Binghamton - Cost of War sign
July 26, 2010     Alert #266 Images/links not showing up? View online .

Dear Peace Activists and Friends,

Recently, we have all been shocked and saddened to learn about the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. It is terrible to watch the effects the oil has on the environment. It can be frustrating to observe because it is difficult to improve the situation. However, there is something you can do!

By seizing BP's assets and putting those funds in a trust, the people who have lost their jobs and livelihoods can be provided with immediate and ongoing comprehensive compensation and relief.

A boycott of BP, however well intentioned, seeks to deplete BP's assets as a form of financial punishment and an expression of protest for its criminally negligent actions in the Gulf of Mexico.

Tens of thousands of people are supporting the Seize BP movement. The demand to Seize BP's assets, if implemented, would be effective in providing relief. The boycott of BP provides no relief for the tens of thousands of families in the Gulf Coast who have been harmed, or for the cleanup of the environment that is being poisoned.

Since people who drive cars need gasoline, the boycott of BP inevitably implies that people should fill up their tanks at Exxon/Mobil, Chevron, Shell or one of the other oil giants. But all of these companies engage in the same reckless offshore drilling in the frantic search for super-profits.

If the oil spill still has not caught your full attention, think about what other disasters the high demand of oil has brought to our country. Would we still be in Iraq, or would we even have gone there in the first place, if it was not for the unavoidable factor of oil? We need to change our ways, it is the only solution to most of the problems our country is facing right now. Green energy is the solution and there are countless alternatives to oil and coal that we just have to open our minds to. When this happens, our country will be free of scandals such as the BP oil spill and the War in Iraq.

Take Action! Sign this petition to Seize BP in order to make sure the victims of the oil spill get the compensation they need to rebuild their lives.

Peace,

Anne Poulsen
Peace Action Fund of New York State
info@panys.org

Featured Events
ONGOING. See links below for show times.
TIMES SQUARE: AMC Empire 25 Theatre, 234 West 42nd St.
SOHO: Angelika Film Center, 18 West Houston St.
“COUNTDOWN TO ZERO”
From acclaimed documentarian Lucy Walker (The Devil’s Playground, Blindsight), Academy Award winning producer Lawrence Bender (Inglourious Basterds, An Inconvenient Truth) and Participant Media (Food, Inc.) comes a terrifying documentary about the dangers of nuclear weapons. The film makes a compelling case for worldwide nuclear disarmament, and the premiere in NYC is being co-sponsored by Peace Action New York State.
Show times: Angelika • AMC Empire 25.   Trailer, more info •  RSVP on Facebook
Monday, August 23. Forum: 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.; Reception: 6:00 -7:30 p.m.
LENOX, MA. Founders' Theatre at Shakespeare & Company, 70 Kemble Street.
 A PANEL DISCUSSION ON ISRAEL/PALESTINE
A TWO-STATE SOLUTION: BENEFITS? ROAD BLOCKS?
Mark Rosenblum, Ph.D., Director of the Center of Jewish Studies at Queen’s College of the City University of New York, Advisor to six U.S. Presidents on the Arab-Israeli confict.
Ghaith Al-Omari, Esq., Advocacy Director, American Task Force in Palestine; Advisor to Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas and to several Palestinian negotiating teams, including at the Camp David and Taba Summits. 
Letty Cottin Pogrebin (Moderator) Founding Editor, Ms. Magazine; author of 10 books, including Deborah, Golda and Me: Being Female and Jewish in America; former president of the Authors Guild.
Audience participation Q&A. Mediterranean hors d'oeuvres, beer and wine by Firefly.
Download the flier.
More information: www.shakespeare.org, www.nationinstitute.org, www.panys.org.
Tickets: $50 general admission, $10 Students at 413-637-3353 or www.shakespeare.org.
Sponsored by Doris Shaffer Memorial Lecture Fund, a project of Peace Action Fund of New York State, and The Nation Institute.
New York Metro Area and Long Island Events
Thursday, August 5. Boarding at 7:00 p.m., returning 10:30 p.m.
MURRAY HILL. The Marco Polo Marina, 23rd St. and FDR Dr.
 EVENING CRUISE FOR GAZA FLOTILLA
We will sail in NY Harbor as part of our effort to launch The Audacity of Hope, a U.S. Boat to join the next Freedom Flotilla in the international effort to break the blockade of Gaza. Special Guests Include: Ann Wright, Najla Said, Ismail Khalidi and MORE. Enjoy Middle Eastern food buffet, cash bar, great people and inspiring music! To reserve your place, please email us at nyboatevent@gmail.com with the following information: 1. Your name; 2. Number of tickets requested and donation price; 3. Method of payment (to help us track donations.)
Thursday, August 5, 7:30 p.m.
MANHASSET. Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock, 48 Shelter Rock Rd.
NO NUKES, NO WARS, SAVE THE PLANET!
Hear David Wildman, Executive Director, Human Rights & Racial Justice for Global Ministries, Methodist Church, and co-author, Ending the U.S. War in Afghanistan (recently returned from Afghanistan; Hon. Michelle Schimel, NY State Assemblywoman; Fred Brewington, Civil Rights Attorney, Community Activist; Rev. Mark Luken, Bethany Congregational Church and President, Interfaith Alliance of L.I.; Rabbi Irwin Huberman, Congregation Tiferet Israel of Glen Cove; Habeeb Ahmed, President, Islamic Center of L.I. at Westbury; Margaret Melkonian, Executive Director, Long Island Alliance for Peaceful Alternatives. Music by jazz pianist Bill Heller, Closing Peace Pole Ceremony by neighborhood children. For more information and directions call 516-487-3786 or 516-741-4360.
Friday, August 6, 7:30 p.m.
BAY RIDGE. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 7420 4th Ave. (4th Ave. & 74th St. \ 77th St. stop on R)
 FILM: WHITE LIGHT/BLACK RAIN: THE DESTRUCTION OF HIROSHIMA AND NAGASAKI
Saturday, August 7, 1:30 p.m.: March. 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.: Vigil.
BAY RIDGE. Assemble on 4th Ave., Btwn 96th & 97th Sts.
 SILENT MARCH AND VIGIL IN MEMORY OF HIROSHIMA/NAGASAKI
Silent March to 4th Ave. and Shore Rd., (1 block after 101st Street)
Silent Vigil 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Black/Somber Clothing Requested.
Sunday, August 8, 11:00 a.m.
STATEN ISLAND. Unitarian Church 312 Fillmore St. at Clinton (1 block east of Snug Harbor)
 HIROSHIMA REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY AND PEACE PROCESSION.
Co-sponsored by the Social Justice Committee of the Unitarian Church of Staten Island and Peace Action of Staten Island as part of the Arthur Foise Summer Forum. In addition to street theatre, poetry and readings, and a peace procession with banners and the lighting of lanterns, the commemoration will also feature music by members of the musical ensemble WaFoo, which blends the traditions of Japanese music with American jazz, and Staten Island pianist David Jones. Participants in the peace procession to Snug Harbor will be treated to a tour of the Chinese Scholar Garden by professor of Art History and Aesthetics, William Suderman-Taylor. Please wear weather-appropriate clothing and insect repellant. Admission: Free will donation. No one will be turned away.
Sunday, August 8, 2:30 p.m.
GREENWICH VILLAGE. Casserly Hall, below St. Joseph’s Church,
Washington Place and Sixth Avenue, one block north of West 4th Street
 REMEMBER HIROSHIMA/NAGASAKI, OPPOSE NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION
Sponsored by Pax Christi Metro New York.
* View an exhibit of photos from Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
* Pray.
* Participate in a discussion facilitated by Sr. Jean Fallon, MM. Sr. Jean served in parish ministry in the Kyoto Diocese for 23 years and later worked in Tokyo with the Japan National Catholic Council for Justice and Peace. She led many people on experiential visits to Hiroshima and Nagasaki which inspired her to become a "pilgrim for peace."
* Join in a solemn procession.
Light refreshments served. For more information, contact Pax Christi Metro New York, 212-420-0250, nypaxchristi@igc.org, or www.nypaxchristi.org.
Thursday, September 30, 7:00 p.m.
EAST VILLAGE. Great Hall of Cooper Union, Cooper Square,
THE 2010 NUCLEAR-FREE FUTURE AWARDS
Awards to five international visionaires of a nuclear-free world:

