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June 16, 2009
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Former prime minister and reformist Mir Hosein Mousavi rallied support from students and women, creatively employing the internet and text messaging as campaign tools, and calling for wider freedoms, an increase in women's rights, economic pragmatism, and reduced tension with the outside world. Of the unprecedented 84% voter turnout, President Ahmadinejad claims a 63% majority, though many experts around the world believe that only voter fraud can explain Ahmadinejad's win. Tens of thousands of Iranians, primarily young people, have taken to the streets, shouting "down with the dictator" and "give us our votes back." Police have responded with violent crack-downs, blocking cell phone use and internet access, and arresting Mousavi campaign team members. Before the first signs of violence, the Obama administration expressed enthusiasm about a political debate, claiming that "whoever ends up winning, the fact that there has been a robust debate hopefully will advance our ability to engage them in new ways." In light of the latest unrest, we encourage President Obama to maintain his commitment to dialogue. Conversation is often the most important when it is the most difficult. Peace Action's national Political Director, Paul Kawika Martin, has issued a statement saying, "Peace Action supports free and fair democracy for every nation. When any democracy is threatened, here at home or abroad, our organization engages in non-violent action that demonstrates dissent towards those who would subvert the democratic process. Peace Action stands in solidarity with the Iranian people's right to protest the suspicious outcome of the elections." Active opposition has often been peacefully displayed by the colors of apparel people don. Supporters of Ahmadinejad are wearing black and wrapping themselves in the Iranian flag, while members of the Mousavi camp have choosen green. This week, show your solidarity by wearing green, and telling people why: Green for more rights and freedoms; green for more moderate policies; green for peace. Contact President Obama now. Urge him to stay committed to dialogue, not military action against Iran. In peace,
Skylar Sasson, Intern |
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Thursday, June 18, 7:30 p.m.
The struggle to prevent, protest and urge the end to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is not over.
Yet this effort cannot be separated from the long-range goal of a peaceful world. The opening for nuclear
disarmament heralded by President Obama’s April speech in Prague is an opportunity that cannot be missed.
Come and renew your commitment to a nuclear-free world, explore ideas for citizen advocacy and hear about
the World Peace March whose goal of a nuclear-free world depends on the power of civil society - that is,
you and me.MANHASSET. Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock, 48 Shelter Rock Road CONVERSATION ABOUT NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT AND CITIZEN ACTION RENEWING COMMITMENT, REKINDLING HOPE. Hosted by the Long Island Alliance for Peaceful Alternatives. Program: A short video titled “World Without Wars"; David Anderson, NY State Coordinator for the World Peace March; Mary Beth Moore S.C., Co-Director, LI Alliance for Peaceful Alternatives. Dialogue with participants about moving forward on nuclear disarmament. Refreshments. Co-sponsors: Great Neck SANE/Peace Action, Pax Christi LI (list in formation). For more information contact the Long Island Alliance for Peaceful Alternatives, 516-741-4360, – www.longislandpeace.org. Suggested donation: $5 Tuesday, June 16 WHITE PLAINS. WESPAC White Plains, 255 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, 2nd floor SCREENING AND PANEL DISCUSSION ON "NO!: The Rape Documentary" Produced and directed over a period of eleven years, seven of which were full time, by Aishah Shahidah Simmons, an incest and rape survivor, this groundbreaking feature length documentary features riveting testimonials from Black women rape survivors who defy victimization. Join us after the film for a panel discussion featuring Victims Assistance Services' staff, a component of Westchester Community Opportunity Program, Inc. For more information or to RSVP, contact Jalal Sabur, Community Organizer, at (914) 439-1746. Wednesday, June 17, 5:30 p.m. UPPER WEST SIDE. NE corner of 79th Street and Broadway STREET THEATRE ABOUT GAZA, ISRAEL, PALESTINE. Join Jews Say No for our 2nd Street theatre event. Following the event, please join us for our second "Let's Talk About it Series" at the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul on the corner of 86th Street and West End Avenue. jewssayno@gmail.com. Saturday. June 20, 1:00 p.m. CONEY ISLAND BOARDWALK. BE A MERMAID FOR PEACE WITH THE BROOKLYN FOR PEACE CONTINGENT IN THE CONEY ISLAND MERMAID PARADE. Details to follow. UPPER WEST SIDE.Walter Reade Theatre/Film Society of Lincoln Center, 165 W 65th Street Saturday, June 20, 6:30 p.m. **Walter Reade Theatre Monday, June 22, 8:45 p.m. Film Society of Lincoln Center Wednesday, June 24, 4:00 p.m. Walter Reade Theatre MY NEIGHBOR MY KILLER The Human Rights Watch International Film Festival New York City Premiere. Director: Anne Aghion, Country: USA, Release: 2009, Runtime: 80 min. In French and Kinyarwanda with English subtitles. 
In 1994, hundreds of thousands of Rwandan Hutus were incited to wipe out the country’s Tutsi minority.
In 1999 the government began Gacaca - open-air hearings with citizen-judges. As part of this experiment in
reconciliation, confessed genocide killers are sent home from prison, while traumatized survivors are asked
to forgive them and resume living side-by-side. For close to a decade, award-winning filmmaker
Anne Aghion has charted the impact of Gacaca on survivors and perpetrators alike.
Through their fear, anger, and inconsolable sadness, she captures the emotional journey to coexistence. ** On Saturday, June 20, a discussion and reception with the filmmaker and former director of the Human Rights Watch International Film Festival Bruni Burres will follow the screening. For tickets see http://wwww.hrw.org/en/iff/neighbor-killer. 
Wednesday, June 24, 3:00 p.m.STATEN ISLAND. Unitarian Church, 312 Fillmore St. at Clinton Ave. CINDY SHEEHAN SPEAKS TRUTH TO POWER MYTH AMERICA: 10 BIGGEST MYTHS OF THE ROBBER CLASS AND THE CASE FOR REVOLUTION. Tickets $10, $5 senior citizens and students. No one turned away. Flyer Thursday, June 25, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. UPPER EAST SIDE. All Souls Church, 1157 Lexington Avenue at 80th (#6 train to 77th St Station) CINDY SHEEHAN, "THE PEACE MOM" Further information: ceaseforpeace@aol.com. Tuesday, June 30. 6:15 p.m.: Welcoming Remarks and Discussion. 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.: Cocktail Reception. NEW YORK CITY. Baruch College, Newman Conference Center, 151 E 25th Street, 7th floor WHO GETS A VOICE? IMMIGRANTS AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT Hosted by the World Policy Institute and Demos. The promise of American democracy is that all members of our society should have a voice in the decisions that govern their lives. Yet today, record immigration has created a population where nearly 20 million adults in the United States cannot vote. More than half of this group - or an estimated 12 million people - do not even have legal authorization to live and work in the United States. Beyond this, immigrants often stand apart from the communities in which they live and experience social exclusion. Join us for a discussion with panelists Maria Teresa Petersen of Voto Latino, Tamar Jacoby of Immigration Works USA, Gara Lamarche of Atlantic Philanthropies and Hiroshi Motomura of UCLA. Moderated by Michele Wucker of the World Policy Institute. Opening remarks by Miles Rapoport of Demos. This event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. RSVP to events@worldpolicy.org or call the events line at 212-481-5005x2. Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19 DOWNTOWN NYC. National Association of Social Workers, NYC Chapter. 10th floor, 50 Broadway (between Exhachange Pl. and Morris St.) UNDOING RACISM WORKSHOP. Cost is $350, which includes tuition and a light breakfast. 50% student scholarships are available. (If you have participated in an Undoing Racism workshop in the past, you can “brush up” free of charge if space is available.) To register, see www.antiracistalliance.com. For more information call Sandy Bernabei 914-522-5997. Participants are required to attend the entire workshop. To organize a workshop for your own group, contact People’s Institute Northeast at 718-918-2716. Tuesday, July 14, 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. GREENWICH VILLAGE. Brecht Forum, 451 West Street (between Bank & Bethune Sts, near 11th St.) CODE PINK REPORT BACK FROM GAZA AND THE WEST BANK. Hear eye-witness accounts from members of delegations trying to break through the blockade of Gaza - some successfully and some not. Hear first hand their experiences challenging the Egyptian and Israeli governments and their experiences working with Israeli and Palestinan peace activists. Hear what is going on in Gaza and the West Bank and how Palestinians are fighting to survive. Invited speakers:
Sponsors: Adalah-NY, CODEPINK NYC, Committee for Open Discussion of Zionism, Jews Against the Occupation,
Jews Say No!, Women in Black.
