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Fault Lines - 100 Days of Resistance - 15 Oct 09- Part 1

100 days since the coup detat that ousted Manuel Zelaya, Fault Lines travels to Honduras to look at polarisation and power in the Americas, and finds resistance and repression in the streets.

Viva Palestina US Crosses Into Gaza through Rafah - Short Speech By George Galloway

At approximately 1820GMT on July 15 2009, the Viva Palestina US Convoy finally crossed into Gaza from the Rafah Crossing in Egypt. Headed up by the British Member of Parliament, George Galloway as well as former Congresswoman Cynthia Mckinney, the convoy was due to bring over US$1million of AID and humanitarian assistance into the besieged Gaza Strip. Due to problems created by the Mobarak Regime in Egypt they were finally only able to cross with half of that amount of aid. This recording was recorded live as they entered Gaza, and has a short speech by George Galloway where he explains the situation and introduces that there will soon be a Viva Palestina Venezuala. Broadcast on PressTV at approximately 1820GMT on July 15, 2009.

OCHA/UNRWA Gaza Film January 2009

The UN faces a monumental task in Gaza in the aftermath of the devastating 22 day long war that ended with two fragile ceasefires on the 18th of January.

Rafael arms sales video

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems 'produces fighting technologies for the Israel Defense Forces and for export.' They made this video as a part of the company's campaign 'to help build familiarity between Israel and India' in hopes of selling them missiles, apparently. Thanks to Elizabeth for passing along this link Danger Room What’s Next in National Security Iron Eagle Nominee: Israeli Armsdog-Millionaires Assault Bollywood, Good Taste

Gambling with Conflict: How Settlers Control Israeli Policy

David J.'s latest Video

This video was produced for Mondoweiss (www.philipweiss.org) after being nixed by the editorial authorities at The Daily Beast. A disturbing look at the connections of one American casino tycoon who sends millions to support the illegal settlements in the West Bank, this video report unveils the raw racism of the settler movement who is dragging Israel into further conflict. Frankness, honesty, and the resultant humor abound in this 5 minute short. Please forward widely. Thanks for your continued viewership and support! We are currently working on a centralized website on which all our reports will be hosted. Best, David

Protesters Disrupt Senate Hearing on Health Care

C-Span Video

At the start of a Senate Finance Committee hearing on health care financing several nurses stood to protest their exclusion from the witness table as supporters of government-run health care programs. Several others in the audience then spoke out in favor of a single-payer system before being removed from the hearing room.

April 30: 61 arrested at White House Guantanamo Protest

61 Americans, dressed in the orange jumpsuits and black hoods that have become the symbol of Guantanamo detainees, were arrested in front of the White House in a nonviolent demonstration this afternoon.

Greed - National TV Ad for the Employee Free Choice Act

Huge New Campaign – Pitch in Now!

We will not go down —Song for Gaza

We will not go down (Song for Gaza) - by Michael Heart

Artist's web site

Glenn Greenwald and Amy Goodman on Bill Moyers Journal


Streaming Video, Audio and transcripts on the Bill Moyers Journal web page. Check local listings for rebroadcast on PBS Also, check out the scathing critique by former regulator William K. Black on the fraud and deceit in the current finanicial crisis.

Guardian Video: Gaza War Crimes Investigation

Arab Israelis see no hope in Israeli elections

More at http://therealnews.com/t/in...

Jesse Rosenfeld speaks to representatives of the Arab Israeli community about the 2009 Israeli elections. Video produced by David Jacobus for Rel News Network.

Armed and Dangerous: Weapons Transfers to Israel during the Bush Administration

Capitol Hill Policy Briefing, February 2nd, 2009 Go to US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation for the complete video and resources.

Is Peace Out Of Reach?

CBS Video

Has peace in the Middle East become nothing more than a pipe dream? As Bob Simon reports, a growing number of Israelis and Palestinians feel that a two-state solution is no longer possible.

Gaza 2009: We Will Never Forget

Montage documenting the genocide commited by Isreal in 'Operation Cast Lead'.

Adam Kokesh:" I've Got a Shoe for Bush!"

On Monday, Jan. 19, 2009, hundreds of antiwar activists expressed their outrage over President George W. Bush's eight warmongering, economically disastrous, torture approving and lawbreaking years in the Oval Office (2001-2009). The good riddance to Bush rally was held at DuPont Circle, in Washington, D.C. Adam Kokesh of the' Iraq Veterans Against the War' was one of the speakers at the event. He said: 'