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November 18, 2009
Alert #233
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Dear Peace Activists, This week, from November 20-22, thousands of activists will converge on Fort Benning, Georgia at the School of the Americas (SOA), renamed Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC), to demand its immediate closure. The SOA is a combat training facility for Latin American soldiers, leaders, and dictators that teaches warfare and torture tactics. When these graduates return home, they use their newfound skills to wage war against local activists by killing, raping, torturing, and “disappearing” them. The SOA has produced more dictators than any school in history, and its graduates are responsible for numerous massacres and killings in Latin America, the most recent of which was the military coup in Honduras. In 1996, public outrage finally pressured the Pentagon into releasing the SOA training manual, which advocates and condones torture, extortion, blackmail, and the killing of civilians to achieve a military victory. U.S. taxpayers provide the funds for SOA, so as long as this institution remains, we will be paying for the torture and killing of innocents in Latin America. School of the Americas Watch is organizing this week’s annual nonviolent protest at the SOA. Although President Obama spoke of shutting down the SOA during his election campaign, he has not acted. Instead, the Pentagon is moving forward with plans for new U.S. military bases in Colombia. It is appalling that the U.S. has not yet closed the SOA — an anti-democratic institution that uses any means possible to wrongfully repress Latin American citizens. Representative McGovern reintroduced Latin America Military Training Review Act (H.R. 2567) that would suspend SOA operations and investigate human rights abuses associated with the school. Similar legislation has been introduced and quashed in the past. In your five minutes for peace this week, contact your Congressman and ask him/her to co-sponsor H.R. 2567. Currently, there are 88 co-sponsors, 10 of whom are New Yorkers (Bishop, Higgins, Hinchey, Maloney, Massa, Rangel, Serrano, Slaughter, Tonko, Velazquez). SOA’s human rights record is unacceptable, and H.R. 2567 will bring an end to SOA’s operations. Thank you for your calls to close SOA. Sincerely,
Anji Mannivannan
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Wednesday, November 18 through Sunday, November 22CINCINATTI, OHIO; BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA; ATLANTA, GEORGIA; AND ON TO FORT BENNING, COLUMBUS, GA 2009 VIGIL AND RALLY TO CLOSE THE SCHOOL OF THE AMERICAS 
Monday, November 30, 1:00 – 9:00 p.m.BROOKLYN. Rally starts at Atlantic and Flatbush Avenues in Brooklyn, near the LIRR train stop. WORLD PEACE MARCH IN NEW YORK CITY  Wednesday, November 18, 7:15 p.m. PURCHASE. French Parlor, Reid Castle, 2900 Purchase St. FELICE GELMAN AND YONATAN SHAPRIA ON “HUMAN RIGHTS IN ISRAEL AND PALESTINE…SEEKING A ROAD TO PEACE.” Hosted by the Connie Hogarth Center for Social Action and the Global Citizenship Project of the Duchesne Center, Manhattanville College. The 4th seminar in the series “A Personal Look at Human Rights Around the World and at Home.” Felice Gelman is an activist for justice in Palestine, Member of WESPAC MiddleEast Committee, board member of The Friends of the Jenin Freedom Theatre, and of the steering committee for The Gaza Freedom March. She recently made two trips to Gaza. Yonatan Shapria is a former Captain in the Israeli Air Force Reserves, one of the founders of Combatants for Peace—Israelis and Palestinians who oppose the war and support the Peace forces in each country. He is a “refusenik” and won’t fight, and is a human rights activist. For information call 914-323-7156 or 914-323-5186. The community is welcome. Thursday, November 19, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. NEW YORK CITY. 38 East 19th Street CODE PINK ANNUAL FUND RAISER 
It's that time of year for a little pink, a little bubbly, some fierce inspiration and good friends.
Join CODEPINK NYC and friends for an evening of inspiration & connection! You don’t want to miss this...
Join our fabulous cohosts! Medea Benjamin, Gabrielle Bernstein, Mary Calder Rower, Maxi Cohen, Paulette Cole,
Gita Drury, Eve Ensler, Jodie Evans & Max Palevsky, Hamilton Fish, Kamilah Forbes, Rha Goddess, Liz Holtzman,
Colleen Keegan, Nancy Kricorian & James Schamus, Robin Morgan, Tony Newman, Paula Perlis, Karen Ranucci
& Michael Ratner, Nina Reznick, Katrina Vanden Heuvel and Douglas Watts! + special guest Citizen Reno & Morley!
Tickets $100. RSVP www.codepinkalert.org/nycevent. Come support, participate in the passion, energy and creativity of CODEPINK! Connect with other feisty peacemakers, enjoy delicious bites, drinks, good music & a we-will-not-be-silent auction. Great opportunity to get that perfect holiday gift with a heart! Thursday, November 19, 7:30 p.m. 