Medea Benjamin, co-founder of CODEPINK Women for Peace; Felice Gelman, leader of New York delegation to Gaza, member WESPAC; Phillip Weiss, journalist, MONDO WEISS blog; Manijeh Saba, Iranian-American human rights activist, member of delegation to Israel/Gaza. Monday, June 15, 2009, 7-9 p.m. BUFFALO. Hallwalls, 341 Delaware Avenue LATIN AMERICAN SOLIDARITY COMMITTEE COFFEEHOUSE Cuba and Global Health, a special showing of the documentary SALUD! from the shores of Africa to the Americas with some 28,000 Cuban health professionals serving in 68 countries, exploring the heart and minds of international medical students in Cuba. Produced and directed by Academy Award nominee Connie Field. Wednesday, June 17. 1:00 p.m. lunch, 1:30 meeting GENESEO. Omega Restaurant, 4182 Lakeville Rd (Route 20A) REGULAR MEETING OF GENESEE VALLEY CITIZENS FOR PEACE. On May 10, 2009, GVCP celebrates its 37th birthday! We've never stopped working for peace and justice in the U.S. and throughout the world, and we're not going to stop now. At our next meeting GVCP member Jim Allen will lead a discussion on the war in Afghanistan. Wednesday, June 17, 7:30 p.m. PIERMONT. 57 Piermont Place, SPECIAL SINGALONG EVENING TO BENEFIT GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP'S CAMPAIGN TO END IMMIGRANT FAMILY DETENTION. With Tom and Bonnie Chapin, Michael Mark, Jon Cobert and Si Kahn. TO RSVP: call Tom or Bonnie @ 1 845 359-2919 Thursday, June 18, 7-9 p.m. BUFFALO. Unitarian Universalists of Buffalo, 695 Elmwood Avenue (Garden Entrance) WAR ON THE DISPLACED: SRI LANKA 101: SPEAKING OUT FOR CIVILIANS. Join Local Members of the Sri Lanka Community and Learn about Sri Lanka Saturday, June 20, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. DOWNTOWN BUFFALO. Meet at Lafayette Square, March down Court Street. Program at Niagara Square. PEACE YEARNINGS 2009: 2ND ANNUAL YOUTH MARCH FOR PEACE: PATH OF THE PEACEMAKERS. Youth Presenters, performers and adult peacekeepers. All participants will take a vow of nonviolence. Saturday, June 20, 12:30 p.m. BUFFALO. Bidwell & Elmwood Avenue. RALLY AROUND THE ARREST OF AUNG SAN SU KYI. This event is being planned by the local Burmese community. More details will follow. Saturday, June 27, 2009, 8 p.m. BUFFALO. University Presbyterian Church, Main Street, across from UB South VIGIL AGAINST TORTURE: STANDING WITNESS AND BEGIN HEALING Sunday, June 28, 2009, 2 p.m. BUFFALO. Pilgrim St Luke UCC, 335 Richmond Avenue SWEET SOUNDS OF PEACE: A CONCERT FOR PEACEMAKERS Featuring Nan Hoffman, Glen Wallace, Strike the Rock & Jim Brucate. Donations of $5, to benefit LASC of WNYPC & Pilgrim St. Luke Peace People. Call 716-885-9443 for tickets Many local peace groups hold regular events, vigils, "Honk for Peace" actions, etc. See our list: www.panys.org/ongoing.htm July 10 - 12 PITTSBURGH, PA. La Roche College NATIONAL ASSEMBLY TO END THE IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN WARS AND OCCUPATIONS NATIONAL MEETING The purpose of this conference is to bring together antiwar and social justice activists from across the country to discuss and decide what we can do together to end the wars, occupations, bombing attacks, threats and interventions that are taking place in the Middle East and beyond, which the U.S. government is conducting and promoting. This will be the National Assembly's second conference. The first was held in Cleveland last June and it was attended by over 400 people, including top leaders of the antiwar movement and activists from many states. After discussion and debate, attendees voted - on the basis of one person, one vote - to urge the movement to join together for united spring actions. The National Assembly endorsed and helped build the March actions in Washington D.C., San Francisco and Los Angeles, and the April actions in New York City. For more information, please visit the National Assembly's website at www.natassembly.org, email us at natassembly@aol.com, or call 216-736-4704. July 30 to August 11 JAPAN. SUMMER STUDY ABROAD IN HIROSHIMA & NAGASAKI Sponsored by The Nuclear Studies Institute of American University. Live and study with Japanese and other Asian students, professors, peace activists, and policy experts. Meet with atomic bomb survivors and hear moving firsthand accounts of their experiences. Learn about Japanese aggression against other Asian peoples. Participate in a broad range of commemorative events in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Visit peace museums and relevant cultural and historical sites in Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Nagasaki, including the Kyoto Museum for World Peace, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, the Radiation Effects Research Foundation, and peace parks in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Earn three history or SIS credits (graduate or undergraduate), or participate as a non-degree seeking student. Click for PDF flier. For more information, go to www.american.edu/nsi, or contact Professor Peter Kuznick: kuznick@american.edu or 202-885-2408. Going out of state? Check UFPJ's national Events Calendar: http://www.unitedforpeace.org/calendar.php. |