Alert #152  April 9, 2008

NO CZECH BASES

PEACE DEMANDS ACTION.

one email, one action, five minutes a week for peace
view this message online: http://www.panys.org/alerts/152.htm


The United States maintains more than 700 foreign military bases and facilities in 40 countries, with a military presence in over 100 countries. That means that the U.S. has a military presence in more than half of the world’s countries.

There is a long history of local resistance to these facilities. Demonstrations have occurred in Spain, Ecuador, Italy, Paraguay, Uzbekistan, Bulgaria, and long- term resistance movements have developed in South Korea, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Philippines, Cuba and Japan.

The latest expansion of our military empire is a proposed radar base 30 miles outside Prague in the Czech Republic - companion to a sister missile base in Poland, supposedly "to protect Eastern Europe from Iran." The Czechs, who've already suffered a Nazi invasion and control by the Soviet Union, aren't buying this. 70% of them oppose the base. Rather than protecting them, they say, it would would only make them a military target.

Both the Czech and American media are portraying the base agreement as a done deal. But the Czech Parliament has not yet voted to accept it.

In your five minutes for peace this week, please support our allies in the Czech Republic by signing their electronic petition to prevent a U.S. military base in their country.

The Green Party plays a pivotal role in the Czech Parliament. Unfortunately the Czech Greens have given their support to the radar base. If you are a member of the Green Party, please call their U.S. headquarters at 202-319-7191 and ask them to share your disappointment with their colleagues in the Czech Republic.

If you live in New York City, please join Jan Tamas, the leader of the Czech opposition to the radar base, for a great evening of discussion on April 16th at 6:30 pm at the CUNY Graduate Center. Mr. Tamas will be joined by Olivier Bancoult, leader of the Chagos refugees who were kicked off of the island of Diego Garcia in 1973 to make room for a U.S. military base, Frida Berrigan, an expert in U.S. foreign policy from the New America Foundation. Click here for more details.

As always, thanks for all you do.

In Peace,

Cheryl Wertz
Executive Director, Peace Action Fund of New York State
info@panys.org
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NYC Metro Area Events
Upstate Events
Out-of-State & Nationwide Events
Ongoing Events
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STOP PAYING FOR THE WAR!

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UPCOMING EVENTS

 
 NYC Metro Area Upstate NY Out-of-State & Nationwide
FEATURED EVENTS
 
Beginning Wednesday April 9th
11:10 am; 1:10, 3:30, 5:25, 7:30, and 9:40 pm
THE VILLAGE. IFC Center, 323 6th Avenue at West 3rd Street.
FILM OPENING: “BODY OF WAR”
A film by Phil Donahue and Ellen Spiro
 "A superb documentary... almost unbearably moving."
- Richard Corliss, Time
"This is a film about guts, over there and back here. Born on the Fourth of July and Coming Home for a new generation."
- Sean Penn
Q& A with Directors Phil Donahue and Ellen Spiro
in person Wednesday at 5:25 and 7:30!
This wrenching documentary examines the cost of war for one extraordinary young man. Compelled to serve his country after 9/11, 22-year-old Tomas Young joined the army; on his fourth day in Iraq, he took a bullet in the spine and was left paralyzed from the waist down. Now back home with a Purple Heart and unanswered questions about why he and thousands of others have paid so dearly, Tomas begins to come to terms with his disability and finds his own passionate voice against the war. The film features two original songs by Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam.
Thursday, April 17, 1:15 pm
UNITED NATIONS. Conference Room 2
A FISSLE MATERIAL (CUT-OFF) TREATY AND ITS VERIFICATION: A PROGRESS REPORT FROM THE INTERNATIONAL PANEL ON FISSILE MATERIAL.
Frank Von Hippel, Physicist, Professor at Princeton and a Co-Chair of the International Panel on Fissile Materials (IPFM) will be speaking. The IPFM is an independent group of arms-control and nonproliferation experts from both nuclear and non-nuclear states. It’s mission is to analyze the technical basis for practical and achievable policy initiatives to secure, consolidate, and reduce stockpiles of highly enriched uranium and plutonium. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A UN PASS AND WHICH TO ATTEND, PLEASE CONTACT THE COMMITTEE AT 212-687-5340 OR DISARMTIMES@IGC.ORG IMMEDIATELY. <
New York Metro Area and Long Island Events
 
 Wednesday April 9, 7:30 pm.
DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN. Brooklyn Friends MeetingHouse, 110 Schermerhorn Street. Trains: 2,3,4,5 to Borough Hall; M,R to Boro Hall; A,F to Jay St/Boro Hall; A,C,G to Hoyt/Schermerhorn
FORUM. WAR IN AFGHANISTAN, HISTORY AND POLITICS OF A DEFEAT FORETOLD.
Speaker: Christian Parenti, journalist and researcher. Co-sponsored by Brooklyn For Peace and Social Action Committee of the Brooklyn Monthly Meeting, Society of Friends (Quakers)
Friday, April 11, 2:40 – 3:20pm
UNITED NATIONS. Sudan Mission to the UN at Dag Hammersjkold Plaza, 47th Street and 2nd Ave.
DAY FOR DARFUR: RALLY FOR THE 5TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE START OF THE GENOCIDE IN DARFUR.
Call for international justice and accountability, including arrest of Sudanese officials who have been indicted by the International Criminal Court. Sponsored by Amnesty International and NYC Coalition for Darfur.
Saturday, April 12, 11:00am – 6:00pm
STATEN ISLAND. First Central Baptist Church parking lot – 117 Wright Street STATEN ISLAND COMMUNITY DAY.
Sponsored by the Helping Hands Missionary Ministry and the New York Urban League. There will be educational and fun activities for children, teens and adults of all ages. For more information, contact 718-273-9274.
Saturday, April 12, 7:30 pm
PARK SLOPE.Park Slope United Methodist Church, Sixth Ave & 8th Street.
WORK O’ THE WEAVERS: LEGACY CONCERT CELEBRATING AMERICA’S PIONEERING FOLK QUARTET.
In memory of activists Charlie Horwitz & Donna Roberts. Presented by Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture's Life & Ethics Committee, and Social Action Committee of the Park Slope United Methodist Church. Admission: $20 (advance)/$25 at door. A Portion of the ticket price benefits Brooklyn For Peace and other social justice organizations. For more information, email bfp@brooklynpeace.org or mail your check to BFP, PMB 106, 41 Schermerhorn St. Brooklyn, NY 11201.
Sunday, April 13, 11am
UNION SQUARE PARK. HUMAN RIGHTS TORCH RELAY
A call to the Olympic Committee to hold China to its promise to improve human rights. The Human Rights Torch Relay starts with a symbolic torch lighting ceremony on the Upper West Side, followed by a 3 mile run to Union Square Park. A welcoming ceremony in Union Square will begin upon the runners’ arrival (anticipated to be around 11am) followed by an all-day rally featuring speakers and musicians. Speakers and musicians will represent groups currently being persecuted within China including Burmese, Christians, Darfu, Falun Gong, Tibetans, Uyghur Muslims and democracy advocates. For more information, go to www.humnrightstorch.org.
Tuesday, April 15 (Tax Day). All day.
Locations TBD.
DISTRIBUTE COST OF WAR INFORMATION
AT LOCAL TAX OFFICES
To volunteer, contact Cheryl at 646-723-1749.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008,
NO TAX MONEY FOR WAR
4:00 - 5:00 pm: IRS (110 W. 44th Street, west of 6th Avenue)
5:15 pm: March with band musicians and Bread and Puppet banners to the General Post Office (8th Avenue at 33rd Street)
6:30 pm: Press conference at to announce the amount of taxes New York City resisters are giving to peace instead of war. We will demonstrate, vigil, leaflet, and talk to taxpayers and the media about the option of war tax resistance. We'll hold Everyone is welcome! Sponsored by NYC War Resisters League, the NYC People's Life Fund, and NYC war tax resisters. For more information visit http://www.warresisters.org/WRL-local-events and http://www.warresisters.org/organizingforpeace or call 718-768-7306. Outreach flyer http://www.warresisters.org/files/taxday_2008.pdf
Wednesday, April 16, 6:30 pm.
MANHATTAN. CUNY Graduate Center, 365 5th Avenue.
DAVID VS. GOLIATH: OPPOSING
U.S. MILITARY BASES ABROAD.
A conversation with Jan Tamas, the organizer of the No Bases Initiative in the Czech Republic, Olivier Bancoult, of the Chagos Refugee Group in Mauritius, and Frida Berrigan of the New America Foundation. What are individuals in other countries doing to stop the spread of U.S. military bases? How can we help?
For more information, contact Cheryl at 646-723-1749.
Monday, April 21: doors open at 6:30, events starts at 7:00pm.
MANHATTAN. Ethical Culture Society, 2 West 64th Street at Central Park West.
GANDHI, KING AND THE POWER OF NONVIOLENCE: ALTERNATIVES TO FORCE IN THE 21ST CENTURY. A discussion with Jonathan Schell, Nation Institute Fellow and author of “The Seventh Decade” and Pulitzer prize-winner Taylor Branch, author of “At Canaan’s Edge”. Event is free of charge (suggested donation $10). Sponsored by the Nation Institute and organized with the Satyagraha Forum to celebrate the Met's performance of Philip Glass' opera, Satyagraha, the chronicle of Mahatma Gandhi and his movement of social change through nonviolence. Following the discussion there will be audience questions, and a book-signing. For more information contact Ruth Baldwin at (212) 822-0266.
Saturday, April 26, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm.
BROOKLYN. Long Island University, 1 University Plaza, at Flatbush and DeKalb Avenue.
 FIFTH ANNUAL BROOKLYN PEACE FAIR.
Over 100 community organizations, music, poetry, dance, film, hip hop, workshops and discussions. Activities for children of all ages. Information tables on peace and justice issues. Speakers and presenters include Debbie Almontaser, Eric Adams and Major Owens. Admission free. Must bring photo ID. For more information see www.brooklynpeace.org.

