighters, and captures Abu Ghraib prison abuses
long before the torture reached the popular Press.
The most powerful statement of the film is the depiction
of the total devastation brought to Iraq by this war. It is the
constant backdrop to the interviews in the film as is the almost
universal hatred exhibited by the Iraqi people toward any U.S.
presence in Iraq-both from those interviewed and from those
included among the rubble in the background scenes. This film's
a must for anyone thinking of joining the military or who is
unsure of what our government is doing there in our name.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
Volunteers are needed for March 19th!
Show up March 19th at Dolores Park
or Civic Center at 9:00 a.m.
and sign up at the A.N.S.W.E.R. volunteer table.
Or contact A.N.S.W.E.R. OFFICE AT:
2489 Mission St. #24, 415-821-6545
Hello to members of United for Peace and Justice Bay Area,
On March 19 UPJ-Bay Area will be meeting at 10:30 a.m. on
18th Street in front of Mission High School before marching down
to Civic Center. We will be carrying panels of the faces of the
victims of the war-American soldiers and Iraqi civilians-and need
your help in carrying them to Civic Center where we will have
a table. Please send out this request to your listserv.
Also, we are updating our members' directory and need your
updated contact information.
Please send your email, phone number and website address to me
as soon as possible. A donation of $25 is also requested to
cover printing charges. Please send to:
United for Peace and Justice-Bay Area
c/o War Resisters League West
POB 410744
San Francisco, CA 94141
Thanks.
Jackie Barshak
for UPJ-Bay Area
415.308.9416
jackie barshak jbarshak@hotmail.com
Not in Our Name Bay Area
Help Not in Our Name build for the March 19 mass
mobilization in San Francisco to end war and occupation!
Community postering for March 19 march and rally.
Also, help prepare for the March 18 anti-war
morning visiblity action.
Planning Meeting & Work Party
Wednesday, March 16 ~ 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Not in Our Name office. 3945 Opal Street,
Oakland CA 94609
Morning Visibilty Action
Friday, March 18 ~ 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM
Call us to hook up and help get the message out
to tens of thousands of morning commuters --
"Out of Iraq now!"
U.S. Out of Iraq Now!
March 19: International Day of Action
On the second anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, let's
show Bush and Co. that the people of the world say
NO to war and occupation!
On Saturday, March 19 join the Not in Our Name Earth
Flag Contingent at the mass march and rally organized by
ANSWER Coalition -- 11 am, Dolores Park, San Francisco.
Join up with the Not in Our Name Earth Flag Contingent at
the corner of 18th Street and Dolores (map). March to Civic
Center for a 1 pm rally.
Not In Our Name will also be organizing acts of creative
resistance around this weekend. We encourage folks to
strategize and brainstorm with us about how to broaden
resistance and bring awareness to the millions in this country
that our message must reach; and to join us as we unite with
groups around the Bay to bring out all who oppose the deadly
course of this government. Come to a general meeting,
call our office, or check out the website.
Against Military Recruitment in our Schools?
On the second anniversary of the war, join the
Counter-Recruitment Contingent!
***
Saturday, March 19
10AM at 16th and Mission St.
(the 16th Street BART station)
***
AT SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY, military recruiters were
forced to leave early without any recruits because of the hundreds
of students that came out to protest their presence at the school!
This is not an isolated incident. Seattle, Chicago, New York,
Madison, Connecticut, Minnesota. In community colleges,
high schools, and universities around the nation, students,
faculty, and campus workers have come out to protest the
BLACKMAILING of education. As billions are being diverted
from schools to the war, our students are being told that they
need to die before they see a dime of it.
THIS IS DEAD WRONG.
As recruiters are failing to meet quotas for the first time in
a decade, despite more than tripling signing bonuses, we need
to rebuild the anti-war movement by fighting against the war
where it is weakest.
Join students, parents, teachers, military families, veterans,
community members, and activists on the second anniversary
of the war at the 16th Street BART station at 10AM to march
up to Dolores Park together.
Sponsored by the Campus Anti-War Network and the College
Not Combat Committee.
Money for Jobs and Education! Not for War and Occupation!
For more info please contact: ragina@mac.com / 415.412.4540
sue sandlin design | srsndln@pacbell.net
------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Teach-in on Iraq: How Can We End this War?
Thursday, March 24 ~ 7 PM to 10 PM
Mission High School, 3750 18th Street (at Dolores), San Francisco
On the 40th Anniversary of the first teach-ins on the Vietnam War.
With presentations by Iraq veteran Rahul Mahajan, Cindy Sheehan,
Fernando Suarez, Aimee Allison, Howard Wallace, Sean O'Neil,
and Medea Benjamin. Sponsored by Global Exchange and
CODEPINK. $5 donation requested. (more info)
Resistance Cinema Presents "Hidden in Plain Sight"
Sunday, April 10 ~ 3 PM to 5 PM
Parkway Pizza/Pub Theater, 1834 Park Blvd., Oakland
A short history, a spirited debate, a personal story, and a call
for accountability, "Hidden in Plain Sight" is a bold, unflinching
look at the nature and consequences of U.S. policy in Latin
America. Brief presentation by Laura Slattery, Pace e Bene
Nonviolence. A free event sponsored by Not in Our Name.
The Not in Our Name Project needs your support!
Donate online: donate.notinourname.net
Or send your tax-deductible contribution today to:
Not in Our Name
3945 Opal Street, Oakland CA 94609
www.notinourname.net
phone: 510-601-8000
email: bayarea@notinourname.net
local: bayarea.notinourname.net
Another World Is Possible!
http://www.notinourname.net
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
Dear Friends Please read the following request from Families for
Peaceful Tomorrows one of the many co-sponsors of the Eyes Wide
Open exhibit. They have committed to trying to collecting the
16,000 additional pairs of shoes. Please think about becoming
a collection point. In my opinion donating a pair of shoes is a
great way to challenge people to think about the human cost of
war. It is a way to involve people before the exhibit arrives and
encourage them to come. Some ideas for dealing with the collection
include; put out a barrel or box asking for the donation in your
school, church, neighborhood center or place of work. Put a flyer
on the box explaining why we are collecting the shoes. Thanks.
Sandra Schwartz
Peace Education Coordinator, AFSC
Dear Friends,
Eyes Wide Open, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
exhibit that reminds us of the human cost of war is coming to San
Francisco March 25-27. The exhibit features over 1,500 pairs of
combat boots tagged with the names of U.S. soldiers who have
died in the Iraq war. It also memorializes the Iraqi civilians killed
in the war.
In San Francisco, we are adding a new element to this powerful
exhibit: instead of just 1,000 shoes to represent all the Iraqi civilian
deaths, we have set a goal of collecting 16,000[1] pairs of shoes
to more accurately demonstrate the scale of Iraqi deaths as a result
of the war. The shoe memorial has been initiated by September
11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows and it will not happen
without your support.
We need your help to meet the goal of collecting 16,000 pairs
of shoes!
What you can do:
1. Collect shoes for the exhibit
* Please gather usable shoes from your family and friends
or set up a shoe collection site in your community, school,
workplace or place of worship.
* Tie each pair together, or, if no laces, securely attach them
together.
* Count the pairs of shoes and place in heavy-duty garbage
bags. Attach a tag with the count on it.
* Shoes will be donated at the end of the exhibit. Children's
and men's shoes are especially needed.
* Call Nabil at 415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email
shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* Drop off shoes 9 am to 5 pm at AFSC, 65 Ninth St.
(between Mission and Market) until Thursday, March 24.
Last minute shoes may be brought to Civic Center Plaza
Friday, March 25. No shoes accepted after Friday.
2. Collect phone cards for military personnel
We are also collecting telephone calling cards to donate to
military personnel and to returning Iraq war veterans in
a Bay Area hospital and the USOs at local airports. Please
purchase phone cards to donate with your shoes or bring
to the exhibit.
3. Volunteer
Volunteers are needed for the shoe project as well as the
overall exhibit.
* To volunteer with the shoe project, call Nabil at
415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email
shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* To volunteer to help with the exhibit call AFSC at
415-565-0201 ext. 15 or email sleeds@afsc.org
4. Spread the word! Please forward this information to
your networks.
5. Come to the exhibit, encourage others to come, and
bring last minute shoe donations and help us honor all
those who have died in Iraq.
[1] The number 16,000 is the approximate minimum number
of Iraqi civilians reported killed by military intervention in
Iraq by www.iraqbodycount.net.
Eyes Wide Open
"An exhibit that speaks directly to our hearts and reminds
us of the human cost of war."
Over 1,500 pairs of empty combat boots - tagged with the
names of U.S. soldiers who died in the Iraq war - will be
displayed, together with thousands of shoes and wall of
names to memorialize the Iraqis killed.
SAN FRANCISCO DATES:
March 25 (Friday), 11:00 am with all night vigil
Civic Center between Polk and Larkin
March 26 (Saturday), 10:00 am to 5 pm
Civic Center Voices and Requiem - 2 pm
March 27 (Easter Sunday), 10:00 am to dusk
Union Square (Powell and Geary)
American Friends Service Committee
We Need Good Shoes (Especially for Men and Children) and
Telephone Cards!
Call 415-565-0201 x14 or shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
See www.afsc.org/eyes
Until Thursday March 24, drop off shoes at 65 Ninth St.
(betw. Mission and Market) from 9-5 weekdays
Donate phone cards for military families Donate shoes to
memorialize the Iraqi casualties
Co-Sponsors (partial list) Agape Fdn; American Muslim Voice;
Archdiocese of SF: Comm. Of Public Policy and Social Concern;
Bay Area Pax Christi; Bay Area United for Peace and Justice;
Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists; Berkeley Friends
Church; Buddhist Peace Fellowship; Grace Cathedral: Diocese
of CA of the Episcopal Church; Los Altos Voices for Peace; Military
Families Speak Out; Pacifica Peace People; Pacifica Women in
Black; SFUSD School Board; Strawberry Creek Friends Meeting;
Veterans for Peace; 9/11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows,
San Francisco Friends Meeting, Code Pink
Our postal address is
P.O. Box 1818
Peter Stuyvesant Station
New York, New York 10009
United States
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TOMORROW, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
2) WE ALL STAND WITH LYNNE STEWART!
NO JAIL TIME FOR LYNNE!
PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TODAY
3) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation of Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People's Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
4) COMING TO THE BAY AREA SOON-POWERFUL ANTIWAR MOVIES
5) 5500 U.S. Deserters: (LINK ONLY)
We Won't Fight in Iraq
Doug Lorimer
On February 25, US Army officials at Fort Stewart, Georgia,
announced that Sergeant Kevin Benderman, a 40-year-old army
mechanic who refused to deploy to Iraq for a second tour of
duty, will be court-martialed on desertion charges. If convicted,
he faces up to seven years in prison.
http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2005/619/619p14.htm
6) OIL COMPANIES EYE IRAQ RESERVES (LINK ONLY)
By Laurence Frost
Associated Press
March 15, 2005
http://washingtontimes.com/business/20050315-120755-8864r.htm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TOMORROW, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
At the March 8th meeting JROTC teachers lied about what the
main purpose of JROTC was and about what they are teaching to the
children of San Francisco at the district's expense.
I received the following letter this morning from
"Arson G.," one of those students.
Arson G.'s words speak for themselves.
"Out of the mouths of babes!"
Peace,
Bonnie Weinstein, Bay Area United Against War
--- Nelly Gabuera
I don't know where you guys get your ideas, but
JROTC does NOT promote warfare or joining the army or
any sort of that. It's my second year in the JROTC
program and I love it, it teaches me leadership
skills, educates me, it PROMOTES my moral standards.
The mission of JROTC is to Promote Young Cadets To
Become Better Citizens. You do not know what you are
talking about, you are not IN the program, you have
never been in the program because if you have you
wouldve loved it, one paper does not mean im going to
join the Army. Now that we have ROTC settled,
let's focus on the war. If it wasn't for wars would
you still enjoy the freedoms you have today? NO? if it
wasn't for war half of the world would be run by
dictators like Hitler or Stalin or Mussolini, Castro?
SADAM? All we're doing in Iraq is bringing democracy.
We fought BACK because of 9-11. You cannot JUDGE the
JROTC in the last two years we have not even DISCUSSED
THE WAR class wise maybe amongst friends BUT NOT IN
THE JROTC CLASSROOM. The only thing we do, is march, learn
how to tell right from wrong. We have fun in the JROTC
program. Think of what effect it would have on kids
that don't have as good opportunities. The kids that
live in poverty that depend on JROTC to teach them
better, I believe JROTC saved lot's of lives. I
believe that if there isn't ONE person in the world
that is unsuccessfull in his life that passed the
JROTC program with flying colors. I really hope you
fail canceling the JROTC program, and for any grudge
you have against Bush take it out on him not the kids.
P.S. I AM joining the marine corps, it has been my
DREAM to be in the army since i was 7 years old. My
father served, my grandfather server and i will serve.
One thing i do admit though, the JROTC did make me
braver on my decision for joining the marines.
-Sincerely Arson G.
.............................................................................
The following are statements that were cut off at the board
Meeting due to running over the 1-minute time limit March 8th:
(The JROTC duo got three times as much time as all of us put
together.)
FROM: "Elizabeth Milos" emilos@yahoo.com
At the BofEd meeting on Tuesday, I only had one minute so
I wasn't able to say everything but I was able to state the
first five concrete demands that I believe the Board of
Education should adopt as a district-wide policy.
It would be a good idea if we were to hammer it home
a second time regardless of their intent to table it into
a "community advisory board".
As parents, we should stress that we do NOTconsider the
military a "career option" for our youth. KILLING IS NOT A
CAREER OPTION. The resources that are being spent for war
(with our tax money) should be spent on providing financial
aid to low-income youth that want to go to college.
The fact that young men from poor communities must
register in the selective service in order to be eligible
for financial aid converts the registration process into
a de-facto draft for lower income youth which, during
these times of recruitment shortages and stop loss
orders, practically guarantees that these young men
will be called to "serve their country".
Instead, we need these young men to go to college and
contribute to the economic development of their
neighborhoods and families. There are many legitimate
ways to serve our country: working with homeless families,
in soup kitchens, with the elderly, etc. ways that do not
put our childrens' lives in danger or require them to
kill and become psychologically wounded for life in
order to get a college education.
The Board of Education has an obligation to create and
sustain a life-affirming environment for our children
in our public education system and, in partnership
with the parents, to prepare our children to realize
their potential and to contribute to our society in
positive ways. If the Board continues to allow military
recruitment on our campuses, the Board is becoming
an accomplice to the crime that is being committed
against our low income youth by our government.
It's not only an issue of being permitted to carry out
counter-recruitment activities: We should ask the
Board to keep the military out of our public schools.
I am aware that the "No Child Left Behind Act"
requires school districts to allow military recruiters
the "same level of access" to school campuses that
colleges have or else face serious cuts in federal funding.
Our children are minors and until they turn 18, we,
as parents, are ultimately responsible for their well being.
We are calling on the Board to stand together with
us, to use our imagination and develop ways to
circumvent this law and to make it clear to our
youth what are the true effects of war.
Some of the ways that come to mind is the following:
1.Organize College and Vocational Training Fairs
off-campus in community centers and encourage
attendance by high school juniors and seniors by
making it part of the regular curriculum.
2.Support Mike Honda's bill in Congress. Presently,
parents that do NOT want their children's names to be
given to the military for recruitment purposes must
sign an opt-out form. Representative Mike Honda's
Bill would convert our present opt-out system into
an opt-in system. Only parents that WANT their
children to be contacted or recruited into the military
would thereby give their authorization for the military
to contact their children OFF-CAMPUS.
3.Dedicate a significant portion of the Health
curriculum to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Invite
veterans from the peace movement to share their
personal experiences.
4.Develop curriculum that exposes the effects of war
on the environment, on the health of troops and
civilians and on the economy.
5.Instruct school faculty and counselors to inform
students about their right to register as conscientious
objectors and support them in the registration process,
if they decide to do so.
6.Connect youth with counter-recruitment groups that
can train them as peer counselors as part of their required
100 hours of community service that they are required to
complete as part of graduation.
Yes, we are asking the Board of Education to take a stand,
to "choose sides", so to speak. But where war is concerned,
all sides lose and our children most of all. Stand on the side
of our youth and get those recruiters off of our campuses.
...................
FROM: Bonnie Weinstein giobon@sbcglobal.net
First the good news: According to Tom Philpott of the Fleet
Reserve Association, Black Army recruits are down 41 percent
since 2000.
The bad news is, the San Francisco Unified School District is
subsidizing military recruitment in our schools.
The School district and the military each pay a million towards
a Physical Education teacher-but that teacher is a JROTC
teacher-appointed by the military.
And, since this person is counted as a Physical Education teacher,
and JROTC is counted as a Physical Education class, the public
is told that the Military is contributing a million dollars to the
schools to support the cost of a Physical Education teacher.
We are further told that without the money from the Army, the
schools would not have enough Physical Education classes to go
around and some kids would not earn the necessary graduation
credits to earn their diploma without JROTC.
Well, that tells me we need Physical Education teachers-not
military recruiters. The district must come up with the money to
have the required number of physical education classes to allow
students to graduate without forcing some of them into the military.
What I think needs to happen is that the Board of Education has
to give us a full accounting of how much money we have for
our children's needs and how our dollars are being spent.
I do know, if the District is paying a million dollars to have
military recruiters at our schools the million the Military puts
up is not a "gift" to anyone but themselves.
As a parent and grandparent I feel it puts our kids in harms
way and gets them involved in an immoral and illegal war
that is ruining tens of thousands of lives every day.
We want them out of our schools.
........................................................
From: Carole Seligman caroseligman@aol.com
Dear All,
The main purpose of the
Jr. ROTC presentation at
the March 8 Board of Ed. meeting
was to convince the public that the Jr.
ROTC program has nothing
whatsoever to do with war,
preparation for war, or
military recruitment. In other
words it was the Big Lie in full
operation. Our job must continue
to show how military recruitment and
programs in the schools are
intimately connected to the
war in Iraq and future wars
and occupations the U.S. is planning now.
Ending public school ties with
the military will be a long, uphill fight. and
it will not be lead by the Bd.
of Education or other politicians. In my
opinion, the only reason to speak
out at the Bd. of Ed. meetings is to keep this
struggle before the public and to
help open the door for parent and student
organizing to keep the hands of the
military off our children and out of our
communities' schools.
Again there was a broad coalition of
anti-war organizations speaking out at
the meeting. And this time there were
some young people and some more parents
speaking out too. Most of the 1 minute
speeches were very educational and
effective I thought. There was a young
military veteran (who had gotten in touch
with Bonnie before the meeting) and
a high school student whose school was
trying to put him into a ROTC "class"
against his will.
BAUAW has submitted the following resolution to the board:
Draft Resolution for San Francisco Board of Education
Cut Ties with the Military:
WHEREAS, the United States military is
actively recruiting high school students into
the military to fight in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, many young San Francisco
high school alumni are presently serving in
military units fighting in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, it is San Francisco City policy
by virtue of Proposition N, to bring all U.S.
troops home from Iraq now; and
WHEREAS, over 1,448 U.S. soldiers and
approximately 100,000 Iraqis have been
killed in this war and over 10,000 U.S.
soldiers and unknown thousands of
Iraqis have been wounded; and
WHEREAS, the hundreds of billions of dollars
spent on the war have robbed our children of
resources that should be spent on
education and other human needs; and
WHEREAS, military presence in our schools
legitimizes the message that violence is
acceptable;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
It shall be the policy of the San Francisco
Board of Education to cut all ties
with the United States military,
including, but not limited to: Ending military
recruitment on campuses; ending the
Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps
(JROTC); and guaranteeing that all students
and parents are informed of their right to
deny military recruiters access to their
names, addresses and telephone numbers.
MILITARY SPENDING IN THE SCHOOLS:
To: CodePinkCounterRecruitGroup@yahoogroups.com
From: "iampohet"
Subject: Which schools have jrotc?
I don't know specifically if military science is jrotc. I didn't find the
right person to ask. But, if it isn't, then what the hell is it?
Oh, heck, just for fun, here are the athletics funds listed in the profile:
School: Amt: FTE's:Mil.Sci. FTE's:
Balboa: $6,000 2.0
Burton: $6,000 2.0
Galileo: $6,000 2.0
Lincoln: $7,000 3.0
Mission: $6,000 2.0
Lowell: $7,000 2.0
Washington: $7,000 2.0
The money, just over 2 mil, is all the funds... 1mil+
from the Feds and 1mil + in matching funds from the sfusd.
In CodePinkCounterRecruitGroup@yahoogroups.com,
Ms sam joi
question - mil sci is jrotc? and this $$ was alotted
by the feds to the individual schools?
iampohet
School Money alotted to Mil Sci as per fiscal profile Apr. 2004
Balboa: $261,335
Burton: $258,177
Galileo: $343,913
Lincoln: $429,106
Mission: $265,303
Lowell: $276,877
Wash: $344,093
Total: $2,178,804
I found this info by digging in the individual school's profiles on
the sfusd website. Hope it's helpful.
erin
Bay Area United Against War (BAUAW)
www.bauaw.org
414-824-8730
Donations are urgently needed to carry
out this important work. We have no
paid staff but need money for posters,
buttons, flyers and informational material
to hand out to students and parents.
Make a tax-deductible donation to:
Bay Area United Against War/NVM
P.O. Box 318021
San Francisco, CA 94131-8021
Coming Up:
Global Day of Action
March 19, 2005
No to War and Occupation in Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People's Needs, Not War!
San Francisco March Assembles:
11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
THE NEXT BAUAW MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE:
SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 11:30AM
474 VALENCIA STREET, SF
(FIRST FLOOR, TO THE LEFT AND ALL THE WAY BACK
TO THE COMPANEROS DEL BARRIO CHILDREN'S CENTER)
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
2) WE ALL STAND WITH LYNNE STEWART!
NO JAIL TIME FOR LYNNE!
PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TODAY:
SUGGESTION AS TO FORMAT OF LETTERS
TO BE WRITTEN ON BEHALF OF LYNNE STEWART
MARGIN: Please leave at least a one-inch left-hand margin
to allow us to bind the letter into the appendix to the
sentencing memorandum that is being filed on
Lynne's behalf.
INSIDE ADDRESS: Honorable John G. Koeltl
United States District Judge
Southern District of New York
United States Courthouse
500 Pearl Street
New York, New York 10007
GREETING: Honorable Sir or Dear Judge Koeltl:
BODY: Briefly introduce yourself and set forth
your relationship to Lynne.
Briefly discuss yourself - your position in work
and in society.
State that you are aware that Lynne is to be sentenced
following a jury verdict of guilty on serious charges:
The remainder of your letter should discuss whatever
you believe to weigh in favor of no jail time. If possible,
you should tell of an incident where she helped you out
or engaged in commendable community service. Do not
try to argue that she is not guilty or was unfairly conviction.
Focus on the unfairness of the government's actions in
bringing the charges; the way in which the government
portrayed her, etc.
* Typewritten letters if possible are preferred.
*
WHEN LETTER IS COMPLETED: Please mail the final product
to the following address:
Jill R. Shellow-Lavine, Esq.
2537 Post Road
Southport, CT 06890
Do not send your letters to the judge. We ask that you
forward your letter me so that the lawyers can present
it to Judge Koeltl with the other letters being written
for this purpose. This is the manner in which letters
will have the greatest impact. If they are sent directly
to the Judge's chambers, they may have less of an
impact and could cause the judge a substantial
inconvenience (and annoyance).
Thank you for your cooperation. If you have any
questions, please do not hesitate to contact the
defense committee at www.lynnestewart.org.
Sincerely,
Jill R. Shellow-Lavine
Attorney for Lynne Stewart
For more information go to:
www.LynneStewart.org
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
3) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation ˆ Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People‚s Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
· Urgent appeal for volunteers on March 19
· Volunteer opportunities this weekend.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
March 19, 2005: Global Day of Action - San Francisco -
Volunteers Needed!
No to War Occupation ˜ Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere! Bring the Troops
Home Now! Money for People's Needs, Not War!
March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
Send this email to as many friends as you can.
March 19, 2005, will be an International Day of Protest
on the second anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq.
As on the first anniversary of the invasion last year,
millions of people around the world will march to say
„No to War and Occupation from Iraq to Palestine to
Haiti and Everywhere.‰
Volunteers are urgently needed in San Francisco on
March 19 to help with set-up, distributing placards
to spread the anti-war message, carrying banners
for the march, selling buttons and t-shirts to pay
for the march, leafleting to let people know how
to get involved, take down, monitoring, clean up
and more.
Friends, families, and work groups can volunteer
in teams! Take a stand on March 19 against war
and occupation!
No experience necessary! Whether you have volunteered
before or this is your first time your help is urgently
needed. Call 415-821-6545 for more information
and directions to this meeting.
If you cannot make the orientation, you can still
volunteer to help make March 19 Day of Global
Action protest happen:
Come to Dolores Park at 9 a.m. the morning of March 19
and sign in at the Volunteer ANSWER table to get the
latest orientation and take on an area of work for the
protest. Dolores Park is located at 18th and Dolores St.
near the 16th St. BART station.
OR
Come to the Civic Center at 9 a.m. the morning of
March 19 for a volunteer orientation and to get
plugged in. Take BART to Civic Center. Look for
the sign-in table under the ANSWER Volunteer banner.
Volunteers are needed ALL DAY. Any amount of
time you have to help is greatly appreciated.
Together we‚re building a powerful new movement
against war and racism. You‚re needed in the
struggle to win money for peoples‚ needs, not
war and corporate greed. Email, call or come to
the volunteer orientation. Get involved today.
To subscribe to the list, send a message to:
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
4) BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR PRESENTS:
"Mission Accomplished" a brutally vivid documentary
filmed entirely on the ground in Iraq. The reality of this
war for American troops is contrasted to the
overwhelming reality of the devastation felt and experienced
by the people of Iraq.
"Mission Accomplished" will open March 18th, 6pm:
The Four Star Twin
2200 Clement St. (near 23rd Ave.)
San Francisco, CA 94121
415.666.3488
"Voices In Wartime" is a compelling portrayal of human
experience with war through poetry, both from the point
of view of those who were in combat and those who are left
behind.
"Voices In Wartime" will play in S.F. on April 15th at:
Landmark Lumiere 3
1572 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
[This poem by fourth-grader Cameron Penny was read
by Marie Howe in this very beautiful film
directed by Rick King.
"If you are lucky in this life
A window will appear on a battlefield between two armies
And when the soldiers look into the window
They don't see their enemies
They see themselves as children
And they stop fighting
And go home and go to sleep
When they wake up, the land is well again."
By Cameron Penny]
To learn more about these film visit
Cinema Libre Studio
http://www.cinemalibrestudio.com/
Also: check out, GUNNER PALACE |
Some war stories will never make the nightly news.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
5) 5500 U.S. Deserters: (LINK ONLY)
We Won't Fight in Iraq
Doug Lorimer
On February 25, US Army officials at Fort Stewart, Georgia,
announced that Sergeant Kevin Benderman, a 40-year-old army
mechanic who refused to deploy to Iraq for a second tour of
duty, will be court-martialed on desertion charges. If convicted,
he faces up to seven years in prison.
http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2005/619/619p14.htm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
6) OIL COMPANIES EYE IRAQ RESERVES (LINK ONLY)
By Laurence Frost
Associated Press
March 15, 2005
http://washingtontimes.com/business/20050315-120755-8864r.htm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
BAUAW NEWSLETTER-WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2005
BAUAW NEWSLETTER-WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2005
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TOMORROW, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
At the March 8th meeting JROTC teachers lied about what the
main purpose of JROTC was and about what they are teaching to the
children of San Francisco at the district's expense.
I received the following letter this morning from
"Arson G.," one of those students.
Arson G.'s words speak for themselves.
"Out of the mouths of babes!"
Peace,
Bonnie Weinstein, Bay Area United Against War
I don't know where you guys get your ideas, but
JROTC does NOT promote warfare or joining the army or
any sort of that. It's my second year in the JROTC
program and I love it, it teaches me leadership
skills, educates me, it PROMOTES my moral standards.
The mission of JROTC is to Promote Young Cadets To
Become Better Citizens. You do not know what you are
talking about, you are not IN the program, you have
never been in the program because if you have you
wouldve loved it, one paper does not mean im going to
join the Army. Now that we have ROTC settled,
let's focus on the war. If it wasn't for wars would
you still enjoy the freedoms you have today? NO? if it
wasn't for war half of the world would be run by
dictators like Hitler or Stalin or Mussolini, Castro?
SADAM? All we're doing in Iraq is bringing democracy.
We fought BACK because of 9-11. You cannot JUDGE the
JROTC in the last two years we have not even DISCUSSED
THE WAR class wise maybe amongst friends BUT NOT IN
THE JROTC CLASSROOM.
The only thing we do, is march, learn
how to tell right from wrong. We have fun in the JROTC
program. Think of what effect it would have on kids
that don't have as good opportunities. The kids that
live in poverty that depend on JROTC to teach them
better, I believe JROTC saved lot's of lives. I
believe that if there isn't ONE person in the world
that is unsuccessfull in his life that passed the
JROTC program with flying colors. I really hope you
fail canceling the JROTC program, and for any grudge
you have against Bush take it out on him not the kids.
P.S. I AM joining the marine corps, it has been my
DREAM to be in the army since i was 7 years old. My
father served, my grandfather server and i will serve.
One thing i do admit though, the JROTC did make me
braver on my decision for joining the marines.
-Sincerely Arson G.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR PRESENTS
A PREMIERE FILM SHOWING OF:
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
One man, one camera. Two sides of a story
FRIDAY, MARCH 18TH, 6 P.M.
(There will be a short question and answer period
at 7:30 P.M. immediately following the film.)
FOUR STAR TWIN
220 CLEMENT ST. NEAR 23RD AVENUE
SAN FRANCISCO
415-666-3488
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED is a gripping documentary by veteran
British journalist Sean Langan. Langan gets up close and
personal accounts of the war from U.S. and coalition soldiers,
Iraqi resistance fighters, and captures Abu Ghraib prison abuses
long before the torture reached the popular Press.
The most powerful statement of the film is the depiction
of the total devastation brought to Iraq by this war. It is the
constant backdrop to the interviews in the film as is the almost
universal hatred exhibited by the Iraqi people toward any U.S.
presence in Iraq-both from those interviewed and from those
included among the rubble in the background scenes. This film's
a must for anyone thinking of joining the military or who is
unsure of what our government is doing there in our name.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
Volunteers are needed for March 19th!
Show up March 19th at Dolores Park
or Civic Center at 9:00 a.m.
and sign up at the A.N.S.W.E.R. volunteer table.
Or contact A.N.S.W.E.R. OFFICE AT:
2489 Mission St. #24, 415-821-6545
Hello to members of United for Peace and Justice Bay Area,
On March 19 UPJ-Bay Area will be meeting at 10:30 a.m. on
18th Street in front of Mission High School before marching down
to Civic Center. We will be carrying panels of the faces of the
victims of the war-American soldiers and Iraqi civilians-and need
your help in carrying them to Civic Center where we will have
a table. Please send out this request to your listserv.
Also, we are updating our members' directory and need your
updated contact information.
Please send your email, phone number and website address to me
as soon as possible. A donation of $25 is also requested to
cover printing charges. Please send to:
United for Peace and Justice-Bay Area
c/o War Resisters League West
POB 410744
San Francisco, CA 94141
Thanks.
Jackie Barshak
for UPJ-Bay Area
415.308.9416
jackie barshak jbarshak@hotmail.com
Not in Our Name Bay Area
Help Not in Our Name build for the March 19 mass
mobilization in San Francisco to end war and occupation!
Community postering for March 19 march and rally.
Also, help prepare for the March 18 anti-war
morning visiblity action.
Planning Meeting & Work Party
Wednesday, March 16 ~ 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Not in Our Name office. 3945 Opal Street,
Oakland CA 94609
Morning Visibilty Action
Friday, March 18 ~ 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM
Call us to hook up and help get the message out
to tens of thousands of morning commuters --
"Out of Iraq now!"
U.S. Out of Iraq Now!
March 19: International Day of Action
On the second anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, let's
show Bush and Co. that the people of the world say
NO to war and occupation!
On Saturday, March 19 join the Not in Our Name Earth
Flag Contingent at the mass march and rally organized by
ANSWER Coalition -- 11 am, Dolores Park, San Francisco.
Join up with the Not in Our Name Earth Flag Contingent at
the corner of 18th Street and Dolores (map). March to Civic
Center for a 1 pm rally.
Not In Our Name will also be organizing acts of creative
resistance around this weekend. We encourage folks to
strategize and brainstorm with us about how to broaden
resistance and bring awareness to the millions in this country
that our message must reach; and to join us as we unite with
groups around the Bay to bring out all who oppose the deadly
course of this government. Come to a general meeting,
call our office, or check out the website.
Against Military Recruitment in our Schools?
On the second anniversary of the war, join the
Counter-Recruitment Contingent!
***
Saturday, March 19
10AM at 16th and Mission St.
(the 16th Street BART station)
***
AT SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY, military recruiters were
forced to leave early without any recruits because of the hundreds
of students that came out to protest their presence at the school!
This is not an isolated incident. Seattle, Chicago, New York,
Madison, Connecticut, Minnesota. In community colleges,
high schools, and universities around the nation, students,
faculty, and campus workers have come out to protest the
BLACKMAILING of education. As billions are being diverted
from schools to the war, our students are being told that they
need to die before they see a dime of it.
THIS IS DEAD WRONG.
As recruiters are failing to meet quotas for the first time in
a decade, despite more than tripling signing bonuses, we need
to rebuild the anti-war movement by fighting against the war
where it is weakest.
Join students, parents, teachers, military families, veterans,
community members, and activists on the second anniversary
of the war at the 16th Street BART station at 10AM to march
up to Dolores Park together.
Sponsored by the Campus Anti-War Network and the College
Not Combat Committee.
Money for Jobs and Education! Not for War and Occupation!
For more info please contact: ragina@mac.com / 415.412.4540
sue sandlin design | srsndln@pacbell.net
------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Teach-in on Iraq: How Can We End this War?
Thursday, March 24 ~ 7 PM to 10 PM
Mission High School, 3750 18th Street (at Dolores), San Francisco
On the 40th Anniversary of the first teach-ins on the Vietnam War.
With presentations by Iraq veteran Rahul Mahajan, Cindy Sheehan,
Fernando Suarez, Aimee Allison, Howard Wallace, Sean O'Neil,
and Medea Benjamin. Sponsored by Global Exchange and
CODEPINK. $5 donation requested. (more info)
Resistance Cinema Presents "Hidden in Plain Sight"
Sunday, April 10 ~ 3 PM to 5 PM
Parkway Pizza/Pub Theater, 1834 Park Blvd., Oakland
A short history, a spirited debate, a personal story, and a call
for accountability, "Hidden in Plain Sight" is a bold, unflinching
look at the nature and consequences of U.S. policy in Latin
America. Brief presentation by Laura Slattery, Pace e Bene
Nonviolence. A free event sponsored by Not in Our Name.
The Not in Our Name Project needs your support!
Donate online: donate.notinourname.net
Or send your tax-deductible contribution today to:
Not in Our Name
3945 Opal Street, Oakland CA 94609
www.notinourname.net
phone: 510-601-8000
email: bayarea@notinourname.net
local: bayarea.notinourname.net
Another World Is Possible!
http://www.notinourname.net
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
Dear Friends Please read the following request from Families for
Peaceful Tomorrows one of the many co-sponsors of the Eyes Wide
Open exhibit. They have committed to trying to collecting the
16,000 additional pairs of shoes. Please think about becoming
a collection point. In my opinion donating a pair of shoes is a
great way to challenge people to think about the human cost of
war. It is a way to involve people before the exhibit arrives and
encourage them to come. Some ideas for dealing with the collection
include; put out a barrel or box asking for the donation in your
school, church, neighborhood center or place of work. Put a flyer
on the box explaining why we are collecting the shoes. Thanks.
Sandra Schwartz
Peace Education Coordinator, AFSC
Dear Friends,
Eyes Wide Open, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
exhibit that reminds us of the human cost of war is coming to San
Francisco March 25-27. The exhibit features over 1,500 pairs of
combat boots tagged with the names of U.S. soldiers who have
died in the Iraq war. It also memorializes the Iraqi civilians killed
in the war.
In San Francisco, we are adding a new element to this powerful
exhibit: instead of just 1,000 shoes to represent all the Iraqi civilian
deaths, we have set a goal of collecting 16,000[1] pairs of shoes
to more accurately demonstrate the scale of Iraqi deaths as a result
of the war. The shoe memorial has been initiated by September
11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows and it will not happen
without your support.
We need your help to meet the goal of collecting 16,000 pairs
of shoes!
What you can do:
1. Collect shoes for the exhibit
* Please gather usable shoes from your family and friends
or set up a shoe collection site in your community, school,
workplace or place of worship.
* Tie each pair together, or, if no laces, securely attach them
together.
* Count the pairs of shoes and place in heavy-duty garbage
bags. Attach a tag with the count on it.
* Shoes will be donated at the end of the exhibit. Children's
and men's shoes are especially needed.
* Call Nabil at 415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email
shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* Drop off shoes 9 am to 5 pm at AFSC, 65 Ninth St.
(between Mission and Market) until Thursday, March 24.
Last minute shoes may be brought to Civic Center Plaza
Friday, March 25. No shoes accepted after Friday.
2. Collect phone cards for military personnel
We are also collecting telephone calling cards to donate to
military personnel and to returning Iraq war veterans in
a Bay Area hospital and the USOs at local airports. Please
purchase phone cards to donate with your shoes or bring
to the exhibit.
3. Volunteer
Volunteers are needed for the shoe project as well as the
overall exhibit.
* To volunteer with the shoe project, call Nabil at
415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email
shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* To volunteer to help with the exhibit call AFSC at
415-565-0201 ext. 15 or email sleeds@afsc.org
4. Spread the word! Please forward this information to
your networks.
5. Come to the exhibit, encourage others to come, and
bring last minute shoe donations and help us honor all
those who have died in Iraq.
[1] The number 16,000 is the approximate minimum number
of Iraqi civilians reported killed by military intervention in
Iraq by www.iraqbodycount.net.
Eyes Wide Open
"An exhibit that speaks directly to our hearts and reminds
us of the human cost of war."
Over 1,500 pairs of empty combat boots - tagged with the
names of U.S. soldiers who died in the Iraq war - will be
displayed, together with thousands of shoes and wall of
names to memorialize the Iraqis killed.
SAN FRANCISCO DATES:
March 25 (Friday), 11:00 am with all night vigil
Civic Center between Polk and Larkin
March 26 (Saturday), 10:00 am to 5 pm
Civic Center Voices and Requiem - 2 pm
March 27 (Easter Sunday), 10:00 am to dusk
Union Square (Powell and Geary)
American Friends Service Committee
We Need Good Shoes (Especially for Men and Children) and
Telephone Cards!
Call 415-565-0201 x14 or shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
See www.afsc.org/eyes
Until Thursday March 24, drop off shoes at 65 Ninth St.
(betw. Mission and Market) from 9-5 weekdays
Donate phone cards for military families Donate shoes to
memorialize the Iraqi casualties
Co-Sponsors (partial list) Agape Fdn; American Muslim Voice;
Archdiocese of SF: Comm. Of Public Policy and Social Concern;
Bay Area Pax Christi; Bay Area United for Peace and Justice;
Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists; Berkeley Friends
Church; Buddhist Peace Fellowship; Grace Cathedral: Diocese
of CA of the Episcopal Church; Los Altos Voices for Peace; Military
Families Speak Out; Pacifica Peace People; Pacifica Women in
Black; SFUSD School Board; Strawberry Creek Friends Meeting;
Veterans for Peace; 9/11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows,
San Francisco Friends Meeting, Code Pink
Our postal address is
P.O. Box 1818
Peter Stuyvesant Station
New York, New York 10009
United States
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TOMORROW, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
2) WE ALL STAND WITH LYNNE STEWART!
NO JAIL TIME FOR LYNNE!
PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TODAY
3) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation of Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People's Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
4) COMING TO THE BAY AREA SOON-POWERFUL ANTIWAR MOVIES
5) 5500 U.S. Deserters: (LINK ONLY)
We Won't Fight in Iraq
Doug Lorimer
On February 25, US Army officials at Fort Stewart, Georgia,
announced that Sergeant Kevin Benderman, a 40-year-old army
mechanic who refused to deploy to Iraq for a second tour of
duty, will be court-martialed on desertion charges. If convicted,
he faces up to seven years in prison.
http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2005/619/619p14.htm
6) OIL COMPANIES EYE IRAQ RESERVES (LINK ONLY)
By Laurence Frost
Associated Press
March 15, 2005
http://washingtontimes.com/business/20050315-120755-8864r.htm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TOMORROW, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
At the March 8th meeting JROTC teachers lied about what the
main purpose of JROTC was and about what they are teaching to the
children of San Francisco at the district's expense.
I received the following letter this morning from
"Arson G.," one of those students.
Arson G.'s words speak for themselves.
"Out of the mouths of babes!"
Peace,
Bonnie Weinstein, Bay Area United Against War
--- Nelly Gabuera
I don't know where you guys get your ideas, but
JROTC does NOT promote warfare or joining the army or
any sort of that. It's my second year in the JROTC
program and I love it, it teaches me leadership
skills, educates me, it PROMOTES my moral standards.
The mission of JROTC is to Promote Young Cadets To
Become Better Citizens. You do not know what you are
talking about, you are not IN the program, you have
never been in the program because if you have you
wouldve loved it, one paper does not mean im going to
join the Army. Now that we have ROTC settled,
let's focus on the war. If it wasn't for wars would
you still enjoy the freedoms you have today? NO? if it
wasn't for war half of the world would be run by
dictators like Hitler or Stalin or Mussolini, Castro?
SADAM? All we're doing in Iraq is bringing democracy.
We fought BACK because of 9-11. You cannot JUDGE the
JROTC in the last two years we have not even DISCUSSED
THE WAR class wise maybe amongst friends BUT NOT IN
THE JROTC CLASSROOM. The only thing we do, is march, learn
how to tell right from wrong. We have fun in the JROTC
program. Think of what effect it would have on kids
that don't have as good opportunities. The kids that
live in poverty that depend on JROTC to teach them
better, I believe JROTC saved lot's of lives. I
believe that if there isn't ONE person in the world
that is unsuccessfull in his life that passed the
JROTC program with flying colors. I really hope you
fail canceling the JROTC program, and for any grudge
you have against Bush take it out on him not the kids.
P.S. I AM joining the marine corps, it has been my
DREAM to be in the army since i was 7 years old. My
father served, my grandfather server and i will serve.
One thing i do admit though, the JROTC did make me
braver on my decision for joining the marines.
-Sincerely Arson G.
.............................................................................
The following are statements that were cut off at the board
Meeting due to running over the 1-minute time limit March 8th:
(The JROTC duo got three times as much time as all of us put
together.)
FROM: "Elizabeth Milos" emilos@yahoo.com
At the BofEd meeting on Tuesday, I only had one minute so
I wasn't able to say everything but I was able to state the
first five concrete demands that I believe the Board of
Education should adopt as a district-wide policy.
It would be a good idea if we were to hammer it home
a second time regardless of their intent to table it into
a "community advisory board".
As parents, we should stress that we do NOTconsider the
military a "career option" for our youth. KILLING IS NOT A
CAREER OPTION. The resources that are being spent for war
(with our tax money) should be spent on providing financial
aid to low-income youth that want to go to college.
The fact that young men from poor communities must
register in the selective service in order to be eligible
for financial aid converts the registration process into
a de-facto draft for lower income youth which, during
these times of recruitment shortages and stop loss
orders, practically guarantees that these young men
will be called to "serve their country".
Instead, we need these young men to go to college and
contribute to the economic development of their
neighborhoods and families. There are many legitimate
ways to serve our country: working with homeless families,
in soup kitchens, with the elderly, etc. ways that do not
put our childrens' lives in danger or require them to
kill and become psychologically wounded for life in
order to get a college education.
The Board of Education has an obligation to create and
sustain a life-affirming environment for our children
in our public education system and, in partnership
with the parents, to prepare our children to realize
their potential and to contribute to our society in
positive ways. If the Board continues to allow military
recruitment on our campuses, the Board is becoming
an accomplice to the crime that is being committed
against our low income youth by our government.
It's not only an issue of being permitted to carry out
counter-recruitment activities: We should ask the
Board to keep the military out of our public schools.
I am aware that the "No Child Left Behind Act"
requires school districts to allow military recruiters
the "same level of access" to school campuses that
colleges have or else face serious cuts in federal funding.
Our children are minors and until they turn 18, we,
as parents, are ultimately responsible for their well being.
We are calling on the Board to stand together with
us, to use our imagination and develop ways to
circumvent this law and to make it clear to our
youth what are the true effects of war.
Some of the ways that come to mind is the following:
1.Organize College and Vocational Training Fairs
off-campus in community centers and encourage
attendance by high school juniors and seniors by
making it part of the regular curriculum.
2.Support Mike Honda's bill in Congress. Presently,
parents that do NOT want their children's names to be
given to the military for recruitment purposes must
sign an opt-out form. Representative Mike Honda's
Bill would convert our present opt-out system into
an opt-in system. Only parents that WANT their
children to be contacted or recruited into the military
would thereby give their authorization for the military
to contact their children OFF-CAMPUS.
3.Dedicate a significant portion of the Health
curriculum to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Invite
veterans from the peace movement to share their
personal experiences.
4.Develop curriculum that exposes the effects of war
on the environment, on the health of troops and
civilians and on the economy.
5.Instruct school faculty and counselors to inform
students about their right to register as conscientious
objectors and support them in the registration process,
if they decide to do so.
6.Connect youth with counter-recruitment groups that
can train them as peer counselors as part of their required
100 hours of community service that they are required to
complete as part of graduation.
Yes, we are asking the Board of Education to take a stand,
to "choose sides", so to speak. But where war is concerned,
all sides lose and our children most of all. Stand on the side
of our youth and get those recruiters off of our campuses.
...................
FROM: Bonnie Weinstein giobon@sbcglobal.net
First the good news: According to Tom Philpott of the Fleet
Reserve Association, Black Army recruits are down 41 percent
since 2000.
The bad news is, the San Francisco Unified School District is
subsidizing military recruitment in our schools.
The School district and the military each pay a million towards
a Physical Education teacher-but that teacher is a JROTC
teacher-appointed by the military.
And, since this person is counted as a Physical Education teacher,
and JROTC is counted as a Physical Education class, the public
is told that the Military is contributing a million dollars to the
schools to support the cost of a Physical Education teacher.
We are further told that without the money from the Army, the
schools would not have enough Physical Education classes to go
around and some kids would not earn the necessary graduation
credits to earn their diploma without JROTC.
Well, that tells me we need Physical Education teachers-not
military recruiters. The district must come up with the money to
have the required number of physical education classes to allow
students to graduate without forcing some of them into the military.
What I think needs to happen is that the Board of Education has
to give us a full accounting of how much money we have for
our children's needs and how our dollars are being spent.
I do know, if the District is paying a million dollars to have
military recruiters at our schools the million the Military puts
up is not a "gift" to anyone but themselves.
As a parent and grandparent I feel it puts our kids in harms
way and gets them involved in an immoral and illegal war
that is ruining tens of thousands of lives every day.
We want them out of our schools.
........................................................
From: Carole Seligman caroseligman@aol.com
Dear All,
The main purpose of the
Jr. ROTC presentation at
the March 8 Board of Ed. meeting
was to convince the public that the Jr.
ROTC program has nothing
whatsoever to do with war,
preparation for war, or
military recruitment. In other
words it was the Big Lie in full
operation. Our job must continue
to show how military recruitment and
programs in the schools are
intimately connected to the
war in Iraq and future wars
and occupations the U.S. is planning now.
Ending public school ties with
the military will be a long, uphill fight. and
it will not be lead by the Bd.
of Education or other politicians. In my
opinion, the only reason to speak
out at the Bd. of Ed. meetings is to keep this
struggle before the public and to
help open the door for parent and student
organizing to keep the hands of the
military off our children and out of our
communities' schools.
Again there was a broad coalition of
anti-war organizations speaking out at
the meeting. And this time there were
some young people and some more parents
speaking out too. Most of the 1 minute
speeches were very educational and
effective I thought. There was a young
military veteran (who had gotten in touch
with Bonnie before the meeting) and
a high school student whose school was
trying to put him into a ROTC "class"
against his will.
BAUAW has submitted the following resolution to the board:
Draft Resolution for San Francisco Board of Education
Cut Ties with the Military:
WHEREAS, the United States military is
actively recruiting high school students into
the military to fight in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, many young San Francisco
high school alumni are presently serving in
military units fighting in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, it is San Francisco City policy
by virtue of Proposition N, to bring all U.S.
troops home from Iraq now; and
WHEREAS, over 1,448 U.S. soldiers and
approximately 100,000 Iraqis have been
killed in this war and over 10,000 U.S.
soldiers and unknown thousands of
Iraqis have been wounded; and
WHEREAS, the hundreds of billions of dollars
spent on the war have robbed our children of
resources that should be spent on
education and other human needs; and
WHEREAS, military presence in our schools
legitimizes the message that violence is
acceptable;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
It shall be the policy of the San Francisco
Board of Education to cut all ties
with the United States military,
including, but not limited to: Ending military
recruitment on campuses; ending the
Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps
(JROTC); and guaranteeing that all students
and parents are informed of their right to
deny military recruiters access to their
names, addresses and telephone numbers.