MANHASSET. Unitarian Universalist Church at Shelter Rock, 48 Shelter Rock RoadMAKING NUCLEAR ABOLITION A REALITY WITH JONATHAN SCHELL The nuclear threat is greater today than at any time since the Cold War. In a new book Jonathan Schell calls the time we are living in “The Seventh Decade of Nuclear Danger.” He believes we need a global agreement to eliminate nuclear weapons. Schell calls President Obama’s commitment to seek a world without nuclear weapons an invitation to all of us to participate in history. Suggest contribution of $5. Sponsored by the Long Island Alliance for Peaceful Alternatives, the Shelter Rock Forum, Great Neck SANE/Peace Action, Code Oink LI, LI Veterans for Peace, Pax Christi LI and the Social Justice Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock. For more information call the Long Island Alliance for Peaceful Alternatives at 516-741-4360. 
Thursday, November 19, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.BAY RIDGE, BROOKLYN. The Canteena, 8001 5th Avenue. INTERFAITH PEACE COALITION FUNDRAISER AT THE CANTEENA With Honored Guests Sally and David Jones. There will be music and food. Our speaker will be Hugh Bruce of Veterans for Peace. Donations Accepted. For more information contact Bay Ridge Interfaith Peace Coalition at (718) 680-2981; infaithpeace@yahoo.com. Mondays, November 23, 30. 6-7 p.m. LOWER MANHATTAN. Metropolitan Correctional Center, 150 Park Row at Pearl Street Trains: 4,5,6,J,M,Z to Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall NO GUANTANOMOS HERE OR ABROAD! MONDAY NIGHT VIGILS FOR THE NOVEMBER 30 TRIAL OF FAHAD HASHMI 
A call to artists, activists, educators, students, lawyers, clergy, prison abolitionists, and all people of conscience.
Weekly presentation with special guests from Broadway and Off-Broadway. Fahad Hashmi, a 29 year old
Muslim American citizen and Brooklyn College alumnus, has been held in solitary confinement
since May 2007 at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in lower Manhattan. He is charged with two counts of providing material
support and two counts of making a contribution of goods or services to Al Qaeda. His case raises concerns about the
conditions of his detention and his ability to receive a fair trial. He is subject to a regime of severe deprivation,
including 24-hour electronic monitoring, 23-hour lockdown, no access to fresh air, and one hour of daily recreation
(when it is given) inside a cage. Physical and mental consequences of prolonged solitary confinement may impair his
mental state and ability to testify on his own behalf. Also of concern are threats to First Amendment rights.
Sponsor: Theaters Against War, 206-312-2201 or
thawaction@yahoo.com.
Learn more about the case from
Educators for Civil Liberties.
Tuesday, November 24, 12 - 1:30 p.m. Lunch at 12. Discussion to begin at 12:15. FLATIRON DISTRICT. EastWest Institute, 11 East 26th Street (Madison - Fifth), 20th Floor CHRISTOPHE JAFFRELOT ON “WHO IS A TERRORIST? CULTURAL POLICING AND THE STATE IN SOUTH ASIA” 
Hosted by World Policy Institute, EastWest Institute, Asia Society and the Institute for Public Knowledge.
We invite you to join us for a lunch discussion with Christophe Jaffrelot. WPI Senior Fellow
Mira Kamdar will moderate the discussion. Who is a terrorist? Who has the power to label an
individual or a group "terrorist"? In South Asia today, arguably one of the regions most wracked by terrorism, the
term is often seen as synonymous with "Islamism," even with Islam itself. However, the terrorist terrain in South Asia
remains populated by non-Islamist actors as well - like the LTTE movement which the Sri Lankan government recently
crushed, and the Maoist guerillas who recently suspended activities in Nepal following elections which brought the
Maoists into the new government.Finally, some states - especially Pakistan, but also India at the state and local
levels - have played roles in nurturing terrorist groups, challenging the notion that terrorism and the state are
always on opposite sides. Rejecting stereotypes about terrorist movements, Christophe Jaffrelot, co-editor of the
new book “Armed Militias of South Asia: Fundamentalists, Maoists, and Separatists”, discusses the wide range of
violent movements in South Asia, their implications for regional security, and policy responses.Regular
Admission $15. Academic and Nonprofit Professionals - $10. Full-time Students - $5. Free for WPI Members.
Advance registration is require. Register by emailing events@worldpolicy.org
or calling 212.481.5005, option 2.
 Thursday, November 19, 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. BUFFALO. Canisius College, Grupp Fireside Lounge, Winter Student Center, 2001 Main St. "NOW IS THE TIME TO TAKE ACTION" with Dolores Huerta. Dolores Huerta is a co-founder (with Cesar Chavez) of United Farm Workers, Free and open to all. Presented by NY Justice in Action Committee of Canisius College. Saturday, November 21, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. BUFFALO. Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church, 1035 Delaware Ave. 2ND ANNUAL PEACEFAIR: FAIR TRADE, LOCAL VENDORS Entry, Food at noon, Proceeds to benefit the WNY Peace Center . Saturday, November 21, 7:30 p.m. 
ALBANY. First Unitarian Universalist Society, 405 Washington Avenue (across the street from the downtown SUNY campus). SHOWING OF "RETHINK AFGHANISTAN" The Solidarity Committee of the Capital District continues its 2009-2010 film series with a showing of the ground-breaking documentary, Rethink Afghanistan (October 2009, 75 minutes). Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Robert Greenwald—whose screen credits include Outfoxed, Wal-Mart, and Iraq for Sale—this film exposes the true costs of the military occupation of Afghanistan, the daily struggles facing U.S. soldiers, and the hardships endured by Afghan civilians. At this time when the U.S. role in Afghanistan is being debated among government officials and the public, Rethink Afghanistan could not be more timely. A discussion after the film screening will be led by Connie Frisbee Houde, who recently returned from a visit to Afghanistan. This event—co-sponsored by Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace, Upper Hudson Peace Action, and Women Against War—will take place at the Admission is free, and free refreshments will be provided by the Honest Weight Food Coop. Everyone is welcome to attend. Upper Hudson Peace Action, 33 Central Avenue, Albany, NY 12210 463-5907, info@peaceact.net. Sunday, November 22, 5:30 p.m. AMHERST. Amherst Community Church, 77 Washington Highway ANNUAL VEGETARIAN POTLUCK THANKSGIVING DINNER $10 donation, $5 students, $2 children under 10, Reservations required Call Nan and Walter Simpson, 839-0062. Sponsored by Animal Advocates of WNY. Thursday, November 26, 10:00 a.m. WILLOW BAY, north shore of Onondaga Lake THANKSGIVING DAY CIRCLE OF PEACE AND HOPE Join Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation to express our thanks to the Onondaga Nation and people for their leadership on ecological preservation and social healing. For more information, contact Andy at 315-472-5478. Friday, Dec 4, 6:00 - 9:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec 5th, 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. ROCHESTER. First Unitarian Church of Rochester, 220 South Winton Road METRO JUSTICE’S 28TH ANNUAL ALTERNATIVE FAIR Put Your Heart Where Your Money Is! Support Social Justice When Buying Holiday Gifts. $3 suggested donation for ages 12+. Hundreds of fair trade, earth friendly, and locally produced goods that support a just and sustainable world. Holiday shopping for the whole family, including clothing, toys, non-competitive games, pottery, crafts, body care products, and jewelry. Food, entertainment, and information tables by local progressive organizations will be available. Free child care. The Alternative Fair is an annual fund-raising event for Metro Justice, an independent, grass-roots, progressive membership organization that works for social, economic, and racial justice. For more information, call Tanya @ Metro Justice at (585) 325-2560. Saturday, December 5, 11:00 a.m. – 12 noon GENESEO. Wegman Plaza, Route 20A GVCP’S ANNUAL DEMONSTRATION AGAINST WAR TOYS Bring peaceful toys and dress warmly. Saturday, December 12, 1:30pm-3:30 p.m. BUFFALO. Network of Religious Communities, 1272 Delaware Avenue WNY PEACE CENTER’S END OF THE YEAR MEMBERSHIP MEETING AND INTERFAITH POTLUCK Please bring a dish to share.  Many local peace groups hold regular events, vigils, "Honk for Peace" actions, etc. See our list: www.panys.org/ongoing.htm  November 14 – 18 WASHINGTON DC. Georgetown University INTERNATIONAL PEACE BUREAU ANNUAL CONFERENCE Rolling back militarism: a task for the global movement. This conference was co-organized with Peace Action, America’s largest grassroots peace network. Come engage in a strategic process, to examine our campaigning priorities and options, to explore new ways to challenge the militarism we see around us, and to build international connections and partnerships. The program includes a central conference and a day-seminar on military spending, plus the annual IPB Council meeting and a planning session for the NPT Review next May. It will also be the occasion for the award of the IPB’s annual Sean MacBride Peace Prize. Confirmed speakers include: Tom Hayden, David McReynolds, Phyllis Bennis, Carlos Vargas, Oskar Castro, Cora Weiss, Prof. Betty Reardon, Azza El-Kholy, Jackie Cabasso, Zia Mian, Joseph Gerson, Judith LeBlanc, Prof. Mark Lance, Emira Woods, and Frida Berrigan. For more information, contact ippn@igc.org. 
Dec. 27 & 29, Jan. 1. CAIRO. RAFAH CROSSING. GAZA STRIP. WASHINGTON DC. GAZA FREEDOM MARCH On the one-year anniversary of the invasion of Gaza, individuals and representatives of organizations from around the world will convene in Cairo, attempt to cross into the Gaza Strip via the Rafah Crossing on Dec. 29, and march with the residents of Gaza to the Israeli border on Jan. 1. We are working with Israeli peace groups to organize a companion demonstration on the Israeli side on the same day. Meanwhile, back at home, we will stage companion demonstrations in DC and other cities across the nation -- calling on our leaders to do the right thing and use our considerable leverage to pressure Israel and Egypt to end the siege. You can get involved by:
Going out of state? Check UFPJ's national Events Calendar: http://www.unitedforpeace.org/calendar.php. |