Upstate Events
 
 Thursday, April 10, 7:00 pm.
NEW ROCHELLE. Ryan Hall, Iona College, 715 North Avenue.
TEACH-IN: KEEPING THE WAR AND OCCUPATION ON THE AGENDA.
Master of Ceremonies, Malachy McCourt. Speakers include Robin Anderson, Director of Peace and Justice Studies at Fordham University, Arlene Flaherty OP, a Dominican Sister who has led delegations to Iraq and presented to the UN Human Rights Commission, Chris Miller, an Iraq War veteran and war resister, and Chuck Bell, of No War Westchester. Sponsored by the Westchester Peace and Justice Coalition. For more information contact Ted DeSoyza at 914-235-1744.
Friday, April 11, 7:00pm
ROCHESTER. Nazareth College, Golisano Academic Center (former SSJ Motherhouse), Linehan Chapel CHARLIE KING & COLLEEN KATTAU: FOLK SINGERS FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE.
Sponsored by the Social Justice Group. Admission is free, although donations will be gladly accepted.
Wednesday, April 16th, 1:30 – 2:45 pm.
GENESEO. SUNY Geneseo, Newton Hall, Room 202.
“CURRENT STRUGGLES FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT”
A Contemporary Forum Lecture by Cheryl Wertz, Executive Director of Peace Action New York State.  There will be a reception for Ms. Wertz following her talk. (3:30-4:30 PM, The Harding Room, Welles 111)  Ms. Wertz’s speech is timed to coordinate with a photographic exhibition about peace in the SUNY Geneseo College Union.  This exhibit is provided by Soka Gakkai International (SGI-USA), a Buddhist peace organization.   Approximate dates for the exhibition are April 11th through April 19th.
Saturday, April 19. 2:00 pm.
SYRACUSE. Westcott Community Center, 826 Euclid Ave.
 SECOND ANNUAL PEACE CONFERENCE
“The Current Threat of Nuclear Weapons.” Keynote speaker Paul Kawika Martin of Peace Action. Panelists Diane Swords and Richard Weiskopf. $10 at the door. For more information, contact Jerry Lotierzo at 315-243-9823.
Tuesday, April 29. Time TBD.
ALBANY.
EQUALITY AND JUSTICE DAY.
This year the Empire State Pride Agenda, LGBTQ advocates and straight Allies will once again be making history in Albany. Last year a record 1,100 people from all across NYS lobbied their legislators on the marriage equality bill, the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) and the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA). This year the goal is to bring 1,600 change agents to Albany. Make sure that your voice is heard on Equality & Justice Day by planning now to attend this super charged event. www.prideagenda.org. Early registration can also be done by contacting WNY Field Organizer Todd Plank at tplank@prideagenda.org or by calling 585.278.4190. Scholarships are available based on need.

Ongoing Local Events
Many local peace groups hold regular events, vigils, "Honk for Peace" actions, etc. 
See our list: www.panys.org/ongoing.htm

Out of State & Nationwide Events
Thursday April 10
NATIONAL CALL IN DAY: STOP PAYING FOR THIS WAR! Following the testimony this week of General Petraeus, the House of Representatives will be under intense White House pressure to grant an additional $105 billion (which it withheld last December) for the Iraq War. Members of Congress need to hear loud objections from their constituents, or they will give in to the Administration.
SIGN PETITION. CALL CONGRESS. Capital switchboard: 202-224-3121 or 800-828-0498.
Going out of state? Check UFPJ's national Events Calendar: http://www.unitedforpeace.org/calendar.php.