MILITARY SPENDING IN THE SCHOOLS:
To: CodePinkCounterRecruitGroup@yahoogroups.com
From: "iampohet"
Subject: Which schools have jrotc?
I don't know specifically if military science is jrotc. I didn't find the
right person to ask. But, if it isn't, then what the hell is it?
Oh, heck, just for fun, here are the athletics funds listed in the profile:
School: Amt: FTE's:Mil.Sci. FTE's:
Balboa: $6,000 2.0
Burton: $6,000 2.0
Galileo: $6,000 2.0
Lincoln: $7,000 3.0
Mission: $6,000 2.0
Lowell: $7,000 2.0
Washington: $7,000 2.0
The money, just over 2 mil, is all the funds... 1mil+
from the Feds and 1mil + in matching funds from the sfusd.
In CodePinkCounterRecruitGroup@yahoogroups.com,
Ms sam joi wrote:
question - mil sci is jrotc? and this $$ was alotted
by the feds to the individual schools?
iampohet wrote:
School Money alotted to Mil Sci as per fiscal profile Apr. 2004
Balboa: $261,335
Burton: $258,177
Galileo: $343,913
Lincoln: $429,106
Mission: $265,303
Lowell: $276,877
Wash: $344,093
Total: $2,178,804
I found this info by digging in the individual school's profiles on
the sfusd website. Hope it's helpful.
erin
Bay Area United Against War (BAUAW)
www.bauaw.org
414-824-8730
Donations are urgently needed to carry
out this important work. We have no
paid staff but need money for posters,
buttons, flyers and informational material
to hand out to students and parents.
Make a tax-deductible donation to:
Bay Area United Against War/NVM
P.O. Box 318021
San Francisco, CA 94131-8021
Coming Up:
Global Day of Action
March 19, 2005
No to War and Occupation in Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People's Needs, Not War!
San Francisco March Assembles:
11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
THE NEXT BAUAW MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE:
SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 11:30AM
474 VALENCIA STREET, SF
(FIRST FLOOR, TO THE LEFT AND ALL THE WAY BACK
TO THE COMPANEROS DEL BARRIO CHILDREN'S CENTER)
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
2) WE ALL STAND WITH LYNNE STEWART!
NO JAIL TIME FOR LYNNE!
PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TODAY:
SUGGESTION AS TO FORMAT OF LETTERS
TO BE WRITTEN ON BEHALF OF LYNNE STEWART
MARGIN: Please leave at least a one-inch left-hand margin
to allow us to bind the letter into the appendix to the
sentencing memorandum that is being filed on
Lynne's behalf.
INSIDE ADDRESS: Honorable John G. Koeltl
United States District Judge
Southern District of New York
United States Courthouse
500 Pearl Street
New York, New York 10007
GREETING: Honorable Sir or Dear Judge Koeltl:
BODY: Briefly introduce yourself and set forth
your relationship to Lynne.
Briefly discuss yourself - your position in work
and in society.
State that you are aware that Lynne is to be sentenced
following a jury verdict of guilty on serious charges:
The remainder of your letter should discuss whatever
you believe to weigh in favor of no jail time. If possible,
you should tell of an incident where she helped you out
or engaged in commendable community service. Do not
try to argue that she is not guilty or was unfairly conviction.
Focus on the unfairness of the government's actions in
bringing the charges; the way in which the government
portrayed her, etc.
* Typewritten letters if possible are preferred.
*
WHEN LETTER IS COMPLETED: Please mail the final product
to the following address:
Jill R. Shellow-Lavine, Esq.
2537 Post Road
Southport, CT 06890
Do not send your letters to the judge. We ask that you
forward your letter me so that the lawyers can present
it to Judge Koeltl with the other letters being written
for this purpose. This is the manner in which letters
will have the greatest impact. If they are sent directly
to the Judge's chambers, they may have less of an
impact and could cause the judge a substantial
inconvenience (and annoyance).
Thank you for your cooperation. If you have any
questions, please do not hesitate to contact the
defense committee at www.lynnestewart.org.
Sincerely,
Jill R. Shellow-Lavine
Attorney for Lynne Stewart
For more information go to:
www.LynneStewart.org
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
3) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation ˆ Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People‚s Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
· Urgent appeal for volunteers on March 19
· Volunteer opportunities this weekend.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
March 19, 2005: Global Day of Action - San Francisco -
Volunteers Needed!
No to War Occupation ˜ Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere! Bring the Troops
Home Now! Money for People's Needs, Not War!
March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
Send this email to as many friends as you can.
March 19, 2005, will be an International Day of Protest
on the second anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq.
As on the first anniversary of the invasion last year,
millions of people around the world will march to say
„No to War and Occupation from Iraq to Palestine to
Haiti and Everywhere.‰
Volunteers are urgently needed in San Francisco on
March 19 to help with set-up, distributing placards
to spread the anti-war message, carrying banners
for the march, selling buttons and t-shirts to pay
for the march, leafleting to let people know how
to get involved, take down, monitoring, clean up
and more.
Friends, families, and work groups can volunteer
in teams! Take a stand on March 19 against war
and occupation!
No experience necessary! Whether you have volunteered
before or this is your first time your help is urgently
needed. Call 415-821-6545 for more information
and directions to this meeting.
If you cannot make the orientation, you can still
volunteer to help make March 19 Day of Global
Action protest happen:
Come to Dolores Park at 9 a.m. the morning of March 19
and sign in at the Volunteer ANSWER table to get the
latest orientation and take on an area of work for the
protest. Dolores Park is located at 18th and Dolores St.
near the 16th St. BART station.
OR
Come to the Civic Center at 9 a.m. the morning of
March 19 for a volunteer orientation and to get
plugged in. Take BART to Civic Center. Look for
the sign-in table under the ANSWER Volunteer banner.
Volunteers are needed ALL DAY. Any amount of
time you have to help is greatly appreciated.
Together we‚re building a powerful new movement
against war and racism. You‚re needed in the
struggle to win money for peoples‚ needs, not
war and corporate greed. Email, call or come to
the volunteer orientation. Get involved today.
To subscribe to the list, send a message to:
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
4) BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR PRESENTS:
"Mission Accomplished" a brutally vivid documentary
filmed entirely on the ground in Iraq. The reality of this
war for American troops is contrasted to the
overwhelming reality of the devastation felt and experienced
by the people of Iraq.
"Mission Accomplished" will open March 18th, 6pm:
The Four Star Twin
2200 Clement St. (near 23rd Ave.)
San Francisco, CA 94121
415.666.3488
"Voices In Wartime" is a compelling portrayal of human
experience with war through poetry, both from the point
of view of those who were in combat and those who are left
behind.
"Voices In Wartime" will play in S.F. on April 15th at:
Landmark Lumiere 3
1572 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
[This poem by fourth-grader Cameron Penny was read
by Marie Howe in this very beautiful film
directed by Rick King.
"If you are lucky in this life
A window will appear on a battlefield between two armies
And when the soldiers look into the window
They don't see their enemies
They see themselves as children
And they stop fighting
And go home and go to sleep
When they wake up, the land is well again."
By Cameron Penny]
To learn more about these film visit
Cinema Libre Studio
http://www.cinemalibrestudio.com/
Also: check out, GUNNER PALACE |
Some war stories will never make the nightly news.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
5) 5500 U.S. Deserters: (LINK ONLY)
We Won't Fight in Iraq
Doug Lorimer
On February 25, US Army officials at Fort Stewart, Georgia,
announced that Sergeant Kevin Benderman, a 40-year-old army
mechanic who refused to deploy to Iraq for a second tour of
duty, will be court-martialed on desertion charges. If convicted,
he faces up to seven years in prison.
http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2005/619/619p14.htm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
6) OIL COMPANIES EYE IRAQ RESERVES (LINK ONLY)
By Laurence Frost
Associated Press
March 15, 2005
http://washingtontimes.com/business/20050315-120755-8864r.htm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
TOMORROW, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
At the March 8th meeting JROTC teachers lied about what the
main purpose of JROTC was and about what they are teaching to the
children of San Francisco at the district's expense.
I received the following letter this morning from
"Arson G.," one of those students.
Arson G.'s words speak for themselves.
"Out of the mouths of babes!"
Peace,
Bonnie Weinstein, Bay Area United Against War
I don't know where you guys get your ideas, but
JROTC does NOT promote warfare or joining the army or
any sort of that. It's my second year in the JROTC
program and I love it, it teaches me leadership
skills, educates me, it PROMOTES my moral standards.
The mission of JROTC is to Promote Young Cadets To
Become Better Citizens. You do not know what you are
talking about, you are not IN the program, you have
never been in the program because if you have you
wouldve loved it, one paper does not mean im going to
join the Army. Now that we have ROTC settled,
let's focus on the war. If it wasn't for wars would
you still enjoy the freedoms you have today? NO? if it
wasn't for war half of the world would be run by
dictators like Hitler or Stalin or Mussolini, Castro?
SADAM? All we're doing in Iraq is bringing democracy.
We fought BACK because of 9-11. You cannot JUDGE the
JROTC in the last two years we have not even DISCUSSED
THE WAR class wise maybe amongst friends BUT NOT IN
THE JROTC CLASSROOM.
The only thing we do, is march, learn
how to tell right from wrong. We have fun in the JROTC
program. Think of what effect it would have on kids
that don't have as good opportunities. The kids that
live in poverty that depend on JROTC to teach them
better, I believe JROTC saved lot's of lives. I
believe that if there isn't ONE person in the world
that is unsuccessfull in his life that passed the
JROTC program with flying colors. I really hope you
fail canceling the JROTC program, and for any grudge
you have against Bush take it out on him not the kids.
P.S. I AM joining the marine corps, it has been my
DREAM to be in the army since i was 7 years old. My
father served, my grandfather server and i will serve.
One thing i do admit though, the JROTC did make me
braver on my decision for joining the marines.
-Sincerely Arson G.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR PRESENTS
A PREMIERE FILM SHOWING OF:
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
One man, one camera. Two sides of a story
FRIDAY, MARCH 18TH, 6 P.M.
(There will be a short question and answer period
at 7:30 P.M. immediately following the film.)
FOUR STAR TWIN
220 CLEMENT ST. NEAR 23RD AVENUE
SAN FRANCISCO
415-666-3488
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED is a gripping documentary by veteran
British journalist Sean Langan. Langan gets up close and
personal accounts of the war from U.S. and coalition soldiers,
Iraqi resistance fighters, and captures Abu Ghraib prison abuses
long before the torture reached the popular Press.
The most powerful statement of the film is the depiction
of the total devastation brought to Iraq by this war. It is the
constant backdrop to the interviews in the film as is the almost
universal hatred exhibited by the Iraqi people toward any U.S.
presence in Iraq-both from those interviewed and from those
included among the rubble in the background scenes. This film's
a must for anyone thinking of joining the military or who is
unsure of what our government is doing there in our name.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
Volunteers are needed for March 19th!
Show up March 19th at Dolores Park
or Civic Center at 9:00 a.m.
and sign up at the A.N.S.W.E.R. volunteer table.
Or contact A.N.S.W.E.R. OFFICE AT:
2489 Mission St. #24, 415-821-6545
Hello to members of United for Peace and Justice Bay Area,
On March 19 UPJ-Bay Area will be meeting at 10:30 a.m. on
18th Street in front of Mission High School before marching down
to Civic Center. We will be carrying panels of the faces of the
victims of the war-American soldiers and Iraqi civilians-and need
your help in carrying them to Civic Center where we will have
a table. Please send out this request to your listserv.
Also, we are updating our members' directory and need your
updated contact information.
Please send your email, phone number and website address to me
as soon as possible. A donation of $25 is also requested to
cover printing charges. Please send to:
United for Peace and Justice-Bay Area
c/o War Resisters League West
POB 410744
San Francisco, CA 94141
Thanks.
Jackie Barshak
for UPJ-Bay Area
415.308.9416
jackie barshak jbarshak@hotmail.com
Not in Our Name Bay Area
Help Not in Our Name build for the March 19 mass
mobilization in San Francisco to end war and occupation!
Community postering for March 19 march and rally.
Also, help prepare for the March 18 anti-war
morning visiblity action.
Planning Meeting & Work Party
Wednesday, March 16 ~ 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Not in Our Name office. 3945 Opal Street,
Oakland CA 94609
Morning Visibilty Action
Friday, March 18 ~ 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM
Call us to hook up and help get the message out
to tens of thousands of morning commuters --
"Out of Iraq now!"
U.S. Out of Iraq Now!
March 19: International Day of Action
On the second anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, let's
show Bush and Co. that the people of the world say
NO to war and occupation!
On Saturday, March 19 join the Not in Our Name Earth
Flag Contingent at the mass march and rally organized by
ANSWER Coalition -- 11 am, Dolores Park, San Francisco.
Join up with the Not in Our Name Earth Flag Contingent at
the corner of 18th Street and Dolores (map). March to Civic
Center for a 1 pm rally.
Not In Our Name will also be organizing acts of creative
resistance around this weekend. We encourage folks to
strategize and brainstorm with us about how to broaden
resistance and bring awareness to the millions in this country
that our message must reach; and to join us as we unite with
groups around the Bay to bring out all who oppose the deadly
course of this government. Come to a general meeting,
call our office, or check out the website.
Against Military Recruitment in our Schools?
On the second anniversary of the war, join the
Counter-Recruitment Contingent!
***
Saturday, March 19
10AM at 16th and Mission St.
(the 16th Street BART station)
***
AT SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY, military recruiters were
forced to leave early without any recruits because of the hundreds
of students that came out to protest their presence at the school!
This is not an isolated incident. Seattle, Chicago, New York,
Madison, Connecticut, Minnesota. In community colleges,
high schools, and universities around the nation, students,
faculty, and campus workers have come out to protest the
BLACKMAILING of education. As billions are being diverted
from schools to the war, our students are being told that they
need to die before they see a dime of it.
THIS IS DEAD WRONG.
As recruiters are failing to meet quotas for the first time in
a decade, despite more than tripling signing bonuses, we need
to rebuild the anti-war movement by fighting against the war
where it is weakest.
Join students, parents, teachers, military families, veterans,
community members, and activists on the second anniversary
of the war at the 16th Street BART station at 10AM to march
up to Dolores Park together.
Sponsored by the Campus Anti-War Network and the College
Not Combat Committee.
Money for Jobs and Education! Not for War and Occupation!
For more info please contact: ragina@mac.com / 415.412.4540
sue sandlin design | srsndln@pacbell.net
------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Teach-in on Iraq: How Can We End this War?
Thursday, March 24 ~ 7 PM to 10 PM
Mission High School, 3750 18th Street (at Dolores), San Francisco
On the 40th Anniversary of the first teach-ins on the Vietnam War.
With presentations by Iraq veteran Rahul Mahajan, Cindy Sheehan,
Fernando Suarez, Aimee Allison, Howard Wallace, Sean O'Neil,
and Medea Benjamin. Sponsored by Global Exchange and
CODEPINK. $5 donation requested. (more info)
Resistance Cinema Presents "Hidden in Plain Sight"
Sunday, April 10 ~ 3 PM to 5 PM
Parkway Pizza/Pub Theater, 1834 Park Blvd., Oakland
A short history, a spirited debate, a personal story, and a call
for accountability, "Hidden in Plain Sight" is a bold, unflinching
look at the nature and consequences of U.S. policy in Latin
America. Brief presentation by Laura Slattery, Pace e Bene
Nonviolence. A free event sponsored by Not in Our Name.
The Not in Our Name Project needs your support!
Donate online: donate.notinourname.net
Or send your tax-deductible contribution today to:
Not in Our Name
3945 Opal Street, Oakland CA 94609
www.notinourname.net
phone: 510-601-8000
email: bayarea@notinourname.net
local: bayarea.notinourname.net
Another World Is Possible!
http://www.notinourname.net
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
Dear Friends Please read the following request from Families for
Peaceful Tomorrows one of the many co-sponsors of the Eyes Wide
Open exhibit. They have committed to trying to collecting the
16,000 additional pairs of shoes. Please think about becoming
a collection point. In my opinion donating a pair of shoes is a
great way to challenge people to think about the human cost of
war. It is a way to involve people before the exhibit arrives and
encourage them to come. Some ideas for dealing with the collection
include; put out a barrel or box asking for the donation in your
school, church, neighborhood center or place of work. Put a flyer
on the box explaining why we are collecting the shoes. Thanks.
Sandra Schwartz
Peace Education Coordinator, AFSC
Dear Friends,
Eyes Wide Open, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
exhibit that reminds us of the human cost of war is coming to San
Francisco March 25-27. The exhibit features over 1,500 pairs of
combat boots tagged with the names of U.S. soldiers who have
died in the Iraq war. It also memorializes the Iraqi civilians killed
in the war.
In San Francisco, we are adding a new element to this powerful
exhibit: instead of just 1,000 shoes to represent all the Iraqi civilian
deaths, we have set a goal of collecting 16,000[1] pairs of shoes
to more accurately demonstrate the scale of Iraqi deaths as a result
of the war. The shoe memorial has been initiated by September
11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows and it will not happen
without your support.
We need your help to meet the goal of collecting 16,000 pairs
of shoes!
What you can do:
1. Collect shoes for the exhibit
* Please gather usable shoes from your family and friends
or set up a shoe collection site in your community, school,
workplace or place of worship.
* Tie each pair together, or, if no laces, securely attach them
together.
* Count the pairs of shoes and place in heavy-duty garbage
bags. Attach a tag with the count on it.
* Shoes will be donated at the end of the exhibit. Children's
and men's shoes are especially needed.
* Call Nabil at 415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email
shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* Drop off shoes 9 am to 5 pm at AFSC, 65 Ninth St.
(between Mission and Market) until Thursday, March 24.
Last minute shoes may be brought to Civic Center Plaza
Friday, March 25. No shoes accepted after Friday.
2. Collect phone cards for military personnel
We are also collecting telephone calling cards to donate to
military personnel and to returning Iraq war veterans in
a Bay Area hospital and the USOs at local airports. Please
purchase phone cards to donate with your shoes or bring
to the exhibit.
3. Volunteer
Volunteers are needed for the shoe project as well as the
overall exhibit.
* To volunteer with the shoe project, call Nabil at
415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email
shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* To volunteer to help with the exhibit call AFSC at
415-565-0201 ext. 15 or email sleeds@afsc.org
4. Spread the word! Please forward this information to
your networks.
5. Come to the exhibit, encourage others to come, and
bring last minute shoe donations and help us honor all
those who have died in Iraq.
[1] The number 16,000 is the approximate minimum number
of Iraqi civilians reported killed by military intervention in
Iraq by www.iraqbodycount.net.
Eyes Wide Open
"An exhibit that speaks directly to our hearts and reminds
us of the human cost of war."
Over 1,500 pairs of empty combat boots - tagged with the
names of U.S. soldiers who died in the Iraq war - will be
displayed, together with thousands of shoes and wall of
names to memorialize the Iraqis killed.
SAN FRANCISCO DATES:
March 25 (Friday), 11:00 am with all night vigil
Civic Center between Polk and Larkin
March 26 (Saturday), 10:00 am to 5 pm
Civic Center Voices and Requiem - 2 pm
March 27 (Easter Sunday), 10:00 am to dusk
Union Square (Powell and Geary)
American Friends Service Committee
We Need Good Shoes (Especially for Men and Children) and
Telephone Cards!
Call 415-565-0201 x14 or shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
See www.afsc.org/eyes
Until Thursday March 24, drop off shoes at 65 Ninth St.
(betw. Mission and Market) from 9-5 weekdays
Donate phone cards for military families Donate shoes to
memorialize the Iraqi casualties
Co-Sponsors (partial list) Agape Fdn; American Muslim Voice;
Archdiocese of SF: Comm. Of Public Policy and Social Concern;
Bay Area Pax Christi; Bay Area United for Peace and Justice;
Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists; Berkeley Friends
Church; Buddhist Peace Fellowship; Grace Cathedral: Diocese
of CA of the Episcopal Church; Los Altos Voices for Peace; Military
Families Speak Out; Pacifica Peace People; Pacifica Women in
Black; SFUSD School Board; Strawberry Creek Friends Meeting;
Veterans for Peace; 9/11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows,
San Francisco Friends Meeting, Code Pink
Our postal address is
P.O. Box 1818
Peter Stuyvesant Station
New York, New York 10009
United States
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TOMORROW, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
2) WE ALL STAND WITH LYNNE STEWART!
NO JAIL TIME FOR LYNNE!
PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TODAY
3) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation of Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People's Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
4) COMING TO THE BAY AREA SOON-POWERFUL ANTIWAR MOVIES
5) 5500 U.S. Deserters: (LINK ONLY)
We Won't Fight in Iraq
Doug Lorimer
On February 25, US Army officials at Fort Stewart, Georgia,
announced that Sergeant Kevin Benderman, a 40-year-old army
mechanic who refused to deploy to Iraq for a second tour of
duty, will be court-martialed on desertion charges. If convicted,
he faces up to seven years in prison.
http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2005/619/619p14.htm
6) OIL COMPANIES EYE IRAQ RESERVES (LINK ONLY)
By Laurence Frost
Associated Press
March 15, 2005
http://washingtontimes.com/business/20050315-120755-8864r.htm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TOMORROW, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
At the March 8th meeting JROTC teachers lied about what the
main purpose of JROTC was and about what they are teaching to the
children of San Francisco at the district's expense.
I received the following letter this morning from
"Arson G.," one of those students.
Arson G.'s words speak for themselves.
"Out of the mouths of babes!"
Peace,
Bonnie Weinstein, Bay Area United Against War
--- Nelly Gabuera
I don't know where you guys get your ideas, but
JROTC does NOT promote warfare or joining the army or
any sort of that. It's my second year in the JROTC
program and I love it, it teaches me leadership
skills, educates me, it PROMOTES my moral standards.
The mission of JROTC is to Promote Young Cadets To
Become Better Citizens. You do not know what you are
talking about, you are not IN the program, you have
never been in the program because if you have you
wouldve loved it, one paper does not mean im going to
join the Army. Now that we have ROTC settled,
let's focus on the war. If it wasn't for wars would
you still enjoy the freedoms you have today? NO? if it
wasn't for war half of the world would be run by
dictators like Hitler or Stalin or Mussolini, Castro?
SADAM? All we're doing in Iraq is bringing democracy.
We fought BACK because of 9-11. You cannot JUDGE the
JROTC in the last two years we have not even DISCUSSED
THE WAR class wise maybe amongst friends BUT NOT IN
THE JROTC CLASSROOM. The only thing we do, is march, learn
how to tell right from wrong. We have fun in the JROTC
program. Think of what effect it would have on kids
that don't have as good opportunities. The kids that
live in poverty that depend on JROTC to teach them
better, I believe JROTC saved lot's of lives. I
believe that if there isn't ONE person in the world
that is unsuccessfull in his life that passed the
JROTC program with flying colors. I really hope you
fail canceling the JROTC program, and for any grudge
you have against Bush take it out on him not the kids.
P.S. I AM joining the marine corps, it has been my
DREAM to be in the army since i was 7 years old. My
father served, my grandfather server and i will serve.
One thing i do admit though, the JROTC did make me
braver on my decision for joining the marines.
-Sincerely Arson G.
.............................................................................
The following are statements that were cut off at the board
Meeting due to running over the 1-minute time limit March 8th:
(The JROTC duo got three times as much time as all of us put
together.)
FROM: "Elizabeth Milos" emilos@yahoo.com
At the BofEd meeting on Tuesday, I only had one minute so
I wasn't able to say everything but I was able to state the
first five concrete demands that I believe the Board of
Education should adopt as a district-wide policy.
It would be a good idea if we were to hammer it home
a second time regardless of their intent to table it into
a "community advisory board".
As parents, we should stress that we do NOTconsider the
military a "career option" for our youth. KILLING IS NOT A
CAREER OPTION. The resources that are being spent for war
(with our tax money) should be spent on providing financial
aid to low-income youth that want to go to college.
The fact that young men from poor communities must
register in the selective service in order to be eligible
for financial aid converts the registration process into
a de-facto draft for lower income youth which, during
these times of recruitment shortages and stop loss
orders, practically guarantees that these young men
will be called to "serve their country".
Instead, we need these young men to go to college and
contribute to the economic development of their
neighborhoods and families. There are many legitimate
ways to serve our country: working with homeless families,
in soup kitchens, with the elderly, etc. ways that do not
put our childrens' lives in danger or require them to
kill and become psychologically wounded for life in
order to get a college education.
The Board of Education has an obligation to create and
sustain a life-affirming environment for our children
in our public education system and, in partnership
with the parents, to prepare our children to realize
their potential and to contribute to our society in
positive ways. If the Board continues to allow military
recruitment on our campuses, the Board is becoming
an accomplice to the crime that is being committed
against our low income youth by our government.
It's not only an issue of being permitted to carry out
counter-recruitment activities: We should ask the
Board to keep the military out of our public schools.
I am aware that the "No Child Left Behind Act"
requires school districts to allow military recruiters
the "same level of access" to school campuses that
colleges have or else face serious cuts in federal funding.
Our children are minors and until they turn 18, we,
as parents, are ultimately responsible for their well being.
We are calling on the Board to stand together with
us, to use our imagination and develop ways to
circumvent this law and to make it clear to our
youth what are the true effects of war.
Some of the ways that come to mind is the following:
1.Organize College and Vocational Training Fairs
off-campus in community centers and encourage
attendance by high school juniors and seniors by
making it part of the regular curriculum.
2.Support Mike Honda's bill in Congress. Presently,
parents that do NOT want their children's names to be
given to the military for recruitment purposes must
sign an opt-out form. Representative Mike Honda's
Bill would convert our present opt-out system into
an opt-in system. Only parents that WANT their
children to be contacted or recruited into the military
would thereby give their authorization for the military
to contact their children OFF-CAMPUS.
3.Dedicate a significant portion of the Health
curriculum to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Invite
veterans from the peace movement to share their
personal experiences.
4.Develop curriculum that exposes the effects of war
on the environment, on the health of troops and
civilians and on the economy.
5.Instruct school faculty and counselors to inform
students about their right to register as conscientious
objectors and support them in the registration process,
if they decide to do so.
6.Connect youth with counter-recruitment groups that
can train them as peer counselors as part of their required
100 hours of community service that they are required to
complete as part of graduation.
Yes, we are asking the Board of Education to take a stand,
to "choose sides", so to speak. But where war is concerned,
all sides lose and our children most of all. Stand on the side
of our youth and get those recruiters off of our campuses.
...................
FROM: Bonnie Weinstein giobon@sbcglobal.net
First the good news: According to Tom Philpott of the Fleet
Reserve Association, Black Army recruits are down 41 percent
since 2000.
The bad news is, the San Francisco Unified School District is
subsidizing military recruitment in our schools.
The School district and the military each pay a million towards
a Physical Education teacher-but that teacher is a JROTC
teacher-appointed by the military.
And, since this person is counted as a Physical Education teacher,
and JROTC is counted as a Physical Education class, the public
is told that the Military is contributing a million dollars to the
schools to support the cost of a Physical Education teacher.
We are further told that without the money from the Army, the
schools would not have enough Physical Education classes to go
around and some kids would not earn the necessary graduation
credits to earn their diploma without JROTC.
Well, that tells me we need Physical Education teachers-not
military recruiters. The district must come up with the money to
have the required number of physical education classes to allow
students to graduate without forcing some of them into the military.
What I think needs to happen is that the Board of Education has
to give us a full accounting of how much money we have for
our children's needs and how our dollars are being spent.
I do know, if the District is paying a million dollars to have
military recruiters at our schools the million the Military puts
up is not a "gift" to anyone but themselves.
As a parent and grandparent I feel it puts our kids in harms
way and gets them involved in an immoral and illegal war
that is ruining tens of thousands of lives every day.
We want them out of our schools.
........................................................
From: Carole Seligman caroseligman@aol.com
Dear All,
The main purpose of the
Jr. ROTC presentation at
the March 8 Board of Ed. meeting
was to convince the public that the Jr.
ROTC program has nothing
whatsoever to do with war,
preparation for war, or
military recruitment. In other
words it was the Big Lie in full
operation. Our job must continue
to show how military recruitment and
programs in the schools are
intimately connected to the
war in Iraq and future wars
and occupations the U.S. is planning now.
Ending public school ties with
the military will be a long, uphill fight. and
it will not be lead by the Bd.
of Education or other politicians. In my
opinion, the only reason to speak
out at the Bd. of Ed. meetings is to keep this
struggle before the public and to
help open the door for parent and student
organizing to keep the hands of the
military off our children and out of our
communities' schools.
Again there was a broad coalition of
anti-war organizations speaking out at
the meeting. And this time there were
some young people and some more parents
speaking out too. Most of the 1 minute
speeches were very educational and
effective I thought. There was a young
military veteran (who had gotten in touch
with Bonnie before the meeting) and
a high school student whose school was
trying to put him into a ROTC "class"
against his will.
BAUAW has submitted the following resolution to the board:
Draft Resolution for San Francisco Board of Education
Cut Ties with the Military:
WHEREAS, the United States military is
actively recruiting high school students into
the military to fight in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, many young San Francisco
high school alumni are presently serving in
military units fighting in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, it is San Francisco City policy
by virtue of Proposition N, to bring all U.S.
troops home from Iraq now; and
WHEREAS, over 1,448 U.S. soldiers and
approximately 100,000 Iraqis have been
killed in this war and over 10,000 U.S.
soldiers and unknown thousands of
Iraqis have been wounded; and
WHEREAS, the hundreds of billions of dollars
spent on the war have robbed our children of
resources that should be spent on
education and other human needs; and
WHEREAS, military presence in our schools
legitimizes the message that violence is
acceptable;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
It shall be the policy of the San Francisco
Board of Education to cut all ties
with the United States military,
including, but not limited to: Ending military
recruitment on campuses; ending the
Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps
(JROTC); and guaranteeing that all students
and parents are informed of their right to
deny military recruiters access to their
names, addresses and telephone numbers.
MILITARY SPENDING IN THE SCHOOLS:
To: CodePinkCounterRecruitGroup@yahoogroups.com
From: "iampohet"
Subject: Which schools have jrotc?
I don't know specifically if military science is jrotc. I didn't find the
right person to ask. But, if it isn't, then what the hell is it?
Oh, heck, just for fun, here are the athletics funds listed in the profile:
School: Amt: FTE's:Mil.Sci. FTE's:
Balboa: $6,000 2.0
Burton: $6,000 2.0
Galileo: $6,000 2.0
Lincoln: $7,000 3.0
Mission: $6,000 2.0
Lowell: $7,000 2.0
Washington: $7,000 2.0
The money, just over 2 mil, is all the funds... 1mil+
from the Feds and 1mil + in matching funds from the sfusd.
In CodePinkCounterRecruitGroup@yahoogroups.com,
Ms sam joi
question - mil sci is jrotc? and this $$ was alotted
by the feds to the individual schools?
iampohet
School Money alotted to Mil Sci as per fiscal profile Apr. 2004
Balboa: $261,335
Burton: $258,177
Galileo: $343,913
Lincoln: $429,106
Mission: $265,303
Lowell: $276,877
Wash: $344,093
Total: $2,178,804
I found this info by digging in the individual school's profiles on
the sfusd website. Hope it's helpful.
erin
Bay Area United Against War (BAUAW)
www.bauaw.org
414-824-8730
Donations are urgently needed to carry
out this important work. We have no
paid staff but need money for posters,
buttons, flyers and informational material
to hand out to students and parents.
Make a tax-deductible donation to:
Bay Area United Against War/NVM
P.O. Box 318021
San Francisco, CA 94131-8021
Coming Up:
Global Day of Action
March 19, 2005
No to War and Occupation in Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People's Needs, Not War!
San Francisco March Assembles:
11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
THE NEXT BAUAW MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE:
SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 11:30AM
474 VALENCIA STREET, SF
(FIRST FLOOR, TO THE LEFT AND ALL THE WAY BACK
TO THE COMPANEROS DEL BARRIO CHILDREN'S CENTER)
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
2) WE ALL STAND WITH LYNNE STEWART!
NO JAIL TIME FOR LYNNE!
PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TODAY:
SUGGESTION AS TO FORMAT OF LETTERS
TO BE WRITTEN ON BEHALF OF LYNNE STEWART
MARGIN: Please leave at least a one-inch left-hand margin
to allow us to bind the letter into the appendix to the
sentencing memorandum that is being filed on
Lynne's behalf.
INSIDE ADDRESS: Honorable John G. Koeltl
United States District Judge
Southern District of New York
United States Courthouse
500 Pearl Street
New York, New York 10007
GREETING: Honorable Sir or Dear Judge Koeltl:
BODY: Briefly introduce yourself and set forth
your relationship to Lynne.
Briefly discuss yourself - your position in work
and in society.
State that you are aware that Lynne is to be sentenced
following a jury verdict of guilty on serious charges:
The remainder of your letter should discuss whatever
you believe to weigh in favor of no jail time. If possible,
you should tell of an incident where she helped you out
or engaged in commendable community service. Do not
try to argue that she is not guilty or was unfairly conviction.
Focus on the unfairness of the government's actions in
bringing the charges; the way in which the government
portrayed her, etc.
* Typewritten letters if possible are preferred.
*
WHEN LETTER IS COMPLETED: Please mail the final product
to the following address:
Jill R. Shellow-Lavine, Esq.
2537 Post Road
Southport, CT 06890
Do not send your letters to the judge. We ask that you
forward your letter me so that the lawyers can present
it to Judge Koeltl with the other letters being written
for this purpose. This is the manner in which letters
will have the greatest impact. If they are sent directly
to the Judge's chambers, they may have less of an
impact and could cause the judge a substantial
inconvenience (and annoyance).
Thank you for your cooperation. If you have any
questions, please do not hesitate to contact the
defense committee at www.lynnestewart.org.
Sincerely,
Jill R. Shellow-Lavine
Attorney for Lynne Stewart
For more information go to:
www.LynneStewart.org
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
3) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation ˆ Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People‚s Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
· Urgent appeal for volunteers on March 19
· Volunteer opportunities this weekend.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
March 19, 2005: Global Day of Action - San Francisco -
Volunteers Needed!
No to War Occupation ˜ Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere! Bring the Troops
Home Now! Money for People's Needs, Not War!
March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
Send this email to as many friends as you can.
March 19, 2005, will be an International Day of Protest
on the second anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq.
As on the first anniversary of the invasion last year,
millions of people around the world will march to say
„No to War and Occupation from Iraq to Palestine to
Haiti and Everywhere.‰
Volunteers are urgently needed in San Francisco on
March 19 to help with set-up, distributing placards
to spread the anti-war message, carrying banners
for the march, selling buttons and t-shirts to pay
for the march, leafleting to let people know how
to get involved, take down, monitoring, clean up
and more.
Friends, families, and work groups can volunteer
in teams! Take a stand on March 19 against war
and occupation!
No experience necessary! Whether you have volunteered
before or this is your first time your help is urgently
needed. Call 415-821-6545 for more information
and directions to this meeting.
If you cannot make the orientation, you can still
volunteer to help make March 19 Day of Global
Action protest happen:
Come to Dolores Park at 9 a.m. the morning of March 19
and sign in at the Volunteer ANSWER table to get the
latest orientation and take on an area of work for the
protest. Dolores Park is located at 18th and Dolores St.
near the 16th St. BART station.
OR
Come to the Civic Center at 9 a.m. the morning of
March 19 for a volunteer orientation and to get
plugged in. Take BART to Civic Center. Look for
the sign-in table under the ANSWER Volunteer banner.
Volunteers are needed ALL DAY. Any amount of
time you have to help is greatly appreciated.
Together we‚re building a powerful new movement
against war and racism. You‚re needed in the
struggle to win money for peoples‚ needs, not
war and corporate greed. Email, call or come to
the volunteer orientation. Get involved today.
To subscribe to the list, send a message to:
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
4) BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR PRESENTS:
"Mission Accomplished" a brutally vivid documentary
filmed entirely on the ground in Iraq. The reality of this
war for American troops is contrasted to the
overwhelming reality of the devastation felt and experienced
by the people of Iraq.
"Mission Accomplished" will open March 18th, 6pm:
The Four Star Twin
2200 Clement St. (near 23rd Ave.)
San Francisco, CA 94121
415.666.3488
"Voices In Wartime" is a compelling portrayal of human
experience with war through poetry, both from the point
of view of those who were in combat and those who are left
behind.
"Voices In Wartime" will play in S.F. on April 15th at:
Landmark Lumiere 3
1572 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
[This poem by fourth-grader Cameron Penny was read
by Marie Howe in this very beautiful film
directed by Rick King.
"If you are lucky in this life
A window will appear on a battlefield between two armies
And when the soldiers look into the window
They don't see their enemies
They see themselves as children
And they stop fighting
And go home and go to sleep
When they wake up, the land is well again."
By Cameron Penny]
To learn more about these film visit
Cinema Libre Studio
http://www.cinemalibrestudio.com/
Also: check out, GUNNER PALACE |
Some war stories will never make the nightly news.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
5) 5500 U.S. Deserters: (LINK ONLY)
We Won't Fight in Iraq
Doug Lorimer
On February 25, US Army officials at Fort Stewart, Georgia,
announced that Sergeant Kevin Benderman, a 40-year-old army
mechanic who refused to deploy to Iraq for a second tour of
duty, will be court-martialed on desertion charges. If convicted,
he faces up to seven years in prison.
http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2005/619/619p14.htm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
6) OIL COMPANIES EYE IRAQ RESERVES (LINK ONLY)
By Laurence Frost
Associated Press
March 15, 2005
http://washingtontimes.com/business/20050315-120755-8864r.htm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
BAUAW NEWSLETTER-WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2005
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TOMORROW, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
At the March 8th meeting JROTC teachers lied about what the
main purpose of JROTC was and about what they are teaching to the
children of San Francisco at the district's expense.
I received the following letter this morning from
"Arson G.," one of those students.
Arson G.'s words speak for themselves.
"Out of the mouths of babes!"
Peace,
Bonnie Weinstein, Bay Area United Against War
I don't know where you guys get your ideas, but
JROTC does NOT promote warfare or joining the army or
any sort of that. It's my second year in the JROTC
program and I love it, it teaches me leadership
skills, educates me, it PROMOTES my moral standards.
The mission of JROTC is to Promote Young Cadets To
Become Better Citizens. You do not know what you are
talking about, you are not IN the program, you have
never been in the program because if you have you
wouldve loved it, one paper does not mean im going to
join the Army. Now that we have ROTC settled,
let's focus on the war. If it wasn't for wars would
you still enjoy the freedoms you have today? NO? if it
wasn't for war half of the world would be run by
dictators like Hitler or Stalin or Mussolini, Castro?
SADAM? All we're doing in Iraq is bringing democracy.
We fought BACK because of 9-11. You cannot JUDGE the
JROTC in the last two years we have not even DISCUSSED
THE WAR class wise maybe amongst friends BUT NOT IN
THE JROTC CLASSROOM.
The only thing we do, is march, learn
how to tell right from wrong. We have fun in the JROTC
program. Think of what effect it would have on kids
that don't have as good opportunities. The kids that
live in poverty that depend on JROTC to teach them
better, I believe JROTC saved lot's of lives. I
believe that if there isn't ONE person in the world
that is unsuccessfull in his life that passed the
JROTC program with flying colors. I really hope you
fail canceling the JROTC program, and for any grudge
you have against Bush take it out on him not the kids.
P.S. I AM joining the marine corps, it has been my
DREAM to be in the army since i was 7 years old. My
father served, my grandfather server and i will serve.
One thing i do admit though, the JROTC did make me
braver on my decision for joining the marines.
-Sincerely Arson G.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR PRESENTS
A PREMIERE FILM SHOWING OF:
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
One man, one camera. Two sides of a story
FRIDAY, MARCH 18TH, 6 P.M.
(There will be a short question and answer period
at 7:30 P.M. immediately following the film.)
FOUR STAR TWIN
220 CLEMENT ST. NEAR 23RD AVENUE
SAN FRANCISCO
415-666-3488
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED is a gripping documentary by veteran
British journalist Sean Langan. Langan gets up close and
personal accounts of the war from U.S. and coalition soldiers,
Iraqi resistance fighters, and captures Abu Ghraib prison abuses
long before the torture reached the popular Press.
The most powerful statement of the film is the depiction
of the total devastation brought to Iraq by this war. It is the
constant backdrop to the interviews in the film as is the almost
universal hatred exhibited by the Iraqi people toward any U.S.
presence in Iraq-both from those interviewed and from those
included among the rubble in the background scenes. This film's
a must for anyone thinking of joining the military or who is
unsure of what our government is doing there in our name.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
Volunteers are needed for March 19th!
Show up March 19th at Dolores Park
or Civic Center at 9:00 a.m.
and sign up at the A.N.S.W.E.R. volunteer table.
Or contact A.N.S.W.E.R. OFFICE AT:
2489 Mission St. #24, 415-821-6545
Hello to members of United for Peace and Justice Bay Area,
On March 19 UPJ-Bay Area will be meeting at 10:30 a.m. on
18th Street in front of Mission High School before marching down
to Civic Center. We will be carrying panels of the faces of the
victims of the war-American soldiers and Iraqi civilians-and need
your help in carrying them to Civic Center where we will have
a table. Please send out this request to your listserv.
Also, we are updating our members' directory and need your
updated contact information.
Please send your email, phone number and website address to me
as soon as possible. A donation of $25 is also requested to
cover printing charges. Please send to:
United for Peace and Justice-Bay Area
c/o War Resisters League West
POB 410744
San Francisco, CA 94141
Thanks.
Jackie Barshak
for UPJ-Bay Area
415.308.9416
jackie barshak jbarshak@hotmail.com
Not in Our Name Bay Area
Help Not in Our Name build for the March 19 mass
mobilization in San Francisco to end war and occupation!
Community postering for March 19 march and rally.
Also, help prepare for the March 18 anti-war
morning visiblity action.
Planning Meeting & Work Party
Wednesday, March 16 ~ 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Not in Our Name office. 3945 Opal Street,
Oakland CA 94609
Morning Visibilty Action
Friday, March 18 ~ 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM
Call us to hook up and help get the message out
to tens of thousands of morning commuters --
"Out of Iraq now!"
U.S. Out of Iraq Now!
March 19: International Day of Action
On the second anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, let's
show Bush and Co. that the people of the world say
NO to war and occupation!
On Saturday, March 19 join the Not in Our Name Earth
Flag Contingent at the mass march and rally organized by
ANSWER Coalition -- 11 am, Dolores Park, San Francisco.
Join up with the Not in Our Name Earth Flag Contingent at
the corner of 18th Street and Dolores (map). March to Civic
Center for a 1 pm rally.
Not In Our Name will also be organizing acts of creative
resistance around this weekend. We encourage folks to
strategize and brainstorm with us about how to broaden
resistance and bring awareness to the millions in this country
that our message must reach; and to join us as we unite with
groups around the Bay to bring out all who oppose the deadly
course of this government. Come to a general meeting,
call our office, or check out the website.
Against Military Recruitment in our Schools?
On the second anniversary of the war, join the
Counter-Recruitment Contingent!
***
Saturday, March 19
10AM at 16th and Mission St.
(the 16th Street BART station)
***
AT SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY, military recruiters were
forced to leave early without any recruits because of the hundreds
of students that came out to protest their presence at the school!
This is not an isolated incident. Seattle, Chicago, New York,
Madison, Connecticut, Minnesota. In community colleges,
high schools, and universities around the nation, students,
faculty, and campus workers have come out to protest the
BLACKMAILING of education. As billions are being diverted
from schools to the war, our students are being told that they
need to die before they see a dime of it.
THIS IS DEAD WRONG.
As recruiters are failing to meet quotas for the first time in
a decade, despite more than tripling signing bonuses, we need
to rebuild the anti-war movement by fighting against the war
where it is weakest.
Join students, parents, teachers, military families, veterans,
community members, and activists on the second anniversary
of the war at the 16th Street BART station at 10AM to march
up to Dolores Park together.
Sponsored by the Campus Anti-War Network and the College
Not Combat Committee.
Money for Jobs and Education! Not for War and Occupation!
For more info please contact: ragina@mac.com / 415.412.4540
sue sandlin design | srsndln@pacbell.net
------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Teach-in on Iraq: How Can We End this War?
Thursday, March 24 ~ 7 PM to 10 PM
Mission High School, 3750 18th Street (at Dolores), San Francisco
On the 40th Anniversary of the first teach-ins on the Vietnam War.
With presentations by Iraq veteran Rahul Mahajan, Cindy Sheehan,
Fernando Suarez, Aimee Allison, Howard Wallace, Sean O'Neil,
and Medea Benjamin. Sponsored by Global Exchange and
CODEPINK. $5 donation requested. (more info)
Resistance Cinema Presents "Hidden in Plain Sight"
Sunday, April 10 ~ 3 PM to 5 PM
Parkway Pizza/Pub Theater, 1834 Park Blvd., Oakland
A short history, a spirited debate, a personal story, and a call
for accountability, "Hidden in Plain Sight" is a bold, unflinching
look at the nature and consequences of U.S. policy in Latin
America. Brief presentation by Laura Slattery, Pace e Bene
Nonviolence. A free event sponsored by Not in Our Name.
The Not in Our Name Project needs your support!
Donate online: donate.notinourname.net
Or send your tax-deductible contribution today to:
Not in Our Name
3945 Opal Street, Oakland CA 94609
www.notinourname.net
phone: 510-601-8000
email: bayarea@notinourname.net
local: bayarea.notinourname.net
Another World Is Possible!
http://www.notinourname.net
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
Dear Friends Please read the following request from Families for
Peaceful Tomorrows one of the many co-sponsors of the Eyes Wide
Open exhibit. They have committed to trying to collecting the
16,000 additional pairs of shoes. Please think about becoming
a collection point. In my opinion donating a pair of shoes is a
great way to challenge people to think about the human cost of
war. It is a way to involve people before the exhibit arrives and
encourage them to come. Some ideas for dealing with the collection
include; put out a barrel or box asking for the donation in your
school, church, neighborhood center or place of work. Put a flyer
on the box explaining why we are collecting the shoes. Thanks.
Sandra Schwartz
Peace Education Coordinator, AFSC
Dear Friends,
Eyes Wide Open, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
exhibit that reminds us of the human cost of war is coming to San
Francisco March 25-27. The exhibit features over 1,500 pairs of
combat boots tagged with the names of U.S. soldiers who have
died in the Iraq war. It also memorializes the Iraqi civilians killed
in the war.
In San Francisco, we are adding a new element to this powerful
exhibit: instead of just 1,000 shoes to represent all the Iraqi civilian
deaths, we have set a goal of collecting 16,000[1] pairs of shoes
to more accurately demonstrate the scale of Iraqi deaths as a result
of the war. The shoe memorial has been initiated by September
11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows and it will not happen
without your support.
We need your help to meet the goal of collecting 16,000 pairs
of shoes!
What you can do:
1. Collect shoes for the exhibit
* Please gather usable shoes from your family and friends
or set up a shoe collection site in your community, school,
workplace or place of worship.
* Tie each pair together, or, if no laces, securely attach them
together.
* Count the pairs of shoes and place in heavy-duty garbage
bags. Attach a tag with the count on it.
* Shoes will be donated at the end of the exhibit. Children's
and men's shoes are especially needed.
* Call Nabil at 415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email
shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* Drop off shoes 9 am to 5 pm at AFSC, 65 Ninth St.
(between Mission and Market) until Thursday, March 24.
Last minute shoes may be brought to Civic Center Plaza
Friday, March 25. No shoes accepted after Friday.
2. Collect phone cards for military personnel
We are also collecting telephone calling cards to donate to
military personnel and to returning Iraq war veterans in
a Bay Area hospital and the USOs at local airports. Please
purchase phone cards to donate with your shoes or bring
to the exhibit.
3. Volunteer
Volunteers are needed for the shoe project as well as the
overall exhibit.
* To volunteer with the shoe project, call Nabil at
415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email
shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* To volunteer to help with the exhibit call AFSC at
415-565-0201 ext. 15 or email sleeds@afsc.org
4. Spread the word! Please forward this information to
your networks.
5. Come to the exhibit, encourage others to come, and
bring last minute shoe donations and help us honor all
those who have died in Iraq.
[1] The number 16,000 is the approximate minimum number
of Iraqi civilians reported killed by military intervention in
Iraq by www.iraqbodycount.net.
Eyes Wide Open
"An exhibit that speaks directly to our hearts and reminds
us of the human cost of war."
Over 1,500 pairs of empty combat boots - tagged with the
names of U.S. soldiers who died in the Iraq war - will be
displayed, together with thousands of shoes and wall of
names to memorialize the Iraqis killed.
SAN FRANCISCO DATES:
March 25 (Friday), 11:00 am with all night vigil
Civic Center between Polk and Larkin
March 26 (Saturday), 10:00 am to 5 pm
Civic Center Voices and Requiem - 2 pm
March 27 (Easter Sunday), 10:00 am to dusk
Union Square (Powell and Geary)
American Friends Service Committee
We Need Good Shoes (Especially for Men and Children) and
Telephone Cards!
Call 415-565-0201 x14 or shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
See www.afsc.org/eyes
Until Thursday March 24, drop off shoes at 65 Ninth St.
(betw. Mission and Market) from 9-5 weekdays
Donate phone cards for military families Donate shoes to
memorialize the Iraqi casualties
Co-Sponsors (partial list) Agape Fdn; American Muslim Voice;
Archdiocese of SF: Comm. Of Public Policy and Social Concern;
Bay Area Pax Christi; Bay Area United for Peace and Justice;
Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists; Berkeley Friends
Church; Buddhist Peace Fellowship; Grace Cathedral: Diocese
of CA of the Episcopal Church; Los Altos Voices for Peace; Military
Families Speak Out; Pacifica Peace People; Pacifica Women in
Black; SFUSD School Board; Strawberry Creek Friends Meeting;
Veterans for Peace; 9/11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows,
San Francisco Friends Meeting, Code Pink
Our postal address is
P.O. Box 1818
Peter Stuyvesant Station
New York, New York 10009
United States
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TOMORROW, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
2) WE ALL STAND WITH LYNNE STEWART!
NO JAIL TIME FOR LYNNE!
PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TODAY
3) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation of Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People's Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
4) COMING TO THE BAY AREA SOON-POWERFUL ANTIWAR MOVIES
5) 5500 U.S. Deserters: (LINK ONLY)
We Won't Fight in Iraq
Doug Lorimer
On February 25, US Army officials at Fort Stewart, Georgia,
announced that Sergeant Kevin Benderman, a 40-year-old army
mechanic who refused to deploy to Iraq for a second tour of
duty, will be court-martialed on desertion charges. If convicted,
he faces up to seven years in prison.
http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2005/619/619p14.htm
6) OIL COMPANIES EYE IRAQ RESERVES (LINK ONLY)
By Laurence Frost
Associated Press
March 15, 2005
http://washingtontimes.com/business/20050315-120755-8864r.htm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TOMORROW, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
At the March 8th meeting JROTC teachers lied about what the
main purpose of JROTC was and about what they are teaching to the
children of San Francisco at the district's expense.
I received the following letter this morning from
"Arson G.," one of those students.
Arson G.'s words speak for themselves.
"Out of the mouths of babes!"
Peace,
Bonnie Weinstein, Bay Area United Against War
--- Nelly Gabuera
I don't know where you guys get your ideas, but
JROTC does NOT promote warfare or joining the army or
any sort of that. It's my second year in the JROTC
program and I love it, it teaches me leadership
skills, educates me, it PROMOTES my moral standards.
The mission of JROTC is to Promote Young Cadets To
Become Better Citizens. You do not know what you are
talking about, you are not IN the program, you have
never been in the program because if you have you
wouldve loved it, one paper does not mean im going to
join the Army. Now that we have ROTC settled,
let's focus on the war. If it wasn't for wars would
you still enjoy the freedoms you have today? NO? if it
wasn't for war half of the world would be run by
dictators like Hitler or Stalin or Mussolini, Castro?
SADAM? All we're doing in Iraq is bringing democracy.
We fought BACK because of 9-11. You cannot JUDGE the
JROTC in the last two years we have not even DISCUSSED
THE WAR class wise maybe amongst friends BUT NOT IN
THE JROTC CLASSROOM. The only thing we do, is march, learn
how to tell right from wrong. We have fun in the JROTC
program. Think of what effect it would have on kids
that don't have as good opportunities. The kids that
live in poverty that depend on JROTC to teach them
better, I believe JROTC saved lot's of lives. I
believe that if there isn't ONE person in the world
that is unsuccessfull in his life that passed the
JROTC program with flying colors. I really hope you
fail canceling the JROTC program, and for any grudge
you have against Bush take it out on him not the kids.
P.S. I AM joining the marine corps, it has been my
DREAM to be in the army since i was 7 years old. My
father served, my grandfather server and i will serve.
One thing i do admit though, the JROTC did make me
braver on my decision for joining the marines.
-Sincerely Arson G.
.............................................................................
The following are statements that were cut off at the board
Meeting due to running over the 1-minute time limit March 8th:
(The JROTC duo got three times as much time as all of us put
together.)
FROM: "Elizabeth Milos" emilos@yahoo.com
At the BofEd meeting on Tuesday, I only had one minute so
I wasn't able to say everything but I was able to state the
first five concrete demands that I believe the Board of
Education should adopt as a district-wide policy.
It would be a good idea if we were to hammer it home
a second time regardless of their intent to table it into
a "community advisory board".
As parents, we should stress that we do NOTconsider the
military a "career option" for our youth. KILLING IS NOT A
CAREER OPTION. The resources that are being spent for war
(with our tax money) should be spent on providing financial
aid to low-income youth that want to go to college.
The fact that young men from poor communities must
register in the selective service in order to be eligible
for financial aid converts the registration process into
a de-facto draft for lower income youth which, during
these times of recruitment shortages and stop loss
orders, practically guarantees that these young men
will be called to "serve their country".
Instead, we need these young men to go to college and
contribute to the economic development of their
neighborhoods and families. There are many legitimate
ways to serve our country: working with homeless families,
in soup kitchens, with the elderly, etc. ways that do not
put our childrens' lives in danger or require them to
kill and become psychologically wounded for life in
order to get a college education.
The Board of Education has an obligation to create and
sustain a life-affirming environment for our children
in our public education system and, in partnership
with the parents, to prepare our children to realize
their potential and to contribute to our society in
positive ways. If the Board continues to allow military
recruitment on our campuses, the Board is becoming
an accomplice to the crime that is being committed
against our low income youth by our government.
It's not only an issue of being permitted to carry out
counter-recruitment activities: We should ask the
Board to keep the military out of our public schools.
I am aware that the "No Child Left Behind Act"
requires school districts to allow military recruiters
the "same level of access" to school campuses that
colleges have or else face serious cuts in federal funding.
Our children are minors and until they turn 18, we,
as parents, are ultimately responsible for their well being.
We are calling on the Board to stand together with
us, to use our imagination and develop ways to
circumvent this law and to make it clear to our
youth what are the true effects of war.
Some of the ways that come to mind is the following:
1.Organize College and Vocational Training Fairs
off-campus in community centers and encourage
attendance by high school juniors and seniors by
making it part of the regular curriculum.
2.Support Mike Honda's bill in Congress. Presently,
parents that do NOT want their children's names to be
given to the military for recruitment purposes must
sign an opt-out form. Representative Mike Honda's
Bill would convert our present opt-out system into
an opt-in system. Only parents that WANT their
children to be contacted or recruited into the military
would thereby give their authorization for the military
to contact their children OFF-CAMPUS.
3.Dedicate a significant portion of the Health
curriculum to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Invite
veterans from the peace movement to share their
personal experiences.
4.Develop curriculum that exposes the effects of war
on the environment, on the health of troops and
civilians and on the economy.
5.Instruct school faculty and counselors to inform
students about their right to register as conscientious
objectors and support them in the registration process,
if they decide to do so.
6.Connect youth with counter-recruitment groups that
can train them as peer counselors as part of their required
100 hours of community service that they are required to
complete as part of graduation.
Yes, we are asking the Board of Education to take a stand,
to "choose sides", so to speak. But where war is concerned,
all sides lose and our children most of all. Stand on the side
of our youth and get those recruiters off of our campuses.
...................
FROM: Bonnie Weinstein giobon@sbcglobal.net
First the good news: According to Tom Philpott of the Fleet
Reserve Association, Black Army recruits are down 41 percent
since 2000.
The bad news is, the San Francisco Unified School District is
subsidizing military recruitment in our schools.
The School district and the military each pay a million towards
a Physical Education teacher-but that teacher is a JROTC
teacher-appointed by the military.
And, since this person is counted as a Physical Education teacher,
and JROTC is counted as a Physical Education class, the public
is told that the Military is contributing a million dollars to the
schools to support the cost of a Physical Education teacher.
We are further told that without the money from the Army, the
schools would not have enough Physical Education classes to go
around and some kids would not earn the necessary graduation
credits to earn their diploma without JROTC.
Well, that tells me we need Physical Education teachers-not
military recruiters. The district must come up with the money to
have the required number of physical education classes to allow
students to graduate without forcing some of them into the military.
What I think needs to happen is that the Board of Education has
to give us a full accounting of how much money we have for
our children's needs and how our dollars are being spent.
I do know, if the District is paying a million dollars to have
military recruiters at our schools the million the Military puts
up is not a "gift" to anyone but themselves.
As a parent and grandparent I feel it puts our kids in harms
way and gets them involved in an immoral and illegal war
that is ruining tens of thousands of lives every day.
We want them out of our schools.
........................................................
From: Carole Seligman caroseligman@aol.com
Dear All,
The main purpose of the
Jr. ROTC presentation at
the March 8 Board of Ed. meeting
was to convince the public that the Jr.
ROTC program has nothing
whatsoever to do with war,
preparation for war, or
military recruitment. In other
words it was the Big Lie in full
operation. Our job must continue
to show how military recruitment and
programs in the schools are
intimately connected to the
war in Iraq and future wars
and occupations the U.S. is planning now.
Ending public school ties with
the military will be a long, uphill fight. and
it will not be lead by the Bd.
of Education or other politicians. In my
opinion, the only reason to speak
out at the Bd. of Ed. meetings is to keep this
struggle before the public and to
help open the door for parent and student
organizing to keep the hands of the
military off our children and out of our
communities' schools.
Again there was a broad coalition of
anti-war organizations speaking out at
the meeting. And this time there were
some young people and some more parents
speaking out too. Most of the 1 minute
speeches were very educational and
effective I thought. There was a young
military veteran (who had gotten in touch
with Bonnie before the meeting) and
a high school student whose school was
trying to put him into a ROTC "class"
against his will.
BAUAW has submitted the following resolution to the board:
Draft Resolution for San Francisco Board of Education
Cut Ties with the Military:
WHEREAS, the United States military is
actively recruiting high school students into
the military to fight in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, many young San Francisco
high school alumni are presently serving in
military units fighting in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, it is San Francisco City policy
by virtue of Proposition N, to bring all U.S.
troops home from Iraq now; and
WHEREAS, over 1,448 U.S. soldiers and
approximately 100,000 Iraqis have been
killed in this war and over 10,000 U.S.
soldiers and unknown thousands of
Iraqis have been wounded; and
WHEREAS, the hundreds of billions of dollars
spent on the war have robbed our children of
resources that should be spent on
education and other human needs; and
WHEREAS, military presence in our schools
legitimizes the message that violence is
acceptable;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
It shall be the policy of the San Francisco
Board of Education to cut all ties
with the United States military,
including, but not limited to: Ending military
recruitment on campuses; ending the
Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps
(JROTC); and guaranteeing that all students
and parents are informed of their right to
deny military recruiters access to their
names, addresses and telephone numbers.
MILITARY SPENDING IN THE SCHOOLS:
To: CodePinkCounterRecruitGroup@yahoogroups.com
From: "iampohet"
Subject: Which schools have jrotc?
I don't know specifically if military science is jrotc. I didn't find the
right person to ask. But, if it isn't, then what the hell is it?
Oh, heck, just for fun, here are the athletics funds listed in the profile:
School: Amt: FTE's:Mil.Sci. FTE's:
Balboa: $6,000 2.0
Burton: $6,000 2.0
Galileo: $6,000 2.0
Lincoln: $7,000 3.0
Mission: $6,000 2.0
Lowell: $7,000 2.0
Washington: $7,000 2.0
The money, just over 2 mil, is all the funds... 1mil+
from the Feds and 1mil + in matching funds from the sfusd.
In CodePinkCounterRecruitGroup@yahoogroups.com,
Ms sam joi wrote:
question - mil sci is jrotc? and this $$ was alotted
by the feds to the individual schools?
iampohet wrote:
School Money alotted to Mil Sci as per fiscal profile Apr. 2004
Balboa: $261,335
Burton: $258,177
Galileo: $343,913
Lincoln: $429,106
Mission: $265,303
Lowell: $276,877
Wash: $344,093
Total: $2,178,804
I found this info by digging in the individual school's profiles on
the sfusd website. Hope it's helpful.
erin
Bay Area United Against War (BAUAW)
www.bauaw.org
414-824-8730
Donations are urgently needed to carry
out this important work. We have no
paid staff but need money for posters,
buttons, flyers and informational material
to hand out to students and parents.
Make a tax-deductible donation to:
Bay Area United Against War/NVM
P.O. Box 318021
San Francisco, CA 94131-8021
Coming Up:
Global Day of Action
March 19, 2005
No to War and Occupation in Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People's Needs, Not War!
San Francisco March Assembles:
11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
THE NEXT BAUAW MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE:
SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 11:30AM
474 VALENCIA STREET, SF
(FIRST FLOOR, TO THE LEFT AND ALL THE WAY BACK
TO THE COMPANEROS DEL BARRIO CHILDREN'S CENTER)
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
2) WE ALL STAND WITH LYNNE STEWART!
NO JAIL TIME FOR LYNNE!
PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TODAY:
SUGGESTION AS TO FORMAT OF LETTERS
TO BE WRITTEN ON BEHALF OF LYNNE STEWART
MARGIN: Please leave at least a one-inch left-hand margin
to allow us to bind the letter into the appendix to the
sentencing memorandum that is being filed on
Lynne's behalf.
INSIDE ADDRESS: Honorable John G. Koeltl
United States District Judge
Southern District of New York
United States Courthouse
500 Pearl Street
New York, New York 10007
GREETING: Honorable Sir or Dear Judge Koeltl:
BODY: Briefly introduce yourself and set forth
your relationship to Lynne.
Briefly discuss yourself - your position in work
and in society.
State that you are aware that Lynne is to be sentenced
following a jury verdict of guilty on serious charges:
The remainder of your letter should discuss whatever
you believe to weigh in favor of no jail time. If possible,
you should tell of an incident where she helped you out
or engaged in commendable community service. Do not
try to argue that she is not guilty or was unfairly conviction.
Focus on the unfairness of the government's actions in
bringing the charges; the way in which the government
portrayed her, etc.
* Typewritten letters if possible are preferred.
*
WHEN LETTER IS COMPLETED: Please mail the final product
to the following address:
Jill R. Shellow-Lavine, Esq.
2537 Post Road
Southport, CT 06890
Do not send your letters to the judge. We ask that you
forward your letter me so that the lawyers can present
it to Judge Koeltl with the other letters being written
for this purpose. This is the manner in which letters
will have the greatest impact. If they are sent directly
to the Judge's chambers, they may have less of an
impact and could cause the judge a substantial
inconvenience (and annoyance).
Thank you for your cooperation. If you have any
questions, please do not hesitate to contact the
defense committee at www.lynnestewart.org.
Sincerely,
Jill R. Shellow-Lavine
Attorney for Lynne Stewart
For more information go to:
www.LynneStewart.org
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
3) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation ˆ Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People‚s Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
· Urgent appeal for volunteers on March 19
· Volunteer opportunities this weekend.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
March 19, 2005: Global Day of Action - San Francisco -
Volunteers Needed!
No to War Occupation ˜ Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere! Bring the Troops
Home Now! Money for People's Needs, Not War!
March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
Send this email to as many friends as you can.
March 19, 2005, will be an International Day of Protest
on the second anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq.
As on the first anniversary of the invasion last year,
millions of people around the world will march to say
„No to War and Occupation from Iraq to Palestine to
Haiti and Everywhere.‰
Volunteers are urgently needed in San Francisco on
March 19 to help with set-up, distributing placards
to spread the anti-war message, carrying banners
for the march, selling buttons and t-shirts to pay
for the march, leafleting to let people know how
to get involved, take down, monitoring, clean up
and more.
Friends, families, and work groups can volunteer
in teams! Take a stand on March 19 against war
and occupation!
No experience necessary! Whether you have volunteered
before or this is your first time your help is urgently
needed. Call 415-821-6545 for more information
and directions to this meeting.
If you cannot make the orientation, you can still
volunteer to help make March 19 Day of Global
Action protest happen:
Come to Dolores Park at 9 a.m. the morning of March 19
and sign in at the Volunteer ANSWER table to get the
latest orientation and take on an area of work for the
protest. Dolores Park is located at 18th and Dolores St.
near the 16th St. BART station.
OR
Come to the Civic Center at 9 a.m. the morning of
March 19 for a volunteer orientation and to get
plugged in. Take BART to Civic Center. Look for
the sign-in table under the ANSWER Volunteer banner.
Volunteers are needed ALL DAY. Any amount of
time you have to help is greatly appreciated.
Together we‚re building a powerful new movement
against war and racism. You‚re needed in the
struggle to win money for peoples‚ needs, not
war and corporate greed. Email, call or come to
the volunteer orientation. Get involved today.
To subscribe to the list, send a message to:
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
4) BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR PRESENTS:
"Mission Accomplished" a brutally vivid documentary
filmed entirely on the ground in Iraq. The reality of this
war for American troops is contrasted to the
overwhelming reality of the devastation felt and experienced
by the people of Iraq.
"Mission Accomplished" will open March 18th, 6pm:
The Four Star Twin
2200 Clement St. (near 23rd Ave.)
San Francisco, CA 94121
415.666.3488
"Voices In Wartime" is a compelling portrayal of human
experience with war through poetry, both from the point
of view of those who were in combat and those who are left
behind.
"Voices In Wartime" will play in S.F. on April 15th at:
Landmark Lumiere 3
1572 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
[This poem by fourth-grader Cameron Penny was read
by Marie Howe in this very beautiful film
directed by Rick King.
"If you are lucky in this life
A window will appear on a battlefield between two armies
And when the soldiers look into the window
They don't see their enemies
They see themselves as children
And they stop fighting
And go home and go to sleep
When they wake up, the land is well again."
By Cameron Penny]
To learn more about these film visit
Cinema Libre Studio
http://www.cinemalibrestudio.com/
Also: check out, GUNNER PALACE |
Some war stories will never make the nightly news.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
5) 5500 U.S. Deserters: (LINK ONLY)
We Won't Fight in Iraq
Doug Lorimer
On February 25, US Army officials at Fort Stewart, Georgia,
announced that Sergeant Kevin Benderman, a 40-year-old army
mechanic who refused to deploy to Iraq for a second tour of
duty, will be court-martialed on desertion charges. If convicted,
he faces up to seven years in prison.
http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2005/619/619p14.htm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
6) OIL COMPANIES EYE IRAQ RESERVES (LINK ONLY)
By Laurence Frost
Associated Press
March 15, 2005
http://washingtontimes.com/business/20050315-120755-8864r.htm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
TOMORROW, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
At the March 8th meeting JROTC teachers lied about what the
main purpose of JROTC was and about what they are teaching to the
children of San Francisco at the district's expense.
I received the following letter this morning from
"Arson G.," one of those students.
Arson G.'s words speak for themselves.
"Out of the mouths of babes!"
Peace,
Bonnie Weinstein, Bay Area United Against War
I don't know where you guys get your ideas, but
JROTC does NOT promote warfare or joining the army or
any sort of that. It's my second year in the JROTC
program and I love it, it teaches me leadership
skills, educates me, it PROMOTES my moral standards.
The mission of JROTC is to Promote Young Cadets To
Become Better Citizens. You do not know what you are
talking about, you are not IN the program, you have
never been in the program because if you have you
wouldve loved it, one paper does not mean im going to
join the Army. Now that we have ROTC settled,
let's focus on the war. If it wasn't for wars would
you still enjoy the freedoms you have today? NO? if it
wasn't for war half of the world would be run by
dictators like Hitler or Stalin or Mussolini, Castro?
SADAM? All we're doing in Iraq is bringing democracy.
We fought BACK because of 9-11. You cannot JUDGE the
JROTC in the last two years we have not even DISCUSSED
THE WAR class wise maybe amongst friends BUT NOT IN
THE JROTC CLASSROOM.
The only thing we do, is march, learn
how to tell right from wrong. We have fun in the JROTC
program. Think of what effect it would have on kids
that don't have as good opportunities. The kids that
live in poverty that depend on JROTC to teach them
better, I believe JROTC saved lot's of lives. I
believe that if there isn't ONE person in the world
that is unsuccessfull in his life that passed the
JROTC program with flying colors. I really hope you
fail canceling the JROTC program, and for any grudge
you have against Bush take it out on him not the kids.
P.S. I AM joining the marine corps, it has been my
DREAM to be in the army since i was 7 years old. My
father served, my grandfather server and i will serve.
One thing i do admit though, the JROTC did make me
braver on my decision for joining the marines.
-Sincerely Arson G.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR PRESENTS
A PREMIERE FILM SHOWING OF:
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
One man, one camera. Two sides of a story
FRIDAY, MARCH 18TH, 6 P.M.
(There will be a short question and answer period
at 7:30 P.M. immediately following the film.)
FOUR STAR TWIN
220 CLEMENT ST. NEAR 23RD AVENUE
SAN FRANCISCO
415-666-3488
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED is a gripping documentary by veteran
British journalist Sean Langan. Langan gets up close and
personal accounts of the war from U.S. and coalition soldiers,
Iraqi resistance fighters, and captures Abu Ghraib prison abuses
long before the torture reached the popular Press.
The most powerful statement of the film is the depiction
of the total devastation brought to Iraq by this war. It is the
constant backdrop to the interviews in the film as is the almost
universal hatred exhibited by the Iraqi people toward any U.S.
presence in Iraq-both from those interviewed and from those
included among the rubble in the background scenes. This film's
a must for anyone thinking of joining the military or who is
unsure of what our government is doing there in our name.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
Volunteers are needed for March 19th!
Show up March 19th at Dolores Park
or Civic Center at 9:00 a.m.
and sign up at the A.N.S.W.E.R. volunteer table.
Or contact A.N.S.W.E.R. OFFICE AT:
2489 Mission St. #24, 415-821-6545
Hello to members of United for Peace and Justice Bay Area,
On March 19 UPJ-Bay Area will be meeting at 10:30 a.m. on
18th Street in front of Mission High School before marching down
to Civic Center. We will be carrying panels of the faces of the
victims of the war-American soldiers and Iraqi civilians-and need
your help in carrying them to Civic Center where we will have
a table. Please send out this request to your listserv.
Also, we are updating our members' directory and need your
updated contact information.
Please send your email, phone number and website address to me
as soon as possible. A donation of $25 is also requested to
cover printing charges. Please send to:
United for Peace and Justice-Bay Area
c/o War Resisters League West
POB 410744
San Francisco, CA 94141
Thanks.
Jackie Barshak
for UPJ-Bay Area
415.308.9416
jackie barshak jbarshak@hotmail.com
Not in Our Name Bay Area
Help Not in Our Name build for the March 19 mass
mobilization in San Francisco to end war and occupation!
Community postering for March 19 march and rally.
Also, help prepare for the March 18 anti-war
morning visiblity action.
Planning Meeting & Work Party
Wednesday, March 16 ~ 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Not in Our Name office. 3945 Opal Street,
Oakland CA 94609
Morning Visibilty Action
Friday, March 18 ~ 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM
Call us to hook up and help get the message out
to tens of thousands of morning commuters --
"Out of Iraq now!"
U.S. Out of Iraq Now!
March 19: International Day of Action
On the second anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, let's
show Bush and Co. that the people of the world say
NO to war and occupation!
On Saturday, March 19 join the Not in Our Name Earth
Flag Contingent at the mass march and rally organized by
ANSWER Coalition -- 11 am, Dolores Park, San Francisco.
Join up with the Not in Our Name Earth Flag Contingent at
the corner of 18th Street and Dolores (map). March to Civic
Center for a 1 pm rally.
Not In Our Name will also be organizing acts of creative
resistance around this weekend. We encourage folks to
strategize and brainstorm with us about how to broaden
resistance and bring awareness to the millions in this country
that our message must reach; and to join us as we unite with
groups around the Bay to bring out all who oppose the deadly
course of this government. Come to a general meeting,
call our office, or check out the website.
Against Military Recruitment in our Schools?
On the second anniversary of the war, join the
Counter-Recruitment Contingent!
***
Saturday, March 19
10AM at 16th and Mission St.
(the 16th Street BART station)
***
AT SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY, military recruiters were
forced to leave early without any recruits because of the hundreds
of students that came out to protest their presence at the school!
This is not an isolated incident. Seattle, Chicago, New York,
Madison, Connecticut, Minnesota. In community colleges,
high schools, and universities around the nation, students,
faculty, and campus workers have come out to protest the
BLACKMAILING of education. As billions are being diverted
from schools to the war, our students are being told that they
need to die before they see a dime of it.
THIS IS DEAD WRONG.
As recruiters are failing to meet quotas for the first time in
a decade, despite more than tripling signing bonuses, we need
to rebuild the anti-war movement by fighting against the war
where it is weakest.
Join students, parents, teachers, military families, veterans,
community members, and activists on the second anniversary
of the war at the 16th Street BART station at 10AM to march
up to Dolores Park together.
Sponsored by the Campus Anti-War Network and the College
Not Combat Committee.
Money for Jobs and Education! Not for War and Occupation!
For more info please contact: ragina@mac.com / 415.412.4540
sue sandlin design | srsndln@pacbell.net
------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Teach-in on Iraq: How Can We End this War?
Thursday, March 24 ~ 7 PM to 10 PM
Mission High School, 3750 18th Street (at Dolores), San Francisco
On the 40th Anniversary of the first teach-ins on the Vietnam War.
With presentations by Iraq veteran Rahul Mahajan, Cindy Sheehan,
Fernando Suarez, Aimee Allison, Howard Wallace, Sean O'Neil,
and Medea Benjamin. Sponsored by Global Exchange and
CODEPINK. $5 donation requested. (more info)
Resistance Cinema Presents "Hidden in Plain Sight"
Sunday, April 10 ~ 3 PM to 5 PM
Parkway Pizza/Pub Theater, 1834 Park Blvd., Oakland
A short history, a spirited debate, a personal story, and a call
for accountability, "Hidden in Plain Sight" is a bold, unflinching
look at the nature and consequences of U.S. policy in Latin
America. Brief presentation by Laura Slattery, Pace e Bene
Nonviolence. A free event sponsored by Not in Our Name.
The Not in Our Name Project needs your support!
Donate online: donate.notinourname.net
Or send your tax-deductible contribution today to:
Not in Our Name
3945 Opal Street, Oakland CA 94609
www.notinourname.net
phone: 510-601-8000
email: bayarea@notinourname.net
local: bayarea.notinourname.net
Another World Is Possible!
http://www.notinourname.net
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
Dear Friends Please read the following request from Families for
Peaceful Tomorrows one of the many co-sponsors of the Eyes Wide
Open exhibit. They have committed to trying to collecting the
16,000 additional pairs of shoes. Please think about becoming
a collection point. In my opinion donating a pair of shoes is a
great way to challenge people to think about the human cost of
war. It is a way to involve people before the exhibit arrives and
encourage them to come. Some ideas for dealing with the collection
include; put out a barrel or box asking for the donation in your
school, church, neighborhood center or place of work. Put a flyer
on the box explaining why we are collecting the shoes. Thanks.
Sandra Schwartz
Peace Education Coordinator, AFSC
Dear Friends,
Eyes Wide Open, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
exhibit that reminds us of the human cost of war is coming to San
Francisco March 25-27. The exhibit features over 1,500 pairs of
combat boots tagged with the names of U.S. soldiers who have
died in the Iraq war. It also memorializes the Iraqi civilians killed
in the war.
In San Francisco, we are adding a new element to this powerful
exhibit: instead of just 1,000 shoes to represent all the Iraqi civilian
deaths, we have set a goal of collecting 16,000[1] pairs of shoes
to more accurately demonstrate the scale of Iraqi deaths as a result
of the war. The shoe memorial has been initiated by September
11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows and it will not happen
without your support.
We need your help to meet the goal of collecting 16,000 pairs
of shoes!
What you can do:
1. Collect shoes for the exhibit
* Please gather usable shoes from your family and friends
or set up a shoe collection site in your community, school,
workplace or place of worship.
* Tie each pair together, or, if no laces, securely attach them
together.
* Count the pairs of shoes and place in heavy-duty garbage
bags. Attach a tag with the count on it.
* Shoes will be donated at the end of the exhibit. Children's
and men's shoes are especially needed.
* Call Nabil at 415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email
shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* Drop off shoes 9 am to 5 pm at AFSC, 65 Ninth St.
(between Mission and Market) until Thursday, March 24.
Last minute shoes may be brought to Civic Center Plaza
Friday, March 25. No shoes accepted after Friday.
2. Collect phone cards for military personnel
We are also collecting telephone calling cards to donate to
military personnel and to returning Iraq war veterans in
a Bay Area hospital and the USOs at local airports. Please
purchase phone cards to donate with your shoes or bring
to the exhibit.
3. Volunteer
Volunteers are needed for the shoe project as well as the
overall exhibit.
* To volunteer with the shoe project, call Nabil at
415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email
shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* To volunteer to help with the exhibit call AFSC at
415-565-0201 ext. 15 or email sleeds@afsc.org
4. Spread the word! Please forward this information to
your networks.
5. Come to the exhibit, encourage others to come, and
bring last minute shoe donations and help us honor all
those who have died in Iraq.
[1] The number 16,000 is the approximate minimum number
of Iraqi civilians reported killed by military intervention in
Iraq by www.iraqbodycount.net.
Eyes Wide Open
"An exhibit that speaks directly to our hearts and reminds
us of the human cost of war."
Over 1,500 pairs of empty combat boots - tagged with the
names of U.S. soldiers who died in the Iraq war - will be
displayed, together with thousands of shoes and wall of
names to memorialize the Iraqis killed.
SAN FRANCISCO DATES:
March 25 (Friday), 11:00 am with all night vigil
Civic Center between Polk and Larkin
March 26 (Saturday), 10:00 am to 5 pm
Civic Center Voices and Requiem - 2 pm
March 27 (Easter Sunday), 10:00 am to dusk
Union Square (Powell and Geary)
American Friends Service Committee
We Need Good Shoes (Especially for Men and Children) and
Telephone Cards!
Call 415-565-0201 x14 or shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
See www.afsc.org/eyes
Until Thursday March 24, drop off shoes at 65 Ninth St.
(betw. Mission and Market) from 9-5 weekdays
Donate phone cards for military families Donate shoes to
memorialize the Iraqi casualties
Co-Sponsors (partial list) Agape Fdn; American Muslim Voice;
Archdiocese of SF: Comm. Of Public Policy and Social Concern;
Bay Area Pax Christi; Bay Area United for Peace and Justice;
Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists; Berkeley Friends
Church; Buddhist Peace Fellowship; Grace Cathedral: Diocese
of CA of the Episcopal Church; Los Altos Voices for Peace; Military
Families Speak Out; Pacifica Peace People; Pacifica Women in
Black; SFUSD School Board; Strawberry Creek Friends Meeting;
Veterans for Peace; 9/11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows,
San Francisco Friends Meeting, Code Pink
Our postal address is
P.O. Box 1818
Peter Stuyvesant Station
New York, New York 10009
United States
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TOMORROW, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
2) WE ALL STAND WITH LYNNE STEWART!
NO JAIL TIME FOR LYNNE!
PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TODAY
3) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation of Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People's Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
4) COMING TO THE BAY AREA SOON-POWERFUL ANTIWAR MOVIES
5) 5500 U.S. Deserters: (LINK ONLY)
We Won't Fight in Iraq
Doug Lorimer
On February 25, US Army officials at Fort Stewart, Georgia,
announced that Sergeant Kevin Benderman, a 40-year-old army
mechanic who refused to deploy to Iraq for a second tour of
duty, will be court-martialed on desertion charges. If convicted,
he faces up to seven years in prison.
http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2005/619/619p14.htm
6) OIL COMPANIES EYE IRAQ RESERVES (LINK ONLY)
By Laurence Frost
Associated Press
March 15, 2005
http://washingtontimes.com/business/20050315-120755-8864r.htm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TOMORROW, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
At the March 8th meeting JROTC teachers lied about what the
main purpose of JROTC was and about what they are teaching to the
children of San Francisco at the district's expense.
I received the following letter this morning from
"Arson G.," one of those students.
Arson G.'s words speak for themselves.
"Out of the mouths of babes!"
Peace,
Bonnie Weinstein, Bay Area United Against War
--- Nelly Gabuera
I don't know where you guys get your ideas, but
JROTC does NOT promote warfare or joining the army or
any sort of that. It's my second year in the JROTC
program and I love it, it teaches me leadership
skills, educates me, it PROMOTES my moral standards.
The mission of JROTC is to Promote Young Cadets To
Become Better Citizens. You do not know what you are
talking about, you are not IN the program, you have
never been in the program because if you have you
wouldve loved it, one paper does not mean im going to
join the Army. Now that we have ROTC settled,
let's focus on the war. If it wasn't for wars would
you still enjoy the freedoms you have today? NO? if it
wasn't for war half of the world would be run by
dictators like Hitler or Stalin or Mussolini, Castro?
SADAM? All we're doing in Iraq is bringing democracy.
We fought BACK because of 9-11. You cannot JUDGE the
JROTC in the last two years we have not even DISCUSSED
THE WAR class wise maybe amongst friends BUT NOT IN
THE JROTC CLASSROOM. The only thing we do, is march, learn
how to tell right from wrong. We have fun in the JROTC
program. Think of what effect it would have on kids
that don't have as good opportunities. The kids that
live in poverty that depend on JROTC to teach them
better, I believe JROTC saved lot's of lives. I
believe that if there isn't ONE person in the world
that is unsuccessfull in his life that passed the
JROTC program with flying colors. I really hope you
fail canceling the JROTC program, and for any grudge
you have against Bush take it out on him not the kids.
P.S. I AM joining the marine corps, it has been my
DREAM to be in the army since i was 7 years old. My
father served, my grandfather server and i will serve.
One thing i do admit though, the JROTC did make me
braver on my decision for joining the marines.
-Sincerely Arson G.
.............................................................................
The following are statements that were cut off at the board
Meeting due to running over the 1-minute time limit March 8th:
(The JROTC duo got three times as much time as all of us put
together.)
FROM: "Elizabeth Milos" emilos@yahoo.com
At the BofEd meeting on Tuesday, I only had one minute so
I wasn't able to say everything but I was able to state the
first five concrete demands that I believe the Board of
Education should adopt as a district-wide policy.
It would be a good idea if we were to hammer it home
a second time regardless of their intent to table it into
a "community advisory board".
As parents, we should stress that we do NOTconsider the
military a "career option" for our youth. KILLING IS NOT A
CAREER OPTION. The resources that are being spent for war
(with our tax money) should be spent on providing financial
aid to low-income youth that want to go to college.
The fact that young men from poor communities must
register in the selective service in order to be eligible
for financial aid converts the registration process into
a de-facto draft for lower income youth which, during
these times of recruitment shortages and stop loss
orders, practically guarantees that these young men
will be called to "serve their country".
Instead, we need these young men to go to college and
contribute to the economic development of their
neighborhoods and families. There are many legitimate
ways to serve our country: working with homeless families,
in soup kitchens, with the elderly, etc. ways that do not
put our childrens' lives in danger or require them to
kill and become psychologically wounded for life in
order to get a college education.
The Board of Education has an obligation to create and
sustain a life-affirming environment for our children
in our public education system and, in partnership
with the parents, to prepare our children to realize
their potential and to contribute to our society in
positive ways. If the Board continues to allow military
recruitment on our campuses, the Board is becoming
an accomplice to the crime that is being committed
against our low income youth by our government.
It's not only an issue of being permitted to carry out
counter-recruitment activities: We should ask the
Board to keep the military out of our public schools.
I am aware that the "No Child Left Behind Act"
requires school districts to allow military recruiters
the "same level of access" to school campuses that
colleges have or else face serious cuts in federal funding.
Our children are minors and until they turn 18, we,
as parents, are ultimately responsible for their well being.
We are calling on the Board to stand together with
us, to use our imagination and develop ways to
circumvent this law and to make it clear to our
youth what are the true effects of war.
Some of the ways that come to mind is the following:
1.Organize College and Vocational Training Fairs
off-campus in community centers and encourage
attendance by high school juniors and seniors by
making it part of the regular curriculum.
2.Support Mike Honda's bill in Congress. Presently,
parents that do NOT want their children's names to be
given to the military for recruitment purposes must
sign an opt-out form. Representative Mike Honda's
Bill would convert our present opt-out system into
an opt-in system. Only parents that WANT their
children to be contacted or recruited into the military
would thereby give their authorization for the military
to contact their children OFF-CAMPUS.
3.Dedicate a significant portion of the Health
curriculum to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Invite
veterans from the peace movement to share their
personal experiences.
4.Develop curriculum that exposes the effects of war
on the environment, on the health of troops and
civilians and on the economy.
5.Instruct school faculty and counselors to inform
students about their right to register as conscientious
objectors and support them in the registration process,
if they decide to do so.
6.Connect youth with counter-recruitment groups that
can train them as peer counselors as part of their required
100 hours of community service that they are required to
complete as part of graduation.
Yes, we are asking the Board of Education to take a stand,
to "choose sides", so to speak. But where war is concerned,
all sides lose and our children most of all. Stand on the side
of our youth and get those recruiters off of our campuses.
...................
FROM: Bonnie Weinstein giobon@sbcglobal.net
First the good news: According to Tom Philpott of the Fleet
Reserve Association, Black Army recruits are down 41 percent
since 2000.
The bad news is, the San Francisco Unified School District is
subsidizing military recruitment in our schools.
The School district and the military each pay a million towards
a Physical Education teacher-but that teacher is a JROTC
teacher-appointed by the military.
And, since this person is counted as a Physical Education teacher,
and JROTC is counted as a Physical Education class, the public
is told that the Military is contributing a million dollars to the
schools to support the cost of a Physical Education teacher.
We are further told that without the money from the Army, the
schools would not have enough Physical Education classes to go
around and some kids would not earn the necessary graduation
credits to earn their diploma without JROTC.
Well, that tells me we need Physical Education teachers-not
military recruiters. The district must come up with the money to
have the required number of physical education classes to allow
students to graduate without forcing some of them into the military.
What I think needs to happen is that the Board of Education has
to give us a full accounting of how much money we have for
our children's needs and how our dollars are being spent.
I do know, if the District is paying a million dollars to have
military recruiters at our schools the million the Military puts
up is not a "gift" to anyone but themselves.
As a parent and grandparent I feel it puts our kids in harms
way and gets them involved in an immoral and illegal war
that is ruining tens of thousands of lives every day.
We want them out of our schools.
........................................................
From: Carole Seligman caroseligman@aol.com
Dear All,
The main purpose of the
Jr. ROTC presentation at
the March 8 Board of Ed. meeting
was to convince the public that the Jr.
ROTC program has nothing
whatsoever to do with war,
preparation for war, or
military recruitment. In other
words it was the Big Lie in full
operation. Our job must continue
to show how military recruitment and
programs in the schools are
intimately connected to the
war in Iraq and future wars
and occupations the U.S. is planning now.
Ending public school ties with
the military will be a long, uphill fight. and
it will not be lead by the Bd.
of Education or other politicians. In my
opinion, the only reason to speak
out at the Bd. of Ed. meetings is to keep this
struggle before the public and to
help open the door for parent and student
organizing to keep the hands of the
military off our children and out of our
communities' schools.
Again there was a broad coalition of
anti-war organizations speaking out at
the meeting. And this time there were
some young people and some more parents
speaking out too. Most of the 1 minute
speeches were very educational and
effective I thought. There was a young
military veteran (who had gotten in touch
with Bonnie before the meeting) and
a high school student whose school was
trying to put him into a ROTC "class"
against his will.
BAUAW has submitted the following resolution to the board:
Draft Resolution for San Francisco Board of Education
Cut Ties with the Military:
WHEREAS, the United States military is
actively recruiting high school students into
the military to fight in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, many young San Francisco
high school alumni are presently serving in
military units fighting in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, it is San Francisco City policy
by virtue of Proposition N, to bring all U.S.
troops home from Iraq now; and
WHEREAS, over 1,448 U.S. soldiers and
approximately 100,000 Iraqis have been
killed in this war and over 10,000 U.S.
soldiers and unknown thousands of
Iraqis have been wounded; and
WHEREAS, the hundreds of billions of dollars
spent on the war have robbed our children of
resources that should be spent on
education and other human needs; and
WHEREAS, military presence in our schools
legitimizes the message that violence is
acceptable;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
It shall be the policy of the San Francisco
Board of Education to cut all ties
with the United States military,
including, but not limited to: Ending military
recruitment on campuses; ending the
Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps
(JROTC); and guaranteeing that all students
and parents are informed of their right to
deny military recruiters access to their
names, addresses and telephone numbers.
MILITARY SPENDING IN THE SCHOOLS:
To: CodePinkCounterRecruitGroup@yahoogroups.com
From: "iampohet"
Subject: Which schools have jrotc?
I don't know specifically if military science is jrotc. I didn't find the
right person to ask. But, if it isn't, then what the hell is it?
Oh, heck, just for fun, here are the athletics funds listed in the profile:
School: Amt: FTE's:Mil.Sci. FTE's:
Balboa: $6,000 2.0
Burton: $6,000 2.0
Galileo: $6,000 2.0
Lincoln: $7,000 3.0
Mission: $6,000 2.0
Lowell: $7,000 2.0
Washington: $7,000 2.0
The money, just over 2 mil, is all the funds... 1mil+
from the Feds and 1mil + in matching funds from the sfusd.
In CodePinkCounterRecruitGroup@yahoogroups.com,
Ms sam joi
question - mil sci is jrotc? and this $$ was alotted
by the feds to the individual schools?
iampohet
School Money alotted to Mil Sci as per fiscal profile Apr. 2004
Balboa: $261,335
Burton: $258,177
Galileo: $343,913
Lincoln: $429,106
Mission: $265,303
Lowell: $276,877
Wash: $344,093
Total: $2,178,804
I found this info by digging in the individual school's profiles on
the sfusd website. Hope it's helpful.
erin
Bay Area United Against War (BAUAW)
www.bauaw.org
414-824-8730
Donations are urgently needed to carry
out this important work. We have no
paid staff but need money for posters,
buttons, flyers and informational material
to hand out to students and parents.
Make a tax-deductible donation to:
Bay Area United Against War/NVM
P.O. Box 318021
San Francisco, CA 94131-8021
Coming Up:
Global Day of Action
March 19, 2005
No to War and Occupation in Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People's Needs, Not War!
San Francisco March Assembles:
11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
THE NEXT BAUAW MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE:
SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 11:30AM
474 VALENCIA STREET, SF
(FIRST FLOOR, TO THE LEFT AND ALL THE WAY BACK
TO THE COMPANEROS DEL BARRIO CHILDREN'S CENTER)
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
2) WE ALL STAND WITH LYNNE STEWART!
NO JAIL TIME FOR LYNNE!
PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TODAY:
SUGGESTION AS TO FORMAT OF LETTERS
TO BE WRITTEN ON BEHALF OF LYNNE STEWART
MARGIN: Please leave at least a one-inch left-hand margin
to allow us to bind the letter into the appendix to the
sentencing memorandum that is being filed on
Lynne's behalf.
INSIDE ADDRESS: Honorable John G. Koeltl
United States District Judge
Southern District of New York
United States Courthouse
500 Pearl Street
New York, New York 10007
GREETING: Honorable Sir or Dear Judge Koeltl:
BODY: Briefly introduce yourself and set forth
your relationship to Lynne.
Briefly discuss yourself - your position in work
and in society.
State that you are aware that Lynne is to be sentenced
following a jury verdict of guilty on serious charges:
The remainder of your letter should discuss whatever
you believe to weigh in favor of no jail time. If possible,
you should tell of an incident where she helped you out
or engaged in commendable community service. Do not
try to argue that she is not guilty or was unfairly conviction.
Focus on the unfairness of the government's actions in
bringing the charges; the way in which the government
portrayed her, etc.
* Typewritten letters if possible are preferred.
*
WHEN LETTER IS COMPLETED: Please mail the final product
to the following address:
Jill R. Shellow-Lavine, Esq.
2537 Post Road
Southport, CT 06890
Do not send your letters to the judge. We ask that you
forward your letter me so that the lawyers can present
it to Judge Koeltl with the other letters being written
for this purpose. This is the manner in which letters
will have the greatest impact. If they are sent directly
to the Judge's chambers, they may have less of an
impact and could cause the judge a substantial
inconvenience (and annoyance).
Thank you for your cooperation. If you have any
questions, please do not hesitate to contact the
defense committee at www.lynnestewart.org.
Sincerely,
Jill R. Shellow-Lavine
Attorney for Lynne Stewart
For more information go to:
www.LynneStewart.org
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
3) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation ˆ Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People‚s Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
· Urgent appeal for volunteers on March 19
· Volunteer opportunities this weekend.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
March 19, 2005: Global Day of Action - San Francisco -
Volunteers Needed!
No to War Occupation ˜ Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere! Bring the Troops
Home Now! Money for People's Needs, Not War!
March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
Send this email to as many friends as you can.
March 19, 2005, will be an International Day of Protest
on the second anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq.
As on the first anniversary of the invasion last year,
millions of people around the world will march to say
„No to War and Occupation from Iraq to Palestine to
Haiti and Everywhere.‰
Volunteers are urgently needed in San Francisco on
March 19 to help with set-up, distributing placards
to spread the anti-war message, carrying banners
for the march, selling buttons and t-shirts to pay
for the march, leafleting to let people know how
to get involved, take down, monitoring, clean up
and more.
Friends, families, and work groups can volunteer
in teams! Take a stand on March 19 against war
and occupation!
No experience necessary! Whether you have volunteered
before or this is your first time your help is urgently
needed. Call 415-821-6545 for more information
and directions to this meeting.
If you cannot make the orientation, you can still
volunteer to help make March 19 Day of Global
Action protest happen:
Come to Dolores Park at 9 a.m. the morning of March 19
and sign in at the Volunteer ANSWER table to get the
latest orientation and take on an area of work for the
protest. Dolores Park is located at 18th and Dolores St.
near the 16th St. BART station.
OR
Come to the Civic Center at 9 a.m. the morning of
March 19 for a volunteer orientation and to get
plugged in. Take BART to Civic Center. Look for
the sign-in table under the ANSWER Volunteer banner.
Volunteers are needed ALL DAY. Any amount of
time you have to help is greatly appreciated.
Together we‚re building a powerful new movement
against war and racism. You‚re needed in the
struggle to win money for peoples‚ needs, not
war and corporate greed. Email, call or come to
the volunteer orientation. Get involved today.
To subscribe to the list, send a message to:
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
4) BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR PRESENTS:
"Mission Accomplished" a brutally vivid documentary
filmed entirely on the ground in Iraq. The reality of this
war for American troops is contrasted to the
overwhelming reality of the devastation felt and experienced
by the people of Iraq.
"Mission Accomplished" will open March 18th, 6pm:
The Four Star Twin
2200 Clement St. (near 23rd Ave.)
San Francisco, CA 94121
415.666.3488
"Voices In Wartime" is a compelling portrayal of human
experience with war through poetry, both from the point
of view of those who were in combat and those who are left
behind.
"Voices In Wartime" will play in S.F. on April 15th at:
Landmark Lumiere 3
1572 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
[This poem by fourth-grader Cameron Penny was read
by Marie Howe in this very beautiful film
directed by Rick King.
"If you are lucky in this life
A window will appear on a battlefield between two armies
And when the soldiers look into the window
They don't see their enemies
They see themselves as children
And they stop fighting
And go home and go to sleep
When they wake up, the land is well again."
By Cameron Penny]
To learn more about these film visit
Cinema Libre Studio
http://www.cinemalibrestudio.com/
Also: check out, GUNNER PALACE |
Some war stories will never make the nightly news.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
5) 5500 U.S. Deserters: (LINK ONLY)
We Won't Fight in Iraq
Doug Lorimer
On February 25, US Army officials at Fort Stewart, Georgia,
announced that Sergeant Kevin Benderman, a 40-year-old army
mechanic who refused to deploy to Iraq for a second tour of
duty, will be court-martialed on desertion charges. If convicted,
he faces up to seven years in prison.
http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2005/619/619p14.htm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
6) OIL COMPANIES EYE IRAQ RESERVES (LINK ONLY)
By Laurence Frost
Associated Press
March 15, 2005
http://washingtontimes.com/business/20050315-120755-8864r.htm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
BAUAW NEWSLETTER-WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2005
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TOMORROW, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
At the March 8th meeting JROTC teachers lied about what the
main purpose of JROTC was and about what they are teaching to the
children of San Francisco at the district's expense.
I received the following letter this morning from
"Arson G.," one of those students.
Arson G.'s words speak for themselves.
"Out of the mouths of babes!"
Peace,
Bonnie Weinstein, Bay Area United Against War
I don't know where you guys get your ideas, but
JROTC does NOT promote warfare or joining the army or
any sort of that. It's my second year in the JROTC
program and I love it, it teaches me leadership
skills, educates me, it PROMOTES my moral standards.
The mission of JROTC is to Promote Young Cadets To
Become Better Citizens. You do not know what you are
talking about, you are not IN the program, you have
never been in the program because if you have you
wouldve loved it, one paper does not mean im going to
join the Army. Now that we have ROTC settled,
let's focus on the war. If it wasn't for wars would
you still enjoy the freedoms you have today? NO? if it
wasn't for war half of the world would be run by
dictators like Hitler or Stalin or Mussolini, Castro?
SADAM? All we're doing in Iraq is bringing democracy.
We fought BACK because of 9-11. You cannot JUDGE the
JROTC in the last two years we have not even DISCUSSED
THE WAR class wise maybe amongst friends BUT NOT IN
THE JROTC CLASSROOM.
The only thing we do, is march, learn
how to tell right from wrong. We have fun in the JROTC
program. Think of what effect it would have on kids
that don't have as good opportunities. The kids that
live in poverty that depend on JROTC to teach them
better, I believe JROTC saved lot's of lives. I
believe that if there isn't ONE person in the world
that is unsuccessfull in his life that passed the
JROTC program with flying colors. I really hope you
fail canceling the JROTC program, and for any grudge
you have against Bush take it out on him not the kids.
P.S. I AM joining the marine corps, it has been my
DREAM to be in the army since i was 7 years old. My
father served, my grandfather server and i will serve.
One thing i do admit though, the JROTC did make me
braver on my decision for joining the marines.
-Sincerely Arson G.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR PRESENTS
A PREMIERE FILM SHOWING OF:
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
One man, one camera. Two sides of a story
FRIDAY, MARCH 18TH, 6 P.M.
(There will be a short question and answer period
at 7:30 P.M. immediately following the film.)
FOUR STAR TWIN
220 CLEMENT ST. NEAR 23RD AVENUE
SAN FRANCISCO
415-666-3488
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED is a gripping documentary by veteran
British journalist Sean Langan. Langan gets up close and
personal accounts of the war from U.S. and coalition soldiers,
Iraqi resistance fighters, and captures Abu Ghraib prison abuses
long before the torture reached the popular Press.
The most powerful statement of the film is the depiction
of the total devastation brought to Iraq by this war. It is the
constant backdrop to the interviews in the film as is the almost
universal hatred exhibited by the Iraqi people toward any U.S.
presence in Iraq-both from those interviewed and from those
included among the rubble in the background scenes. This film's
a must for anyone thinking of joining the military or who is
unsure of what our government is doing there in our name.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
Volunteers are needed for March 19th!
Show up March 19th at Dolores Park
or Civic Center at 9:00 a.m.
and sign up at the A.N.S.W.E.R. volunteer table.
Or contact A.N.S.W.E.R. OFFICE AT:
2489 Mission St. #24, 415-821-6545
Hello to members of United for Peace and Justice Bay Area,
On March 19 UPJ-Bay Area will be meeting at 10:30 a.m. on
18th Street in front of Mission High School before marching down
to Civic Center. We will be carrying panels of the faces of the
victims of the war-American soldiers and Iraqi civilians-and need
your help in carrying them to Civic Center where we will have
a table. Please send out this request to your listserv.
Also, we are updating our members' directory and need your
updated contact information.
Please send your email, phone number and website address to me
as soon as possible. A donation of $25 is also requested to
cover printing charges. Please send to:
United for Peace and Justice-Bay Area
c/o War Resisters League West
POB 410744
San Francisco, CA 94141
Thanks.
Jackie Barshak
for UPJ-Bay Area
415.308.9416
jackie barshak jbarshak@hotmail.com
Not in Our Name Bay Area
Help Not in Our Name build for the March 19 mass
mobilization in San Francisco to end war and occupation!
Community postering for March 19 march and rally.
Also, help prepare for the March 18 anti-war
morning visiblity action.
Planning Meeting & Work Party
Wednesday, March 16 ~ 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Not in Our Name office. 3945 Opal Street,
Oakland CA 94609
Morning Visibilty Action
Friday, March 18 ~ 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM
Call us to hook up and help get the message out
to tens of thousands of morning commuters --
"Out of Iraq now!"
U.S. Out of Iraq Now!
March 19: International Day of Action
On the second anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, let's
show Bush and Co. that the people of the world say
NO to war and occupation!
On Saturday, March 19 join the Not in Our Name Earth
Flag Contingent at the mass march and rally organized by
ANSWER Coalition -- 11 am, Dolores Park, San Francisco.
Join up with the Not in Our Name Earth Flag Contingent at
the corner of 18th Street and Dolores (map). March to Civic
Center for a 1 pm rally.
Not In Our Name will also be organizing acts of creative
resistance around this weekend. We encourage folks to
strategize and brainstorm with us about how to broaden
resistance and bring awareness to the millions in this country
that our message must reach; and to join us as we unite with
groups around the Bay to bring out all who oppose the deadly
course of this government. Come to a general meeting,
call our office, or check out the website.
Against Military Recruitment in our Schools?
On the second anniversary of the war, join the
Counter-Recruitment Contingent!
***
Saturday, March 19
10AM at 16th and Mission St.
(the 16th Street BART station)
***
AT SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY, military recruiters were
forced to leave early without any recruits because of the hundreds
of students that came out to protest their presence at the school!
This is not an isolated incident. Seattle, Chicago, New York,
Madison, Connecticut, Minnesota. In community colleges,
high schools, and universities around the nation, students,
faculty, and campus workers have come out to protest the
BLACKMAILING of education. As billions are being diverted
from schools to the war, our students are being told that they
need to die before they see a dime of it.
THIS IS DEAD WRONG.
As recruiters are failing to meet quotas for the first time in
a decade, despite more than tripling signing bonuses, we need
to rebuild the anti-war movement by fighting against the war
where it is weakest.
Join students, parents, teachers, military families, veterans,
community members, and activists on the second anniversary
of the war at the 16th Street BART station at 10AM to march
up to Dolores Park together.
Sponsored by the Campus Anti-War Network and the College
Not Combat Committee.
Money for Jobs and Education! Not for War and Occupation!
For more info please contact: ragina@mac.com / 415.412.4540
sue sandlin design | srsndln@pacbell.net
------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Teach-in on Iraq: How Can We End this War?
Thursday, March 24 ~ 7 PM to 10 PM
Mission High School, 3750 18th Street (at Dolores), San Francisco
On the 40th Anniversary of the first teach-ins on the Vietnam War.
With presentations by Iraq veteran Rahul Mahajan, Cindy Sheehan,
Fernando Suarez, Aimee Allison, Howard Wallace, Sean O'Neil,
and Medea Benjamin. Sponsored by Global Exchange and
CODEPINK. $5 donation requested. (more info)
Resistance Cinema Presents "Hidden in Plain Sight"
Sunday, April 10 ~ 3 PM to 5 PM
Parkway Pizza/Pub Theater, 1834 Park Blvd., Oakland
A short history, a spirited debate, a personal story, and a call
for accountability, "Hidden in Plain Sight" is a bold, unflinching
look at the nature and consequences of U.S. policy in Latin
America. Brief presentation by Laura Slattery, Pace e Bene
Nonviolence. A free event sponsored by Not in Our Name.
The Not in Our Name Project needs your support!
Donate online: donate.notinourname.net
Or send your tax-deductible contribution today to:
Not in Our Name
3945 Opal Street, Oakland CA 94609
www.notinourname.net
phone: 510-601-8000
email: bayarea@notinourname.net
local: bayarea.notinourname.net
Another World Is Possible!
http://www.notinourname.net
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
Dear Friends Please read the following request from Families for
Peaceful Tomorrows one of the many co-sponsors of the Eyes Wide
Open exhibit. They have committed to trying to collecting the
16,000 additional pairs of shoes. Please think about becoming
a collection point. In my opinion donating a pair of shoes is a
great way to challenge people to think about the human cost of
war. It is a way to involve people before the exhibit arrives and
encourage them to come. Some ideas for dealing with the collection
include; put out a barrel or box asking for the donation in your
school, church, neighborhood center or place of work. Put a flyer
on the box explaining why we are collecting the shoes. Thanks.
Sandra Schwartz
Peace Education Coordinator, AFSC
Dear Friends,
Eyes Wide Open, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
exhibit that reminds us of the human cost of war is coming to San
Francisco March 25-27. The exhibit features over 1,500 pairs of
combat boots tagged with the names of U.S. soldiers who have
died in the Iraq war. It also memorializes the Iraqi civilians killed
in the war.
In San Francisco, we are adding a new element to this powerful
exhibit: instead of just 1,000 shoes to represent all the Iraqi civilian
deaths, we have set a goal of collecting 16,000[1] pairs of shoes
to more accurately demonstrate the scale of Iraqi deaths as a result
of the war. The shoe memorial has been initiated by September
11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows and it will not happen
without your support.
We need your help to meet the goal of collecting 16,000 pairs
of shoes!
What you can do:
1. Collect shoes for the exhibit
* Please gather usable shoes from your family and friends
or set up a shoe collection site in your community, school,
workplace or place of worship.
* Tie each pair together, or, if no laces, securely attach them
together.
* Count the pairs of shoes and place in heavy-duty garbage
bags. Attach a tag with the count on it.
* Shoes will be donated at the end of the exhibit. Children's
and men's shoes are especially needed.
* Call Nabil at 415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email
shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* Drop off shoes 9 am to 5 pm at AFSC, 65 Ninth St.
(between Mission and Market) until Thursday, March 24.
Last minute shoes may be brought to Civic Center Plaza
Friday, March 25. No shoes accepted after Friday.
2. Collect phone cards for military personnel
We are also collecting telephone calling cards to donate to
military personnel and to returning Iraq war veterans in
a Bay Area hospital and the USOs at local airports. Please
purchase phone cards to donate with your shoes or bring
to the exhibit.
3. Volunteer
Volunteers are needed for the shoe project as well as the
overall exhibit.
* To volunteer with the shoe project, call Nabil at
415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email
shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* To volunteer to help with the exhibit call AFSC at
415-565-0201 ext. 15 or email sleeds@afsc.org
4. Spread the word! Please forward this information to
your networks.
5. Come to the exhibit, encourage others to come, and
bring last minute shoe donations and help us honor all
those who have died in Iraq.
[1] The number 16,000 is the approximate minimum number
of Iraqi civilians reported killed by military intervention in
Iraq by www.iraqbodycount.net.
Eyes Wide Open
"An exhibit that speaks directly to our hearts and reminds
us of the human cost of war."
Over 1,500 pairs of empty combat boots - tagged with the
names of U.S. soldiers who died in the Iraq war - will be
displayed, together with thousands of shoes and wall of
names to memorialize the Iraqis killed.
SAN FRANCISCO DATES:
March 25 (Friday), 11:00 am with all night vigil
Civic Center between Polk and Larkin
March 26 (Saturday), 10:00 am to 5 pm
Civic Center Voices and Requiem - 2 pm
March 27 (Easter Sunday), 10:00 am to dusk
Union Square (Powell and Geary)
American Friends Service Committee
We Need Good Shoes (Especially for Men and Children) and
Telephone Cards!
Call 415-565-0201 x14 or shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
See www.afsc.org/eyes
Until Thursday March 24, drop off shoes at 65 Ninth St.
(betw. Mission and Market) from 9-5 weekdays
Donate phone cards for military families Donate shoes to
memorialize the Iraqi casualties
Co-Sponsors (partial list) Agape Fdn; American Muslim Voice;
Archdiocese of SF: Comm. Of Public Policy and Social Concern;
Bay Area Pax Christi; Bay Area United for Peace and Justice;
Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists; Berkeley Friends
Church; Buddhist Peace Fellowship; Grace Cathedral: Diocese
of CA of the Episcopal Church; Los Altos Voices for Peace; Military
Families Speak Out; Pacifica Peace People; Pacifica Women in
Black; SFUSD School Board; Strawberry Creek Friends Meeting;
Veterans for Peace; 9/11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows,
San Francisco Friends Meeting, Code Pink
Our postal address is
P.O. Box 1818
Peter Stuyvesant Station
New York, New York 10009
United States
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TOMORROW, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
2) WE ALL STAND WITH LYNNE STEWART!
NO JAIL TIME FOR LYNNE!
PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TODAY
3) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation of Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People's Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
4) COMING TO THE BAY AREA SOON-POWERFUL ANTIWAR MOVIES
5) 5500 U.S. Deserters: (LINK ONLY)
We Won't Fight in Iraq
Doug Lorimer
On February 25, US Army officials at Fort Stewart, Georgia,
announced that Sergeant Kevin Benderman, a 40-year-old army
mechanic who refused to deploy to Iraq for a second tour of
duty, will be court-martialed on desertion charges. If convicted,
he faces up to seven years in prison.
http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2005/619/619p14.htm
6) OIL COMPANIES EYE IRAQ RESERVES (LINK ONLY)
By Laurence Frost
Associated Press
March 15, 2005
http://washingtontimes.com/business/20050315-120755-8864r.htm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TOMORROW, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
At the March 8th meeting JROTC teachers lied about what the
main purpose of JROTC was and about what they are teaching to the
children of San Francisco at the district's expense.
I received the following letter this morning from
"Arson G.," one of those students.
Arson G.'s words speak for themselves.
"Out of the mouths of babes!"
Peace,
Bonnie Weinstein, Bay Area United Against War
--- Nelly Gabuera
I don't know where you guys get your ideas, but
JROTC does NOT promote warfare or joining the army or
any sort of that. It's my second year in the JROTC
program and I love it, it teaches me leadership
skills, educates me, it PROMOTES my moral standards.
The mission of JROTC is to Promote Young Cadets To
Become Better Citizens. You do not know what you are
talking about, you are not IN the program, you have
never been in the program because if you have you
wouldve loved it, one paper does not mean im going to
join the Army. Now that we have ROTC settled,
let's focus on the war. If it wasn't for wars would
you still enjoy the freedoms you have today? NO? if it
wasn't for war half of the world would be run by
dictators like Hitler or Stalin or Mussolini, Castro?
SADAM? All we're doing in Iraq is bringing democracy.
We fought BACK because of 9-11. You cannot JUDGE the
JROTC in the last two years we have not even DISCUSSED
THE WAR class wise maybe amongst friends BUT NOT IN
THE JROTC CLASSROOM. The only thing we do, is march, learn
how to tell right from wrong. We have fun in the JROTC
program. Think of what effect it would have on kids
that don't have as good opportunities. The kids that
live in poverty that depend on JROTC to teach them
better, I believe JROTC saved lot's of lives. I
believe that if there isn't ONE person in the world
that is unsuccessfull in his life that passed the
JROTC program with flying colors. I really hope you
fail canceling the JROTC program, and for any grudge
you have against Bush take it out on him not the kids.
P.S. I AM joining the marine corps, it has been my
DREAM to be in the army since i was 7 years old. My
father served, my grandfather server and i will serve.
One thing i do admit though, the JROTC did make me
braver on my decision for joining the marines.
-Sincerely Arson G.
.............................................................................
The following are statements that were cut off at the board
Meeting due to running over the 1-minute time limit March 8th:
(The JROTC duo got three times as much time as all of us put
together.)
FROM: "Elizabeth Milos" emilos@yahoo.com
At the BofEd meeting on Tuesday, I only had one minute so
I wasn't able to say everything but I was able to state the
first five concrete demands that I believe the Board of
Education should adopt as a district-wide policy.
It would be a good idea if we were to hammer it home
a second time regardless of their intent to table it into
a "community advisory board".
As parents, we should stress that we do NOTconsider the
military a "career option" for our youth. KILLING IS NOT A
CAREER OPTION. The resources that are being spent for war
(with our tax money) should be spent on providing financial
aid to low-income youth that want to go to college.
The fact that young men from poor communities must
register in the selective service in order to be eligible
for financial aid converts the registration process into
a de-facto draft for lower income youth which, during
these times of recruitment shortages and stop loss
orders, practically guarantees that these young men
will be called to "serve their country".
Instead, we need these young men to go to college and
contribute to the economic development of their
neighborhoods and families. There are many legitimate
ways to serve our country: working with homeless families,
in soup kitchens, with the elderly, etc. ways that do not
put our childrens' lives in danger or require them to
kill and become psychologically wounded for life in
order to get a college education.
The Board of Education has an obligation to create and
sustain a life-affirming environment for our children
in our public education system and, in partnership
with the parents, to prepare our children to realize
their potential and to contribute to our society in
positive ways. If the Board continues to allow military
recruitment on our campuses, the Board is becoming
an accomplice to the crime that is being committed
against our low income youth by our government.
It's not only an issue of being permitted to carry out
counter-recruitment activities: We should ask the
Board to keep the military out of our public schools.
I am aware that the "No Child Left Behind Act"
requires school districts to allow military recruiters
the "same level of access" to school campuses that
colleges have or else face serious cuts in federal funding.
Our children are minors and until they turn 18, we,
as parents, are ultimately responsible for their well being.
We are calling on the Board to stand together with
us, to use our imagination and develop ways to
circumvent this law and to make it clear to our
youth what are the true effects of war.
Some of the ways that come to mind is the following:
1.Organize College and Vocational Training Fairs
off-campus in community centers and encourage
attendance by high school juniors and seniors by
making it part of the regular curriculum.
2.Support Mike Honda's bill in Congress. Presently,
parents that do NOT want their children's names to be
given to the military for recruitment purposes must
sign an opt-out form. Representative Mike Honda's
Bill would convert our present opt-out system into
an opt-in system. Only parents that WANT their
children to be contacted or recruited into the military
would thereby give their authorization for the military
to contact their children OFF-CAMPUS.
3.Dedicate a significant portion of the Health
curriculum to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Invite
veterans from the peace movement to share their
personal experiences.
4.Develop curriculum that exposes the effects of war
on the environment, on the health of troops and
civilians and on the economy.
5.Instruct school faculty and counselors to inform
students about their right to register as conscientious
objectors and support them in the registration process,
if they decide to do so.
6.Connect youth with counter-recruitment groups that
can train them as peer counselors as part of their required
100 hours of community service that they are required to
complete as part of graduation.
Yes, we are asking the Board of Education to take a stand,
to "choose sides", so to speak. But where war is concerned,
all sides lose and our children most of all. Stand on the side
of our youth and get those recruiters off of our campuses.
...................
FROM: Bonnie Weinstein giobon@sbcglobal.net
First the good news: According to Tom Philpott of the Fleet
Reserve Association, Black Army recruits are down 41 percent
since 2000.
The bad news is, the San Francisco Unified School District is
subsidizing military recruitment in our schools.
The School district and the military each pay a million towards
a Physical Education teacher-but that teacher is a JROTC
teacher-appointed by the military.
And, since this person is counted as a Physical Education teacher,
and JROTC is counted as a Physical Education class, the public
is told that the Military is contributing a million dollars to the
schools to support the cost of a Physical Education teacher.
We are further told that without the money from the Army, the
schools would not have enough Physical Education classes to go
around and some kids would not earn the necessary graduation
credits to earn their diploma without JROTC.
Well, that tells me we need Physical Education teachers-not
military recruiters. The district must come up with the money to
have the required number of physical education classes to allow
students to graduate without forcing some of them into the military.
What I think needs to happen is that the Board of Education has
to give us a full accounting of how much money we have for
our children's needs and how our dollars are being spent.
I do know, if the District is paying a million dollars to have
military recruiters at our schools the million the Military puts
up is not a "gift" to anyone but themselves.
As a parent and grandparent I feel it puts our kids in harms
way and gets them involved in an immoral and illegal war
that is ruining tens of thousands of lives every day.
We want them out of our schools.
........................................................
From: Carole Seligman caroseligman@aol.com
Dear All,
The main purpose of the
Jr. ROTC presentation at
the March 8 Board of Ed. meeting
was to convince the public that the Jr.
ROTC program has nothing
whatsoever to do with war,
preparation for war, or
military recruitment. In other
words it was the Big Lie in full
operation. Our job must continue
to show how military recruitment and
programs in the schools are
intimately connected to the
war in Iraq and future wars
and occupations the U.S. is planning now.
Ending public school ties with
the military will be a long, uphill fight. and
it will not be lead by the Bd.
of Education or other politicians. In my
opinion, the only reason to speak
out at the Bd. of Ed. meetings is to keep this
struggle before the public and to
help open the door for parent and student
organizing to keep the hands of the
military off our children and out of our
communities' schools.
Again there was a broad coalition of
anti-war organizations speaking out at
the meeting. And this time there were
some young people and some more parents
speaking out too. Most of the 1 minute
speeches were very educational and
effective I thought. There was a young
military veteran (who had gotten in touch
with Bonnie before the meeting) and
a high school student whose school was
trying to put him into a ROTC "class"
against his will.
BAUAW has submitted the following resolution to the board:
Draft Resolution for San Francisco Board of Education
Cut Ties with the Military:
WHEREAS, the United States military is
actively recruiting high school students into
the military to fight in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, many young San Francisco
high school alumni are presently serving in
military units fighting in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, it is San Francisco City policy
by virtue of Proposition N, to bring all U.S.
troops home from Iraq now; and
WHEREAS, over 1,448 U.S. soldiers and
approximately 100,000 Iraqis have been
killed in this war and over 10,000 U.S.
soldiers and unknown thousands of
Iraqis have been wounded; and
WHEREAS, the hundreds of billions of dollars
spent on the war have robbed our children of
resources that should be spent on
education and other human needs; and
WHEREAS, military presence in our schools
legitimizes the message that violence is
acceptable;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
It shall be the policy of the San Francisco
Board of Education to cut all ties
with the United States military,
including, but not limited to: Ending military
recruitment on campuses; ending the
Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps
(JROTC); and guaranteeing that all students
and parents are informed of their right to
deny military recruiters access to their
names, addresses and telephone numbers.
MILITARY SPENDING IN THE SCHOOLS:
To: CodePinkCounterRecruitGroup@yahoogroups.com
From: "iampohet"
Subject: Which schools have jrotc?
I don't know specifically if military science is jrotc. I didn't find the
right person to ask. But, if it isn't, then what the hell is it?
Oh, heck, just for fun, here are the athletics funds listed in the profile:
School: Amt: FTE's:Mil.Sci. FTE's:
Balboa: $6,000 2.0
Burton: $6,000 2.0
Galileo: $6,000 2.0
Lincoln: $7,000 3.0
Mission: $6,000 2.0
Lowell: $7,000 2.0
Washington: $7,000 2.0
The money, just over 2 mil, is all the funds... 1mil+
from the Feds and 1mil + in matching funds from the sfusd.
In CodePinkCounterRecruitGroup@yahoogroups.com,
Ms sam joi wrote:
question - mil sci is jrotc? and this $$ was alotted
by the feds to the individual schools?
iampohet wrote:
School Money alotted to Mil Sci as per fiscal profile Apr. 2004
Balboa: $261,335
Burton: $258,177
Galileo: $343,913
Lincoln: $429,106
Mission: $265,303
Lowell: $276,877
Wash: $344,093
Total: $2,178,804
I found this info by digging in the individual school's profiles on
the sfusd website. Hope it's helpful.
erin
Bay Area United Against War (BAUAW)
www.bauaw.org
414-824-8730
Donations are urgently needed to carry
out this important work. We have no
paid staff but need money for posters,
buttons, flyers and informational material
to hand out to students and parents.
Make a tax-deductible donation to:
Bay Area United Against War/NVM
P.O. Box 318021
San Francisco, CA 94131-8021
Coming Up:
Global Day of Action
March 19, 2005
No to War and Occupation in Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People's Needs, Not War!
San Francisco March Assembles:
11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
THE NEXT BAUAW MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE:
SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 11:30AM
474 VALENCIA STREET, SF
(FIRST FLOOR, TO THE LEFT AND ALL THE WAY BACK
TO THE COMPANEROS DEL BARRIO CHILDREN'S CENTER)
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
2) WE ALL STAND WITH LYNNE STEWART!
NO JAIL TIME FOR LYNNE!
PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TODAY:
SUGGESTION AS TO FORMAT OF LETTERS
TO BE WRITTEN ON BEHALF OF LYNNE STEWART
MARGIN: Please leave at least a one-inch left-hand margin
to allow us to bind the letter into the appendix to the
sentencing memorandum that is being filed on
Lynne's behalf.
INSIDE ADDRESS: Honorable John G. Koeltl
United States District Judge
Southern District of New York
United States Courthouse
500 Pearl Street
New York, New York 10007
GREETING: Honorable Sir or Dear Judge Koeltl:
BODY: Briefly introduce yourself and set forth
your relationship to Lynne.
Briefly discuss yourself - your position in work
and in society.
State that you are aware that Lynne is to be sentenced
following a jury verdict of guilty on serious charges:
The remainder of your letter should discuss whatever
you believe to weigh in favor of no jail time. If possible,
you should tell of an incident where she helped you out
or engaged in commendable community service. Do not
try to argue that she is not guilty or was unfairly conviction.
Focus on the unfairness of the government's actions in
bringing the charges; the way in which the government
portrayed her, etc.
* Typewritten letters if possible are preferred.
*
WHEN LETTER IS COMPLETED: Please mail the final product
to the following address:
Jill R. Shellow-Lavine, Esq.
2537 Post Road
Southport, CT 06890
Do not send your letters to the judge. We ask that you
forward your letter me so that the lawyers can present
it to Judge Koeltl with the other letters being written
for this purpose. This is the manner in which letters
will have the greatest impact. If they are sent directly
to the Judge's chambers, they may have less of an
impact and could cause the judge a substantial
inconvenience (and annoyance).
Thank you for your cooperation. If you have any
questions, please do not hesitate to contact the
defense committee at www.lynnestewart.org.
Sincerely,
Jill R. Shellow-Lavine
Attorney for Lynne Stewart
For more information go to:
www.LynneStewart.org
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
3) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation ˆ Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People‚s Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
· Urgent appeal for volunteers on March 19
· Volunteer opportunities this weekend.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
March 19, 2005: Global Day of Action - San Francisco -
Volunteers Needed!
No to War Occupation ˜ Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere! Bring the Troops
Home Now! Money for People's Needs, Not War!
March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
Send this email to as many friends as you can.
March 19, 2005, will be an International Day of Protest
on the second anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq.
As on the first anniversary of the invasion last year,
millions of people around the world will march to say
„No to War and Occupation from Iraq to Palestine to
Haiti and Everywhere.‰
Volunteers are urgently needed in San Francisco on
March 19 to help with set-up, distributing placards
to spread the anti-war message, carrying banners
for the march, selling buttons and t-shirts to pay
for the march, leafleting to let people know how
to get involved, take down, monitoring, clean up
and more.
Friends, families, and work groups can volunteer
in teams! Take a stand on March 19 against war
and occupation!
No experience necessary! Whether you have volunteered
before or this is your first time your help is urgently
needed. Call 415-821-6545 for more information
and directions to this meeting.
If you cannot make the orientation, you can still
volunteer to help make March 19 Day of Global
Action protest happen:
Come to Dolores Park at 9 a.m. the morning of March 19
and sign in at the Volunteer ANSWER table to get the
latest orientation and take on an area of work for the
protest. Dolores Park is located at 18th and Dolores St.
near the 16th St. BART station.
OR
Come to the Civic Center at 9 a.m. the morning of
March 19 for a volunteer orientation and to get
plugged in. Take BART to Civic Center. Look for
the sign-in table under the ANSWER Volunteer banner.
Volunteers are needed ALL DAY. Any amount of
time you have to help is greatly appreciated.
Together we‚re building a powerful new movement
against war and racism. You‚re needed in the
struggle to win money for peoples‚ needs, not
war and corporate greed. Email, call or come to
the volunteer orientation. Get involved today.
To subscribe to the list, send a message to:
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
4) BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR PRESENTS:
"Mission Accomplished" a brutally vivid documentary
filmed entirely on the ground in Iraq. The reality of this
war for American troops is contrasted to the
overwhelming reality of the devastation felt and experienced
by the people of Iraq.
"Mission Accomplished" will open March 18th, 6pm:
The Four Star Twin
2200 Clement St. (near 23rd Ave.)
San Francisco, CA 94121
415.666.3488
"Voices In Wartime" is a compelling portrayal of human
experience with war through poetry, both from the point
of view of those who were in combat and those who are left
behind.
"Voices In Wartime" will play in S.F. on April 15th at:
Landmark Lumiere 3
1572 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
[This poem by fourth-grader Cameron Penny was read
by Marie Howe in this very beautiful film
directed by Rick King.
"If you are lucky in this life
A window will appear on a battlefield between two armies
And when the soldiers look into the window
They don't see their enemies
They see themselves as children
And they stop fighting
And go home and go to sleep
When they wake up, the land is well again."
By Cameron Penny]
To learn more about these film visit
Cinema Libre Studio
http://www.cinemalibrestudio.com/
Also: check out, GUNNER PALACE |
Some war stories will never make the nightly news.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
5) 5500 U.S. Deserters: (LINK ONLY)
We Won't Fight in Iraq
Doug Lorimer
On February 25, US Army officials at Fort Stewart, Georgia,
announced that Sergeant Kevin Benderman, a 40-year-old army
mechanic who refused to deploy to Iraq for a second tour of
duty, will be court-martialed on desertion charges. If convicted,
he faces up to seven years in prison.
http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2005/619/619p14.htm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
6) OIL COMPANIES EYE IRAQ RESERVES (LINK ONLY)
By Laurence Frost
Associated Press
March 15, 2005
http://washingtontimes.com/business/20050315-120755-8864r.htm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
TOMORROW, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
At the March 8th meeting JROTC teachers lied about what the
main purpose of JROTC was and about what they are teaching to the
children of San Francisco at the district's expense.
I received the following letter this morning from
"Arson G.," one of those students.
Arson G.'s words speak for themselves.
"Out of the mouths of babes!"
Peace,
Bonnie Weinstein, Bay Area United Against War
I don't know where you guys get your ideas, but
JROTC does NOT promote warfare or joining the army or
any sort of that. It's my second year in the JROTC
program and I love it, it teaches me leadership
skills, educates me, it PROMOTES my moral standards.
The mission of JROTC is to Promote Young Cadets To
Become Better Citizens. You do not know what you are
talking about, you are not IN the program, you have
never been in the program because if you have you
wouldve loved it, one paper does not mean im going to
join the Army. Now that we have ROTC settled,
let's focus on the war. If it wasn't for wars would
you still enjoy the freedoms you have today? NO? if it
wasn't for war half of the world would be run by
dictators like Hitler or Stalin or Mussolini, Castro?
SADAM? All we're doing in Iraq is bringing democracy.
We fought BACK because of 9-11. You cannot JUDGE the
JROTC in the last two years we have not even DISCUSSED
THE WAR class wise maybe amongst friends BUT NOT IN
THE JROTC CLASSROOM.
The only thing we do, is march, learn
how to tell right from wrong. We have fun in the JROTC
program. Think of what effect it would have on kids
that don't have as good opportunities. The kids that
live in poverty that depend on JROTC to teach them
better, I believe JROTC saved lot's of lives. I
believe that if there isn't ONE person in the world
that is unsuccessfull in his life that passed the
JROTC program with flying colors. I really hope you
fail canceling the JROTC program, and for any grudge
you have against Bush take it out on him not the kids.
P.S. I AM joining the marine corps, it has been my
DREAM to be in the army since i was 7 years old. My
father served, my grandfather server and i will serve.
One thing i do admit though, the JROTC did make me
braver on my decision for joining the marines.
-Sincerely Arson G.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR PRESENTS
A PREMIERE FILM SHOWING OF:
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
One man, one camera. Two sides of a story
FRIDAY, MARCH 18TH, 6 P.M.
(There will be a short question and answer period
at 7:30 P.M. immediately following the film.)
FOUR STAR TWIN
220 CLEMENT ST. NEAR 23RD AVENUE
SAN FRANCISCO
415-666-3488
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED is a gripping documentary by veteran
British journalist Sean Langan. Langan gets up close and
personal accounts of the war from U.S. and coalition soldiers,
Iraqi resistance fighters, and captures Abu Ghraib prison abuses
long before the torture reached the popular Press.
The most powerful statement of the film is the depiction
of the total devastation brought to Iraq by this war. It is the
constant backdrop to the interviews in the film as is the almost
universal hatred exhibited by the Iraqi people toward any U.S.
presence in Iraq-both from those interviewed and from those
included among the rubble in the background scenes. This film's
a must for anyone thinking of joining the military or who is
unsure of what our government is doing there in our name.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
Volunteers are needed for March 19th!
Show up March 19th at Dolores Park
or Civic Center at 9:00 a.m.
and sign up at the A.N.S.W.E.R. volunteer table.
Or contact A.N.S.W.E.R. OFFICE AT:
2489 Mission St. #24, 415-821-6545
Hello to members of United for Peace and Justice Bay Area,
On March 19 UPJ-Bay Area will be meeting at 10:30 a.m. on
18th Street in front of Mission High School before marching down
to Civic Center. We will be carrying panels of the faces of the
victims of the war-American soldiers and Iraqi civilians-and need
your help in carrying them to Civic Center where we will have
a table. Please send out this request to your listserv.
Also, we are updating our members' directory and need your
updated contact information.
Please send your email, phone number and website address to me
as soon as possible. A donation of $25 is also requested to
cover printing charges. Please send to:
United for Peace and Justice-Bay Area
c/o War Resisters League West
POB 410744
San Francisco, CA 94141
Thanks.
Jackie Barshak
for UPJ-Bay Area
415.308.9416
jackie barshak jbarshak@hotmail.com
Not in Our Name Bay Area
Help Not in Our Name build for the March 19 mass
mobilization in San Francisco to end war and occupation!
Community postering for March 19 march and rally.
Also, help prepare for the March 18 anti-war
morning visiblity action.
Planning Meeting & Work Party
Wednesday, March 16 ~ 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Not in Our Name office. 3945 Opal Street,
Oakland CA 94609
Morning Visibilty Action
Friday, March 18 ~ 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM
Call us to hook up and help get the message out
to tens of thousands of morning commuters --
"Out of Iraq now!"
U.S. Out of Iraq Now!
March 19: International Day of Action
On the second anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, let's
show Bush and Co. that the people of the world say
NO to war and occupation!
On Saturday, March 19 join the Not in Our Name Earth
Flag Contingent at the mass march and rally organized by
ANSWER Coalition -- 11 am, Dolores Park, San Francisco.
Join up with the Not in Our Name Earth Flag Contingent at
the corner of 18th Street and Dolores (map). March to Civic
Center for a 1 pm rally.
Not In Our Name will also be organizing acts of creative
resistance around this weekend. We encourage folks to
strategize and brainstorm with us about how to broaden
resistance and bring awareness to the millions in this country
that our message must reach; and to join us as we unite with
groups around the Bay to bring out all who oppose the deadly
course of this government. Come to a general meeting,
call our office, or check out the website.
Against Military Recruitment in our Schools?
On the second anniversary of the war, join the
Counter-Recruitment Contingent!
***
Saturday, March 19
10AM at 16th and Mission St.
(the 16th Street BART station)
***
AT SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY, military recruiters were
forced to leave early without any recruits because of the hundreds
of students that came out to protest their presence at the school!
This is not an isolated incident. Seattle, Chicago, New York,
Madison, Connecticut, Minnesota. In community colleges,
high schools, and universities around the nation, students,
faculty, and campus workers have come out to protest the
BLACKMAILING of education. As billions are being diverted
from schools to the war, our students are being told that they
need to die before they see a dime of it.
THIS IS DEAD WRONG.
As recruiters are failing to meet quotas for the first time in
a decade, despite more than tripling signing bonuses, we need
to rebuild the anti-war movement by fighting against the war
where it is weakest.
Join students, parents, teachers, military families, veterans,
community members, and activists on the second anniversary
of the war at the 16th Street BART station at 10AM to march
up to Dolores Park together.
Sponsored by the Campus Anti-War Network and the College
Not Combat Committee.
Money for Jobs and Education! Not for War and Occupation!
For more info please contact: ragina@mac.com / 415.412.4540
sue sandlin design | srsndln@pacbell.net
------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Teach-in on Iraq: How Can We End this War?
Thursday, March 24 ~ 7 PM to 10 PM
Mission High School, 3750 18th Street (at Dolores), San Francisco
On the 40th Anniversary of the first teach-ins on the Vietnam War.
With presentations by Iraq veteran Rahul Mahajan, Cindy Sheehan,
Fernando Suarez, Aimee Allison, Howard Wallace, Sean O'Neil,
and Medea Benjamin. Sponsored by Global Exchange and
CODEPINK. $5 donation requested. (more info)
Resistance Cinema Presents "Hidden in Plain Sight"
Sunday, April 10 ~ 3 PM to 5 PM
Parkway Pizza/Pub Theater, 1834 Park Blvd., Oakland
A short history, a spirited debate, a personal story, and a call
for accountability, "Hidden in Plain Sight" is a bold, unflinching
look at the nature and consequences of U.S. policy in Latin
America. Brief presentation by Laura Slattery, Pace e Bene
Nonviolence. A free event sponsored by Not in Our Name.
The Not in Our Name Project needs your support!
Donate online: donate.notinourname.net
Or send your tax-deductible contribution today to:
Not in Our Name
3945 Opal Street, Oakland CA 94609
www.notinourname.net
phone: 510-601-8000
email: bayarea@notinourname.net
local: bayarea.notinourname.net
Another World Is Possible!
http://www.notinourname.net
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
Dear Friends Please read the following request from Families for
Peaceful Tomorrows one of the many co-sponsors of the Eyes Wide
Open exhibit. They have committed to trying to collecting the
16,000 additional pairs of shoes. Please think about becoming
a collection point. In my opinion donating a pair of shoes is a
great way to challenge people to think about the human cost of
war. It is a way to involve people before the exhibit arrives and
encourage them to come. Some ideas for dealing with the collection
include; put out a barrel or box asking for the donation in your
school, church, neighborhood center or place of work. Put a flyer
on the box explaining why we are collecting the shoes. Thanks.
Sandra Schwartz
Peace Education Coordinator, AFSC
Dear Friends,
Eyes Wide Open, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
exhibit that reminds us of the human cost of war is coming to San
Francisco March 25-27. The exhibit features over 1,500 pairs of
combat boots tagged with the names of U.S. soldiers who have
died in the Iraq war. It also memorializes the Iraqi civilians killed
in the war.
In San Francisco, we are adding a new element to this powerful
exhibit: instead of just 1,000 shoes to represent all the Iraqi civilian
deaths, we have set a goal of collecting 16,000[1] pairs of shoes
to more accurately demonstrate the scale of Iraqi deaths as a result
of the war. The shoe memorial has been initiated by September
11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows and it will not happen
without your support.
We need your help to meet the goal of collecting 16,000 pairs
of shoes!
What you can do:
1. Collect shoes for the exhibit
* Please gather usable shoes from your family and friends
or set up a shoe collection site in your community, school,
workplace or place of worship.
* Tie each pair together, or, if no laces, securely attach them
together.
* Count the pairs of shoes and place in heavy-duty garbage
bags. Attach a tag with the count on it.
* Shoes will be donated at the end of the exhibit. Children's
and men's shoes are especially needed.
* Call Nabil at 415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email
shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* Drop off shoes 9 am to 5 pm at AFSC, 65 Ninth St.
(between Mission and Market) until Thursday, March 24.
Last minute shoes may be brought to Civic Center Plaza
Friday, March 25. No shoes accepted after Friday.
2. Collect phone cards for military personnel
We are also collecting telephone calling cards to donate to
military personnel and to returning Iraq war veterans in
a Bay Area hospital and the USOs at local airports. Please
purchase phone cards to donate with your shoes or bring
to the exhibit.
3. Volunteer
Volunteers are needed for the shoe project as well as the
overall exhibit.
* To volunteer with the shoe project, call Nabil at
415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email
shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* To volunteer to help with the exhibit call AFSC at
415-565-0201 ext. 15 or email sleeds@afsc.org
4. Spread the word! Please forward this information to
your networks.
5. Come to the exhibit, encourage others to come, and
bring last minute shoe donations and help us honor all
those who have died in Iraq.
[1] The number 16,000 is the approximate minimum number
of Iraqi civilians reported killed by military intervention in
Iraq by www.iraqbodycount.net.
Eyes Wide Open
"An exhibit that speaks directly to our hearts and reminds
us of the human cost of war."
Over 1,500 pairs of empty combat boots - tagged with the
names of U.S. soldiers who died in the Iraq war - will be
displayed, together with thousands of shoes and wall of
names to memorialize the Iraqis killed.
SAN FRANCISCO DATES:
March 25 (Friday), 11:00 am with all night vigil
Civic Center between Polk and Larkin
March 26 (Saturday), 10:00 am to 5 pm
Civic Center Voices and Requiem - 2 pm
March 27 (Easter Sunday), 10:00 am to dusk
Union Square (Powell and Geary)
American Friends Service Committee
We Need Good Shoes (Especially for Men and Children) and
Telephone Cards!
Call 415-565-0201 x14 or shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
See www.afsc.org/eyes
Until Thursday March 24, drop off shoes at 65 Ninth St.
(betw. Mission and Market) from 9-5 weekdays
Donate phone cards for military families Donate shoes to
memorialize the Iraqi casualties
Co-Sponsors (partial list) Agape Fdn; American Muslim Voice;
Archdiocese of SF: Comm. Of Public Policy and Social Concern;
Bay Area Pax Christi; Bay Area United for Peace and Justice;
Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists; Berkeley Friends
Church; Buddhist Peace Fellowship; Grace Cathedral: Diocese
of CA of the Episcopal Church; Los Altos Voices for Peace; Military
Families Speak Out; Pacifica Peace People; Pacifica Women in
Black; SFUSD School Board; Strawberry Creek Friends Meeting;
Veterans for Peace; 9/11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows,
San Francisco Friends Meeting, Code Pink
Our postal address is
P.O. Box 1818
Peter Stuyvesant Station
New York, New York 10009
United States
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TOMORROW, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
2) WE ALL STAND WITH LYNNE STEWART!
NO JAIL TIME FOR LYNNE!
PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TODAY
3) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation of Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People's Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
4) COMING TO THE BAY AREA SOON-POWERFUL ANTIWAR MOVIES
5) 5500 U.S. Deserters: (LINK ONLY)
We Won't Fight in Iraq
Doug Lorimer
On February 25, US Army officials at Fort Stewart, Georgia,
announced that Sergeant Kevin Benderman, a 40-year-old army
mechanic who refused to deploy to Iraq for a second tour of
duty, will be court-martialed on desertion charges. If convicted,
he faces up to seven years in prison.
http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2005/619/619p14.htm
6) OIL COMPANIES EYE IRAQ RESERVES (LINK ONLY)
By Laurence Frost
Associated Press
March 15, 2005
http://washingtontimes.com/business/20050315-120755-8864r.htm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TOMORROW, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
At the March 8th meeting JROTC teachers lied about what the
main purpose of JROTC was and about what they are teaching to the
children of San Francisco at the district's expense.
I received the following letter this morning from
"Arson G.," one of those students.
Arson G.'s words speak for themselves.
"Out of the mouths of babes!"
Peace,
Bonnie Weinstein, Bay Area United Against War
--- Nelly Gabuera
I don't know where you guys get your ideas, but
JROTC does NOT promote warfare or joining the army or
any sort of that. It's my second year in the JROTC
program and I love it, it teaches me leadership
skills, educates me, it PROMOTES my moral standards.
The mission of JROTC is to Promote Young Cadets To
Become Better Citizens. You do not know what you are
talking about, you are not IN the program, you have
never been in the program because if you have you
wouldve loved it, one paper does not mean im going to
join the Army. Now that we have ROTC settled,
let's focus on the war. If it wasn't for wars would
you still enjoy the freedoms you have today? NO? if it
wasn't for war half of the world would be run by
dictators like Hitler or Stalin or Mussolini, Castro?
SADAM? All we're doing in Iraq is bringing democracy.
We fought BACK because of 9-11. You cannot JUDGE the
JROTC in the last two years we have not even DISCUSSED
THE WAR class wise maybe amongst friends BUT NOT IN
THE JROTC CLASSROOM. The only thing we do, is march, learn
how to tell right from wrong. We have fun in the JROTC
program. Think of what effect it would have on kids
that don't have as good opportunities. The kids that
live in poverty that depend on JROTC to teach them
better, I believe JROTC saved lot's of lives. I
believe that if there isn't ONE person in the world
that is unsuccessfull in his life that passed the
JROTC program with flying colors. I really hope you
fail canceling the JROTC program, and for any grudge
you have against Bush take it out on him not the kids.
P.S. I AM joining the marine corps, it has been my
DREAM to be in the army since i was 7 years old. My
father served, my grandfather server and i will serve.
One thing i do admit though, the JROTC did make me
braver on my decision for joining the marines.
-Sincerely Arson G.
.............................................................................
The following are statements that were cut off at the board
Meeting due to running over the 1-minute time limit March 8th:
(The JROTC duo got three times as much time as all of us put
together.)
FROM: "Elizabeth Milos" emilos@yahoo.com
At the BofEd meeting on Tuesday, I only had one minute so
I wasn't able to say everything but I was able to state the
first five concrete demands that I believe the Board of
Education should adopt as a district-wide policy.
It would be a good idea if we were to hammer it home
a second time regardless of their intent to table it into
a "community advisory board".
As parents, we should stress that we do NOTconsider the
military a "career option" for our youth. KILLING IS NOT A
CAREER OPTION. The resources that are being spent for war
(with our tax money) should be spent on providing financial
aid to low-income youth that want to go to college.
The fact that young men from poor communities must
register in the selective service in order to be eligible
for financial aid converts the registration process into
a de-facto draft for lower income youth which, during
these times of recruitment shortages and stop loss
orders, practically guarantees that these young men
will be called to "serve their country".
Instead, we need these young men to go to college and
contribute to the economic development of their
neighborhoods and families. There are many legitimate
ways to serve our country: working with homeless families,
in soup kitchens, with the elderly, etc. ways that do not
put our childrens' lives in danger or require them to
kill and become psychologically wounded for life in
order to get a college education.
The Board of Education has an obligation to create and
sustain a life-affirming environment for our children
in our public education system and, in partnership
with the parents, to prepare our children to realize
their potential and to contribute to our society in
positive ways. If the Board continues to allow military
recruitment on our campuses, the Board is becoming
an accomplice to the crime that is being committed
against our low income youth by our government.
It's not only an issue of being permitted to carry out
counter-recruitment activities: We should ask the
Board to keep the military out of our public schools.
I am aware that the "No Child Left Behind Act"
requires school districts to allow military recruiters
the "same level of access" to school campuses that
colleges have or else face serious cuts in federal funding.
Our children are minors and until they turn 18, we,
as parents, are ultimately responsible for their well being.
We are calling on the Board to stand together with
us, to use our imagination and develop ways to
circumvent this law and to make it clear to our
youth what are the true effects of war.
Some of the ways that come to mind is the following:
1.Organize College and Vocational Training Fairs
off-campus in community centers and encourage
attendance by high school juniors and seniors by
making it part of the regular curriculum.
2.Support Mike Honda's bill in Congress. Presently,
parents that do NOT want their children's names to be
given to the military for recruitment purposes must
sign an opt-out form. Representative Mike Honda's
Bill would convert our present opt-out system into
an opt-in system. Only parents that WANT their
children to be contacted or recruited into the military
would thereby give their authorization for the military
to contact their children OFF-CAMPUS.
3.Dedicate a significant portion of the Health
curriculum to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Invite
veterans from the peace movement to share their
personal experiences.
4.Develop curriculum that exposes the effects of war
on the environment, on the health of troops and
civilians and on the economy.
5.Instruct school faculty and counselors to inform
students about their right to register as conscientious
objectors and support them in the registration process,
if they decide to do so.
6.Connect youth with counter-recruitment groups that
can train them as peer counselors as part of their required
100 hours of community service that they are required to
complete as part of graduation.
Yes, we are asking the Board of Education to take a stand,
to "choose sides", so to speak. But where war is concerned,
all sides lose and our children most of all. Stand on the side
of our youth and get those recruiters off of our campuses.
...................
FROM: Bonnie Weinstein giobon@sbcglobal.net
First the good news: According to Tom Philpott of the Fleet
Reserve Association, Black Army recruits are down 41 percent
since 2000.
The bad news is, the San Francisco Unified School District is
subsidizing military recruitment in our schools.
The School district and the military each pay a million towards
a Physical Education teacher-but that teacher is a JROTC
teacher-appointed by the military.
And, since this person is counted as a Physical Education teacher,
and JROTC is counted as a Physical Education class, the public
is told that the Military is contributing a million dollars to the
schools to support the cost of a Physical Education teacher.
We are further told that without the money from the Army, the
schools would not have enough Physical Education classes to go
around and some kids would not earn the necessary graduation
credits to earn their diploma without JROTC.
Well, that tells me we need Physical Education teachers-not
military recruiters. The district must come up with the money to
have the required number of physical education classes to allow
students to graduate without forcing some of them into the military.
What I think needs to happen is that the Board of Education has
to give us a full accounting of how much money we have for
our children's needs and how our dollars are being spent.
I do know, if the District is paying a million dollars to have
military recruiters at our schools the million the Military puts
up is not a "gift" to anyone but themselves.
As a parent and grandparent I feel it puts our kids in harms
way and gets them involved in an immoral and illegal war
that is ruining tens of thousands of lives every day.
We want them out of our schools.