Resistance: The African Uranium Alliance; Education: Oleg Bodrov; Solutions: Bruno Barrillot:
Lifetime Achievement: Martin Sheen; Special Recognition: Henry Red Cloud
This year's Awards ceremony will be accompanied by a swarm of events (music, seminars), scheduled to happen between September 27th and October 2nd. For more information see www.nuclear-free.com/eng/release/htm@2010.
Upstate Events
Thursday, July 22, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
ROCHESTER. Baha’i Center, 693 East Avenue (Entrance and parking off Oxford Street) PRESENTATION BY HANK STONE OF THE FILM "WAR MADE EASY."
Discussion of where we go from here.
Friday, July 23 – Sunday, July 25
ALBANY. Crowne Plaza Hotel, 10 Eyck Plaza, State and Lodge Streets
 NATIONAL PEACE CONFERENCE: BRING THE TROOPS HOME
SCHEDULE:
Friday evening, July 23: Panel discussion on “Strategies & Tactics in the Struggle to End the Empire’s Wars and Occupations”; Presentation of Action Proposal
Saturday, July 24: Keynote Speakers; Workshops; Lunch panel on Government Repression, Defense of Political Prisoners, and Guantanamo Detainees; Plenary Discussion of Action Proposal, Amendments & Resolutions
Saturday evening, July 24: Public Forum with speakers & cultural performances
Sunday, July 25: Plenary Discussion and Vote on Action Proposal; Workshops
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS: NOAM CHOMSKY, DONNA DEWITT
ADDITIONAL SPEAKERS: Joel Kovel, Dahlia Wasfi, Leila Zand, Cheri Honkala, Medea Benjamin, Kathy Kelly, Michael Ferner, Kevin Martin, Michael McPhearson, Nada Khader, Larry Holmes, David Swanson, Glen Ford, Blanca Missé, Pam Africa, Cindy Sheehan, Fahima Vorgetts (partial list)
Get more info and register at www.nationalpeaceconference.org. Peace Action Dinner Saturday at Jillian's, 59 North Pearl St. 518-432-1997
Wednesday, August 4 7:00 p.m.
SYRACUSE. Everson Plaza (State St. between Harrison & Madison)Rain location: Plymouth Church (232 E. Onondaga St.)
 INTERFAITH SHARING FOR PEACE & LANTERN CEREMONY
Bring lawn chairs. Sponsored by Syracuse Peace Council • 315-472-5478 • peacecouncil.net; Peace Action of Central New York • 315-478-7442 • peaceactioncny.org.
Friday, August 6, meet at 11:30 a.m.
SYRACUSE. Near City Hall, 215 E. Washington St.
 DRAMATIC PROCESSION.
Please wear white or light clothing. Sponsored by Syracuse Peace Council • 315-472-5478 • peacecouncil.net; Peace Action of Central New York • 315-478-7442 • peaceactioncny.org.
Friday, August 6, 7:00 a.m.
BINGHAMTON. First Congregational Church, corner of Main and Front
 ANNUAL HIROSHIMA REMEMBRANCE, BROOME COUNTY PEACE ACTION
Our free will offering breakfast will begin at 7:00 a.m. Four Japanese citizens are flying in to be with us for breakfast and make very brief comments. Our key speaker will be Professor Herb Bix of Binghamton University. Herb is the author of the Pulitzer prize-winning Hirohito & the Making of Modern Japan. Following the ringing of the church bell, all are invited to drive or walk to the confluence at Peace Park for an open microphone session. Please call Pat Donohue at 722-0549 ASAP to help us plan.
Friday, August 6th, 7:30 p.m.
AVON. Avon traffic circle, Routes 5 &20.
36TH ANNUAL HIROSHIMA/NAGASAKI CANDLELIGHT VIGIL
OF GENESEE VALLEY CITIZENS FOR PEACE
Sunday, August 8, 6:30 p.m.
SCHENECTADY. Rose Garden, Central Park
 HIROSHIMA/NAGASAKI COMMEMORATION
Join us in saying, “Never again!”As we commemorate the 1945 Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and call for an end to nuclear weapons! This is a peaceful event. We will have peace cranes, music, poetry, and a march through the park, ending at the concert area. Please wear white, the Japanese color of mourning, and bring appropriate signs, banners, and props.
Thursday, August 19, 7:00 p.m.
ROCHESTER. The Baha’i Center, 693 East Ave.
 CREATING THE FUTURE SERIES FOR 2010
MIKE CONNELLYl HOW MANY LIBERALS DOES IT TAKE TO CHANGE SOCIETY?
The series will continue on Thursday eveings as follows:
September 16th:  Liz Pixley / Dirt! The Movie
October 28th:  Mike Rudnick / Human Nutrition, Best of the best papers from 2009 as found by Michael Greger, MD.
November 18th:  Sven Warner / Transformative Learning
December 16th: TBD
Information or program suggestions: hstone@rochester.rr.com, (585) 624-3673, http://rocwiki.org/Rochester_Baha%27i%27_Community/.
Tuesday, September 14
BUFFALO. Betty's Restaurant, 370 Virginia Street.
 DINE OUT FOR UGANDA.
A fundraising dinner by Global African Village. GAV will received 10% of the proceeds from all dine-in meals eaten at Betty's that day (breakfast, lunch and dinner).  We will also be holding a raffle for a beautiful framed photograph of an African elephant, which will be on display. More info: http://www.globalafricanvillage.org/.
Ongoing 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 and National Events
DATE TBD
FORT ERIE, CANADA (Just Over the Peace Bridge)
 MEET CANADIAN WAR RESISTERS
The Buffalo Veterans For Peace and the War Resister Support Campaign are sponsoring an opportunity to meet with the War Resisters and the families who went to Canada. The details are being worked out, but it is essential that people have their passports (or enhanced licenses) so you can cross the border. Please stay tuned to more information!
All Summer
NEW MEXICO and other locations.
THINK OUTSIDE THE BOMB's DISARMAMENT SUMMER.
Think Outside the Bomb, the largest youth-led anti-nuclear network in the US, is organizing Disarmament Summer near Los Alamos, New Mexico, in partnership with the Tribal Environmental Watch Alliance, TEWA Women United, the Multicultural Alliance for a Safe Environment, Products of Atzlan youth group, and the Southwest Indigenous Uranium Forum. For further information please check out www.thinkoutsidethebomb.org, call (408) 676-TOTB (8682), or email Rebecca Riley, totbchicago@gmail.com or Lisa Putkey, lisaputkey@gmail.com.
Going out of state? Check UFPJ's national Events Calendar: http://www.unitedforpeace.org/calendar.php .
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