........................................................
From: Carole Seligman caroseligman@aol.com
Dear All,
The main purpose of the
Jr. ROTC presentation at
the March 8 Board of Ed. meeting
was to convince the public that the Jr.
ROTC program has nothing
whatsoever to do with war,
preparation for war, or
military recruitment. In other
words it was the Big Lie in full
operation. Our job must continue
to show how military recruitment and
programs in the schools are
intimately connected to the
war in Iraq and future wars
and occupations the U.S. is planning now.
Ending public school ties with
the military will be a long, uphill fight. and
it will not be lead by the Bd.
of Education or other politicians. In my
opinion, the only reason to speak
out at the Bd. of Ed. meetings is to keep this
struggle before the public and to
help open the door for parent and student
organizing to keep the hands of the
military off our children and out of our
communities' schools.
Again there was a broad coalition of
anti-war organizations speaking out at
the meeting. And this time there were
some young people and some more parents
speaking out too. Most of the 1 minute
speeches were very educational and
effective I thought. There was a young
military veteran (who had gotten in touch
with Bonnie before the meeting) and
a high school student whose school was
trying to put him into a ROTC "class"
against his will.
BAUAW has submitted the following resolution to the board:
Draft Resolution for San Francisco Board of Education
Cut Ties with the Military:
WHEREAS, the United States military is
actively recruiting high school students into
the military to fight in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, many young San Francisco
high school alumni are presently serving in
military units fighting in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, it is San Francisco City policy
by virtue of Proposition N, to bring all U.S.
troops home from Iraq now; and
WHEREAS, over 1,448 U.S. soldiers and
approximately 100,000 Iraqis have been
killed in this war and over 10,000 U.S.
soldiers and unknown thousands of
Iraqis have been wounded; and
WHEREAS, the hundreds of billions of dollars
spent on the war have robbed our children of
resources that should be spent on
education and other human needs; and
WHEREAS, military presence in our schools
legitimizes the message that violence is
acceptable;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
It shall be the policy of the San Francisco
Board of Education to cut all ties
with the United States military,
including, but not limited to: Ending military
recruitment on campuses; ending the
Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps
(JROTC); and guaranteeing that all students
and parents are informed of their right to
deny military recruiters access to their
names, addresses and telephone numbers.
MILITARY SPENDING IN THE SCHOOLS:
To: CodePinkCounterRecruitGroup@yahoogroups.com
From: "iampohet"
Subject: Which schools have jrotc?
I don't know specifically if military science is jrotc. I didn't find the
right person to ask. But, if it isn't, then what the hell is it?
Oh, heck, just for fun, here are the athletics funds listed in the profile:
School: Amt: FTE's:Mil.Sci. FTE's:
Balboa: $6,000 2.0
Burton: $6,000 2.0
Galileo: $6,000 2.0
Lincoln: $7,000 3.0
Mission: $6,000 2.0
Lowell: $7,000 2.0
Washington: $7,000 2.0
The money, just over 2 mil, is all the funds... 1mil+
from the Feds and 1mil + in matching funds from the sfusd.
In CodePinkCounterRecruitGroup@yahoogroups.com,
Ms sam joi
question - mil sci is jrotc? and this $$ was alotted
by the feds to the individual schools?
iampohet
School Money alotted to Mil Sci as per fiscal profile Apr. 2004
Balboa: $261,335
Burton: $258,177
Galileo: $343,913
Lincoln: $429,106
Mission: $265,303
Lowell: $276,877
Wash: $344,093
Total: $2,178,804
I found this info by digging in the individual school's profiles on
the sfusd website. Hope it's helpful.
erin
Bay Area United Against War (BAUAW)
www.bauaw.org
414-824-8730
Donations are urgently needed to carry
out this important work. We have no
paid staff but need money for posters,
buttons, flyers and informational material
to hand out to students and parents.
Make a tax-deductible donation to:
Bay Area United Against War/NVM
P.O. Box 318021
San Francisco, CA 94131-8021
Coming Up:
Global Day of Action
March 19, 2005
No to War and Occupation in Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People's Needs, Not War!
San Francisco March Assembles:
11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
THE NEXT BAUAW MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE:
SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 11:30AM
474 VALENCIA STREET, SF
(FIRST FLOOR, TO THE LEFT AND ALL THE WAY BACK
TO THE COMPANEROS DEL BARRIO CHILDREN'S CENTER)
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
2) WE ALL STAND WITH LYNNE STEWART!
NO JAIL TIME FOR LYNNE!
PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TODAY:
SUGGESTION AS TO FORMAT OF LETTERS
TO BE WRITTEN ON BEHALF OF LYNNE STEWART
MARGIN: Please leave at least a one-inch left-hand margin
to allow us to bind the letter into the appendix to the
sentencing memorandum that is being filed on
Lynne's behalf.
INSIDE ADDRESS: Honorable John G. Koeltl
United States District Judge
Southern District of New York
United States Courthouse
500 Pearl Street
New York, New York 10007
GREETING: Honorable Sir or Dear Judge Koeltl:
BODY: Briefly introduce yourself and set forth
your relationship to Lynne.
Briefly discuss yourself - your position in work
and in society.
State that you are aware that Lynne is to be sentenced
following a jury verdict of guilty on serious charges:
The remainder of your letter should discuss whatever
you believe to weigh in favor of no jail time. If possible,
you should tell of an incident where she helped you out
or engaged in commendable community service. Do not
try to argue that she is not guilty or was unfairly conviction.
Focus on the unfairness of the government's actions in
bringing the charges; the way in which the government
portrayed her, etc.
* Typewritten letters if possible are preferred.
*
WHEN LETTER IS COMPLETED: Please mail the final product
to the following address:
Jill R. Shellow-Lavine, Esq.
2537 Post Road
Southport, CT 06890
Do not send your letters to the judge. We ask that you
forward your letter me so that the lawyers can present
it to Judge Koeltl with the other letters being written
for this purpose. This is the manner in which letters
will have the greatest impact. If they are sent directly
to the Judge's chambers, they may have less of an
impact and could cause the judge a substantial
inconvenience (and annoyance).
Thank you for your cooperation. If you have any
questions, please do not hesitate to contact the
defense committee at www.lynnestewart.org.
Sincerely,
Jill R. Shellow-Lavine
Attorney for Lynne Stewart
For more information go to:
www.LynneStewart.org
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
3) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation ˆ Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People‚s Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
· Urgent appeal for volunteers on March 19
· Volunteer opportunities this weekend.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
March 19, 2005: Global Day of Action - San Francisco -
Volunteers Needed!
No to War Occupation ˜ Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere! Bring the Troops
Home Now! Money for People's Needs, Not War!
March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
Send this email to as many friends as you can.
March 19, 2005, will be an International Day of Protest
on the second anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq.
As on the first anniversary of the invasion last year,
millions of people around the world will march to say
„No to War and Occupation from Iraq to Palestine to
Haiti and Everywhere.‰
Volunteers are urgently needed in San Francisco on
March 19 to help with set-up, distributing placards
to spread the anti-war message, carrying banners
for the march, selling buttons and t-shirts to pay
for the march, leafleting to let people know how
to get involved, take down, monitoring, clean up
and more.
Friends, families, and work groups can volunteer
in teams! Take a stand on March 19 against war
and occupation!
No experience necessary! Whether you have volunteered
before or this is your first time your help is urgently
needed. Call 415-821-6545 for more information
and directions to this meeting.
If you cannot make the orientation, you can still
volunteer to help make March 19 Day of Global
Action protest happen:
Come to Dolores Park at 9 a.m. the morning of March 19
and sign in at the Volunteer ANSWER table to get the
latest orientation and take on an area of work for the
protest. Dolores Park is located at 18th and Dolores St.
near the 16th St. BART station.
OR
Come to the Civic Center at 9 a.m. the morning of
March 19 for a volunteer orientation and to get
plugged in. Take BART to Civic Center. Look for
the sign-in table under the ANSWER Volunteer banner.
Volunteers are needed ALL DAY. Any amount of
time you have to help is greatly appreciated.
Together we‚re building a powerful new movement
against war and racism. You‚re needed in the
struggle to win money for peoples‚ needs, not
war and corporate greed. Email, call or come to
the volunteer orientation. Get involved today.
To subscribe to the list, send a message to:
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
4) BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR PRESENTS:
"Mission Accomplished" a brutally vivid documentary
filmed entirely on the ground in Iraq. The reality of this
war for American troops is contrasted to the
overwhelming reality of the devastation felt and experienced
by the people of Iraq.
"Mission Accomplished" will open March 18th, 6pm:
The Four Star Twin
2200 Clement St. (near 23rd Ave.)
San Francisco, CA 94121
415.666.3488
"Voices In Wartime" is a compelling portrayal of human
experience with war through poetry, both from the point
of view of those who were in combat and those who are left
behind.
"Voices In Wartime" will play in S.F. on April 15th at:
Landmark Lumiere 3
1572 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
[This poem by fourth-grader Cameron Penny was read
by Marie Howe in this very beautiful film
directed by Rick King.
"If you are lucky in this life
A window will appear on a battlefield between two armies
And when the soldiers look into the window
They don't see their enemies
They see themselves as children
And they stop fighting
And go home and go to sleep
When they wake up, the land is well again."
By Cameron Penny]
To learn more about these film visit
Cinema Libre Studio
http://www.cinemalibrestudio.com/
Also: check out, GUNNER PALACE |
Some war stories will never make the nightly news.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
5) 5500 U.S. Deserters: (LINK ONLY)
We Won't Fight in Iraq
Doug Lorimer
On February 25, US Army officials at Fort Stewart, Georgia,
announced that Sergeant Kevin Benderman, a 40-year-old army
mechanic who refused to deploy to Iraq for a second tour of
duty, will be court-martialed on desertion charges. If convicted,
he faces up to seven years in prison.
http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2005/619/619p14.htm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
6) OIL COMPANIES EYE IRAQ RESERVES (LINK ONLY)
By Laurence Frost
Associated Press
March 15, 2005
http://washingtontimes.com/business/20050315-120755-8864r.htm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
BAUAW NEWSLETTER-WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2005
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TOMORROW, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
At the March 8th meeting JROTC teachers lied about what the
main purpose of JROTC was and about what they are teaching to the
children of San Francisco at the district's expense.
I received the following letter this morning from
"Arson G.," one of those students.
Arson G.'s words speak for themselves.
"Out of the mouths of babes!"
Peace,
Bonnie Weinstein, Bay Area United Against War
I don't know where you guys get your ideas, but
JROTC does NOT promote warfare or joining the army or
any sort of that. It's my second year in the JROTC
program and I love it, it teaches me leadership
skills, educates me, it PROMOTES my moral standards.
The mission of JROTC is to Promote Young Cadets To
Become Better Citizens. You do not know what you are
talking about, you are not IN the program, you have
never been in the program because if you have you
wouldve loved it, one paper does not mean im going to
join the Army. Now that we have ROTC settled,
let's focus on the war. If it wasn't for wars would
you still enjoy the freedoms you have today? NO? if it
wasn't for war half of the world would be run by
dictators like Hitler or Stalin or Mussolini, Castro?
SADAM? All we're doing in Iraq is bringing democracy.
We fought BACK because of 9-11. You cannot JUDGE the
JROTC in the last two years we have not even DISCUSSED
THE WAR class wise maybe amongst friends BUT NOT IN
THE JROTC CLASSROOM.
The only thing we do, is march, learn
how to tell right from wrong. We have fun in the JROTC
program. Think of what effect it would have on kids
that don't have as good opportunities. The kids that
live in poverty that depend on JROTC to teach them
better, I believe JROTC saved lot's of lives. I
believe that if there isn't ONE person in the world
that is unsuccessfull in his life that passed the
JROTC program with flying colors. I really hope you
fail canceling the JROTC program, and for any grudge
you have against Bush take it out on him not the kids.
P.S. I AM joining the marine corps, it has been my
DREAM to be in the army since i was 7 years old. My
father served, my grandfather server and i will serve.
One thing i do admit though, the JROTC did make me
braver on my decision for joining the marines.
-Sincerely Arson G.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR PRESENTS
A PREMIERE FILM SHOWING OF:
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
One man, one camera. Two sides of a story
FRIDAY, MARCH 18TH, 6 P.M.
(There will be a short question and answer period
at 7:30 P.M. immediately following the film.)
FOUR STAR TWIN
220 CLEMENT ST. NEAR 23RD AVENUE
SAN FRANCISCO
415-666-3488
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED is a gripping documentary by veteran
British journalist Sean Langan. Langan gets up close and
personal accounts of the war from U.S. and coalition soldiers,
Iraqi resistance fighters, and captures Abu Ghraib prison abuses
long before the torture reached the popular Press.
The most powerful statement of the film is the depiction
of the total devastation brought to Iraq by this war. It is the
constant backdrop to the interviews in the film as is the almost
universal hatred exhibited by the Iraqi people toward any U.S.
presence in Iraq-both from those interviewed and from those
included among the rubble in the background scenes. This film's
a must for anyone thinking of joining the military or who is
unsure of what our government is doing there in our name.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
Volunteers are needed for March 19th!
Show up March 19th at Dolores Park
or Civic Center at 9:00 a.m.
and sign up at the A.N.S.W.E.R. volunteer table.
Or contact A.N.S.W.E.R. OFFICE AT:
2489 Mission St. #24, 415-821-6545
Hello to members of United for Peace and Justice Bay Area,
On March 19 UPJ-Bay Area will be meeting at 10:30 a.m. on
18th Street in front of Mission High School before marching down
to Civic Center. We will be carrying panels of the faces of the
victims of the war-American soldiers and Iraqi civilians-and need
your help in carrying them to Civic Center where we will have
a table. Please send out this request to your listserv.
Also, we are updating our members' directory and need your
updated contact information.
Please send your email, phone number and website address to me
as soon as possible. A donation of $25 is also requested to
cover printing charges. Please send to:
United for Peace and Justice-Bay Area
c/o War Resisters League West
POB 410744
San Francisco, CA 94141
Thanks.
Jackie Barshak
for UPJ-Bay Area
415.308.9416
jackie barshak jbarshak@hotmail.com
Not in Our Name Bay Area
Help Not in Our Name build for the March 19 mass
mobilization in San Francisco to end war and occupation!
Community postering for March 19 march and rally.
Also, help prepare for the March 18 anti-war
morning visiblity action.
Planning Meeting & Work Party
Wednesday, March 16 ~ 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Not in Our Name office. 3945 Opal Street,
Oakland CA 94609
Morning Visibilty Action
Friday, March 18 ~ 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM
Call us to hook up and help get the message out
to tens of thousands of morning commuters --
"Out of Iraq now!"
U.S. Out of Iraq Now!
March 19: International Day of Action
On the second anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, let's
show Bush and Co. that the people of the world say
NO to war and occupation!
On Saturday, March 19 join the Not in Our Name Earth
Flag Contingent at the mass march and rally organized by
ANSWER Coalition -- 11 am, Dolores Park, San Francisco.
Join up with the Not in Our Name Earth Flag Contingent at
the corner of 18th Street and Dolores (map). March to Civic
Center for a 1 pm rally.
Not In Our Name will also be organizing acts of creative
resistance around this weekend. We encourage folks to
strategize and brainstorm with us about how to broaden
resistance and bring awareness to the millions in this country
that our message must reach; and to join us as we unite with
groups around the Bay to bring out all who oppose the deadly
course of this government. Come to a general meeting,
call our office, or check out the website.
Against Military Recruitment in our Schools?
On the second anniversary of the war, join the
Counter-Recruitment Contingent!
***
Saturday, March 19
10AM at 16th and Mission St.
(the 16th Street BART station)
***
AT SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY, military recruiters were
forced to leave early without any recruits because of the hundreds
of students that came out to protest their presence at the school!
This is not an isolated incident. Seattle, Chicago, New York,
Madison, Connecticut, Minnesota. In community colleges,
high schools, and universities around the nation, students,
faculty, and campus workers have come out to protest the
BLACKMAILING of education. As billions are being diverted
from schools to the war, our students are being told that they
need to die before they see a dime of it.
THIS IS DEAD WRONG.
As recruiters are failing to meet quotas for the first time in
a decade, despite more than tripling signing bonuses, we need
to rebuild the anti-war movement by fighting against the war
where it is weakest.
Join students, parents, teachers, military families, veterans,
community members, and activists on the second anniversary
of the war at the 16th Street BART station at 10AM to march
up to Dolores Park together.
Sponsored by the Campus Anti-War Network and the College
Not Combat Committee.
Money for Jobs and Education! Not for War and Occupation!
For more info please contact: ragina@mac.com / 415.412.4540
sue sandlin design | srsndln@pacbell.net
------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Teach-in on Iraq: How Can We End this War?
Thursday, March 24 ~ 7 PM to 10 PM
Mission High School, 3750 18th Street (at Dolores), San Francisco
On the 40th Anniversary of the first teach-ins on the Vietnam War.
With presentations by Iraq veteran Rahul Mahajan, Cindy Sheehan,
Fernando Suarez, Aimee Allison, Howard Wallace, Sean O'Neil,
and Medea Benjamin. Sponsored by Global Exchange and
CODEPINK. $5 donation requested. (more info)
Resistance Cinema Presents "Hidden in Plain Sight"
Sunday, April 10 ~ 3 PM to 5 PM
Parkway Pizza/Pub Theater, 1834 Park Blvd., Oakland
A short history, a spirited debate, a personal story, and a call
for accountability, "Hidden in Plain Sight" is a bold, unflinching
look at the nature and consequences of U.S. policy in Latin
America. Brief presentation by Laura Slattery, Pace e Bene
Nonviolence. A free event sponsored by Not in Our Name.
The Not in Our Name Project needs your support!
Donate online: donate.notinourname.net
Or send your tax-deductible contribution today to:
Not in Our Name
3945 Opal Street, Oakland CA 94609
www.notinourname.net
phone: 510-601-8000
email: bayarea@notinourname.net
local: bayarea.notinourname.net
Another World Is Possible!
http://www.notinourname.net
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
Dear Friends Please read the following request from Families for
Peaceful Tomorrows one of the many co-sponsors of the Eyes Wide
Open exhibit. They have committed to trying to collecting the
16,000 additional pairs of shoes. Please think about becoming
a collection point. In my opinion donating a pair of shoes is a
great way to challenge people to think about the human cost of
war. It is a way to involve people before the exhibit arrives and
encourage them to come. Some ideas for dealing with the collection
include; put out a barrel or box asking for the donation in your
school, church, neighborhood center or place of work. Put a flyer
on the box explaining why we are collecting the shoes. Thanks.
Sandra Schwartz
Peace Education Coordinator, AFSC
Dear Friends,
Eyes Wide Open, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
exhibit that reminds us of the human cost of war is coming to San
Francisco March 25-27. The exhibit features over 1,500 pairs of
combat boots tagged with the names of U.S. soldiers who have
died in the Iraq war. It also memorializes the Iraqi civilians killed
in the war.
In San Francisco, we are adding a new element to this powerful
exhibit: instead of just 1,000 shoes to represent all the Iraqi civilian
deaths, we have set a goal of collecting 16,000[1] pairs of shoes
to more accurately demonstrate the scale of Iraqi deaths as a result
of the war. The shoe memorial has been initiated by September
11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows and it will not happen
without your support.
We need your help to meet the goal of collecting 16,000 pairs
of shoes!
What you can do:
1. Collect shoes for the exhibit
* Please gather usable shoes from your family and friends
or set up a shoe collection site in your community, school,
workplace or place of worship.
* Tie each pair together, or, if no laces, securely attach them
together.
* Count the pairs of shoes and place in heavy-duty garbage
bags. Attach a tag with the count on it.
* Shoes will be donated at the end of the exhibit. Children's
and men's shoes are especially needed.
* Call Nabil at 415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email
shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* Drop off shoes 9 am to 5 pm at AFSC, 65 Ninth St.
(between Mission and Market) until Thursday, March 24.
Last minute shoes may be brought to Civic Center Plaza
Friday, March 25. No shoes accepted after Friday.
2. Collect phone cards for military personnel
We are also collecting telephone calling cards to donate to
military personnel and to returning Iraq war veterans in
a Bay Area hospital and the USOs at local airports. Please
purchase phone cards to donate with your shoes or bring
to the exhibit.
3. Volunteer
Volunteers are needed for the shoe project as well as the
overall exhibit.
* To volunteer with the shoe project, call Nabil at
415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email
shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* To volunteer to help with the exhibit call AFSC at
415-565-0201 ext. 15 or email sleeds@afsc.org
4. Spread the word! Please forward this information to
your networks.
5. Come to the exhibit, encourage others to come, and
bring last minute shoe donations and help us honor all
those who have died in Iraq.
[1] The number 16,000 is the approximate minimum number
of Iraqi civilians reported killed by military intervention in
Iraq by www.iraqbodycount.net.
Eyes Wide Open
"An exhibit that speaks directly to our hearts and reminds
us of the human cost of war."
Over 1,500 pairs of empty combat boots - tagged with the
names of U.S. soldiers who died in the Iraq war - will be
displayed, together with thousands of shoes and wall of
names to memorialize the Iraqis killed.
SAN FRANCISCO DATES:
March 25 (Friday), 11:00 am with all night vigil
Civic Center between Polk and Larkin
March 26 (Saturday), 10:00 am to 5 pm
Civic Center Voices and Requiem - 2 pm
March 27 (Easter Sunday), 10:00 am to dusk
Union Square (Powell and Geary)
American Friends Service Committee
We Need Good Shoes (Especially for Men and Children) and
Telephone Cards!
Call 415-565-0201 x14 or shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
See www.afsc.org/eyes
Until Thursday March 24, drop off shoes at 65 Ninth St.
(betw. Mission and Market) from 9-5 weekdays
Donate phone cards for military families Donate shoes to
memorialize the Iraqi casualties
Co-Sponsors (partial list) Agape Fdn; American Muslim Voice;
Archdiocese of SF: Comm. Of Public Policy and Social Concern;
Bay Area Pax Christi; Bay Area United for Peace and Justice;
Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists; Berkeley Friends
Church; Buddhist Peace Fellowship; Grace Cathedral: Diocese
of CA of the Episcopal Church; Los Altos Voices for Peace; Military
Families Speak Out; Pacifica Peace People; Pacifica Women in
Black; SFUSD School Board; Strawberry Creek Friends Meeting;
Veterans for Peace; 9/11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows,
San Francisco Friends Meeting, Code Pink
Our postal address is
P.O. Box 1818
Peter Stuyvesant Station
New York, New York 10009
United States
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TOMORROW, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
2) WE ALL STAND WITH LYNNE STEWART!
NO JAIL TIME FOR LYNNE!
PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TODAY
3) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation of Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People's Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
4) COMING TO THE BAY AREA SOON-POWERFUL ANTIWAR MOVIES
5) 5500 U.S. Deserters: (LINK ONLY)
We Won't Fight in Iraq
Doug Lorimer
On February 25, US Army officials at Fort Stewart, Georgia,
announced that Sergeant Kevin Benderman, a 40-year-old army
mechanic who refused to deploy to Iraq for a second tour of
duty, will be court-martialed on desertion charges. If convicted,
he faces up to seven years in prison.
http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2005/619/619p14.htm
6) OIL COMPANIES EYE IRAQ RESERVES (LINK ONLY)
By Laurence Frost
Associated Press
March 15, 2005
http://washingtontimes.com/business/20050315-120755-8864r.htm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TOMORROW, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
At the March 8th meeting JROTC teachers lied about what the
main purpose of JROTC was and about what they are teaching to the
children of San Francisco at the district's expense.
I received the following letter this morning from
"Arson G.," one of those students.
Arson G.'s words speak for themselves.
"Out of the mouths of babes!"
Peace,
Bonnie Weinstein, Bay Area United Against War
--- Nelly Gabuera
I don't know where you guys get your ideas, but
JROTC does NOT promote warfare or joining the army or
any sort of that. It's my second year in the JROTC
program and I love it, it teaches me leadership
skills, educates me, it PROMOTES my moral standards.
The mission of JROTC is to Promote Young Cadets To
Become Better Citizens. You do not know what you are
talking about, you are not IN the program, you have
never been in the program because if you have you
wouldve loved it, one paper does not mean im going to
join the Army. Now that we have ROTC settled,
let's focus on the war. If it wasn't for wars would
you still enjoy the freedoms you have today? NO? if it
wasn't for war half of the world would be run by
dictators like Hitler or Stalin or Mussolini, Castro?
SADAM? All we're doing in Iraq is bringing democracy.
We fought BACK because of 9-11. You cannot JUDGE the
JROTC in the last two years we have not even DISCUSSED
THE WAR class wise maybe amongst friends BUT NOT IN
THE JROTC CLASSROOM. The only thing we do, is march, learn
how to tell right from wrong. We have fun in the JROTC
program. Think of what effect it would have on kids
that don't have as good opportunities. The kids that
live in poverty that depend on JROTC to teach them
better, I believe JROTC saved lot's of lives. I
believe that if there isn't ONE person in the world
that is unsuccessfull in his life that passed the
JROTC program with flying colors. I really hope you
fail canceling the JROTC program, and for any grudge
you have against Bush take it out on him not the kids.
P.S. I AM joining the marine corps, it has been my
DREAM to be in the army since i was 7 years old. My
father served, my grandfather server and i will serve.
One thing i do admit though, the JROTC did make me
braver on my decision for joining the marines.
-Sincerely Arson G.
.............................................................................
The following are statements that were cut off at the board
Meeting due to running over the 1-minute time limit March 8th:
(The JROTC duo got three times as much time as all of us put
together.)
FROM: "Elizabeth Milos" emilos@yahoo.com
At the BofEd meeting on Tuesday, I only had one minute so
I wasn't able to say everything but I was able to state the
first five concrete demands that I believe the Board of
Education should adopt as a district-wide policy.
It would be a good idea if we were to hammer it home
a second time regardless of their intent to table it into
a "community advisory board".
As parents, we should stress that we do NOTconsider the
military a "career option" for our youth. KILLING IS NOT A
CAREER OPTION. The resources that are being spent for war
(with our tax money) should be spent on providing financial
aid to low-income youth that want to go to college.
The fact that young men from poor communities must
register in the selective service in order to be eligible
for financial aid converts the registration process into
a de-facto draft for lower income youth which, during
these times of recruitment shortages and stop loss
orders, practically guarantees that these young men
will be called to "serve their country".
Instead, we need these young men to go to college and
contribute to the economic development of their
neighborhoods and families. There are many legitimate
ways to serve our country: working with homeless families,
in soup kitchens, with the elderly, etc. ways that do not
put our childrens' lives in danger or require them to
kill and become psychologically wounded for life in
order to get a college education.
The Board of Education has an obligation to create and
sustain a life-affirming environment for our children
in our public education system and, in partnership
with the parents, to prepare our children to realize
their potential and to contribute to our society in
positive ways. If the Board continues to allow military
recruitment on our campuses, the Board is becoming
an accomplice to the crime that is being committed
against our low income youth by our government.
It's not only an issue of being permitted to carry out
counter-recruitment activities: We should ask the
Board to keep the military out of our public schools.
I am aware that the "No Child Left Behind Act"
requires school districts to allow military recruiters
the "same level of access" to school campuses that
colleges have or else face serious cuts in federal funding.
Our children are minors and until they turn 18, we,
as parents, are ultimately responsible for their well being.
We are calling on the Board to stand together with
us, to use our imagination and develop ways to
circumvent this law and to make it clear to our
youth what are the true effects of war.
Some of the ways that come to mind is the following:
1.Organize College and Vocational Training Fairs
off-campus in community centers and encourage
attendance by high school juniors and seniors by
making it part of the regular curriculum.
2.Support Mike Honda's bill in Congress. Presently,
parents that do NOT want their children's names to be
given to the military for recruitment purposes must
sign an opt-out form. Representative Mike Honda's
Bill would convert our present opt-out system into
an opt-in system. Only parents that WANT their
children to be contacted or recruited into the military
would thereby give their authorization for the military
to contact their children OFF-CAMPUS.
3.Dedicate a significant portion of the Health
curriculum to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Invite
veterans from the peace movement to share their
personal experiences.
4.Develop curriculum that exposes the effects of war
on the environment, on the health of troops and
civilians and on the economy.
5.Instruct school faculty and counselors to inform
students about their right to register as conscientious
objectors and support them in the registration process,
if they decide to do so.
6.Connect youth with counter-recruitment groups that
can train them as peer counselors as part of their required
100 hours of community service that they are required to
complete as part of graduation.
Yes, we are asking the Board of Education to take a stand,
to "choose sides", so to speak. But where war is concerned,
all sides lose and our children most of all. Stand on the side
of our youth and get those recruiters off of our campuses.
...................
FROM: Bonnie Weinstein giobon@sbcglobal.net
First the good news: According to Tom Philpott of the Fleet
Reserve Association, Black Army recruits are down 41 percent
since 2000.
The bad news is, the San Francisco Unified School District is
subsidizing military recruitment in our schools.
The School district and the military each pay a million towards
a Physical Education teacher-but that teacher is a JROTC
teacher-appointed by the military.
And, since this person is counted as a Physical Education teacher,
and JROTC is counted as a Physical Education class, the public
is told that the Military is contributing a million dollars to the
schools to support the cost of a Physical Education teacher.
We are further told that without the money from the Army, the
schools would not have enough Physical Education classes to go
around and some kids would not earn the necessary graduation
credits to earn their diploma without JROTC.
Well, that tells me we need Physical Education teachers-not
military recruiters. The district must come up with the money to
have the required number of physical education classes to allow
students to graduate without forcing some of them into the military.
What I think needs to happen is that the Board of Education has
to give us a full accounting of how much money we have for
our children's needs and how our dollars are being spent.
I do know, if the District is paying a million dollars to have
military recruiters at our schools the million the Military puts
up is not a "gift" to anyone but themselves.
As a parent and grandparent I feel it puts our kids in harms
way and gets them involved in an immoral and illegal war
that is ruining tens of thousands of lives every day.
We want them out of our schools.
........................................................
From: Carole Seligman caroseligman@aol.com
Dear All,
The main purpose of the
Jr. ROTC presentation at
the March 8 Board of Ed. meeting
was to convince the public that the Jr.
ROTC program has nothing
whatsoever to do with war,
preparation for war, or
military recruitment. In other
words it was the Big Lie in full
operation. Our job must continue
to show how military recruitment and
programs in the schools are
intimately connected to the
war in Iraq and future wars
and occupations the U.S. is planning now.
Ending public school ties with
the military will be a long, uphill fight. and
it will not be lead by the Bd.
of Education or other politicians. In my
opinion, the only reason to speak
out at the Bd. of Ed. meetings is to keep this
struggle before the public and to
help open the door for parent and student
organizing to keep the hands of the
military off our children and out of our
communities' schools.
Again there was a broad coalition of
anti-war organizations speaking out at
the meeting. And this time there were
some young people and some more parents
speaking out too. Most of the 1 minute
speeches were very educational and
effective I thought. There was a young
military veteran (who had gotten in touch
with Bonnie before the meeting) and
a high school student whose school was
trying to put him into a ROTC "class"
against his will.
BAUAW has submitted the following resolution to the board:
Draft Resolution for San Francisco Board of Education
Cut Ties with the Military:
WHEREAS, the United States military is
actively recruiting high school students into
the military to fight in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, many young San Francisco
high school alumni are presently serving in
military units fighting in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, it is San Francisco City policy
by virtue of Proposition N, to bring all U.S.
troops home from Iraq now; and
WHEREAS, over 1,448 U.S. soldiers and
approximately 100,000 Iraqis have been
killed in this war and over 10,000 U.S.
soldiers and unknown thousands of
Iraqis have been wounded; and
WHEREAS, the hundreds of billions of dollars
spent on the war have robbed our children of
resources that should be spent on
education and other human needs; and
WHEREAS, military presence in our schools
legitimizes the message that violence is
acceptable;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
It shall be the policy of the San Francisco
Board of Education to cut all ties
with the United States military,
including, but not limited to: Ending military
recruitment on campuses; ending the
Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps
(JROTC); and guaranteeing that all students
and parents are informed of their right to
deny military recruiters access to their
names, addresses and telephone numbers.
MILITARY SPENDING IN THE SCHOOLS:
To: CodePinkCounterRecruitGroup@yahoogroups.com
From: "iampohet"
Subject: Which schools have jrotc?
I don't know specifically if military science is jrotc. I didn't find the
right person to ask. But, if it isn't, then what the hell is it?
Oh, heck, just for fun, here are the athletics funds listed in the profile:
School: Amt: FTE's:Mil.Sci. FTE's:
Balboa: $6,000 2.0
Burton: $6,000 2.0
Galileo: $6,000 2.0
Lincoln: $7,000 3.0
Mission: $6,000 2.0
Lowell: $7,000 2.0
Washington: $7,000 2.0
The money, just over 2 mil, is all the funds... 1mil+
from the Feds and 1mil + in matching funds from the sfusd.
In CodePinkCounterRecruitGroup@yahoogroups.com,
Ms sam joi wrote:
question - mil sci is jrotc? and this $$ was alotted
by the feds to the individual schools?
iampohet wrote:
School Money alotted to Mil Sci as per fiscal profile Apr. 2004
Balboa: $261,335
Burton: $258,177
Galileo: $343,913
Lincoln: $429,106
Mission: $265,303
Lowell: $276,877
Wash: $344,093
Total: $2,178,804
I found this info by digging in the individual school's profiles on
the sfusd website. Hope it's helpful.
erin
Bay Area United Against War (BAUAW)
www.bauaw.org
414-824-8730
Donations are urgently needed to carry
out this important work. We have no
paid staff but need money for posters,
buttons, flyers and informational material
to hand out to students and parents.
Make a tax-deductible donation to:
Bay Area United Against War/NVM
P.O. Box 318021
San Francisco, CA 94131-8021
Coming Up:
Global Day of Action
March 19, 2005
No to War and Occupation in Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People's Needs, Not War!
San Francisco March Assembles:
11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
THE NEXT BAUAW MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE:
SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 11:30AM
474 VALENCIA STREET, SF
(FIRST FLOOR, TO THE LEFT AND ALL THE WAY BACK
TO THE COMPANEROS DEL BARRIO CHILDREN'S CENTER)
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
2) WE ALL STAND WITH LYNNE STEWART!
NO JAIL TIME FOR LYNNE!
PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TODAY:
SUGGESTION AS TO FORMAT OF LETTERS
TO BE WRITTEN ON BEHALF OF LYNNE STEWART
MARGIN: Please leave at least a one-inch left-hand margin
to allow us to bind the letter into the appendix to the
sentencing memorandum that is being filed on
Lynne's behalf.
INSIDE ADDRESS: Honorable John G. Koeltl
United States District Judge
Southern District of New York
United States Courthouse
500 Pearl Street
New York, New York 10007
GREETING: Honorable Sir or Dear Judge Koeltl:
BODY: Briefly introduce yourself and set forth
your relationship to Lynne.
Briefly discuss yourself - your position in work
and in society.
State that you are aware that Lynne is to be sentenced
following a jury verdict of guilty on serious charges:
The remainder of your letter should discuss whatever
you believe to weigh in favor of no jail time. If possible,
you should tell of an incident where she helped you out
or engaged in commendable community service. Do not
try to argue that she is not guilty or was unfairly conviction.
Focus on the unfairness of the government's actions in
bringing the charges; the way in which the government
portrayed her, etc.
* Typewritten letters if possible are preferred.
*
WHEN LETTER IS COMPLETED: Please mail the final product
to the following address:
Jill R. Shellow-Lavine, Esq.
2537 Post Road
Southport, CT 06890
Do not send your letters to the judge. We ask that you
forward your letter me so that the lawyers can present
it to Judge Koeltl with the other letters being written
for this purpose. This is the manner in which letters
will have the greatest impact. If they are sent directly
to the Judge's chambers, they may have less of an
impact and could cause the judge a substantial
inconvenience (and annoyance).
Thank you for your cooperation. If you have any
questions, please do not hesitate to contact the
defense committee at www.lynnestewart.org.
Sincerely,
Jill R. Shellow-Lavine
Attorney for Lynne Stewart
For more information go to:
www.LynneStewart.org
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
3) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation � Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People�s Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
� Urgent appeal for volunteers on March 19
� Volunteer opportunities this weekend.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
March 19, 2005: Global Day of Action - San Francisco -
Volunteers Needed!
No to War Occupation � Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere! Bring the Troops
Home Now! Money for People's Needs, Not War!
March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
Send this email to as many friends as you can.
March 19, 2005, will be an International Day of Protest
on the second anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq.
As on the first anniversary of the invasion last year,
millions of people around the world will march to say
�No to War and Occupation from Iraq to Palestine to
Haiti and Everywhere.�
Volunteers are urgently needed in San Francisco on
March 19 to help with set-up, distributing placards
to spread the anti-war message, carrying banners
for the march, selling buttons and t-shirts to pay
for the march, leafleting to let people know how
to get involved, take down, monitoring, clean up
and more.
Friends, families, and work groups can volunteer
in teams! Take a stand on March 19 against war
and occupation!
No experience necessary! Whether you have volunteered
before or this is your first time your help is urgently
needed. Call 415-821-6545 for more information
and directions to this meeting.
If you cannot make the orientation, you can still
volunteer to help make March 19 Day of Global
Action protest happen:
Come to Dolores Park at 9 a.m. the morning of March 19
and sign in at the Volunteer ANSWER table to get the
latest orientation and take on an area of work for the
protest. Dolores Park is located at 18th and Dolores St.
near the 16th St. BART station.
OR
Come to the Civic Center at 9 a.m. the morning of
March 19 for a volunteer orientation and to get
plugged in. Take BART to Civic Center. Look for
the sign-in table under the ANSWER Volunteer banner.
Volunteers are needed ALL DAY. Any amount of
time you have to help is greatly appreciated.
Together we�re building a powerful new movement
against war and racism. You�re needed in the
struggle to win money for peoples� needs, not
war and corporate greed. Email, call or come to
the volunteer orientation. Get involved today.
To subscribe to the list, send a message to:
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
4) BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR PRESENTS:
"Mission Accomplished" a brutally vivid documentary
filmed entirely on the ground in Iraq. The reality of this
war for American troops is contrasted to the
overwhelming reality of the devastation felt and experienced
by the people of Iraq.
"Mission Accomplished" will open March 18th, 6pm:
The Four Star Twin
2200 Clement St. (near 23rd Ave.)
San Francisco, CA 94121
415.666.3488
"Voices In Wartime" is a compelling portrayal of human
experience with war through poetry, both from the point
of view of those who were in combat and those who are left
behind.
"Voices In Wartime" will play in S.F. on April 15th at:
Landmark Lumiere 3
1572 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
[This poem by fourth-grader Cameron Penny was read
by Marie Howe in this very beautiful film
directed by Rick King.
"If you are lucky in this life
A window will appear on a battlefield between two armies
And when the soldiers look into the window
They don't see their enemies
They see themselves as children
And they stop fighting
And go home and go to sleep
When they wake up, the land is well again."
By Cameron Penny]
To learn more about these film visit
Cinema Libre Studio
http://www.cinemalibrestudio.com/
Also: check out, GUNNER PALACE |
Some war stories will never make the nightly news.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
5) 5500 U.S. Deserters: (LINK ONLY)
We Won't Fight in Iraq
Doug Lorimer
On February 25, US Army officials at Fort Stewart, Georgia,
announced that Sergeant Kevin Benderman, a 40-year-old army
mechanic who refused to deploy to Iraq for a second tour of
duty, will be court-martialed on desertion charges. If convicted,
he faces up to seven years in prison.
http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2005/619/619p14.htm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
6) OIL COMPANIES EYE IRAQ RESERVES (LINK ONLY)
By Laurence Frost
Associated Press
March 15, 2005
http://washingtontimes.com/business/20050315-120755-8864r.htm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
TOMORROW, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
At the March 8th meeting JROTC teachers lied about what the
main purpose of JROTC was and about what they are teaching to the
children of San Francisco at the district's expense.
I received the following letter this morning from
"Arson G.," one of those students.
Arson G.'s words speak for themselves.
"Out of the mouths of babes!"
Peace,
Bonnie Weinstein, Bay Area United Against War
I don't know where you guys get your ideas, but
JROTC does NOT promote warfare or joining the army or
any sort of that. It's my second year in the JROTC
program and I love it, it teaches me leadership
skills, educates me, it PROMOTES my moral standards.
The mission of JROTC is to Promote Young Cadets To
Become Better Citizens. You do not know what you are
talking about, you are not IN the program, you have
never been in the program because if you have you
wouldve loved it, one paper does not mean im going to
join the Army. Now that we have ROTC settled,
let's focus on the war. If it wasn't for wars would
you still enjoy the freedoms you have today? NO? if it
wasn't for war half of the world would be run by
dictators like Hitler or Stalin or Mussolini, Castro?
SADAM? All we're doing in Iraq is bringing democracy.
We fought BACK because of 9-11. You cannot JUDGE the
JROTC in the last two years we have not even DISCUSSED
THE WAR class wise maybe amongst friends BUT NOT IN
THE JROTC CLASSROOM.
The only thing we do, is march, learn
how to tell right from wrong. We have fun in the JROTC
program. Think of what effect it would have on kids
that don't have as good opportunities. The kids that
live in poverty that depend on JROTC to teach them
better, I believe JROTC saved lot's of lives. I
believe that if there isn't ONE person in the world
that is unsuccessfull in his life that passed the
JROTC program with flying colors. I really hope you
fail canceling the JROTC program, and for any grudge
you have against Bush take it out on him not the kids.
P.S. I AM joining the marine corps, it has been my
DREAM to be in the army since i was 7 years old. My
father served, my grandfather server and i will serve.
One thing i do admit though, the JROTC did make me
braver on my decision for joining the marines.
-Sincerely Arson G.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR PRESENTS
A PREMIERE FILM SHOWING OF:
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
One man, one camera. Two sides of a story
FRIDAY, MARCH 18TH, 6 P.M.
(There will be a short question and answer period
at 7:30 P.M. immediately following the film.)
FOUR STAR TWIN
220 CLEMENT ST. NEAR 23RD AVENUE
SAN FRANCISCO
415-666-3488
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED is a gripping documentary by veteran
British journalist Sean Langan. Langan gets up close and
personal accounts of the war from U.S. and coalition soldiers,
Iraqi resistance fighters, and captures Abu Ghraib prison abuses
long before the torture reached the popular Press.
The most powerful statement of the film is the depiction
of the total devastation brought to Iraq by this war. It is the
constant backdrop to the interviews in the film as is the almost
universal hatred exhibited by the Iraqi people toward any U.S.
presence in Iraq-both from those interviewed and from those
included among the rubble in the background scenes. This film's
a must for anyone thinking of joining the military or who is
unsure of what our government is doing there in our name.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
Volunteers are needed for March 19th!
Show up March 19th at Dolores Park
or Civic Center at 9:00 a.m.
and sign up at the A.N.S.W.E.R. volunteer table.
Or contact A.N.S.W.E.R. OFFICE AT:
2489 Mission St. #24, 415-821-6545
Hello to members of United for Peace and Justice Bay Area,
On March 19 UPJ-Bay Area will be meeting at 10:30 a.m. on
18th Street in front of Mission High School before marching down
to Civic Center. We will be carrying panels of the faces of the
victims of the war-American soldiers and Iraqi civilians-and need
your help in carrying them to Civic Center where we will have
a table. Please send out this request to your listserv.
Also, we are updating our members' directory and need your
updated contact information.
Please send your email, phone number and website address to me
as soon as possible. A donation of $25 is also requested to
cover printing charges. Please send to:
United for Peace and Justice-Bay Area
c/o War Resisters League West
POB 410744
San Francisco, CA 94141
Thanks.
Jackie Barshak
for UPJ-Bay Area
415.308.9416
jackie barshak jbarshak@hotmail.com
Not in Our Name Bay Area
Help Not in Our Name build for the March 19 mass
mobilization in San Francisco to end war and occupation!
Community postering for March 19 march and rally.
Also, help prepare for the March 18 anti-war
morning visiblity action.
Planning Meeting & Work Party
Wednesday, March 16 ~ 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Not in Our Name office. 3945 Opal Street,
Oakland CA 94609
Morning Visibilty Action
Friday, March 18 ~ 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM
Call us to hook up and help get the message out
to tens of thousands of morning commuters --
"Out of Iraq now!"
U.S. Out of Iraq Now!
March 19: International Day of Action
On the second anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, let's
show Bush and Co. that the people of the world say
NO to war and occupation!
On Saturday, March 19 join the Not in Our Name Earth
Flag Contingent at the mass march and rally organized by
ANSWER Coalition -- 11 am, Dolores Park, San Francisco.
Join up with the Not in Our Name Earth Flag Contingent at
the corner of 18th Street and Dolores (map). March to Civic
Center for a 1 pm rally.
Not In Our Name will also be organizing acts of creative
resistance around this weekend. We encourage folks to
strategize and brainstorm with us about how to broaden
resistance and bring awareness to the millions in this country
that our message must reach; and to join us as we unite with
groups around the Bay to bring out all who oppose the deadly
course of this government. Come to a general meeting,
call our office, or check out the website.
Against Military Recruitment in our Schools?
On the second anniversary of the war, join the
Counter-Recruitment Contingent!
***
Saturday, March 19
10AM at 16th and Mission St.
(the 16th Street BART station)
***
AT SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY, military recruiters were
forced to leave early without any recruits because of the hundreds
of students that came out to protest their presence at the school!
This is not an isolated incident. Seattle, Chicago, New York,
Madison, Connecticut, Minnesota. In community colleges,
high schools, and universities around the nation, students,
faculty, and campus workers have come out to protest the
BLACKMAILING of education. As billions are being diverted
from schools to the war, our students are being told that they
need to die before they see a dime of it.
THIS IS DEAD WRONG.
As recruiters are failing to meet quotas for the first time in
a decade, despite more than tripling signing bonuses, we need
to rebuild the anti-war movement by fighting against the war
where it is weakest.
Join students, parents, teachers, military families, veterans,
community members, and activists on the second anniversary
of the war at the 16th Street BART station at 10AM to march
up to Dolores Park together.
Sponsored by the Campus Anti-War Network and the College
Not Combat Committee.
Money for Jobs and Education! Not for War and Occupation!
For more info please contact: ragina@mac.com / 415.412.4540
sue sandlin design | srsndln@pacbell.net
------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Teach-in on Iraq: How Can We End this War?
Thursday, March 24 ~ 7 PM to 10 PM
Mission High School, 3750 18th Street (at Dolores), San Francisco
On the 40th Anniversary of the first teach-ins on the Vietnam War.
With presentations by Iraq veteran Rahul Mahajan, Cindy Sheehan,
Fernando Suarez, Aimee Allison, Howard Wallace, Sean O'Neil,
and Medea Benjamin. Sponsored by Global Exchange and
CODEPINK. $5 donation requested. (more info)
Resistance Cinema Presents "Hidden in Plain Sight"
Sunday, April 10 ~ 3 PM to 5 PM
Parkway Pizza/Pub Theater, 1834 Park Blvd., Oakland
A short history, a spirited debate, a personal story, and a call
for accountability, "Hidden in Plain Sight" is a bold, unflinching
look at the nature and consequences of U.S. policy in Latin
America. Brief presentation by Laura Slattery, Pace e Bene
Nonviolence. A free event sponsored by Not in Our Name.
The Not in Our Name Project needs your support!
Donate online: donate.notinourname.net
Or send your tax-deductible contribution today to:
Not in Our Name
3945 Opal Street, Oakland CA 94609
www.notinourname.net
phone: 510-601-8000
email: bayarea@notinourname.net
local: bayarea.notinourname.net
Another World Is Possible!
http://www.notinourname.net
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
Dear Friends Please read the following request from Families for
Peaceful Tomorrows one of the many co-sponsors of the Eyes Wide
Open exhibit. They have committed to trying to collecting the
16,000 additional pairs of shoes. Please think about becoming
a collection point. In my opinion donating a pair of shoes is a
great way to challenge people to think about the human cost of
war. It is a way to involve people before the exhibit arrives and
encourage them to come. Some ideas for dealing with the collection
include; put out a barrel or box asking for the donation in your
school, church, neighborhood center or place of work. Put a flyer
on the box explaining why we are collecting the shoes. Thanks.
Sandra Schwartz
Peace Education Coordinator, AFSC
Dear Friends,
Eyes Wide Open, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
exhibit that reminds us of the human cost of war is coming to San
Francisco March 25-27. The exhibit features over 1,500 pairs of
combat boots tagged with the names of U.S. soldiers who have
died in the Iraq war. It also memorializes the Iraqi civilians killed
in the war.
In San Francisco, we are adding a new element to this powerful
exhibit: instead of just 1,000 shoes to represent all the Iraqi civilian
deaths, we have set a goal of collecting 16,000[1] pairs of shoes
to more accurately demonstrate the scale of Iraqi deaths as a result
of the war. The shoe memorial has been initiated by September
11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows and it will not happen
without your support.
We need your help to meet the goal of collecting 16,000 pairs
of shoes!
What you can do:
1. Collect shoes for the exhibit
* Please gather usable shoes from your family and friends
or set up a shoe collection site in your community, school,
workplace or place of worship.
* Tie each pair together, or, if no laces, securely attach them
together.
* Count the pairs of shoes and place in heavy-duty garbage
bags. Attach a tag with the count on it.
* Shoes will be donated at the end of the exhibit. Children's
and men's shoes are especially needed.
* Call Nabil at 415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email
shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* Drop off shoes 9 am to 5 pm at AFSC, 65 Ninth St.
(between Mission and Market) until Thursday, March 24.
Last minute shoes may be brought to Civic Center Plaza
Friday, March 25. No shoes accepted after Friday.
2. Collect phone cards for military personnel
We are also collecting telephone calling cards to donate to
military personnel and to returning Iraq war veterans in
a Bay Area hospital and the USOs at local airports. Please
purchase phone cards to donate with your shoes or bring
to the exhibit.
3. Volunteer
Volunteers are needed for the shoe project as well as the
overall exhibit.
* To volunteer with the shoe project, call Nabil at
415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email
shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* To volunteer to help with the exhibit call AFSC at
415-565-0201 ext. 15 or email sleeds@afsc.org
4. Spread the word! Please forward this information to
your networks.
5. Come to the exhibit, encourage others to come, and
bring last minute shoe donations and help us honor all
those who have died in Iraq.
[1] The number 16,000 is the approximate minimum number
of Iraqi civilians reported killed by military intervention in
Iraq by www.iraqbodycount.net.
Eyes Wide Open
"An exhibit that speaks directly to our hearts and reminds
us of the human cost of war."
Over 1,500 pairs of empty combat boots - tagged with the
names of U.S. soldiers who died in the Iraq war - will be
displayed, together with thousands of shoes and wall of
names to memorialize the Iraqis killed.
SAN FRANCISCO DATES:
March 25 (Friday), 11:00 am with all night vigil
Civic Center between Polk and Larkin
March 26 (Saturday), 10:00 am to 5 pm
Civic Center Voices and Requiem - 2 pm
March 27 (Easter Sunday), 10:00 am to dusk
Union Square (Powell and Geary)
American Friends Service Committee
We Need Good Shoes (Especially for Men and Children) and
Telephone Cards!
Call 415-565-0201 x14 or shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
See www.afsc.org/eyes
Until Thursday March 24, drop off shoes at 65 Ninth St.
(betw. Mission and Market) from 9-5 weekdays
Donate phone cards for military families Donate shoes to
memorialize the Iraqi casualties
Co-Sponsors (partial list) Agape Fdn; American Muslim Voice;
Archdiocese of SF: Comm. Of Public Policy and Social Concern;
Bay Area Pax Christi; Bay Area United for Peace and Justice;
Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists; Berkeley Friends
Church; Buddhist Peace Fellowship; Grace Cathedral: Diocese
of CA of the Episcopal Church; Los Altos Voices for Peace; Military
Families Speak Out; Pacifica Peace People; Pacifica Women in
Black; SFUSD School Board; Strawberry Creek Friends Meeting;
Veterans for Peace; 9/11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows,
San Francisco Friends Meeting, Code Pink
Our postal address is
P.O. Box 1818
Peter Stuyvesant Station
New York, New York 10009
United States
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TOMORROW, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
2) WE ALL STAND WITH LYNNE STEWART!
NO JAIL TIME FOR LYNNE!
PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TODAY
3) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation of Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People's Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
4) COMING TO THE BAY AREA SOON-POWERFUL ANTIWAR MOVIES
5) 5500 U.S. Deserters: (LINK ONLY)
We Won't Fight in Iraq
Doug Lorimer
On February 25, US Army officials at Fort Stewart, Georgia,
announced that Sergeant Kevin Benderman, a 40-year-old army
mechanic who refused to deploy to Iraq for a second tour of
duty, will be court-martialed on desertion charges. If convicted,
he faces up to seven years in prison.
http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2005/619/619p14.htm
6) OIL COMPANIES EYE IRAQ RESERVES (LINK ONLY)
By Laurence Frost
Associated Press
March 15, 2005
http://washingtontimes.com/business/20050315-120755-8864r.htm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TOMORROW, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
At the March 8th meeting JROTC teachers lied about what the
main purpose of JROTC was and about what they are teaching to the
children of San Francisco at the district's expense.
I received the following letter this morning from
"Arson G.," one of those students.
Arson G.'s words speak for themselves.
"Out of the mouths of babes!"
Peace,
Bonnie Weinstein, Bay Area United Against War
--- Nelly Gabuera
I don't know where you guys get your ideas, but
JROTC does NOT promote warfare or joining the army or
any sort of that. It's my second year in the JROTC
program and I love it, it teaches me leadership
skills, educates me, it PROMOTES my moral standards.
The mission of JROTC is to Promote Young Cadets To
Become Better Citizens. You do not know what you are
talking about, you are not IN the program, you have
never been in the program because if you have you
wouldve loved it, one paper does not mean im going to
join the Army. Now that we have ROTC settled,
let's focus on the war. If it wasn't for wars would
you still enjoy the freedoms you have today? NO? if it
wasn't for war half of the world would be run by
dictators like Hitler or Stalin or Mussolini, Castro?
SADAM? All we're doing in Iraq is bringing democracy.
We fought BACK because of 9-11. You cannot JUDGE the
JROTC in the last two years we have not even DISCUSSED
THE WAR class wise maybe amongst friends BUT NOT IN
THE JROTC CLASSROOM. The only thing we do, is march, learn
how to tell right from wrong. We have fun in the JROTC
program. Think of what effect it would have on kids
that don't have as good opportunities. The kids that
live in poverty that depend on JROTC to teach them
better, I believe JROTC saved lot's of lives. I
believe that if there isn't ONE person in the world
that is unsuccessfull in his life that passed the
JROTC program with flying colors. I really hope you
fail canceling the JROTC program, and for any grudge
you have against Bush take it out on him not the kids.
P.S. I AM joining the marine corps, it has been my
DREAM to be in the army since i was 7 years old. My
father served, my grandfather server and i will serve.
One thing i do admit though, the JROTC did make me
braver on my decision for joining the marines.
-Sincerely Arson G.
.............................................................................
The following are statements that were cut off at the board
Meeting due to running over the 1-minute time limit March 8th:
(The JROTC duo got three times as much time as all of us put
together.)
FROM: "Elizabeth Milos" emilos@yahoo.com
At the BofEd meeting on Tuesday, I only had one minute so
I wasn't able to say everything but I was able to state the
first five concrete demands that I believe the Board of
Education should adopt as a district-wide policy.
It would be a good idea if we were to hammer it home
a second time regardless of their intent to table it into
a "community advisory board".
As parents, we should stress that we do NOTconsider the
military a "career option" for our youth. KILLING IS NOT A
CAREER OPTION. The resources that are being spent for war
(with our tax money) should be spent on providing financial
aid to low-income youth that want to go to college.
The fact that young men from poor communities must
register in the selective service in order to be eligible
for financial aid converts the registration process into
a de-facto draft for lower income youth which, during
these times of recruitment shortages and stop loss
orders, practically guarantees that these young men
will be called to "serve their country".
Instead, we need these young men to go to college and
contribute to the economic development of their
neighborhoods and families. There are many legitimate
ways to serve our country: working with homeless families,
in soup kitchens, with the elderly, etc. ways that do not
put our childrens' lives in danger or require them to
kill and become psychologically wounded for life in
order to get a college education.
The Board of Education has an obligation to create and
sustain a life-affirming environment for our children
in our public education system and, in partnership
with the parents, to prepare our children to realize
their potential and to contribute to our society in
positive ways. If the Board continues to allow military
recruitment on our campuses, the Board is becoming
an accomplice to the crime that is being committed
against our low income youth by our government.
It's not only an issue of being permitted to carry out
counter-recruitment activities: We should ask the
Board to keep the military out of our public schools.
I am aware that the "No Child Left Behind Act"
requires school districts to allow military recruiters
the "same level of access" to school campuses that
colleges have or else face serious cuts in federal funding.
Our children are minors and until they turn 18, we,
as parents, are ultimately responsible for their well being.
We are calling on the Board to stand together with
us, to use our imagination and develop ways to
circumvent this law and to make it clear to our
youth what are the true effects of war.
Some of the ways that come to mind is the following:
1.Organize College and Vocational Training Fairs
off-campus in community centers and encourage
attendance by high school juniors and seniors by
making it part of the regular curriculum.
2.Support Mike Honda's bill in Congress. Presently,
parents that do NOT want their children's names to be
given to the military for recruitment purposes must
sign an opt-out form. Representative Mike Honda's
Bill would convert our present opt-out system into
an opt-in system. Only parents that WANT their
children to be contacted or recruited into the military
would thereby give their authorization for the military
to contact their children OFF-CAMPUS.
3.Dedicate a significant portion of the Health
curriculum to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Invite
veterans from the peace movement to share their
personal experiences.
4.Develop curriculum that exposes the effects of war
on the environment, on the health of troops and
civilians and on the economy.
5.Instruct school faculty and counselors to inform
students about their right to register as conscientious
objectors and support them in the registration process,
if they decide to do so.
6.Connect youth with counter-recruitment groups that
can train them as peer counselors as part of their required
100 hours of community service that they are required to
complete as part of graduation.
Yes, we are asking the Board of Education to take a stand,
to "choose sides", so to speak. But where war is concerned,
all sides lose and our children most of all. Stand on the side
of our youth and get those recruiters off of our campuses.
...................
FROM: Bonnie Weinstein giobon@sbcglobal.net
First the good news: According to Tom Philpott of the Fleet
Reserve Association, Black Army recruits are down 41 percent
since 2000.
The bad news is, the San Francisco Unified School District is
subsidizing military recruitment in our schools.
The School district and the military each pay a million towards
a Physical Education teacher-but that teacher is a JROTC
teacher-appointed by the military.
And, since this person is counted as a Physical Education teacher,
and JROTC is counted as a Physical Education class, the public
is told that the Military is contributing a million dollars to the
schools to support the cost of a Physical Education teacher.
We are further told that without the money from the Army, the
schools would not have enough Physical Education classes to go
around and some kids would not earn the necessary graduation
credits to earn their diploma without JROTC.
Well, that tells me we need Physical Education teachers-not
military recruiters. The district must come up with the money to
have the required number of physical education classes to allow
students to graduate without forcing some of them into the military.
What I think needs to happen is that the Board of Education has
to give us a full accounting of how much money we have for
our children's needs and how our dollars are being spent.
I do know, if the District is paying a million dollars to have
military recruiters at our schools the million the Military puts
up is not a "gift" to anyone but themselves.
As a parent and grandparent I feel it puts our kids in harms
way and gets them involved in an immoral and illegal war
that is ruining tens of thousands of lives every day.
We want them out of our schools.
........................................................
From: Carole Seligman caroseligman@aol.com
Dear All,
The main purpose of the
Jr. ROTC presentation at
the March 8 Board of Ed. meeting
was to convince the public that the Jr.
ROTC program has nothing
whatsoever to do with war,
preparation for war, or
military recruitment. In other
words it was the Big Lie in full
operation. Our job must continue
to show how military recruitment and
programs in the schools are
intimately connected to the
war in Iraq and future wars
and occupations the U.S. is planning now.
Ending public school ties with
the military will be a long, uphill fight. and
it will not be lead by the Bd.
of Education or other politicians. In my
opinion, the only reason to speak
out at the Bd. of Ed. meetings is to keep this
struggle before the public and to
help open the door for parent and student
organizing to keep the hands of the
military off our children and out of our
communities' schools.
Again there was a broad coalition of
anti-war organizations speaking out at
the meeting. And this time there were
some young people and some more parents
speaking out too. Most of the 1 minute
speeches were very educational and
effective I thought. There was a young
military veteran (who had gotten in touch
with Bonnie before the meeting) and
a high school student whose school was
trying to put him into a ROTC "class"
against his will.
BAUAW has submitted the following resolution to the board:
Draft Resolution for San Francisco Board of Education
Cut Ties with the Military:
WHEREAS, the United States military is
actively recruiting high school students into
the military to fight in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, many young San Francisco
high school alumni are presently serving in
military units fighting in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, it is San Francisco City policy
by virtue of Proposition N, to bring all U.S.
troops home from Iraq now; and
WHEREAS, over 1,448 U.S. soldiers and
approximately 100,000 Iraqis have been
killed in this war and over 10,000 U.S.
soldiers and unknown thousands of
Iraqis have been wounded; and
WHEREAS, the hundreds of billions of dollars
spent on the war have robbed our children of
resources that should be spent on
education and other human needs; and
WHEREAS, military presence in our schools
legitimizes the message that violence is
acceptable;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
It shall be the policy of the San Francisco
Board of Education to cut all ties
with the United States military,
including, but not limited to: Ending military
recruitment on campuses; ending the
Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps
(JROTC); and guaranteeing that all students
and parents are informed of their right to
deny military recruiters access to their
names, addresses and telephone numbers.
MILITARY SPENDING IN THE SCHOOLS:
To: CodePinkCounterRecruitGroup@yahoogroups.com
From: "iampohet"
Subject: Which schools have jrotc?
I don't know specifically if military science is jrotc. I didn't find the
right person to ask. But, if it isn't, then what the hell is it?
Oh, heck, just for fun, here are the athletics funds listed in the profile:
School: Amt: FTE's:Mil.Sci. FTE's:
Balboa: $6,000 2.0
Burton: $6,000 2.0
Galileo: $6,000 2.0
Lincoln: $7,000 3.0
Mission: $6,000 2.0
Lowell: $7,000 2.0
Washington: $7,000 2.0
The money, just over 2 mil, is all the funds... 1mil+
from the Feds and 1mil + in matching funds from the sfusd.
In CodePinkCounterRecruitGroup@yahoogroups.com,
Ms sam joi
question - mil sci is jrotc? and this $$ was alotted
by the feds to the individual schools?
iampohet
School Money alotted to Mil Sci as per fiscal profile Apr. 2004
Balboa: $261,335
Burton: $258,177
Galileo: $343,913
Lincoln: $429,106
Mission: $265,303
Lowell: $276,877
Wash: $344,093
Total: $2,178,804
I found this info by digging in the individual school's profiles on
the sfusd website. Hope it's helpful.
erin
Bay Area United Against War (BAUAW)
www.bauaw.org
414-824-8730
Donations are urgently needed to carry
out this important work. We have no
paid staff but need money for posters,
buttons, flyers and informational material
to hand out to students and parents.
Make a tax-deductible donation to:
Bay Area United Against War/NVM
P.O. Box 318021
San Francisco, CA 94131-8021
Coming Up:
Global Day of Action
March 19, 2005
No to War and Occupation in Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People's Needs, Not War!
San Francisco March Assembles:
11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
THE NEXT BAUAW MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE:
SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 11:30AM
474 VALENCIA STREET, SF
(FIRST FLOOR, TO THE LEFT AND ALL THE WAY BACK
TO THE COMPANEROS DEL BARRIO CHILDREN'S CENTER)
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
2) WE ALL STAND WITH LYNNE STEWART!
NO JAIL TIME FOR LYNNE!
PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TODAY:
SUGGESTION AS TO FORMAT OF LETTERS
TO BE WRITTEN ON BEHALF OF LYNNE STEWART
MARGIN: Please leave at least a one-inch left-hand margin
to allow us to bind the letter into the appendix to the
sentencing memorandum that is being filed on
Lynne's behalf.
INSIDE ADDRESS: Honorable John G. Koeltl
United States District Judge
Southern District of New York
United States Courthouse
500 Pearl Street
New York, New York 10007
GREETING: Honorable Sir or Dear Judge Koeltl:
BODY: Briefly introduce yourself and set forth
your relationship to Lynne.
Briefly discuss yourself - your position in work
and in society.
State that you are aware that Lynne is to be sentenced
following a jury verdict of guilty on serious charges:
The remainder of your letter should discuss whatever
you believe to weigh in favor of no jail time. If possible,
you should tell of an incident where she helped you out
or engaged in commendable community service. Do not
try to argue that she is not guilty or was unfairly conviction.
Focus on the unfairness of the government's actions in
bringing the charges; the way in which the government
portrayed her, etc.
* Typewritten letters if possible are preferred.
*
WHEN LETTER IS COMPLETED: Please mail the final product
to the following address:
Jill R. Shellow-Lavine, Esq.
2537 Post Road
Southport, CT 06890
Do not send your letters to the judge. We ask that you
forward your letter me so that the lawyers can present
it to Judge Koeltl with the other letters being written
for this purpose. This is the manner in which letters
will have the greatest impact. If they are sent directly
to the Judge's chambers, they may have less of an
impact and could cause the judge a substantial
inconvenience (and annoyance).
Thank you for your cooperation. If you have any
questions, please do not hesitate to contact the
defense committee at www.lynnestewart.org.
Sincerely,
Jill R. Shellow-Lavine
Attorney for Lynne Stewart
For more information go to:
www.LynneStewart.org
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
3) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation � Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People�s Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
� Urgent appeal for volunteers on March 19
� Volunteer opportunities this weekend.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
March 19, 2005: Global Day of Action - San Francisco -
Volunteers Needed!
No to War Occupation � Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere! Bring the Troops
Home Now! Money for People's Needs, Not War!
March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
Send this email to as many friends as you can.
March 19, 2005, will be an International Day of Protest
on the second anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq.
As on the first anniversary of the invasion last year,
millions of people around the world will march to say
�No to War and Occupation from Iraq to Palestine to
Haiti and Everywhere.�
Volunteers are urgently needed in San Francisco on
March 19 to help with set-up, distributing placards
to spread the anti-war message, carrying banners
for the march, selling buttons and t-shirts to pay
for the march, leafleting to let people know how
to get involved, take down, monitoring, clean up
and more.
Friends, families, and work groups can volunteer
in teams! Take a stand on March 19 against war
and occupation!
No experience necessary! Whether you have volunteered
before or this is your first time your help is urgently
needed. Call 415-821-6545 for more information
and directions to this meeting.
If you cannot make the orientation, you can still
volunteer to help make March 19 Day of Global
Action protest happen:
Come to Dolores Park at 9 a.m. the morning of March 19
and sign in at the Volunteer ANSWER table to get the
latest orientation and take on an area of work for the
protest. Dolores Park is located at 18th and Dolores St.
near the 16th St. BART station.
OR
Come to the Civic Center at 9 a.m. the morning of
March 19 for a volunteer orientation and to get
plugged in. Take BART to Civic Center. Look for
the sign-in table under the ANSWER Volunteer banner.
Volunteers are needed ALL DAY. Any amount of
time you have to help is greatly appreciated.
Together we�re building a powerful new movement
against war and racism. You�re needed in the
struggle to win money for peoples� needs, not
war and corporate greed. Email, call or come to
the volunteer orientation. Get involved today.
To subscribe to the list, send a message to:
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
4) BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR PRESENTS:
"Mission Accomplished" a brutally vivid documentary
filmed entirely on the ground in Iraq. The reality of this
war for American troops is contrasted to the
overwhelming reality of the devastation felt and experienced
by the people of Iraq.
"Mission Accomplished" will open March 18th, 6pm:
The Four Star Twin
2200 Clement St. (near 23rd Ave.)
San Francisco, CA 94121
415.666.3488
"Voices In Wartime" is a compelling portrayal of human
experience with war through poetry, both from the point
of view of those who were in combat and those who are left
behind.
"Voices In Wartime" will play in S.F. on April 15th at:
Landmark Lumiere 3
1572 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
[This poem by fourth-grader Cameron Penny was read
by Marie Howe in this very beautiful film
directed by Rick King.
"If you are lucky in this life
A window will appear on a battlefield between two armies
And when the soldiers look into the window
They don't see their enemies
They see themselves as children
And they stop fighting
And go home and go to sleep
When they wake up, the land is well again."
By Cameron Penny]
To learn more about these film visit
Cinema Libre Studio
http://www.cinemalibrestudio.com/
Also: check out, GUNNER PALACE |
Some war stories will never make the nightly news.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
5) 5500 U.S. Deserters: (LINK ONLY)
We Won't Fight in Iraq
Doug Lorimer
On February 25, US Army officials at Fort Stewart, Georgia,
announced that Sergeant Kevin Benderman, a 40-year-old army
mechanic who refused to deploy to Iraq for a second tour of
duty, will be court-martialed on desertion charges. If convicted,
he faces up to seven years in prison.
http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2005/619/619p14.htm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
6) OIL COMPANIES EYE IRAQ RESERVES (LINK ONLY)
By Laurence Frost
Associated Press
March 15, 2005
http://washingtontimes.com/business/20050315-120755-8864r.htm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
BAUAW NEWSLETTER-WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2005
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TOMORROW, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
At the March 8th meeting JROTC teachers lied about what the
main purpose of JROTC was and about what they are teaching to the
children of San Francisco at the district's expense.
I received the following letter this morning from
"Arson G.," one of those students.
Arson G.'s words speak for themselves.
"Out of the mouths of babes!"
Peace,
Bonnie Weinstein, Bay Area United Against War
--- Nelly Gabuera
I don't know where you guys get your ideas, but
JROTC does NOT promote warfare or joining the army or
any sort of that. It's my second year in the JROTC
program and I love it, it teaches me leadership
skills, educates me, it PROMOTES my moral standards.
The mission of JROTC is to Promote Young Cadets To
Become Better Citizens. You do not know what you are
talking about, you are not IN the program, you have
never been in the program because if you have you
wouldve loved it, one paper does not mean im going to
join the Army. Now that we have ROTC settled,
let's focus on the war. If it wasn't for wars would
you still enjoy the freedoms you have today? NO? if it
wasn't for war half of the world would be run by
dictators like Hitler or Stalin or Mussolini, Castro?
SADAM? All we're doing in Iraq is bringing democracy.
We fought BACK because of 9-11. You cannot JUDGE the
JROTC in the last two years we have not even DISCUSSED
THE WAR class wise maybe amongst friends BUT NOT IN
THE JROTC CLASSROOM.
The only thing we do, is march, learn
how to tell right from wrong. We have fun in the JROTC
program. Think of what effect it would have on kids
that don't have as good opportunities. The kids that
live in poverty that depend on JROTC to teach them
better, I believe JROTC saved lot's of lives. I
believe that if there isn't ONE person in the world
that is unsuccessfull in his life that passed the
JROTC program with flying colors. I really hope you
fail canceling the JROTC program, and for any grudge
you have against Bush take it out on him not the kids.
P.S. I AM joining the marine corps, it has been my
DREAM to be in the army since i was 7 years old. My
father served, my grandfather server and i will serve.
One thing i do admit though, the JROTC did make me
braver on my decision for joining the marines.
-Sincerely Arson G.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR PRESENTS
A PREMIERE FILM SHOWING OF:
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
One man, one camera. Two sides of a story
FRIDAY, MARCH 18TH, 6 P.M.
(There will be a short question and answer period
at 7:30 P.M. immediately following the film.)
FOUR STAR TWIN
220 CLEMENT ST. NEAR 23RD AVENUE
SAN FRANCISCO
415-666-3488
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED is a gripping documentary by veteran
British journalist Sean Langan. Langan gets up close and
personal accounts of the war from U.S. and coalition soldiers,
Iraqi resistance fighters, and captures Abu Ghraib prison abuses
long before the torture reached the popular Press.
The most powerful statement of the film is the depiction
of the total devastation brought to Iraq by this war. It is the
constant backdrop to the interviews in the film as is the almost
universal hatred exhibited by the Iraqi people toward any U.S.
presence in Iraq-both from those interviewed and from those
included among the rubble in the background scenes. This film's
a must for anyone thinking of joining the military or who is
unsure of what our government is doing there in our name.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
Volunteers are needed for March 19th!
Show up March 19th at Dolores Park
or Civic Center at 9:00 a.m.
and sign up at the A.N.S.W.E.R. volunteer table.
Or contact A.N.S.W.E.R. OFFICE AT:
2489 Mission St. #24, 415-821-6545
Hello to members of United for Peace and Justice Bay Area,
On March 19 UPJ-Bay Area will be meeting at 10:30 a.m. on
18th Street in front of Mission High School before marching down
to Civic Center. We will be carrying panels of the faces of the
victims of the war-American soldiers and Iraqi civilians-and need
your help in carrying them to Civic Center where we will have
a table. Please send out this request to your listserv.
Also, we are updating our members' directory and need your
updated contact information.
Please send your email, phone number and website address to me
as soon as possible. A donation of $25 is also requested to
cover printing charges. Please send to:
United for Peace and Justice-Bay Area
c/o War Resisters League West
POB 410744
San Francisco, CA 94141
Thanks.
Jackie Barshak
for UPJ-Bay Area
415.308.9416
jackie barshak jbarshak@hotmail.com
Not in Our Name Bay Area
Help Not in Our Name build for the March 19 mass
mobilization in San Francisco to end war and occupation!
Community postering for March 19 march and rally.
Also, help prepare for the March 18 anti-war
morning visiblity action.
Planning Meeting & Work Party
Wednesday, March 16 ~ 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Not in Our Name office. 3945 Opal Street,
Oakland CA 94609
Morning Visibilty Action
Friday, March 18 ~ 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM
Call us to hook up and help get the message out
to tens of thousands of morning commuters --
"Out of Iraq now!"
U.S. Out of Iraq Now!
March 19: International Day of Action
On the second anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, let's
show Bush and Co. that the people of the world say
NO to war and occupation!
On Saturday, March 19 join the Not in Our Name Earth
Flag Contingent at the mass march and rally organized by
ANSWER Coalition -- 11 am, Dolores Park, San Francisco.
Join up with the Not in Our Name Earth Flag Contingent at
the corner of 18th Street and Dolores (map). March to Civic
Center for a 1 pm rally.
Not In Our Name will also be organizing acts of creative
resistance around this weekend. We encourage folks to
strategize and brainstorm with us about how to broaden
resistance and bring awareness to the millions in this country
that our message must reach; and to join us as we unite with
groups around the Bay to bring out all who oppose the deadly
course of this government. Come to a general meeting,
call our office, or check out the website.
Against Military Recruitment in our Schools?
On the second anniversary of the war, join the
Counter-Recruitment Contingent!
***
Saturday, March 19
10AM at 16th and Mission St.
(the 16th Street BART station)
***
AT SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY, military recruiters were
forced to leave early without any recruits because of the hundreds
of students that came out to protest their presence at the school!
This is not an isolated incident. Seattle, Chicago, New York,
Madison, Connecticut, Minnesota. In community colleges,
high schools, and universities around the nation, students,
faculty, and campus workers have come out to protest the
BLACKMAILING of education. As billions are being diverted
from schools to the war, our students are being told that they
need to die before they see a dime of it.
THIS IS DEAD WRONG.
As recruiters are failing to meet quotas for the first time in
a decade, despite more than tripling signing bonuses, we need
to rebuild the anti-war movement by fighting against the war
where it is weakest.
Join students, parents, teachers, military families, veterans,
community members, and activists on the second anniversary
of the war at the 16th Street BART station at 10AM to march
up to Dolores Park together.
Sponsored by the Campus Anti-War Network and the College
Not Combat Committee.
Money for Jobs and Education! Not for War and Occupation!
For more info please contact: ragina@mac.com / 415.412.4540
sue sandlin design | srsndln@pacbell.net
------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Teach-in on Iraq: How Can We End this War?
Thursday, March 24 ~ 7 PM to 10 PM
Mission High School, 3750 18th Street (at Dolores), San Francisco
On the 40th Anniversary of the first teach-ins on the Vietnam War.
With presentations by Iraq veteran Rahul Mahajan, Cindy Sheehan,
Fernando Suarez, Aimee Allison, Howard Wallace, Sean O'Neil,
and Medea Benjamin. Sponsored by Global Exchange and
CODEPINK. $5 donation requested. (more info)
Resistance Cinema Presents "Hidden in Plain Sight"
Sunday, April 10 ~ 3 PM to 5 PM
Parkway Pizza/Pub Theater, 1834 Park Blvd., Oakland
A short history, a spirited debate, a personal story, and a call
for accountability, "Hidden in Plain Sight" is a bold, unflinching
look at the nature and consequences of U.S. policy in Latin
America. Brief presentation by Laura Slattery, Pace e Bene
Nonviolence. A free event sponsored by Not in Our Name.
The Not in Our Name Project needs your support!
Donate online: donate.notinourname.net
Or send your tax-deductible contribution today to:
Not in Our Name
3945 Opal Street, Oakland CA 94609
www.notinourname.net
phone: 510-601-8000
email: bayarea@notinourname.net
local: bayarea.notinourname.net
Another World Is Possible!
http://www.notinourname.net
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
Dear Friends Please read the following request from Families for
Peaceful Tomorrows one of the many co-sponsors of the Eyes Wide
Open exhibit. They have committed to trying to collecting the
16,000 additional pairs of shoes. Please think about becoming
a collection point. In my opinion donating a pair of shoes is a
great way to challenge people to think about the human cost of
war. It is a way to involve people before the exhibit arrives and
encourage them to come. Some ideas for dealing with the collection
include; put out a barrel or box asking for the donation in your
school, church, neighborhood center or place of work. Put a flyer
on the box explaining why we are collecting the shoes. Thanks.
Sandra Schwartz
Peace Education Coordinator, AFSC
Dear Friends,
Eyes Wide Open, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
exhibit that reminds us of the human cost of war is coming to San
Francisco March 25-27. The exhibit features over 1,500 pairs of
combat boots tagged with the names of U.S. soldiers who have
died in the Iraq war. It also memorializes the Iraqi civilians killed
in the war.
In San Francisco, we are adding a new element to this powerful
exhibit: instead of just 1,000 shoes to represent all the Iraqi civilian
deaths, we have set a goal of collecting 16,000[1] pairs of shoes
to more accurately demonstrate the scale of Iraqi deaths as a result
of the war. The shoe memorial has been initiated by September
11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows and it will not happen
without your support.
We need your help to meet the goal of collecting 16,000 pairs
of shoes!
What you can do:
1. Collect shoes for the exhibit
* Please gather usable shoes from your family and friends
or set up a shoe collection site in your community, school,
workplace or place of worship.
* Tie each pair together, or, if no laces, securely attach them
together.
* Count the pairs of shoes and place in heavy-duty garbage
bags. Attach a tag with the count on it.
* Shoes will be donated at the end of the exhibit. Children's
and men's shoes are especially needed.
* Call Nabil at 415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email
shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* Drop off shoes 9 am to 5 pm at AFSC, 65 Ninth St.
(between Mission and Market) until Thursday, March 24.
Last minute shoes may be brought to Civic Center Plaza
Friday, March 25. No shoes accepted after Friday.
2. Collect phone cards for military personnel
We are also collecting telephone calling cards to donate to
military personnel and to returning Iraq war veterans in
a Bay Area hospital and the USOs at local airports. Please
purchase phone cards to donate with your shoes or bring
to the exhibit.
3. Volunteer
Volunteers are needed for the shoe project as well as the
overall exhibit.
* To volunteer with the shoe project, call Nabil at
415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email
shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* To volunteer to help with the exhibit call AFSC at
415-565-0201 ext. 15 or email sleeds@afsc.org
4. Spread the word! Please forward this information to
your networks.
5. Come to the exhibit, encourage others to come, and
bring last minute shoe donations and help us honor all
those who have died in Iraq.
[1] The number 16,000 is the approximate minimum number
of Iraqi civilians reported killed by military intervention in
Iraq by www.iraqbodycount.net.
Eyes Wide Open
"An exhibit that speaks directly to our hearts and reminds
us of the human cost of war."
Over 1,500 pairs of empty combat boots - tagged with the
names of U.S. soldiers who died in the Iraq war - will be
displayed, together with thousands of shoes and wall of
names to memorialize the Iraqis killed.
SAN FRANCISCO DATES:
March 25 (Friday), 11:00 am with all night vigil
Civic Center between Polk and Larkin
March 26 (Saturday), 10:00 am to 5 pm
Civic Center Voices and Requiem - 2 pm
March 27 (Easter Sunday), 10:00 am to dusk
Union Square (Powell and Geary)
American Friends Service Committee
We Need Good Shoes (Especially for Men and Children) and
Telephone Cards!
Call 415-565-0201 x14 or shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
See www.afsc.org/eyes
Until Thursday March 24, drop off shoes at 65 Ninth St.
(betw. Mission and Market) from 9-5 weekdays
Donate phone cards for military families Donate shoes to
memorialize the Iraqi casualties
Co-Sponsors (partial list) Agape Fdn; American Muslim Voice;
Archdiocese of SF: Comm. Of Public Policy and Social Concern;
Bay Area Pax Christi; Bay Area United for Peace and Justice;
Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists; Berkeley Friends
Church; Buddhist Peace Fellowship; Grace Cathedral: Diocese
of CA of the Episcopal Church; Los Altos Voices for Peace; Military
Families Speak Out; Pacifica Peace People; Pacifica Women in
Black; SFUSD School Board; Strawberry Creek Friends Meeting;
Veterans for Peace; 9/11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows,
San Francisco Friends Meeting, Code Pink
Our postal address is
P.O. Box 1818
Peter Stuyvesant Station
New York, New York 10009
United States
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TOMORROW, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
2) WE ALL STAND WITH LYNNE STEWART!
NO JAIL TIME FOR LYNNE!
PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TODAY
3) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation of Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People's Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
4) COMING TO THE BAY AREA SOON-POWERFUL ANTIWAR MOVIES
5) 5500 U.S. Deserters: (LINK ONLY)
We Won't Fight in Iraq
Doug Lorimer
On February 25, US Army officials at Fort Stewart, Georgia,
announced that Sergeant Kevin Benderman, a 40-year-old army
mechanic who refused to deploy to Iraq for a second tour of
duty, will be court-martialed on desertion charges. If convicted,
he faces up to seven years in prison.
http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2005/619/619p14.htm
6) OIL COMPANIES EYE IRAQ RESERVES (LINK ONLY)
By Laurence Frost
Associated Press
March 15, 2005
http://washingtontimes.com/business/20050315-120755-8864r.htm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TOMORROW, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
At the March 8th meeting JROTC teachers lied about what the
main purpose of JROTC was and about what they are teaching to the
children of San Francisco at the district's expense.
I received the following letter this morning from
"Arson G.," one of those students.
Arson G.'s words speak for themselves.
"Out of the mouths of babes!"
Peace,
Bonnie Weinstein, Bay Area United Against War
--- Nelly Gabuera
I don't know where you guys get your ideas, but
JROTC does NOT promote warfare or joining the army or
any sort of that. It's my second year in the JROTC
program and I love it, it teaches me leadership
skills, educates me, it PROMOTES my moral standards.
The mission of JROTC is to Promote Young Cadets To
Become Better Citizens. You do not know what you are
talking about, you are not IN the program, you have
never been in the program because if you have you
wouldve loved it, one paper does not mean im going to
join the Army. Now that we have ROTC settled,
let's focus on the war. If it wasn't for wars would
you still enjoy the freedoms you have today? NO? if it
wasn't for war half of the world would be run by
dictators like Hitler or Stalin or Mussolini, Castro?
SADAM? All we're doing in Iraq is bringing democracy.
We fought BACK because of 9-11. You cannot JUDGE the
JROTC in the last two years we have not even DISCUSSED
THE WAR class wise maybe amongst friends BUT NOT IN
THE JROTC CLASSROOM. The only thing we do, is march, learn
how to tell right from wrong. We have fun in the JROTC
program. Think of what effect it would have on kids
that don't have as good opportunities. The kids that
live in poverty that depend on JROTC to teach them
better, I believe JROTC saved lot's of lives. I
believe that if there isn't ONE person in the world
that is unsuccessfull in his life that passed the
JROTC program with flying colors. I really hope you
fail canceling the JROTC program, and for any grudge
you have against Bush take it out on him not the kids.
P.S. I AM joining the marine corps, it has been my
DREAM to be in the army since i was 7 years old. My
father served, my grandfather server and i will serve.
One thing i do admit though, the JROTC did make me
braver on my decision for joining the marines.
-Sincerely Arson G.
.............................................................................
The following are statements that were cut off at the board
Meeting due to running over the 1-minute time limit March 8th:
(The JROTC duo got three times as much time as all of us put
together.)
FROM: "Elizabeth Milos" emilos@yahoo.com
At the BofEd meeting on Tuesday, I only had one minute so
I wasn't able to say everything but I was able to state the
first five concrete demands that I believe the Board of
Education should adopt as a district-wide policy.
It would be a good idea if we were to hammer it home
a second time regardless of their intent to table it into
a "community advisory board".
As parents, we should stress that we do NOTconsider the
military a "career option" for our youth. KILLING IS NOT A
CAREER OPTION. The resources that are being spent for war
(with our tax money) should be spent on providing financial
aid to low-income youth that want to go to college.
The fact that young men from poor communities must
register in the selective service in order to be eligible
for financial aid converts the registration process into
a de-facto draft for lower income youth which, during
these times of recruitment shortages and stop loss
orders, practically guarantees that these young men
will be called to "serve their country".
Instead, we need these young men to go to college and
contribute to the economic development of their
neighborhoods and families. There are many legitimate
ways to serve our country: working with homeless families,
in soup kitchens, with the elderly, etc. ways that do not
put our childrens' lives in danger or require them to
kill and become psychologically wounded for life in
order to get a college education.
The Board of Education has an obligation to create and
sustain a life-affirming environment for our children
in our public education system and, in partnership
with the parents, to prepare our children to realize
their potential and to contribute to our society in
positive ways. If the Board continues to allow military
recruitment on our campuses, the Board is becoming
an accomplice to the crime that is being committed
against our low income youth by our government.
It's not only an issue of being permitted to carry out
counter-recruitment activities: We should ask the
Board to keep the military out of our public schools.
I am aware that the "No Child Left Behind Act"
requires school districts to allow military recruiters
the "same level of access" to school campuses that
colleges have or else face serious cuts in federal funding.
Our children are minors and until they turn 18, we,
as parents, are ultimately responsible for their well being.
We are calling on the Board to stand together with
us, to use our imagination and develop ways to
circumvent this law and to make it clear to our
youth what are the true effects of war.
Some of the ways that come to mind is the following:
1.Organize College and Vocational Training Fairs
off-campus in community centers and encourage
attendance by high school juniors and seniors by
making it part of the regular curriculum.
2.Support Mike Honda's bill in Congress. Presently,
parents that do NOT want their children's names to be
given to the military for recruitment purposes must
sign an opt-out form. Representative Mike Honda's
Bill would convert our present opt-out system into
an opt-in system. Only parents that WANT their
children to be contacted or recruited into the military
would thereby give their authorization for the military
to contact their children OFF-CAMPUS.
3.Dedicate a significant portion of the Health
curriculum to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Invite
veterans from the peace movement to share their
personal experiences.
4.Develop curriculum that exposes the effects of war
on the environment, on the health of troops and
civilians and on the economy.
5.Instruct school faculty and counselors to inform
students about their right to register as conscientious
objectors and support them in the registration process,
if they decide to do so.
6.Connect youth with counter-recruitment groups that
can train them as peer counselors as part of their required
100 hours of community service that they are required to
complete as part of graduation.
Yes, we are asking the Board of Education to take a stand,
to "choose sides", so to speak. But where war is concerned,
all sides lose and our children most of all. Stand on the side
of our youth and get those recruiters off of our campuses.
...................
FROM: Bonnie Weinstein giobon@sbcglobal.net
First the good news: According to Tom Philpott of the Fleet
Reserve Association, Black Army recruits are down 41 percent
since 2000.
The bad news is, the San Francisco Unified School District is
subsidizing military recruitment in our schools.
The School district and the military each pay a million towards
a Physical Education teacher-but that teacher is a JROTC
teacher-appointed by the military.
And, since this person is counted as a Physical Education teacher,
and JROTC is counted as a Physical Education class, the public
is told that the Military is contributing a million dollars to the
schools to support the cost of a Physical Education teacher.
We are further told that without the money from the Army, the
schools would not have enough Physical Education classes to go
around and some kids would not earn the necessary graduation
credits to earn their diploma without JROTC.
Well, that tells me we need Physical Education teachers-not
military recruiters. The district must come up with the money to
have the required number of physical education classes to allow
students to graduate without forcing some of them into the military.
What I think needs to happen is that the Board of Education has
to give us a full accounting of how much money we have for
our children's needs and how our dollars are being spent.
I do know, if the District is paying a million dollars to have
military recruiters at our schools the million the Military puts
up is not a "gift" to anyone but themselves.
As a parent and grandparent I feel it puts our kids in harms
way and gets them involved in an immoral and illegal war
that is ruining tens of thousands of lives every day.
We want them out of our schools.
........................................................
From: Carole Seligman caroseligman@aol.com
Dear All,
The main purpose of the
Jr. ROTC presentation at
the March 8 Board of Ed. meeting
was to convince the public that the Jr.
ROTC program has nothing
whatsoever to do with war,
preparation for war, or
military recruitment. In other
words it was the Big Lie in full
operation. Our job must continue
to show how military recruitment and
programs in the schools are
intimately connected to the
war in Iraq and future wars
and occupations the U.S. is planning now.
Ending public school ties with
the military will be a long, uphill fight. and
it will not be lead by the Bd.
of Education or other politicians. In my
opinion, the only reason to speak
out at the Bd. of Ed. meetings is to keep this
struggle before the public and to
help open the door for parent and student
organizing to keep the hands of the
military off our children and out of our
communities' schools.
Again there was a broad coalition of
anti-war organizations speaking out at
the meeting. And this time there were
some young people and some more parents
speaking out too. Most of the 1 minute
speeches were very educational and
effective I thought. There was a young
military veteran (who had gotten in touch
with Bonnie before the meeting) and
a high school student whose school was
trying to put him into a ROTC "class"
against his will.
BAUAW has submitted the following resolution to the board:
Draft Resolution for San Francisco Board of Education
Cut Ties with the Military:
WHEREAS, the United States military is
actively recruiting high school students into
the military to fight in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, many young San Francisco
high school alumni are presently serving in
military units fighting in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, it is San Francisco City policy
by virtue of Proposition N, to bring all U.S.
troops home from Iraq now; and
WHEREAS, over 1,448 U.S. soldiers and
approximately 100,000 Iraqis have been
killed in this war and over 10,000 U.S.
soldiers and unknown thousands of
Iraqis have been wounded; and
WHEREAS, the hundreds of billions of dollars
spent on the war have robbed our children of
resources that should be spent on
education and other human needs; and
WHEREAS, military presence in our schools
legitimizes the message that violence is
acceptable;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
It shall be the policy of the San Francisco
Board of Education to cut all ties
with the United States military,
including, but not limited to: Ending military
recruitment on campuses; ending the
Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps
(JROTC); and guaranteeing that all students
and parents are informed of their right to
deny military recruiters access to their
names, addresses and telephone numbers.
MILITARY SPENDING IN THE SCHOOLS:
To: CodePinkCounterRecruitGroup@yahoogroups.com
From: "iampohet"
Subject: Which schools have jrotc?
I don't know specifically if military science is jrotc. I didn't find the
right person to ask. But, if it isn't, then what the hell is it?
Oh, heck, just for fun, here are the athletics funds listed in the profile:
School: Amt: FTE's:Mil.Sci. FTE's:
Balboa: $6,000 2.0
Burton: $6,000 2.0
Galileo: $6,000 2.0
Lincoln: $7,000 3.0
Mission: $6,000 2.0
Lowell: $7,000 2.0
Washington: $7,000 2.0
The money, just over 2 mil, is all the funds... 1mil+
from the Feds and 1mil + in matching funds from the sfusd.
In CodePinkCounterRecruitGroup@yahoogroups.com,
Ms sam joi wrote:
question - mil sci is jrotc? and this $$ was alotted
by the feds to the individual schools?
iampohet wrote:
School Money alotted to Mil Sci as per fiscal profile Apr. 2004
Balboa: $261,335
Burton: $258,177
Galileo: $343,913
Lincoln: $429,106
Mission: $265,303
Lowell: $276,877
Wash: $344,093
Total: $2,178,804
I found this info by digging in the individual school's profiles on
the sfusd website. Hope it's helpful.
erin
Bay Area United Against War (BAUAW)
www.bauaw.org
414-824-8730
Donations are urgently needed to carry
out this important work. We have no
paid staff but need money for posters,
buttons, flyers and informational material
to hand out to students and parents.
Make a tax-deductible donation to:
Bay Area United Against War/NVM
P.O. Box 318021
San Francisco, CA 94131-8021
Coming Up:
Global Day of Action
March 19, 2005
No to War and Occupation in Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People's Needs, Not War!
San Francisco March Assembles:
11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
THE NEXT BAUAW MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE:
SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 11:30AM
474 VALENCIA STREET, SF
(FIRST FLOOR, TO THE LEFT AND ALL THE WAY BACK
TO THE COMPANEROS DEL BARRIO CHILDREN'S CENTER)
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
2) WE ALL STAND WITH LYNNE STEWART!
NO JAIL TIME FOR LYNNE!
PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TODAY:
SUGGESTION AS TO FORMAT OF LETTERS
TO BE WRITTEN ON BEHALF OF LYNNE STEWART
MARGIN: Please leave at least a one-inch left-hand margin
to allow us to bind the letter into the appendix to the
sentencing memorandum that is being filed on
Lynne's behalf.
INSIDE ADDRESS: Honorable John G. Koeltl
United States District Judge
Southern District of New York
United States Courthouse
500 Pearl Street
New York, New York 10007
GREETING: Honorable Sir or Dear Judge Koeltl:
BODY: Briefly introduce yourself and set forth
your relationship to Lynne.
Briefly discuss yourself - your position in work
and in society.
State that you are aware that Lynne is to be sentenced
following a jury verdict of guilty on serious charges:
The remainder of your letter should discuss whatever
you believe to weigh in favor of no jail time. If possible,
you should tell of an incident where she helped you out
or engaged in commendable community service. Do not
try to argue that she is not guilty or was unfairly conviction.
Focus on the unfairness of the government's actions in
bringing the charges; the way in which the government
portrayed her, etc.
* Typewritten letters if possible are preferred.
*
WHEN LETTER IS COMPLETED: Please mail the final product
to the following address:
Jill R. Shellow-Lavine, Esq.
2537 Post Road
Southport, CT 06890
Do not send your letters to the judge. We ask that you
forward your letter me so that the lawyers can present
it to Judge Koeltl with the other letters being written
for this purpose. This is the manner in which letters
will have the greatest impact. If they are sent directly
to the Judge's chambers, they may have less of an
impact and could cause the judge a substantial
inconvenience (and annoyance).
Thank you for your cooperation. If you have any
questions, please do not hesitate to contact the
defense committee at www.lynnestewart.org.
Sincerely,
Jill R. Shellow-Lavine
Attorney for Lynne Stewart
For more information go to:
www.LynneStewart.org
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
3) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation ˆ Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People‚s Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
· Urgent appeal for volunteers on March 19
· Volunteer opportunities this weekend.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
March 19, 2005: Global Day of Action - San Francisco -
Volunteers Needed!
No to War Occupation ˜ Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere! Bring the Troops
Home Now! Money for People's Needs, Not War!
March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
Send this email to as many friends as you can.
March 19, 2005, will be an International Day of Protest
on the second anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq.
As on the first anniversary of the invasion last year,
millions of people around the world will march to say
„No to War and Occupation from Iraq to Palestine to
Haiti and Everywhere.‰
Volunteers are urgently needed in San Francisco on
March 19 to help with set-up, distributing placards
to spread the anti-war message, carrying banners
for the march, selling buttons and t-shirts to pay
for the march, leafleting to let people know how
to get involved, take down, monitoring, clean up
and more.
Friends, families, and work groups can volunteer
in teams! Take a stand on March 19 against war
and occupation!
No experience necessary! Whether you have volunteered
before or this is your first time your help is urgently
needed. Call 415-821-6545 for more information
and directions to this meeting.
If you cannot make the orientation, you can still
volunteer to help make March 19 Day of Global
Action protest happen:
Come to Dolores Park at 9 a.m. the morning of March 19
and sign in at the Volunteer ANSWER table to get the
latest orientation and take on an area of work for the
protest. Dolores Park is located at 18th and Dolores St.
near the 16th St. BART station.
OR
Come to the Civic Center at 9 a.m. the morning of
March 19 for a volunteer orientation and to get
plugged in. Take BART to Civic Center. Look for
the sign-in table under the ANSWER Volunteer banner.
Volunteers are needed ALL DAY. Any amount of
time you have to help is greatly appreciated.
Together we‚re building a powerful new movement
against war and racism. You‚re needed in the
struggle to win money for peoples‚ needs, not
war and corporate greed. Email, call or come to
the volunteer orientation. Get involved today.
To subscribe to the list, send a message to:
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
4) BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR PRESENTS:
"Mission Accomplished" a brutally vivid documentary
filmed entirely on the ground in Iraq. The reality of this
war for American troops is contrasted to the
overwhelming reality of the devastation felt and experienced
by the people of Iraq.
"Mission Accomplished" will open March 18th, 6pm:
The Four Star Twin
2200 Clement St. (near 23rd Ave.)
San Francisco, CA 94121
415.666.3488
"Voices In Wartime" is a compelling portrayal of human
experience with war through poetry, both from the point
of view of those who were in combat and those who are left
behind.
"Voices In Wartime" will play in S.F. on April 15th at:
Landmark Lumiere 3
1572 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
[This poem by fourth-grader Cameron Penny was read
by Marie Howe in this very beautiful film
directed by Rick King.
"If you are lucky in this life
A window will appear on a battlefield between two armies
And when the soldiers look into the window
They don't see their enemies
They see themselves as children
And they stop fighting
And go home and go to sleep
When they wake up, the land is well again."
By Cameron Penny]
To learn more about these film visit
Cinema Libre Studio
http://www.cinemalibrestudio.com/
Also: check out, GUNNER PALACE |
Some war stories will never make the nightly news.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
5) 5500 U.S. Deserters: (LINK ONLY)
We Won't Fight in Iraq
Doug Lorimer
On February 25, US Army officials at Fort Stewart, Georgia,
announced that Sergeant Kevin Benderman, a 40-year-old army
mechanic who refused to deploy to Iraq for a second tour of
duty, will be court-martialed on desertion charges. If convicted,
he faces up to seven years in prison.
http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2005/619/619p14.htm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
6) OIL COMPANIES EYE IRAQ RESERVES (LINK ONLY)
By Laurence Frost
Associated Press
March 15, 2005
http://washingtontimes.com/business/20050315-120755-8864r.htm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
TOMORROW, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
At the March 8th meeting JROTC teachers lied about what the
main purpose of JROTC was and about what they are teaching to the
children of San Francisco at the district's expense.
I received the following letter this morning from
"Arson G.," one of those students.
Arson G.'s words speak for themselves.
"Out of the mouths of babes!"
Peace,
Bonnie Weinstein, Bay Area United Against War
--- Nelly Gabuera
I don't know where you guys get your ideas, but
JROTC does NOT promote warfare or joining the army or
any sort of that. It's my second year in the JROTC
program and I love it, it teaches me leadership
skills, educates me, it PROMOTES my moral standards.
The mission of JROTC is to Promote Young Cadets To
Become Better Citizens. You do not know what you are
talking about, you are not IN the program, you have
never been in the program because if you have you
wouldve loved it, one paper does not mean im going to
join the Army. Now that we have ROTC settled,
let's focus on the war. If it wasn't for wars would
you still enjoy the freedoms you have today? NO? if it
wasn't for war half of the world would be run by
dictators like Hitler or Stalin or Mussolini, Castro?
SADAM? All we're doing in Iraq is bringing democracy.
We fought BACK because of 9-11. You cannot JUDGE the
JROTC in the last two years we have not even DISCUSSED
THE WAR class wise maybe amongst friends BUT NOT IN
THE JROTC CLASSROOM.
The only thing we do, is march, learn
how to tell right from wrong. We have fun in the JROTC
program. Think of what effect it would have on kids
that don't have as good opportunities. The kids that
live in poverty that depend on JROTC to teach them
better, I believe JROTC saved lot's of lives. I
believe that if there isn't ONE person in the world
that is unsuccessfull in his life that passed the
JROTC program with flying colors. I really hope you
fail canceling the JROTC program, and for any grudge
you have against Bush take it out on him not the kids.
P.S. I AM joining the marine corps, it has been my
DREAM to be in the army since i was 7 years old. My
father served, my grandfather server and i will serve.
One thing i do admit though, the JROTC did make me
braver on my decision for joining the marines.
-Sincerely Arson G.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR PRESENTS
A PREMIERE FILM SHOWING OF:
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
One man, one camera. Two sides of a story
FRIDAY, MARCH 18TH, 6 P.M.
(There will be a short question and answer period
at 7:30 P.M. immediately following the film.)
FOUR STAR TWIN
220 CLEMENT ST. NEAR 23RD AVENUE
SAN FRANCISCO
415-666-3488
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED is a gripping documentary by veteran
British journalist Sean Langan. Langan gets up close and
personal accounts of the war from U.S. and coalition soldiers,
Iraqi resistance fighters, and captures Abu Ghraib prison abuses
long before the torture reached the popular Press.
The most powerful statement of the film is the depiction
of the total devastation brought to Iraq by this war. It is the
constant backdrop to the interviews in the film as is the almost
universal hatred exhibited by the Iraqi people toward any U.S.
presence in Iraq-both from those interviewed and from those
included among the rubble in the background scenes. This film's
a must for anyone thinking of joining the military or who is
unsure of what our government is doing there in our name.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
Volunteers are needed for March 19th!
Show up March 19th at Dolores Park
or Civic Center at 9:00 a.m.
and sign up at the A.N.S.W.E.R. volunteer table.
Or contact A.N.S.W.E.R. OFFICE AT:
2489 Mission St. #24, 415-821-6545
Hello to members of United for Peace and Justice Bay Area,
On March 19 UPJ-Bay Area will be meeting at 10:30 a.m. on
18th Street in front of Mission High School before marching down
to Civic Center. We will be carrying panels of the faces of the
victims of the war-American soldiers and Iraqi civilians-and need
your help in carrying them to Civic Center where we will have
a table. Please send out this request to your listserv.
Also, we are updating our members' directory and need your
updated contact information.
Please send your email, phone number and website address to me
as soon as possible. A donation of $25 is also requested to
cover printing charges. Please send to:
United for Peace and Justice-Bay Area
c/o War Resisters League West
POB 410744
San Francisco, CA 94141
Thanks.
Jackie Barshak
for UPJ-Bay Area
415.308.9416
jackie barshak jbarshak@hotmail.com
Not in Our Name Bay Area
Help Not in Our Name build for the March 19 mass
mobilization in San Francisco to end war and occupation!
Community postering for March 19 march and rally.
Also, help prepare for the March 18 anti-war
morning visiblity action.
Planning Meeting & Work Party
Wednesday, March 16 ~ 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Not in Our Name office. 3945 Opal Street,
Oakland CA 94609
Morning Visibilty Action
Friday, March 18 ~ 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM
Call us to hook up and help get the message out
to tens of thousands of morning commuters --
"Out of Iraq now!"
U.S. Out of Iraq Now!
March 19: International Day of Action
On the second anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, let's
show Bush and Co. that the people of the world say
NO to war and occupation!
On Saturday, March 19 join the Not in Our Name Earth
Flag Contingent at the mass march and rally organized by
ANSWER Coalition -- 11 am, Dolores Park, San Francisco.
Join up with the Not in Our Name Earth Flag Contingent at
the corner of 18th Street and Dolores (map). March to Civic
Center for a 1 pm rally.
Not In Our Name will also be organizing acts of creative
resistance around this weekend. We encourage folks to
strategize and brainstorm with us about how to broaden
resistance and bring awareness to the millions in this country
that our message must reach; and to join us as we unite with
groups around the Bay to bring out all who oppose the deadly
course of this government. Come to a general meeting,
call our office, or check out the website.
Against Military Recruitment in our Schools?
On the second anniversary of the war, join the
Counter-Recruitment Contingent!
***
Saturday, March 19
10AM at 16th and Mission St.
(the 16th Street BART station)
***
AT SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY, military recruiters were
forced to leave early without any recruits because of the hundreds
of students that came out to protest their presence at the school!
This is not an isolated incident. Seattle, Chicago, New York,
Madison, Connecticut, Minnesota. In community colleges,
high schools, and universities around the nation, students,
faculty, and campus workers have come out to protest the
BLACKMAILING of education. As billions are being diverted
from schools to the war, our students are being told that they
need to die before they see a dime of it.
THIS IS DEAD WRONG.
As recruiters are failing to meet quotas for the first time in
a decade, despite more than tripling signing bonuses, we need
to rebuild the anti-war movement by fighting against the war
where it is weakest.
Join students, parents, teachers, military families, veterans,
community members, and activists on the second anniversary
of the war at the 16th Street BART station at 10AM to march
up to Dolores Park together.
Sponsored by the Campus Anti-War Network and the College
Not Combat Committee.
Money for Jobs and Education! Not for War and Occupation!
For more info please contact: ragina@mac.com / 415.412.4540
sue sandlin design | srsndln@pacbell.net
------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Teach-in on Iraq: How Can We End this War?
Thursday, March 24 ~ 7 PM to 10 PM
Mission High School, 3750 18th Street (at Dolores), San Francisco
On the 40th Anniversary of the first teach-ins on the Vietnam War.
With presentations by Iraq veteran Rahul Mahajan, Cindy Sheehan,
Fernando Suarez, Aimee Allison, Howard Wallace, Sean O'Neil,
and Medea Benjamin. Sponsored by Global Exchange and
CODEPINK. $5 donation requested. (more info)
Resistance Cinema Presents "Hidden in Plain Sight"
Sunday, April 10 ~ 3 PM to 5 PM
Parkway Pizza/Pub Theater, 1834 Park Blvd., Oakland
A short history, a spirited debate, a personal story, and a call
for accountability, "Hidden in Plain Sight" is a bold, unflinching
look at the nature and consequences of U.S. policy in Latin
America. Brief presentation by Laura Slattery, Pace e Bene
Nonviolence. A free event sponsored by Not in Our Name.
The Not in Our Name Project needs your support!
Donate online: donate.notinourname.net
Or send your tax-deductible contribution today to:
Not in Our Name
3945 Opal Street, Oakland CA 94609
www.notinourname.net
phone: 510-601-8000
email: bayarea@notinourname.net
local: bayarea.notinourname.net
Another World Is Possible!
http://www.notinourname.net
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
Dear Friends Please read the following request from Families for
Peaceful Tomorrows one of the many co-sponsors of the Eyes Wide
Open exhibit. They have committed to trying to collecting the
16,000 additional pairs of shoes. Please think about becoming
a collection point. In my opinion donating a pair of shoes is a
great way to challenge people to think about the human cost of
war. It is a way to involve people before the exhibit arrives and
encourage them to come. Some ideas for dealing with the collection
include; put out a barrel or box asking for the donation in your
school, church, neighborhood center or place of work. Put a flyer
on the box explaining why we are collecting the shoes. Thanks.
Sandra Schwartz
Peace Education Coordinator, AFSC
Dear Friends,
Eyes Wide Open, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
exhibit that reminds us of the human cost of war is coming to San
Francisco March 25-27. The exhibit features over 1,500 pairs of
combat boots tagged with the names of U.S. soldiers who have
died in the Iraq war. It also memorializes the Iraqi civilians killed
in the war.
In San Francisco, we are adding a new element to this powerful
exhibit: instead of just 1,000 shoes to represent all the Iraqi civilian
deaths, we have set a goal of collecting 16,000[1] pairs of shoes
to more accurately demonstrate the scale of Iraqi deaths as a result
of the war. The shoe memorial has been initiated by September
11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows and it will not happen
without your support.
We need your help to meet the goal of collecting 16,000 pairs
of shoes!
What you can do:
1. Collect shoes for the exhibit
* Please gather usable shoes from your family and friends
or set up a shoe collection site in your community, school,
workplace or place of worship.
* Tie each pair together, or, if no laces, securely attach them
together.
* Count the pairs of shoes and place in heavy-duty garbage
bags. Attach a tag with the count on it.
* Shoes will be donated at the end of the exhibit. Children's
and men's shoes are especially needed.
* Call Nabil at 415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email
shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* Drop off shoes 9 am to 5 pm at AFSC, 65 Ninth St.
(between Mission and Market) until Thursday, March 24.
Last minute shoes may be brought to Civic Center Plaza
Friday, March 25. No shoes accepted after Friday.
2. Collect phone cards for military personnel
We are also collecting telephone calling cards to donate to
military personnel and to returning Iraq war veterans in
a Bay Area hospital and the USOs at local airports. Please
purchase phone cards to donate with your shoes or bring
to the exhibit.
3. Volunteer
Volunteers are needed for the shoe project as well as the
overall exhibit.
* To volunteer with the shoe project, call Nabil at
415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email
shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* To volunteer to help with the exhibit call AFSC at
415-565-0201 ext. 15 or email sleeds@afsc.org
4. Spread the word! Please forward this information to
your networks.
5. Come to the exhibit, encourage others to come, and
bring last minute shoe donations and help us honor all
those who have died in Iraq.
[1] The number 16,000 is the approximate minimum number
of Iraqi civilians reported killed by military intervention in
Iraq by www.iraqbodycount.net.
Eyes Wide Open
"An exhibit that speaks directly to our hearts and reminds
us of the human cost of war."
Over 1,500 pairs of empty combat boots - tagged with the
names of U.S. soldiers who died in the Iraq war - will be
displayed, together with thousands of shoes and wall of
names to memorialize the Iraqis killed.
SAN FRANCISCO DATES:
March 25 (Friday), 11:00 am with all night vigil
Civic Center between Polk and Larkin
March 26 (Saturday), 10:00 am to 5 pm
Civic Center Voices and Requiem - 2 pm
March 27 (Easter Sunday), 10:00 am to dusk
Union Square (Powell and Geary)
American Friends Service Committee
We Need Good Shoes (Especially for Men and Children) and
Telephone Cards!
Call 415-565-0201 x14 or shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
See www.afsc.org/eyes
Until Thursday March 24, drop off shoes at 65 Ninth St.
(betw. Mission and Market) from 9-5 weekdays
Donate phone cards for military families Donate shoes to
memorialize the Iraqi casualties
Co-Sponsors (partial list) Agape Fdn; American Muslim Voice;
Archdiocese of SF: Comm. Of Public Policy and Social Concern;
Bay Area Pax Christi; Bay Area United for Peace and Justice;
Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists; Berkeley Friends
Church; Buddhist Peace Fellowship; Grace Cathedral: Diocese
of CA of the Episcopal Church; Los Altos Voices for Peace; Military
Families Speak Out; Pacifica Peace People; Pacifica Women in
Black; SFUSD School Board; Strawberry Creek Friends Meeting;
Veterans for Peace; 9/11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows,
San Francisco Friends Meeting, Code Pink
Our postal address is
P.O. Box 1818
Peter Stuyvesant Station
New York, New York 10009
United States
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TOMORROW, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
2) WE ALL STAND WITH LYNNE STEWART!
NO JAIL TIME FOR LYNNE!
PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TODAY
3) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation of Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People's Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
4) COMING TO THE BAY AREA SOON-POWERFUL ANTIWAR MOVIES
5) 5500 U.S. Deserters: (LINK ONLY)
We Won't Fight in Iraq
Doug Lorimer
On February 25, US Army officials at Fort Stewart, Georgia,
announced that Sergeant Kevin Benderman, a 40-year-old army
mechanic who refused to deploy to Iraq for a second tour of
duty, will be court-martialed on desertion charges. If convicted,
he faces up to seven years in prison.
http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2005/619/619p14.htm
6) OIL COMPANIES EYE IRAQ RESERVES (LINK ONLY)
By Laurence Frost
Associated Press
March 15, 2005
http://washingtontimes.com/business/20050315-120755-8864r.htm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD
TOMORROW, THURS. MARCH 17TH, 5:30 P.M.!
PRECEEDING THE MEETING OF THE WHOLE AT 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list of the 5:30 meeting call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
There is no speakers list for the seven o'clock
"meeting of the whole." They will ask for speakers
and you go up to the microphone. I am not sure how much
time will be allowed per speaker (either one or two minutes
each.) at either meeting.
At the March 8th meeting JROTC teachers lied about what the
main purpose of JROTC was and about what they are teaching to the
children of San Francisco at the district's expense.
I received the following letter this morning from
"Arson G.," one of those students.
Arson G.'s words speak for themselves.
"Out of the mouths of babes!"
Peace,
Bonnie Weinstein, Bay Area United Against War
--- Nelly Gabuera
I don't know where you guys get your ideas, but
JROTC does NOT promote warfare or joining the army or
any sort of that. It's my second year in the JROTC
program and I love it, it teaches me leadership
skills, educates me, it PROMOTES my moral standards.
The mission of JROTC is to Promote Young Cadets To
Become Better Citizens. You do not know what you are
talking about, you are not IN the program, you have
never been in the program because if you have you
wouldve loved it, one paper does not mean im going to
join the Army. Now that we have ROTC settled,
let's focus on the war. If it wasn't for wars would
you still enjoy the freedoms you have today? NO? if it
wasn't for war half of the world would be run by
dictators like Hitler or Stalin or Mussolini, Castro?
SADAM? All we're doing in Iraq is bringing democracy.
We fought BACK because of 9-11. You cannot JUDGE the
JROTC in the last two years we have not even DISCUSSED
THE WAR class wise maybe amongst friends BUT NOT IN
THE JROTC CLASSROOM. The only thing we do, is march, learn
how to tell right from wrong. We have fun in the JROTC
program. Think of what effect it would have on kids
that don't have as good opportunities. The kids that
live in poverty that depend on JROTC to teach them
better, I believe JROTC saved lot's of lives. I
believe that if there isn't ONE person in the world
that is unsuccessfull in his life that passed the
JROTC program with flying colors. I really hope you
fail canceling the JROTC program, and for any grudge
you have against Bush take it out on him not the kids.
P.S. I AM joining the marine corps, it has been my
DREAM to be in the army since i was 7 years old. My
father served, my grandfather server and i will serve.
One thing i do admit though, the JROTC did make me
braver on my decision for joining the marines.
-Sincerely Arson G.
.............................................................................
The following are statements that were cut off at the board
Meeting due to running over the 1-minute time limit March 8th:
(The JROTC duo got three times as much time as all of us put
together.)
FROM: "Elizabeth Milos" emilos@yahoo.com
At the BofEd meeting on Tuesday, I only had one minute so
I wasn't able to say everything but I was able to state the
first five concrete demands that I believe the Board of
Education should adopt as a district-wide policy.
It would be a good idea if we were to hammer it home
a second time regardless of their intent to table it into
a "community advisory board".
As parents, we should stress that we do NOTconsider the
military a "career option" for our youth. KILLING IS NOT A
CAREER OPTION. The resources that are being spent for war
(with our tax money) should be spent on providing financial
aid to low-income youth that want to go to college.
The fact that young men from poor communities must
register in the selective service in order to be eligible
for financial aid converts the registration process into
a de-facto draft for lower income youth which, during
these times of recruitment shortages and stop loss
orders, practically guarantees that these young men
will be called to "serve their country".
Instead, we need these young men to go to college and
contribute to the economic development of their
neighborhoods and families. There are many legitimate
ways to serve our country: working with homeless families,
in soup kitchens, with the elderly, etc. ways that do not
put our childrens' lives in danger or require them to
kill and become psychologically wounded for life in
order to get a college education.
The Board of Education has an obligation to create and
sustain a life-affirming environment for our children
in our public education system and, in partnership
with the parents, to prepare our children to realize
their potential and to contribute to our society in
positive ways. If the Board continues to allow military
recruitment on our campuses, the Board is becoming
an accomplice to the crime that is being committed
against our low income youth by our government.
It's not only an issue of being permitted to carry out
counter-recruitment activities: We should ask the
Board to keep the military out of our public schools.
I am aware that the "No Child Left Behind Act"
requires school districts to allow military recruiters
the "same level of access" to school campuses that
colleges have or else face serious cuts in federal funding.
Our children are minors and until they turn 18, we,
as parents, are ultimately responsible for their well being.
We are calling on the Board to stand together with
us, to use our imagination and develop ways to
circumvent this law and to make it clear to our
youth what are the true effects of war.
Some of the ways that come to mind is the following:
1.Organize College and Vocational Training Fairs
off-campus in community centers and encourage
attendance by high school juniors and seniors by
making it part of the regular curriculum.
2.Support Mike Honda's bill in Congress. Presently,
parents that do NOT want their children's names to be
given to the military for recruitment purposes must
sign an opt-out form. Representative Mike Honda's
Bill would convert our present opt-out system into
an opt-in system. Only parents that WANT their
children to be contacted or recruited into the military
would thereby give their authorization for the military
to contact their children OFF-CAMPUS.
3.Dedicate a significant portion of the Health
curriculum to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Invite
veterans from the peace movement to share their
personal experiences.
4.Develop curriculum that exposes the effects of war
on the environment, on the health of troops and
civilians and on the economy.
5.Instruct school faculty and counselors to inform
students about their right to register as conscientious
objectors and support them in the registration process,
if they decide to do so.
6.Connect youth with counter-recruitment groups that
can train them as peer counselors as part of their required
100 hours of community service that they are required to
complete as part of graduation.
Yes, we are asking the Board of Education to take a stand,
to "choose sides", so to speak. But where war is concerned,
all sides lose and our children most of all. Stand on the side
of our youth and get those recruiters off of our campuses.
...................
FROM: Bonnie Weinstein giobon@sbcglobal.net
First the good news: According to Tom Philpott of the Fleet
Reserve Association, Black Army recruits are down 41 percent
since 2000.
The bad news is, the San Francisco Unified School District is
subsidizing military recruitment in our schools.
The School district and the military each pay a million towards
a Physical Education teacher-but that teacher is a JROTC
teacher-appointed by the military.
And, since this person is counted as a Physical Education teacher,
and JROTC is counted as a Physical Education class, the public
is told that the Military is contributing a million dollars to the
schools to support the cost of a Physical Education teacher.
We are further told that without the money from the Army, the
schools would not have enough Physical Education classes to go
around and some kids would not earn the necessary graduation
credits to earn their diploma without JROTC.
Well, that tells me we need Physical Education teachers-not
military recruiters. The district must come up with the money to
have the required number of physical education classes to allow
students to graduate without forcing some of them into the military.
What I think needs to happen is that the Board of Education has
to give us a full accounting of how much money we have for
our children's needs and how our dollars are being spent.
I do know, if the District is paying a million dollars to have
military recruiters at our schools the million the Military puts
up is not a "gift" to anyone but themselves.
As a parent and grandparent I feel it puts our kids in harms
way and gets them involved in an immoral and illegal war
that is ruining tens of thousands of lives every day.
We want them out of our schools.
........................................................
From: Carole Seligman caroseligman@aol.com
Dear All,
The main purpose of the
Jr. ROTC presentation at
the March 8 Board of Ed. meeting
was to convince the public that the Jr.
ROTC program has nothing
whatsoever to do with war,
preparation for war, or
military recruitment. In other
words it was the Big Lie in full
operation. Our job must continue
to show how military recruitment and
programs in the schools are
intimately connected to the
war in Iraq and future wars
and occupations the U.S. is planning now.
Ending public school ties with
the military will be a long, uphill fight. and
it will not be lead by the Bd.
of Education or other politicians. In my
opinion, the only reason to speak
out at the Bd. of Ed. meetings is to keep this
struggle before the public and to
help open the door for parent and student
organizing to keep the hands of the
military off our children and out of our
communities' schools.
Again there was a broad coalition of
anti-war organizations speaking out at
the meeting. And this time there were
some young people and some more parents
speaking out too. Most of the 1 minute
speeches were very educational and
effective I thought. There was a young
military veteran (who had gotten in touch
with Bonnie before the meeting) and
a high school student whose school was
trying to put him into a ROTC "class"
against his will.
BAUAW has submitted the following resolution to the board:
Draft Resolution for San Francisco Board of Education
Cut Ties with the Military:
WHEREAS, the United States military is
actively recruiting high school students into
the military to fight in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, many young San Francisco
high school alumni are presently serving in
military units fighting in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, it is San Francisco City policy
by virtue of Proposition N, to bring all U.S.
troops home from Iraq now; and
WHEREAS, over 1,448 U.S. soldiers and
approximately 100,000 Iraqis have been
killed in this war and over 10,000 U.S.
soldiers and unknown thousands of
Iraqis have been wounded; and
WHEREAS, the hundreds of billions of dollars
spent on the war have robbed our children of
resources that should be spent on
education and other human needs; and
WHEREAS, military presence in our schools
legitimizes the message that violence is
acceptable;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
It shall be the policy of the San Francisco
Board of Education to cut all ties
with the United States military,
including, but not limited to: Ending military
recruitment on campuses; ending the
Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps
(JROTC); and guaranteeing that all students
and parents are informed of their right to
deny military recruiters access to their
names, addresses and telephone numbers.
MILITARY SPENDING IN THE SCHOOLS:
To: CodePinkCounterRecruitGroup@yahoogroups.com
From: "iampohet"
Subject: Which schools have jrotc?
I don't know specifically if military science is jrotc. I didn't find the
right person to ask. But, if it isn't, then what the hell is it?
Oh, heck, just for fun, here are the athletics funds listed in the profile:
School: Amt: FTE's:Mil.Sci. FTE's:
Balboa: $6,000 2.0
Burton: $6,000 2.0
Galileo: $6,000 2.0
Lincoln: $7,000 3.0
Mission: $6,000 2.0
Lowell: $7,000 2.0
Washington: $7,000 2.0
The money, just over 2 mil, is all the funds... 1mil+
from the Feds and 1mil + in matching funds from the sfusd.
In CodePinkCounterRecruitGroup@yahoogroups.com,
Ms sam joi
question - mil sci is jrotc? and this $$ was alotted
by the feds to the individual schools?
iampohet
School Money alotted to Mil Sci as per fiscal profile Apr. 2004
Balboa: $261,335
Burton: $258,177
Galileo: $343,913
Lincoln: $429,106
Mission: $265,303
Lowell: $276,877
Wash: $344,093
Total: $2,178,804
I found this info by digging in the individual school's profiles on
the sfusd website. Hope it's helpful.
erin
Bay Area United Against War (BAUAW)
www.bauaw.org
414-824-8730
Donations are urgently needed to carry
out this important work. We have no
paid staff but need money for posters,
buttons, flyers and informational material
to hand out to students and parents.
Make a tax-deductible donation to:
Bay Area United Against War/NVM
P.O. Box 318021
San Francisco, CA 94131-8021
Coming Up:
Global Day of Action
March 19, 2005
No to War and Occupation in Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People's Needs, Not War!
San Francisco March Assembles:
11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
THE NEXT BAUAW MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE:
SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 11:30AM
474 VALENCIA STREET, SF
(FIRST FLOOR, TO THE LEFT AND ALL THE WAY BACK
TO THE COMPANEROS DEL BARRIO CHILDREN'S CENTER)
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
2) WE ALL STAND WITH LYNNE STEWART!
NO JAIL TIME FOR LYNNE!
PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TODAY:
SUGGESTION AS TO FORMAT OF LETTERS
TO BE WRITTEN ON BEHALF OF LYNNE STEWART
MARGIN: Please leave at least a one-inch left-hand margin
to allow us to bind the letter into the appendix to the
sentencing memorandum that is being filed on
Lynne's behalf.
INSIDE ADDRESS: Honorable John G. Koeltl
United States District Judge
Southern District of New York
United States Courthouse
500 Pearl Street
New York, New York 10007
GREETING: Honorable Sir or Dear Judge Koeltl:
BODY: Briefly introduce yourself and set forth
your relationship to Lynne.
Briefly discuss yourself - your position in work
and in society.
State that you are aware that Lynne is to be sentenced
following a jury verdict of guilty on serious charges:
The remainder of your letter should discuss whatever
you believe to weigh in favor of no jail time. If possible,
you should tell of an incident where she helped you out
or engaged in commendable community service. Do not
try to argue that she is not guilty or was unfairly conviction.
Focus on the unfairness of the government's actions in
bringing the charges; the way in which the government
portrayed her, etc.
* Typewritten letters if possible are preferred.
*
WHEN LETTER IS COMPLETED: Please mail the final product
to the following address:
Jill R. Shellow-Lavine, Esq.
2537 Post Road
Southport, CT 06890
Do not send your letters to the judge. We ask that you
forward your letter me so that the lawyers can present
it to Judge Koeltl with the other letters being written
for this purpose. This is the manner in which letters
will have the greatest impact. If they are sent directly
to the Judge's chambers, they may have less of an
impact and could cause the judge a substantial
inconvenience (and annoyance).
Thank you for your cooperation. If you have any
questions, please do not hesitate to contact the
defense committee at www.lynnestewart.org.
Sincerely,
Jill R. Shellow-Lavine
Attorney for Lynne Stewart
For more information go to:
www.LynneStewart.org
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
3) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation ˆ Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People‚s Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
· Urgent appeal for volunteers on March 19
· Volunteer opportunities this weekend.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
March 19, 2005: Global Day of Action - San Francisco -
Volunteers Needed!
No to War Occupation ˜ Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere! Bring the Troops
Home Now! Money for People's Needs, Not War!
March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
Send this email to as many friends as you can.
March 19, 2005, will be an International Day of Protest
on the second anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq.
As on the first anniversary of the invasion last year,
millions of people around the world will march to say
„No to War and Occupation from Iraq to Palestine to
Haiti and Everywhere.‰
Volunteers are urgently needed in San Francisco on
March 19 to help with set-up, distributing placards
to spread the anti-war message, carrying banners
for the march, selling buttons and t-shirts to pay
for the march, leafleting to let people know how
to get involved, take down, monitoring, clean up
and more.
Friends, families, and work groups can volunteer
in teams! Take a stand on March 19 against war
and occupation!
No experience necessary! Whether you have volunteered
before or this is your first time your help is urgently
needed. Call 415-821-6545 for more information
and directions to this meeting.
If you cannot make the orientation, you can still
volunteer to help make March 19 Day of Global
Action protest happen:
Come to Dolores Park at 9 a.m. the morning of March 19
and sign in at the Volunteer ANSWER table to get the
latest orientation and take on an area of work for the
protest. Dolores Park is located at 18th and Dolores St.
near the 16th St. BART station.
OR
Come to the Civic Center at 9 a.m. the morning of
March 19 for a volunteer orientation and to get
plugged in. Take BART to Civic Center. Look for
the sign-in table under the ANSWER Volunteer banner.
Volunteers are needed ALL DAY. Any amount of
time you have to help is greatly appreciated.
Together we‚re building a powerful new movement
against war and racism. You‚re needed in the
struggle to win money for peoples‚ needs, not
war and corporate greed. Email, call or come to
the volunteer orientation. Get involved today.
To subscribe to the list, send a message to:
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
4) BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR PRESENTS:
"Mission Accomplished" a brutally vivid documentary
filmed entirely on the ground in Iraq. The reality of this
war for American troops is contrasted to the
overwhelming reality of the devastation felt and experienced
by the people of Iraq.
"Mission Accomplished" will open March 18th, 6pm:
The Four Star Twin
2200 Clement St. (near 23rd Ave.)
San Francisco, CA 94121
415.666.3488
"Voices In Wartime" is a compelling portrayal of human
experience with war through poetry, both from the point
of view of those who were in combat and those who are left
behind.
"Voices In Wartime" will play in S.F. on April 15th at:
Landmark Lumiere 3
1572 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
[This poem by fourth-grader Cameron Penny was read
by Marie Howe in this very beautiful film
directed by Rick King.
"If you are lucky in this life
A window will appear on a battlefield between two armies
And when the soldiers look into the window
They don't see their enemies
They see themselves as children
And they stop fighting
And go home and go to sleep
When they wake up, the land is well again."
By Cameron Penny]
To learn more about these film visit
Cinema Libre Studio
http://www.cinemalibrestudio.com/
Also: check out, GUNNER PALACE |
Some war stories will never make the nightly news.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
5) 5500 U.S. Deserters: (LINK ONLY)
We Won't Fight in Iraq
Doug Lorimer
On February 25, US Army officials at Fort Stewart, Georgia,
announced that Sergeant Kevin Benderman, a 40-year-old army
mechanic who refused to deploy to Iraq for a second tour of
duty, will be court-martialed on desertion charges. If convicted,
he faces up to seven years in prison.
http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2005/619/619p14.htm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
6) OIL COMPANIES EYE IRAQ RESERVES (LINK ONLY)
By Laurence Frost
Associated Press
March 15, 2005
http://washingtontimes.com/business/20050315-120755-8864r.htm
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Tuesday, March 15, 2005
BAUAW NEWSLETTER-TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 2005
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
URGENT ANNOUNCEMENTS
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR PRESENTS
A PREMIERE FILM SHOWING OF:
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
One man, one camera. Two sides of a story
FRIDAY, MARCH 18TH, 6 P.M.
(There will be a short question and answer period
at 7:30 P.M. immediately following the film.)
FOUR STAR TWIN
220 CLEMENT ST. NEAR 23RD AVENUE
SAN FRANCISCO
415-666-3488
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED is a gripping documentary by veteran
British journalist Sean Langan. Langan gets up close and
personal accounts of the war from U.S. and coalition soldiers,
Iraqi resistance fighters, and captures Abu Ghraib prison abuses
long before the torture reached the popular Press.
The most powerful statement of the film is the depiction
of the total devastation brought to Iraq by this war. It is the
constant backdrop to the interviews in the film as is the almost
universal hatred exhibited by the Iraqi people toward any U.S.
presence in Iraq-both from those interviewed and from those
included among the rubble in the background scenes. This film's
a must for anyone thinking of joining the military or who is
unsure of what our government is doing there in our name.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
Volunteers are needed for March 19th!
Show up March 19th at Dolores Park or Civic Center at 9:00 a.m.
and sign up at the A.N.S.W.E.R. volunteer table.
There is a meeting TONIGHT, TUESDAY, MARCH 15TH AT 7PM AT THE
A.N.S.W.E.R. OFFICE AT: 2489 Mission St. #24, 415-821-6545
Hello to members of United for Peace and Justice Bay Area,
On March 19 UPJ-Bay Area will be meeting at 10:30 a.m. on
18th Street in front of Mission High School before marching down
to Civic Center. We will be carrying panels of the faces of the
victims of the war-American soldiers and Iraqi civilians-and need
your help in carrying them to Civic Center where we will have
a table. Please send out this request to your listserv.
Also, we are updating our members' directory and need your
updated contact information.
Please send your email, phone number and website address to me
as soon as possible. A donation of $25 is also requested to
cover printing charges. Please send to:
United for Peace and Justice-Bay Area
c/o War Resisters League West
POB 410744
San Francisco, CA 94141
Thanks.
Jackie Barshak
for UPJ-Bay Area
415.308.9416
jackie barshak jbarshak@hotmail.com
Not in Our Name Bay Area
Help Not in Our Name build for the March 19 mass
mobilization in San Francisco to end war and occupation!
Community Outreach
Saturday, March 12
* Oakland ~ 10 AM
Meet at the Not in Our Name office. 3945 Opal Street,
Oakland CA 94609
* San Francisco ~ 11 AM to 2 PM
16th Street at Valencia
Work Party and Community Outreach
Sunday, March 13 ~ 11 AM
Meet at the Not in Our Name office. 3945 Opal Street,
Oakland CA 94609
Community postering for March 19 march and rally.
Also, help prepare for the March 18 anti-war
morning visiblity action.
Planning Meeting & Work Party
Wednesday, March 16 ~ 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Not in Our Name office. 3945 Opal Street,
Oakland CA 94609
Morning Visibilty Action
Friday, March 18 ~ 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM
Call us to hook up and help get the message out
to tens of thousands of morning commuters --
"Out of Iraq now!"
U.S. Out of Iraq Now!
March 19: International Day of Action
On the second anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, let's
show Bush and Co. that the people of the world say
NO to war and occupation!
On Saturday, March 19 join the Not in Our Name Earth
Flag Contingent at the mass march and rally organized by
ANSWER Coalition -- 11 am, Dolores Park, San Francisco.
Join up with the Not in Our Name Earth Flag Contingent at
the corner of 18th Street and Dolores (map). March to Civic
Center for a 1 pm rally.
Not In Our Name will also be organizing acts of creative
resistance around this weekend. We encourage folks to
strategize and brainstorm with us about how to broaden
resistance and bring awareness to the millions in this country
that our message must reach; and to join us as we unite with
groups around the Bay to bring out all who oppose the deadly
course of this government. Come to a general meeting,
call our office, or check out the website.
Against Military Recruitment in our Schools?
On the second anniversary of the war, join the
Counter-Recruitment Contingent!
***
Saturday, March 19
10AM at 16th and Mission St.
(the 16th Street BART station)
***
AT SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY, military recruiters were
forced to leave early without any recruits because of the hundreds
of students that came out to protest their presence at the school!
This is not an isolated incident. Seattle, Chicago, New York,
Madison, Connecticut, Minnesota. In community colleges,
high schools, and universities around the nation, students,
faculty, and campus workers have come out to protest the
BLACKMAILING of education. As billions are being diverted
from schools to the war, our students are being told that they
need to die before they see a dime of it.
THIS IS DEAD WRONG.
As recruiters are failing to meet quotas for the first time in
a decade, despite more than tripling signing bonuses, we need
to rebuild the anti-war movement by fighting against the war
where it is weakest.
Join students, parents, teachers, military families, veterans,
community members, and activists on the second anniversary
of the war at the 16th Street BART station at 10AM to march
up to Dolores Park together.
Sponsored by the Campus Anti-War Network and the College
Not Combat Committee.
Money for Jobs and Education! Not for War and Occupation!
For more info please contact: ragina@mac.com / 415.412.4540
sue sandlin design | srsndln@pacbell.net
------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Teach-in on Iraq: How Can We End this War?
Thursday, March 24 ~ 7 PM to 10 PM
Mission High School, 3750 18th Street (at Dolores), San Francisco
On the 40th Anniversary of the first teach-ins on the Vietnam War.
With presentations by Iraq veteran Rahul Mahajan, Cindy Sheehan,
Fernando Suarez, Aimee Allison, Howard Wallace, Sean O'Neil,
and Medea Benjamin. Sponsored by Global Exchange and
CODEPINK. $5 donation requested. (more info)
Resistance Cinema Presents "Hidden in Plain Sight"
Sunday, April 10 ~ 3 PM to 5 PM
Parkway Pizza/Pub Theater, 1834 Park Blvd., Oakland
A short history, a spirited debate, a personal story, and a call
for accountability, "Hidden in Plain Sight" is a bold, unflinching
look at the nature and consequences of U.S. policy in Latin
America. Brief presentation by Laura Slattery, Pace e Bene
Nonviolence. A free event sponsored by Not in Our Name.
The Not in Our Name Project needs your support!
Donate online: donate.notinourname.net
Or send your tax-deductible contribution today to:
Not in Our Name
3945 Opal Street, Oakland CA 94609
www.notinourname.net
phone: 510-601-8000
email: bayarea@notinourname.net
local: bayarea.notinourname.net
Another World Is Possible!
http://www.notinourname.net
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release
College Not Combat Press Conference and
Picket in Front of Military
Recruiting Office
Where: U.S. Military Recruiting Office,
670 Davis Street,
San Francisco
When: Today, Tuesday, March 15 at 5pm
From:
On Tuesday, March 15th, the College Not Combat coalition will
initiate its campaign to kick the military out of Bay Area schools
with a picket and press conference at the military recruiting station
at 670 Davis Street in San Francisco. Parents, teachers, students,
and veterans will discuss the deceptive practices used by military
recruiters to entice young students into to the armed services.
As the war in Iraq approaches its two-year mark, communities across
the U.S. are suffering from its consequences: thousands of soldiers
killed or wounded, and schools and hospitals robbed of resources to
pay for a war for oil. Even worse, the military systematically
targets for recruitment those most harmed by the misplaced priorities
of the political establishment: working class children and people of
color. The military plays on the hopes of youth for a good education
by promising them money for college if they enlist-a promise made
only more insidious by the fact that more often than not, enlistees
will not see any financial assistance at all. Students should not
have to risk their lives to afford a college education. We demand
that the military leave our schools.
Speakers will include Aimee Allison, candidate for District 2 City
Council in Oakland and military veteran; Katrina Yeaw of the Campus
Anti-War Network (CAN); and Marcia Thorndike, a military family
member.
Contact: Todd Chretien, (510) 395-6417, chretientodd@aol.com,
College Not Combat Coalition
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
Dear Friends Please read the following request from Families for
Peaceful Tomorrows one of the many co-sponsors of the Eyes Wide
Open exhibit. They have committed to trying to collecting the
16,000 additional pairs of shoes. Please think about becoming
a collection point. In my opinion donating a pair of shoes is a
great way to challenge people to think about the human cost of
war. It is a way to involve people before the exhibit arrives and
encourage them to come. Some ideas for dealing with the collection
include; put out a barrel or box asking for the donation in your
school, church, neighborhood center or place of work. Put a flyer
on the box explaining why we are collecting the shoes. Thanks.
Sandra Schwartz
Peace Education Coordinator, AFSC
Dear Friends,
Eyes Wide Open, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
exhibit that reminds us of the human cost of war is coming to San
Francisco March 25-27. The exhibit features over 1,500 pairs of
combat boots tagged with the names of U.S. soldiers who have
died in the Iraq war. It also memorializes the Iraqi civilians killed
in the war.
In San Francisco, we are adding a new element to this powerful
exhibit: instead of just 1,000 shoes to represent all the Iraqi civilian
deaths, we have set a goal of collecting 16,000[1] pairs of shoes
to more accurately demonstrate the scale of Iraqi deaths as a result
of the war. The shoe memorial has been initiated by September
11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows and it will not happen
without your support.
We need your help to meet the goal of collecting 16,000 pairs
of shoes!
What you can do:
1. Collect shoes for the exhibit
* Please gather usable shoes from your family and friends
or set up a shoe collection site in your community, school,
workplace or place of worship.
* Tie each pair together, or, if no laces, securely attach them
together.
* Count the pairs of shoes and place in heavy-duty garbage
bags. Attach a tag with the count on it.
* Shoes will be donated at the end of the exhibit. Children's
and men's shoes are especially needed.
* Call Nabil at 415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email
shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* Drop off shoes 9 am to 5 pm at AFSC, 65 Ninth St.
(between Mission and Market) until Thursday, March 24.
Last minute shoes may be brought to Civic Center Plaza
Friday, March 25. No shoes accepted after Friday.
2. Collect phone cards for military personnel
We are also collecting telephone calling cards to donate to
military personnel and to returning Iraq war veterans in
a Bay Area hospital and the USOs at local airports. Please
purchase phone cards to donate with your shoes or bring
to the exhibit.
3. Volunteer
Volunteers are needed for the shoe project as well as the
overall exhibit.
* To volunteer with the shoe project, call Nabil at
415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* To volunteer to help with the exhibit call AFSC at
415-565-0201 ext. 15 or email sleeds@afsc.org
4. Spread the word! Please forward this information to your networks.
5. Come to the exhibit, encourage others to come, and bring last minute shoe donations and help us honor all those who have died in Iraq.
[1] The number 16,000 is the approximate minimum number
of Iraqi civilians reported killed by military intervention in
Iraq by www.iraqbodycount.net.
Eyes Wide Open
"An exhibit that speaks directly to our hearts and reminds
us of the human cost of war."
Over 1,500 pairs of empty combat boots - tagged with the
names of U.S. soldiers who died in the Iraq war - will be
displayed, together with thousands of shoes and wall of
names to memorialize the Iraqis killed.
SAN FRANCISCO DATES:
March 25 (Friday), 11:00 am with all night vigil
Civic Center between Polk and Larkin
March 26 (Saturday), 10:00 am to 5 pm
Civic Center Voices and Requiem - 2 pm
March 27 (Easter Sunday), 10:00 am to dusk
Union Square (Powell and Geary)
American Friends Service Committee
We Need Good Shoes (Especially for Men and Children) and
Telephone Cards!
Call 415-565-0201 x14 or shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
See www.afsc.org/eyes
Until Thursday March 24, drop off shoes at 65 Ninth St.
(betw. Mission and Market) from 9-5 weekdays
Donate phone cards for military families Donate shoes to
memorialize the Iraqi casualties
Co-Sponsors (partial list) Agape Fdn; American Muslim Voice;
Archdiocese of SF: Comm. Of Public Policy and Social Concern;
Bay Area Pax Christi; Bay Area United for Peace and Justice;
Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists; Berkeley Friends
Church; Buddhist Peace Fellowship; Grace Cathedral: Diocese
of CA of the Episcopal Church; Los Altos Voices for Peace; Military
Families Speak Out; Pacifica Peace People; Pacifica Women in
Black; SFUSD School Board; Strawberry Creek Friends Meeting;
Veterans for Peace; 9/11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows,
San Francisco Friends Meeting, Code Pink
Our postal address is
P.O. Box 1818
Peter Stuyvesant Station
New York, New York 10009
United States
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) BAN THE MILITARY FROM OUR SCHOOLS!
Thursday, March 17th, 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
2) WE ALL STAND WITH LYNNE STEWART!
NO JAIL TIME FOR LYNNE!
PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TODAY
3) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation ˆ Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People‚s Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
4) COMING TO THE BAY AREA SOON-POWERFUL ANTIWAR MOVIES
5) Senate OKs Tougher Bankruptcy Rules (LINK ONLY)
By Susan Cornwell
WASHINGTON (Reuters)
Thu Mar 10, 2005 11:45 PM ET
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=7872774&src=eDialog/GetConten
6) BUSH ANNOUNCES IRAQ EXIT STRATEGY: (LINK ONLY)
'WE'LL GO THROUGH IRAN' !
The Onion
March 9, 2005
http://www.theonion.com/news/index.php?issue=4110
7) Activists protest military on campus (LINK ONLY)
Group opposes recruiters at S.F. State University career fair
By Erin Pursell - CORRESPONDENT
Inside Bay Area
Article Last Updated: 3/10/2005 07:57 AM
http://www.insidebayarea.com/localnews/ci_2603424
8) Justice for New Americans
First annual fundraiser
Tickets: $100 (includes admission to the rock
musical "Making Tracks"
www.makingtracks.com
Where: San Jose Repertory Theatre
When: immediately after the 2 p.m. matinee show of "Making Tracks"
What: actors stage reading of two pieces of transcripts
-FBI's interrogation of Wen Ho Lee
-Judge Parker's apology to Wen Ho Lee
reception will follow
9) NO MESSAGE-NUMBERING ERROR
10) Why We Should Be in the Streets on March 19
11) Counter-Recruitment Calendar for the San Francisco Bay Area
Compiled by MOOS-Bay
12) Suicides in Marine Corps Rise by 29 Percent (LINK ONLY)
Fast Pace of Operations Are Believed to Contribute
By Ann Scott Tyson
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, February 25, 2005; Page A19
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A51933-2005Feb24.html
13) Evict PG&E from Hunters Point
Shut Down PG&E's Hunters Point Power Plant now
COMMUNITY PROTEST on environmental justice
Wednesday March 23, 2005, 12 Noon
PG&E Corporate Headquarters
77Beale Street, San Francisco
at Market Street near Embarcadero BART
Sponsored by the Coalition to Shut Down the PG&E Hunters Point Power Plant,
Huntersview Tenants Association, All Hallows Garden Residents Association
Greenaction for Health and Environmental Justice, Code Blue, Community First Coalition
For more information contact Greenaction (415) 248-5010
www.greenaction.org
14) Can Papers End the Free Ride Online? (LINK ONLY)
By KATHARINE Q. SEELYE
March 14, 2005
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/14/business/media/14paper.html
15) Extreme Cinema Verite (LINK ONLY)
GIs shoot Iraq battle footage and edit it into music videos
filled with death and destruction. And they display their
work as entertainment.
By Louise Roug
Times Staff Writer
March 14, 2005
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/iraq/la-fg-videos14mar14,0,2298678.story?coll=la-home-headlines
16) Pentagon plans rendition (LINK ONLY)
of Guantánamo prisoners
Detainees face torture in
Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Yemen
By Kate Randall
World Socialist Web Site www.wsws.org
14 March 2005
https://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/mar2005/guan-14m.shtml
17) Marketers of Death
Source: Advertising Age, February 28, 2005
"The U.S. Army is adjusting its marketing pitch to minorities as the war in Iraq hurts recruiting efforts among Hispanics and, especially, African-Americans," reports Advertising Age .Leo Burnett is the Army's lead marketing agency, with Cartel Creativo doing Hispanic, and Muse Cordero Chen & Partners and Vital Marketing Group doing African-American, outreach. The Army will "maintain a minority presence in general-market advertising, craft minority-specific messages," and "focus Spanish-language messages at parents and ' influencers .'" Political science professor Peter Feaver expressed skepticism, saying, "If the problem is Iraq, there's not much in the short run that the Army recruiters can do."
http://www.prwatch.org/node/3319
18) U.S. Military Anti-Recruitment Efforts (LINK ONLY)
Needed Now More Than Ever
By Jack Dalton
From AxisofLogic.com
Feb 25, 2005, 19:00
http://www.axisoflogic.com/artman/publish/article_15954.shtml
19) Bush Seeks to Ban Some Nations From (LINK ONLY)
All Nuclear Technology
By DAVID E. SANGER
WASHINGTON
March 15, 2005
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/15/politics/15treaty.html?hp&ex=1110949200&en=afa5e227075aa8ed&ei=5094&partner=homepage
20) Judge Delays Trial of Student (LINK ONLY)
Accused of Plot to Kill Bush
By ERIC LICHTBLAU
ALEXANDRIA, Va.
March 15, 2005
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/15/national/15ali.html
21) LINKS TO ARTICLES POINTING TO JROTC RECRUITMENT TACTICS, ETC.
Forwarded Message from Jon Previtali
I couldn't find the number of people joining the military from the general population, but it's surely less than 40% which is the number of JROTC graduates who enlisted in some form in 1995-96. Take a look at the report linked below for more details. I couldn't find more recent information, but I believe it is contained in military publications called "Disposition of Candidate" reports that should be available to the public.
School Year 95-96 - 40% JROTC Grads enlisted (active, nat'l guard, reserves, mil commission/college),
SY 96-97 - 43% enlisted
From the "Final Report of the CSIS Political-Military Studies Project on the JROTC" (pro-JROTC, but good info) collected from Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps JROTC Programs' Disposition of Cadets reports.
http://www.csis.org/polmil/jrotc/jrotcfinal.pdf
Also, according to an article I read, some schools (maybe all, I don't know) actually pay half the cost of the JROTC program to be on campus. The rest of the cost is paid by the military. If SFUSD is indeed funding JROTC, cutting the budget would be a great place to end it.
Applicable quotes:
"Almost 50 percent of the folks who go into [Air Force] Junior ROTC go on to one of our services, ... either by enlisting, or going through ROTC, or going to one of the academies."
-- Gen. Michael E. Ryan, Chief of Staff, US Air Force, February 2000
http://www.afa.org/magazine/april2000/0400rotc.asp
JROTC is "one of the best recruiting devices that we could have."
-- Former Secretary of Defense William Cohen, 2000
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3861/is_200109/ai_n8962746
http://www.sdcitybeat.com/article.php?id=258
22) Alerting Humanitarians to Emergencies (LINK ONLY)
Montana call for Iraq troop return sparks debate
12 Mar 2005 00:59:16 GMT
Source: Reuters
By Laura Zuckerman
SULA, Mont., March 11 (Reuters)
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N11460046.htm
23) Bankruptcy Bill Said to Hit (LINK ONLY)
Poorest Americans Hardest
By Abid Aslam
Saturday 12 March 2005
Also see:
Congress Eyes Slashing Food Aid for Poor •
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/031405B.shtml
24) U.S. UNAWARE OF REALITIES OF
IRAQ WAR, VET SAYS
By Stu Woo
Brown Daily Herald
Published: Friday, March 11, 20
http://www.browndailyherald.com/main.cfm?include=displaystaffbio&authorid=1492245
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) BAN THE MILITARY FROM OUR SCHOOLS!
Thursday, March 17th, 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
To all school board members,
As you know we have been working on the issue of getting the military out of our schools. It has come to our attention that the meeting scheduled for March 17th that was supposed to be devoted to this issue will be taking up the issue of "School Consolidation" (closings) for Fall 2005.
We feel this is exactly the same issue. We don't want our schools to be wasting funds on military recruiters (JROTC matching funds from the district is slightly over a million dollars. The "matching funds" from the military -a million dollars-is just a gift to themselves. It's a win-win situation for them and a lose-lose situation for our schools and our kids.)
We are completely opposed to any closing of schools in San Francisco and will to speak on this issue as well at the School Board meeting on March 17.
Our government spends over $780 billion a year on defense and the wars on Iraq and Afghanistan while they drastically cut back on education, healthcare, housing programs, food programs for the poor and even on veterans benefits!
We will keep speaking up about these issues. They will not go away. And we will not be silent until the Board acts on the mandate of the voters of San Francisco to stop the war and bring our troops home where they and their families want them to be.
Allowing the continued presence of the military on our school grounds for any purpose at all goes against the mandate of the people of San Francisco and we will not be silenced about it.
Yours in peace and solidarity against the war,
Sincerely,
Bonnie Weinstein, Bay Area United Against War
415-824-8730
The following are statements that were cut off at the board
Meeting due to running over the 1-minute time limit:
FROM: "Elizabeth Milos" emilos@yahoo.com
At the BofEd meeting on Tuesday, I only had one minute so I wasn't able to say everything but I was able to state the first five concrete demands that I believe the Board of Education should adopt as a district-wide policy. It would be a good idea if we were to hammer it home a second time regardless of their intent to table it into a "community advisory board".
As parents, we should stress that we do NOTconsider the military a "career option" for our youth. KILLING IS NOT A CAREER OPTION. The resources that are being spent for war (with our tax money) should be spent on providing financial aid to low-income youth that want to go to college.
The fact that young men from poor communities must register in the selective service in order to be eligible for financial aid converts the registration process into a de-facto draft for lower income youth which, during these times of recruitment shortages and stop loss orders, practically guarantees that these young men will be called to "serve their country".
Instead, we need these young men to go to college and contribute to the economic development of their neighborhoods and families. There are many legitimate ways to serve our country: working with homeless families, in soup kitchens, with the elderly, etc. ways that do not put our childrens' lives in danger or require them to kill and become psychologically wounded for life in order to get a college education.
The Board of Education has an obligation to create and sustain a life-affirming environment for our children in our public education system and, in partnership with the parents, to prepare our children to realize their potential and to contribute to our society in positive ways. If the Board continues to allow military recruitment on our campuses, the Board is becoming an accomplice to the crime that is being committed against our low income youth by our government.
It's not only an issue of being permitted to carry out counter-recruitment activities: We should ask the Board to keep the military out of our public schools.
I am aware that the "No Child Left Behind Act" requires school districts to allow military recruiters the "same level of access" to school campuses that colleges have or else face serious cuts in federal funding.
Our children are minors and until they turn 18, we, as parents, are ultimately responsible for their well being.
We are calling on the Board to stand together with us, to use our imagination and develop ways to circumvent this law and to make it clear to our youth what are the true effects of war.
Some of the ways that come to mind is the following:
1.Organize College and Vocational Training Fairs off-campus in community centers and encourage attendance by high school juniors and seniors by making it part of the regular curriculum.
2.Support Mike Honda's bill in Congress. Presently, parents that do NOT want their children's names to be given to the military for recruitment purposes must sign an opt-out form. Representative Mike Honda's Bill would convert our present opt-out system into an opt-in system. Only parents that WANT their children to be contacted or recruited into the military would thereby give their authorization for the military to contact their children OFF-CAMPUS.
3.Dedicate a significant portion of the Health curriculum to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Invite veterans from the peace movement to share their personal experiences.
4.Develop curriculum that exposes the effects of war on the environment, on the health of troops and civilians and on the economy.
5.Instruct school faculty and counselors to inform students about their right to register as conscientious objectors and support them in the registration process, if they decide to do so.
6.Connect youth with counter-recruitment groups that can train them as peer counselors as part of their required 100 hours of community service that they are required to complete as part of graduation.
Yes, we are asking the Board of Education to take a stand, to "choose sides", so to speak. But where war is concerned, all sides lose and our children most of all. Stand on the side of our youth and get those recruiters off of our campuses.
...................
FROM: Bonnie Weinstein giobon@sbcglobal.net
First the good news: According to Tom Philpott of the Fleet Reserve Association, Black Army recruits are down 41 percent since 2000.
The bad news is, the San Francisco Unified School District is subsidizing military recruitment in our schools.
The School district and the military each pay a million towards a Physical Education teacher-but that teacher is a JROTC teacher-appointed by the military.
And, since this person is counted as a Physical Education teacher, and JROTC is counted as a Physical Education class, the public is told that the Military is contributing a million dollars to the schools to support the cost of a Physical Education teacher.
We are further told that without the money from the Army, the schools would not have enough Physical Education classes to go around and some kids would not earn the necessary graduation credits to earn their diploma without JROTC.
Well, that tells me we need Physical Education teachers-not military recruiters. The district must come up with the money to have the required number of physical education classes to allow students to graduate without forcing some of them into the military.
What I think needs to happen is that the Board of Education has to give us a full accounting of how much money we have for our children's needs and how our dollars are being spent.
I do know, if the District is paying a million dollars to have military recruiters at our schools the million the Military puts up is not a "gift" to anyone but themselves.
As a parent and grandparent I feel it puts our kids in harms way and gets them involved in an immoral and illegal war that is ruining tens of thousands of lives every day. We want them out of our schools.
........................................................
From: Carole Seligman caroseligman@aol.com
Dear All,
The main purpose of the Jr. ROTC presentation at the March 8 Board of Ed.
meeting was to convince the public that the Jr. ROTC program has nothing
whatsoever to do with war, preparation for war, or military recruitment. In other
words it was the Big Lie in full operation. Our job must continue to show how
military recruitment and programs in the schools are intimately connected to the
war in Iraq and future wars and occupations the U.S. is planning now.
Ending public school ties with the military will be a long, uphill fight. and
it will not be lead by the Bd. of Education or other politicians. In my
opinion, the only reason to speak out at the Bd. of Ed. meetings is to keep this
struggle before the public and to help open the door for parent and student
organizing to keep the hands of the military off our children and out of our
communities' schools.
Again there was a broad coalition of anti-war organizations speaking out at
the meeting. And this time there were some young people and some more parents
speaking out too. Most of the 1 minute speeches were very educational and
effective I thought. There was a young military veteran (who had gotten in touch
with Bonnie before the meeting) and a high school student whose school was
trying to put him into a ROTC "class" against his will.
BAUAW has submitted the following resolution to the board:
Draft Resolution for San Francisco Board of Education
Cut Ties with the Military:
WHEREAS, the United States military is
actively recruiting high school students into
the military to fight in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, many young San Francisco
high school alumni are presently serving in
military units fighting in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, it is San Francisco City policy
by virtue of Proposition N, to bring all U.S.
troops home from Iraq now; and
WHEREAS, over 1,448 U.S. soldiers and
approximately 100,000 Iraqis have been
killed in this war and over 10,000 U.S.
soldiers and unknown thousands of
Iraqis have been wounded; and
WHEREAS, the hundreds of billions of dollars
spent on the war have robbed our children of
resources that should be spent on
education and other human needs; and
WHEREAS, military presence in our schools
legitimizes the message that violence is
acceptable;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
It shall be the policy of the San Francisco
Board of Education to cut all ties
with the United States military,
including, but not limited to: Ending military
recruitment on campuses; ending the
Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps
(JROTC); and guaranteeing that all students
and parents are informed of their right to
deny military recruiters access to their
names, addresses and telephone numbers.
MILITARY SPENDING IN THE SCHOOLS:
To: CodePinkCounterRecruitGroup@yahoogroups.com
From: "iampohet"
Subject: Which schools have jrotc?
I don't know specifically if military science is jrotc. I didn't find the
right person to ask. But, if it isn't, then what the hell is it? Oh, heck, just for fun, here are the athletics funds listed in the profile:
School: Amt: FTE's:Mil.Sci. FTE's:
Balboa: $6,000 2.0
Burton: $6,000 2.0
Galileo: $6,000 2.0
Lincoln: $7,000 3.0
Mission: $6,000 2.0
Lowell: $7,000 2.0
Washington: $7,000 2.0
The money, just over 2 mil, is all the funds... 1mil+ from the Feds
and 1mil + in matching funds from the sfusd.
In CodePinkCounterRecruitGroup@yahoogroups.com, Ms sam joi wrote:
question - mil sci is jrotc? and this $$ was alotted by the feds to the individual schools?
iampohet wrote:
School Money alotted to Mil Sci as per fiscal profile Apr. 2004
Balboa: $261,335
Burton: $258,177
Galileo: $343,913
Lincoln: $429,106
Mission: $265,303
Lowell: $276,877
Wash: $344,093
Total: $2,178,804
I found this info by digging in the individual school's profiles on
the sfusd website. Hope it's helpful.
erin
Bay Area United Against War (BAUAW)
www.bauaw.org
414-824-8730
Donations are urgently needed to carry
out this important work. We have no
paid staff but need money for posters,
buttons, flyers and informational material
to hand out to students and parents.
Make a tax-deductible donation to:
Bay Area United Against War/NVM
P.O. Box 318021
San Francisco, CA 94131-8021
Coming Up:
Global Day of Action
March 19, 2005
No to War and Occupation in Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People's Needs, Not War!
San Francisco March Assembles:
11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
THE NEXT BAUAW MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE:
SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 11:30AM
474 VALENCIA STREET, SF
(FIRST FLOOR, TO THE LEFT AND ALL THE WAY BACK
TO THE COMPANEROS DEL BARRIO CHILDREN'S CENTER)
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
2) WE ALL STAND WITH LYNNE STEWART!
NO JAIL TIME FOR LYNNE!
PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TODAY:
SUGGESTION AS TO FORMAT OF LETTERS
TO BE WRITTEN ON BEHALF OF LYNNE STEWART
MARGIN: Please leave at least a one-inch left-hand margin to allow us to bind the letter into the appendix to the sentencing memorandum that is being filed on
Lynne's behalf.
INSIDE ADDRESS: Honorable John G. Koeltl
United States District Judge
Southern District of New York
United States Courthouse
500 Pearl Street
New York, New York 10007
GREETING: Honorable Sir or Dear Judge Koeltl:
BODY: Briefly introduce yourself and set forth your relationship to Lynne.
Briefly discuss yourself - your position in work and in society.
State that you are aware that Lynne is to be sentenced following a jury verdict of guilty on serious charges: The remainder of your letter should discuss whatever you believe to weigh in favor of no jail time. If possible, you should tell of an incident where she helped you out or engaged in commendable community service. Do not try to argue that she is not guilty or was unfairly conviction. Focus on the unfairness of the government's actions in bringing the charges; the way in which the government portrayed her, etc.
* Typewritten letters if possible are preferred.
*
WHEN LETTER IS COMPLETED: Please mail the final product to the following address:
Jill R. Shellow-Lavine, Esq.
2537 Post Road
Southport, CT 06890
Do not send your letters to the judge. We ask that you forward your letter me so that the lawyers can present it to Judge Koeltl with the other letters being written for this purpose. This is the manner in which letters will have the greatest impact. If they are sent directly to the Judge's chambers, they may have less of an impact and could cause the judge a substantial inconvenience (and annoyance).
Thank you for your cooperation. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the defense committee at www.lynnestewart.org.
Sincerely,
Jill R. Shellow-Lavine
Attorney for Lynne Stewart
For more information go to:
www.LynneStewart.org
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
3) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation ˆ Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People‚s Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
· Urgent appeal for volunteers on March 19
· Volunteer opportunities this weekend.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
March 19, 2005: Global Day of Action - San Francisco - Volunteers Needed!
No to War Occupation ˜ Iraq, Palestine, Haiti, Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere! Bring the Troops Home Now! Money for People's Needs, Not War!
March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
Send this email to as many friends as you can.
March 19, 2005, will be an International Day of Protest on the second anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. As on the first anniversary of the invasion last year, millions of people around the world will march to say „No to War and Occupation from Iraq to Palestine to Haiti and Everywhere.‰
Volunteers are urgently needed in San Francisco on March 19 to help with set-up, distributing placards to spread the anti-war message, carrying banners for the march, selling buttons and t-shirts to pay for the march, leafleting to let people know how to get involved, take down, monitoring, clean up and more.
Friends, families, and work groups can volunteer in teams! Take a stand on March 19 against war and occupation!
Come to the next Volunteer Orientation at the ANSWER Activist Meeting on Tuesday March 15th at 7pm, 2489 Mission Street Room #30. Also with:
· Political update
· Volunteer sessions: banner painting, postering teams, alert calls
· March 19 volunteer orientation discussion session.
No experience necessary! Whether you have volunteered before or this is your first time your help is urgently needed. Call 415-821-6545 for more information and directions to this meeting.
If you cannot make the orientation, you can still volunteer to help make March 19 Day of Global Action protest happen:
Come to Dolores Park at 9 a.m. the morning of March 19 and sign in at the Volunteer ANSWER table to get the latest orientation and take on an area of work for the protest. Dolores Park is located at 18th and Dolores St. near the 16th St. BART station.
OR
Come to the Civic Center at 9 a.m. the morning of March 19 for a volunteer orientation and to get plugged in. Take BART to Civic Center. Look for the sign-in table under the ANSWER Volunteer banner.
Volunteers are needed ALL DAY. Any amount of time you have to help is greatly appreciated.
Together we‚re building a powerful new movement against war and racism. You‚re needed in the struggle to win money for peoples‚ needs, not war and corporate greed. Email, call or come to the volunteer orientation. Get involved today.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _
Don‚t m
URGENT ANNOUNCEMENTS
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR PRESENTS
A PREMIERE FILM SHOWING OF:
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
One man, one camera. Two sides of a story
FRIDAY, MARCH 18TH, 6 P.M.
(There will be a short question and answer period
at 7:30 P.M. immediately following the film.)
FOUR STAR TWIN
220 CLEMENT ST. NEAR 23RD AVENUE
SAN FRANCISCO
415-666-3488
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED is a gripping documentary by veteran
British journalist Sean Langan. Langan gets up close and
personal accounts of the war from U.S. and coalition soldiers,
Iraqi resistance fighters, and captures Abu Ghraib prison abuses
long before the torture reached the popular Press.
The most powerful statement of the film is the depiction
of the total devastation brought to Iraq by this war. It is the
constant backdrop to the interviews in the film as is the almost
universal hatred exhibited by the Iraqi people toward any U.S.
presence in Iraq-both from those interviewed and from those
included among the rubble in the background scenes. This film's
a must for anyone thinking of joining the military or who is
unsure of what our government is doing there in our name.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
Volunteers are needed for March 19th!
Show up March 19th at Dolores Park or Civic Center at 9:00 a.m.
and sign up at the A.N.S.W.E.R. volunteer table.
There is a meeting TONIGHT, TUESDAY, MARCH 15TH AT 7PM AT THE
A.N.S.W.E.R. OFFICE AT: 2489 Mission St. #24, 415-821-6545
Hello to members of United for Peace and Justice Bay Area,
On March 19 UPJ-Bay Area will be meeting at 10:30 a.m. on
18th Street in front of Mission High School before marching down
to Civic Center. We will be carrying panels of the faces of the
victims of the war-American soldiers and Iraqi civilians-and need
your help in carrying them to Civic Center where we will have
a table. Please send out this request to your listserv.
Also, we are updating our members' directory and need your
updated contact information.
Please send your email, phone number and website address to me
as soon as possible. A donation of $25 is also requested to
cover printing charges. Please send to:
United for Peace and Justice-Bay Area
c/o War Resisters League West
POB 410744
San Francisco, CA 94141
Thanks.
Jackie Barshak
for UPJ-Bay Area
415.308.9416
jackie barshak jbarshak@hotmail.com
Not in Our Name Bay Area
Help Not in Our Name build for the March 19 mass
mobilization in San Francisco to end war and occupation!
Community Outreach
Saturday, March 12
* Oakland ~ 10 AM
Meet at the Not in Our Name office. 3945 Opal Street,
Oakland CA 94609
* San Francisco ~ 11 AM to 2 PM
16th Street at Valencia
Work Party and Community Outreach
Sunday, March 13 ~ 11 AM
Meet at the Not in Our Name office. 3945 Opal Street,
Oakland CA 94609
Community postering for March 19 march and rally.
Also, help prepare for the March 18 anti-war
morning visiblity action.
Planning Meeting & Work Party
Wednesday, March 16 ~ 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Not in Our Name office. 3945 Opal Street,
Oakland CA 94609
Morning Visibilty Action
Friday, March 18 ~ 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM
Call us to hook up and help get the message out
to tens of thousands of morning commuters --
"Out of Iraq now!"
U.S. Out of Iraq Now!
March 19: International Day of Action
On the second anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, let's
show Bush and Co. that the people of the world say
NO to war and occupation!
On Saturday, March 19 join the Not in Our Name Earth
Flag Contingent at the mass march and rally organized by
ANSWER Coalition -- 11 am, Dolores Park, San Francisco.
Join up with the Not in Our Name Earth Flag Contingent at
the corner of 18th Street and Dolores (map). March to Civic
Center for a 1 pm rally.
Not In Our Name will also be organizing acts of creative
resistance around this weekend. We encourage folks to
strategize and brainstorm with us about how to broaden
resistance and bring awareness to the millions in this country
that our message must reach; and to join us as we unite with
groups around the Bay to bring out all who oppose the deadly
course of this government. Come to a general meeting,
call our office, or check out the website.
Against Military Recruitment in our Schools?
On the second anniversary of the war, join the
Counter-Recruitment Contingent!
***
Saturday, March 19
10AM at 16th and Mission St.
(the 16th Street BART station)
***
AT SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY, military recruiters were
forced to leave early without any recruits because of the hundreds
of students that came out to protest their presence at the school!
This is not an isolated incident. Seattle, Chicago, New York,
Madison, Connecticut, Minnesota. In community colleges,
high schools, and universities around the nation, students,
faculty, and campus workers have come out to protest the
BLACKMAILING of education. As billions are being diverted
from schools to the war, our students are being told that they
need to die before they see a dime of it.
THIS IS DEAD WRONG.
As recruiters are failing to meet quotas for the first time in
a decade, despite more than tripling signing bonuses, we need
to rebuild the anti-war movement by fighting against the war
where it is weakest.
Join students, parents, teachers, military families, veterans,
community members, and activists on the second anniversary
of the war at the 16th Street BART station at 10AM to march
up to Dolores Park together.
Sponsored by the Campus Anti-War Network and the College
Not Combat Committee.
Money for Jobs and Education! Not for War and Occupation!
For more info please contact: ragina@mac.com / 415.412.4540
sue sandlin design | srsndln@pacbell.net
------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Teach-in on Iraq: How Can We End this War?
Thursday, March 24 ~ 7 PM to 10 PM
Mission High School, 3750 18th Street (at Dolores), San Francisco
On the 40th Anniversary of the first teach-ins on the Vietnam War.
With presentations by Iraq veteran Rahul Mahajan, Cindy Sheehan,
Fernando Suarez, Aimee Allison, Howard Wallace, Sean O'Neil,
and Medea Benjamin. Sponsored by Global Exchange and
CODEPINK. $5 donation requested. (more info)
Resistance Cinema Presents "Hidden in Plain Sight"
Sunday, April 10 ~ 3 PM to 5 PM
Parkway Pizza/Pub Theater, 1834 Park Blvd., Oakland
A short history, a spirited debate, a personal story, and a call
for accountability, "Hidden in Plain Sight" is a bold, unflinching
look at the nature and consequences of U.S. policy in Latin
America. Brief presentation by Laura Slattery, Pace e Bene
Nonviolence. A free event sponsored by Not in Our Name.
The Not in Our Name Project needs your support!
Donate online: donate.notinourname.net
Or send your tax-deductible contribution today to:
Not in Our Name
3945 Opal Street, Oakland CA 94609
www.notinourname.net
phone: 510-601-8000
email: bayarea@notinourname.net
local: bayarea.notinourname.net
Another World Is Possible!
http://www.notinourname.net
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release
College Not Combat Press Conference and
Picket in Front of Military
Recruiting Office
Where: U.S. Military Recruiting Office,
670 Davis Street,
San Francisco
When: Today, Tuesday, March 15 at 5pm
From:
On Tuesday, March 15th, the College Not Combat coalition will
initiate its campaign to kick the military out of Bay Area schools
with a picket and press conference at the military recruiting station
at 670 Davis Street in San Francisco. Parents, teachers, students,
and veterans will discuss the deceptive practices used by military
recruiters to entice young students into to the armed services.
As the war in Iraq approaches its two-year mark, communities across
the U.S. are suffering from its consequences: thousands of soldiers
killed or wounded, and schools and hospitals robbed of resources to
pay for a war for oil. Even worse, the military systematically
targets for recruitment those most harmed by the misplaced priorities
of the political establishment: working class children and people of
color. The military plays on the hopes of youth for a good education
by promising them money for college if they enlist-a promise made
only more insidious by the fact that more often than not, enlistees
will not see any financial assistance at all. Students should not
have to risk their lives to afford a college education. We demand
that the military leave our schools.
Speakers will include Aimee Allison, candidate for District 2 City
Council in Oakland and military veteran; Katrina Yeaw of the Campus
Anti-War Network (CAN); and Marcia Thorndike, a military family
member.
Contact: Todd Chretien, (510) 395-6417, chretientodd@aol.com,
College Not Combat Coalition
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
Dear Friends Please read the following request from Families for
Peaceful Tomorrows one of the many co-sponsors of the Eyes Wide
Open exhibit. They have committed to trying to collecting the
16,000 additional pairs of shoes. Please think about becoming
a collection point. In my opinion donating a pair of shoes is a
great way to challenge people to think about the human cost of
war. It is a way to involve people before the exhibit arrives and
encourage them to come. Some ideas for dealing with the collection
include; put out a barrel or box asking for the donation in your
school, church, neighborhood center or place of work. Put a flyer
on the box explaining why we are collecting the shoes. Thanks.
Sandra Schwartz
Peace Education Coordinator, AFSC
Dear Friends,
Eyes Wide Open, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
exhibit that reminds us of the human cost of war is coming to San
Francisco March 25-27. The exhibit features over 1,500 pairs of
combat boots tagged with the names of U.S. soldiers who have
died in the Iraq war. It also memorializes the Iraqi civilians killed
in the war.
In San Francisco, we are adding a new element to this powerful
exhibit: instead of just 1,000 shoes to represent all the Iraqi civilian
deaths, we have set a goal of collecting 16,000[1] pairs of shoes
to more accurately demonstrate the scale of Iraqi deaths as a result
of the war. The shoe memorial has been initiated by September
11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows and it will not happen
without your support.
We need your help to meet the goal of collecting 16,000 pairs
of shoes!
What you can do:
1. Collect shoes for the exhibit
* Please gather usable shoes from your family and friends
or set up a shoe collection site in your community, school,
workplace or place of worship.
* Tie each pair together, or, if no laces, securely attach them
together.
* Count the pairs of shoes and place in heavy-duty garbage
bags. Attach a tag with the count on it.
* Shoes will be donated at the end of the exhibit. Children's
and men's shoes are especially needed.
* Call Nabil at 415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email
shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* Drop off shoes 9 am to 5 pm at AFSC, 65 Ninth St.
(between Mission and Market) until Thursday, March 24.
Last minute shoes may be brought to Civic Center Plaza
Friday, March 25. No shoes accepted after Friday.
2. Collect phone cards for military personnel
We are also collecting telephone calling cards to donate to
military personnel and to returning Iraq war veterans in
a Bay Area hospital and the USOs at local airports. Please
purchase phone cards to donate with your shoes or bring
to the exhibit.
3. Volunteer
Volunteers are needed for the shoe project as well as the
overall exhibit.
* To volunteer with the shoe project, call Nabil at
415-565-0201 ext. 14 or email shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
* To volunteer to help with the exhibit call AFSC at
415-565-0201 ext. 15 or email sleeds@afsc.org
4. Spread the word! Please forward this information to your networks.
5. Come to the exhibit, encourage others to come, and bring last minute shoe donations and help us honor all those who have died in Iraq.
[1] The number 16,000 is the approximate minimum number
of Iraqi civilians reported killed by military intervention in
Iraq by www.iraqbodycount.net.
Eyes Wide Open
"An exhibit that speaks directly to our hearts and reminds
us of the human cost of war."
Over 1,500 pairs of empty combat boots - tagged with the
names of U.S. soldiers who died in the Iraq war - will be
displayed, together with thousands of shoes and wall of
names to memorialize the Iraqis killed.
SAN FRANCISCO DATES:
March 25 (Friday), 11:00 am with all night vigil
Civic Center between Polk and Larkin
March 26 (Saturday), 10:00 am to 5 pm
Civic Center Voices and Requiem - 2 pm
March 27 (Easter Sunday), 10:00 am to dusk
Union Square (Powell and Geary)
American Friends Service Committee
We Need Good Shoes (Especially for Men and Children) and
Telephone Cards!
Call 415-565-0201 x14 or shoes@peacefultomorrows.org
See www.afsc.org/eyes
Until Thursday March 24, drop off shoes at 65 Ninth St.
(betw. Mission and Market) from 9-5 weekdays
Donate phone cards for military families Donate shoes to
memorialize the Iraqi casualties
Co-Sponsors (partial list) Agape Fdn; American Muslim Voice;
Archdiocese of SF: Comm. Of Public Policy and Social Concern;
Bay Area Pax Christi; Bay Area United for Peace and Justice;
Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists; Berkeley Friends
Church; Buddhist Peace Fellowship; Grace Cathedral: Diocese
of CA of the Episcopal Church; Los Altos Voices for Peace; Military
Families Speak Out; Pacifica Peace People; Pacifica Women in
Black; SFUSD School Board; Strawberry Creek Friends Meeting;
Veterans for Peace; 9/11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows,
San Francisco Friends Meeting, Code Pink
Our postal address is
P.O. Box 1818
Peter Stuyvesant Station
New York, New York 10009
United States
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) BAN THE MILITARY FROM OUR SCHOOLS!
Thursday, March 17th, 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
2) WE ALL STAND WITH LYNNE STEWART!
NO JAIL TIME FOR LYNNE!
PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TODAY
3) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation ˆ Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People‚s Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
4) COMING TO THE BAY AREA SOON-POWERFUL ANTIWAR MOVIES
5) Senate OKs Tougher Bankruptcy Rules (LINK ONLY)
By Susan Cornwell
WASHINGTON (Reuters)
Thu Mar 10, 2005 11:45 PM ET
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=7872774&src=eDialog/GetConten
6) BUSH ANNOUNCES IRAQ EXIT STRATEGY: (LINK ONLY)
'WE'LL GO THROUGH IRAN' !
The Onion
March 9, 2005
http://www.theonion.com/news/index.php?issue=4110
7) Activists protest military on campus (LINK ONLY)
Group opposes recruiters at S.F. State University career fair
By Erin Pursell - CORRESPONDENT
Inside Bay Area
Article Last Updated: 3/10/2005 07:57 AM
http://www.insidebayarea.com/localnews/ci_2603424
8) Justice for New Americans
First annual fundraiser
Tickets: $100 (includes admission to the rock
musical "Making Tracks"
www.makingtracks.com
Where: San Jose Repertory Theatre
When: immediately after the 2 p.m. matinee show of "Making Tracks"
What: actors stage reading of two pieces of transcripts
-FBI's interrogation of Wen Ho Lee
-Judge Parker's apology to Wen Ho Lee
reception will follow
9) NO MESSAGE-NUMBERING ERROR
10) Why We Should Be in the Streets on March 19
11) Counter-Recruitment Calendar for the San Francisco Bay Area
Compiled by MOOS-Bay
12) Suicides in Marine Corps Rise by 29 Percent (LINK ONLY)
Fast Pace of Operations Are Believed to Contribute
By Ann Scott Tyson
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, February 25, 2005; Page A19
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A51933-2005Feb24.html
13) Evict PG&E from Hunters Point
Shut Down PG&E's Hunters Point Power Plant now
COMMUNITY PROTEST on environmental justice
Wednesday March 23, 2005, 12 Noon
PG&E Corporate Headquarters
77Beale Street, San Francisco
at Market Street near Embarcadero BART
Sponsored by the Coalition to Shut Down the PG&E Hunters Point Power Plant,
Huntersview Tenants Association, All Hallows Garden Residents Association
Greenaction for Health and Environmental Justice, Code Blue, Community First Coalition
For more information contact Greenaction (415) 248-5010
www.greenaction.org
14) Can Papers End the Free Ride Online? (LINK ONLY)
By KATHARINE Q. SEELYE
March 14, 2005
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/14/business/media/14paper.html
15) Extreme Cinema Verite (LINK ONLY)
GIs shoot Iraq battle footage and edit it into music videos
filled with death and destruction. And they display their
work as entertainment.
By Louise Roug
Times Staff Writer
March 14, 2005
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/iraq/la-fg-videos14mar14,0,2298678.story?coll=la-home-headlines
16) Pentagon plans rendition (LINK ONLY)
of Guantánamo prisoners
Detainees face torture in
Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Yemen
By Kate Randall
World Socialist Web Site www.wsws.org
14 March 2005
https://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/mar2005/guan-14m.shtml
17) Marketers of Death
Source: Advertising Age, February 28, 2005
"The U.S. Army is adjusting its marketing pitch to minorities as the war in Iraq hurts recruiting efforts among Hispanics and, especially, African-Americans," reports Advertising Age .Leo Burnett is the Army's lead marketing agency, with Cartel Creativo doing Hispanic, and Muse Cordero Chen & Partners and Vital Marketing Group doing African-American, outreach. The Army will "maintain a minority presence in general-market advertising, craft minority-specific messages," and "focus Spanish-language messages at parents and ' influencers .'" Political science professor Peter Feaver expressed skepticism, saying, "If the problem is Iraq, there's not much in the short run that the Army recruiters can do."
http://www.prwatch.org/node/3319
18) U.S. Military Anti-Recruitment Efforts (LINK ONLY)
Needed Now More Than Ever
By Jack Dalton
From AxisofLogic.com
Feb 25, 2005, 19:00
http://www.axisoflogic.com/artman/publish/article_15954.shtml
19) Bush Seeks to Ban Some Nations From (LINK ONLY)
All Nuclear Technology
By DAVID E. SANGER
WASHINGTON
March 15, 2005
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/15/politics/15treaty.html?hp&ex=1110949200&en=afa5e227075aa8ed&ei=5094&partner=homepage
20) Judge Delays Trial of Student (LINK ONLY)
Accused of Plot to Kill Bush
By ERIC LICHTBLAU
ALEXANDRIA, Va.
March 15, 2005
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/15/national/15ali.html
21) LINKS TO ARTICLES POINTING TO JROTC RECRUITMENT TACTICS, ETC.
Forwarded Message from Jon Previtali
I couldn't find the number of people joining the military from the general population, but it's surely less than 40% which is the number of JROTC graduates who enlisted in some form in 1995-96. Take a look at the report linked below for more details. I couldn't find more recent information, but I believe it is contained in military publications called "Disposition of Candidate" reports that should be available to the public.
School Year 95-96 - 40% JROTC Grads enlisted (active, nat'l guard, reserves, mil commission/college),
SY 96-97 - 43% enlisted
From the "Final Report of the CSIS Political-Military Studies Project on the JROTC" (pro-JROTC, but good info) collected from Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps JROTC Programs' Disposition of Cadets reports.
http://www.csis.org/polmil/jrotc/jrotcfinal.pdf
Also, according to an article I read, some schools (maybe all, I don't know) actually pay half the cost of the JROTC program to be on campus. The rest of the cost is paid by the military. If SFUSD is indeed funding JROTC, cutting the budget would be a great place to end it.
Applicable quotes:
"Almost 50 percent of the folks who go into [Air Force] Junior ROTC go on to one of our services, ... either by enlisting, or going through ROTC, or going to one of the academies."
-- Gen. Michael E. Ryan, Chief of Staff, US Air Force, February 2000
http://www.afa.org/magazine/april2000/0400rotc.asp
JROTC is "one of the best recruiting devices that we could have."
-- Former Secretary of Defense William Cohen, 2000
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3861/is_200109/ai_n8962746
http://www.sdcitybeat.com/article.php?id=258
22) Alerting Humanitarians to Emergencies (LINK ONLY)
Montana call for Iraq troop return sparks debate
12 Mar 2005 00:59:16 GMT
Source: Reuters
By Laura Zuckerman
SULA, Mont., March 11 (Reuters)
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N11460046.htm
23) Bankruptcy Bill Said to Hit (LINK ONLY)
Poorest Americans Hardest
By Abid Aslam
Saturday 12 March 2005
Also see:
Congress Eyes Slashing Food Aid for Poor •
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/031405B.shtml
24) U.S. UNAWARE OF REALITIES OF
IRAQ WAR, VET SAYS
By Stu Woo
Brown Daily Herald
Published: Friday, March 11, 20
http://www.browndailyherald.com/main.cfm?include=displaystaffbio&authorid=1492245
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
1) BAN THE MILITARY FROM OUR SCHOOLS!
Thursday, March 17th, 7 P.M.:
555 Franklin St.
To get on the speakers list call:
415-241-6427, 241-6493 or 241-6000,
Wednesday, March 16th from 8-4 p.m. and
Thursday, March 17th from 8-3 p.m.
To all school board members,
As you know we have been working on the issue of getting the military out of our schools. It has come to our attention that the meeting scheduled for March 17th that was supposed to be devoted to this issue will be taking up the issue of "School Consolidation" (closings) for Fall 2005.
We feel this is exactly the same issue. We don't want our schools to be wasting funds on military recruiters (JROTC matching funds from the district is slightly over a million dollars. The "matching funds" from the military -a million dollars-is just a gift to themselves. It's a win-win situation for them and a lose-lose situation for our schools and our kids.)
We are completely opposed to any closing of schools in San Francisco and will to speak on this issue as well at the School Board meeting on March 17.
Our government spends over $780 billion a year on defense and the wars on Iraq and Afghanistan while they drastically cut back on education, healthcare, housing programs, food programs for the poor and even on veterans benefits!
We will keep speaking up about these issues. They will not go away. And we will not be silent until the Board acts on the mandate of the voters of San Francisco to stop the war and bring our troops home where they and their families want them to be.
Allowing the continued presence of the military on our school grounds for any purpose at all goes against the mandate of the people of San Francisco and we will not be silenced about it.
Yours in peace and solidarity against the war,
Sincerely,
Bonnie Weinstein, Bay Area United Against War
415-824-8730
The following are statements that were cut off at the board
Meeting due to running over the 1-minute time limit:
FROM: "Elizabeth Milos" emilos@yahoo.com
At the BofEd meeting on Tuesday, I only had one minute so I wasn't able to say everything but I was able to state the first five concrete demands that I believe the Board of Education should adopt as a district-wide policy. It would be a good idea if we were to hammer it home a second time regardless of their intent to table it into a "community advisory board".
As parents, we should stress that we do NOTconsider the military a "career option" for our youth. KILLING IS NOT A CAREER OPTION. The resources that are being spent for war (with our tax money) should be spent on providing financial aid to low-income youth that want to go to college.
The fact that young men from poor communities must register in the selective service in order to be eligible for financial aid converts the registration process into a de-facto draft for lower income youth which, during these times of recruitment shortages and stop loss orders, practically guarantees that these young men will be called to "serve their country".
Instead, we need these young men to go to college and contribute to the economic development of their neighborhoods and families. There are many legitimate ways to serve our country: working with homeless families, in soup kitchens, with the elderly, etc. ways that do not put our childrens' lives in danger or require them to kill and become psychologically wounded for life in order to get a college education.
The Board of Education has an obligation to create and sustain a life-affirming environment for our children in our public education system and, in partnership with the parents, to prepare our children to realize their potential and to contribute to our society in positive ways. If the Board continues to allow military recruitment on our campuses, the Board is becoming an accomplice to the crime that is being committed against our low income youth by our government.
It's not only an issue of being permitted to carry out counter-recruitment activities: We should ask the Board to keep the military out of our public schools.
I am aware that the "No Child Left Behind Act" requires school districts to allow military recruiters the "same level of access" to school campuses that colleges have or else face serious cuts in federal funding.
Our children are minors and until they turn 18, we, as parents, are ultimately responsible for their well being.
We are calling on the Board to stand together with us, to use our imagination and develop ways to circumvent this law and to make it clear to our youth what are the true effects of war.
Some of the ways that come to mind is the following:
1.Organize College and Vocational Training Fairs off-campus in community centers and encourage attendance by high school juniors and seniors by making it part of the regular curriculum.
2.Support Mike Honda's bill in Congress. Presently, parents that do NOT want their children's names to be given to the military for recruitment purposes must sign an opt-out form. Representative Mike Honda's Bill would convert our present opt-out system into an opt-in system. Only parents that WANT their children to be contacted or recruited into the military would thereby give their authorization for the military to contact their children OFF-CAMPUS.
3.Dedicate a significant portion of the Health curriculum to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Invite veterans from the peace movement to share their personal experiences.
4.Develop curriculum that exposes the effects of war on the environment, on the health of troops and civilians and on the economy.
5.Instruct school faculty and counselors to inform students about their right to register as conscientious objectors and support them in the registration process, if they decide to do so.
6.Connect youth with counter-recruitment groups that can train them as peer counselors as part of their required 100 hours of community service that they are required to complete as part of graduation.
Yes, we are asking the Board of Education to take a stand, to "choose sides", so to speak. But where war is concerned, all sides lose and our children most of all. Stand on the side of our youth and get those recruiters off of our campuses.
...................
FROM: Bonnie Weinstein giobon@sbcglobal.net
First the good news: According to Tom Philpott of the Fleet Reserve Association, Black Army recruits are down 41 percent since 2000.
The bad news is, the San Francisco Unified School District is subsidizing military recruitment in our schools.
The School district and the military each pay a million towards a Physical Education teacher-but that teacher is a JROTC teacher-appointed by the military.
And, since this person is counted as a Physical Education teacher, and JROTC is counted as a Physical Education class, the public is told that the Military is contributing a million dollars to the schools to support the cost of a Physical Education teacher.
We are further told that without the money from the Army, the schools would not have enough Physical Education classes to go around and some kids would not earn the necessary graduation credits to earn their diploma without JROTC.
Well, that tells me we need Physical Education teachers-not military recruiters. The district must come up with the money to have the required number of physical education classes to allow students to graduate without forcing some of them into the military.
What I think needs to happen is that the Board of Education has to give us a full accounting of how much money we have for our children's needs and how our dollars are being spent.
I do know, if the District is paying a million dollars to have military recruiters at our schools the million the Military puts up is not a "gift" to anyone but themselves.
As a parent and grandparent I feel it puts our kids in harms way and gets them involved in an immoral and illegal war that is ruining tens of thousands of lives every day. We want them out of our schools.
........................................................
From: Carole Seligman caroseligman@aol.com
Dear All,
The main purpose of the Jr. ROTC presentation at the March 8 Board of Ed.
meeting was to convince the public that the Jr. ROTC program has nothing
whatsoever to do with war, preparation for war, or military recruitment. In other
words it was the Big Lie in full operation. Our job must continue to show how
military recruitment and programs in the schools are intimately connected to the
war in Iraq and future wars and occupations the U.S. is planning now.
Ending public school ties with the military will be a long, uphill fight. and
it will not be lead by the Bd. of Education or other politicians. In my
opinion, the only reason to speak out at the Bd. of Ed. meetings is to keep this
struggle before the public and to help open the door for parent and student
organizing to keep the hands of the military off our children and out of our
communities' schools.
Again there was a broad coalition of anti-war organizations speaking out at
the meeting. And this time there were some young people and some more parents
speaking out too. Most of the 1 minute speeches were very educational and
effective I thought. There was a young military veteran (who had gotten in touch
with Bonnie before the meeting) and a high school student whose school was
trying to put him into a ROTC "class" against his will.
BAUAW has submitted the following resolution to the board:
Draft Resolution for San Francisco Board of Education
Cut Ties with the Military:
WHEREAS, the United States military is
actively recruiting high school students into
the military to fight in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, many young San Francisco
high school alumni are presently serving in
military units fighting in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, it is San Francisco City policy
by virtue of Proposition N, to bring all U.S.
troops home from Iraq now; and
WHEREAS, over 1,448 U.S. soldiers and
approximately 100,000 Iraqis have been
killed in this war and over 10,000 U.S.
soldiers and unknown thousands of
Iraqis have been wounded; and
WHEREAS, the hundreds of billions of dollars
spent on the war have robbed our children of
resources that should be spent on
education and other human needs; and
WHEREAS, military presence in our schools
legitimizes the message that violence is
acceptable;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
It shall be the policy of the San Francisco
Board of Education to cut all ties
with the United States military,
including, but not limited to: Ending military
recruitment on campuses; ending the
Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps
(JROTC); and guaranteeing that all students
and parents are informed of their right to
deny military recruiters access to their
names, addresses and telephone numbers.
MILITARY SPENDING IN THE SCHOOLS:
To: CodePinkCounterRecruitGroup@yahoogroups.com
From: "iampohet"
Subject: Which schools have jrotc?
I don't know specifically if military science is jrotc. I didn't find the
right person to ask. But, if it isn't, then what the hell is it? Oh, heck, just for fun, here are the athletics funds listed in the profile:
School: Amt: FTE's:Mil.Sci. FTE's:
Balboa: $6,000 2.0
Burton: $6,000 2.0
Galileo: $6,000 2.0
Lincoln: $7,000 3.0
Mission: $6,000 2.0
Lowell: $7,000 2.0
Washington: $7,000 2.0
The money, just over 2 mil, is all the funds... 1mil+ from the Feds
and 1mil + in matching funds from the sfusd.
In CodePinkCounterRecruitGroup@yahoogroups.com, Ms sam joi
question - mil sci is jrotc? and this $$ was alotted by the feds to the individual schools?
iampohet
School Money alotted to Mil Sci as per fiscal profile Apr. 2004
Balboa: $261,335
Burton: $258,177
Galileo: $343,913
Lincoln: $429,106
Mission: $265,303
Lowell: $276,877
Wash: $344,093
Total: $2,178,804
I found this info by digging in the individual school's profiles on
the sfusd website. Hope it's helpful.
erin
Bay Area United Against War (BAUAW)
www.bauaw.org
414-824-8730
Donations are urgently needed to carry
out this important work. We have no
paid staff but need money for posters,
buttons, flyers and informational material
to hand out to students and parents.
Make a tax-deductible donation to:
Bay Area United Against War/NVM
P.O. Box 318021
San Francisco, CA 94131-8021
Coming Up:
Global Day of Action
March 19, 2005
No to War and Occupation in Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People's Needs, Not War!
San Francisco March Assembles:
11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
THE NEXT BAUAW MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE:
SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 11:30AM
474 VALENCIA STREET, SF
(FIRST FLOOR, TO THE LEFT AND ALL THE WAY BACK
TO THE COMPANEROS DEL BARRIO CHILDREN'S CENTER)
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
2) WE ALL STAND WITH LYNNE STEWART!
NO JAIL TIME FOR LYNNE!
PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TODAY:
SUGGESTION AS TO FORMAT OF LETTERS
TO BE WRITTEN ON BEHALF OF LYNNE STEWART
MARGIN: Please leave at least a one-inch left-hand margin to allow us to bind the letter into the appendix to the sentencing memorandum that is being filed on
Lynne's behalf.
INSIDE ADDRESS: Honorable John G. Koeltl
United States District Judge
Southern District of New York
United States Courthouse
500 Pearl Street
New York, New York 10007
GREETING: Honorable Sir or Dear Judge Koeltl:
BODY: Briefly introduce yourself and set forth your relationship to Lynne.
Briefly discuss yourself - your position in work and in society.
State that you are aware that Lynne is to be sentenced following a jury verdict of guilty on serious charges: The remainder of your letter should discuss whatever you believe to weigh in favor of no jail time. If possible, you should tell of an incident where she helped you out or engaged in commendable community service. Do not try to argue that she is not guilty or was unfairly conviction. Focus on the unfairness of the government's actions in bringing the charges; the way in which the government portrayed her, etc.
* Typewritten letters if possible are preferred.
*
WHEN LETTER IS COMPLETED: Please mail the final product to the following address:
Jill R. Shellow-Lavine, Esq.
2537 Post Road
Southport, CT 06890
Do not send your letters to the judge. We ask that you forward your letter me so that the lawyers can present it to Judge Koeltl with the other letters being written for this purpose. This is the manner in which letters will have the greatest impact. If they are sent directly to the Judge's chambers, they may have less of an impact and could cause the judge a substantial inconvenience (and annoyance).
Thank you for your cooperation. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the defense committee at www.lynnestewart.org.
Sincerely,
Jill R. Shellow-Lavine
Attorney for Lynne Stewart
For more information go to:
www.LynneStewart.org
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
3) March 19, 2005 Global Day of Action
No to War Occupation ˆ Iraq, Palestine, Haiti,
Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere!
Bring the Troops Home Now!
Money for People‚s Needs, Not War!
San Francisco: March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
· Urgent appeal for volunteers on March 19
· Volunteer opportunities this weekend.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
March 19, 2005: Global Day of Action - San Francisco - Volunteers Needed!
No to War Occupation ˜ Iraq, Palestine, Haiti, Afghanistan, Cuba Everywhere! Bring the Troops Home Now! Money for People's Needs, Not War!
March Assembles: 11 a.m. Dolores Park
Rally: 1 p.m. Civic Center
Send this email to as many friends as you can.
March 19, 2005, will be an International Day of Protest on the second anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. As on the first anniversary of the invasion last year, millions of people around the world will march to say „No to War and Occupation from Iraq to Palestine to Haiti and Everywhere.‰
Volunteers are urgently needed in San Francisco on March 19 to help with set-up, distributing placards to spread the anti-war message, carrying banners for the march, selling buttons and t-shirts to pay for the march, leafleting to let people know how to get involved, take down, monitoring, clean up and more.
Friends, families, and work groups can volunteer in teams! Take a stand on March 19 against war and occupation!
Come to the next Volunteer Orientation at the ANSWER Activist Meeting on Tuesday March 15th at 7pm, 2489 Mission Street Room #30. Also with:
· Political update
· Volunteer sessions: banner painting, postering teams, alert calls
· March 19 volunteer orientation discussion session.
No experience necessary! Whether you have volunteered before or this is your first time your help is urgently needed. Call 415-821-6545 for more information and directions to this meeting.
If you cannot make the orientation, you can still volunteer to help make March 19 Day of Global Action protest happen:
Come to Dolores Park at 9 a.m. the morning of March 19 and sign in at the Volunteer ANSWER table to get the latest orientation and take on an area of work for the protest. Dolores Park is located at 18th and Dolores St. near the 16th St. BART station.
OR
Come to the Civic Center at 9 a.m. the morning of March 19 for a volunteer orientation and to get plugged in. Take BART to Civic Center. Look for the sign-in table under the ANSWER Volunteer banner.
Volunteers are needed ALL DAY. Any amount of time you have to help is greatly appreciated.
Together we‚re building a powerful new movement against war and racism. You‚re needed in the struggle to win money for peoples‚ needs, not war and corporate greed. Email, call or come to the volunteer orientation. Get involved today.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _
Don‚t m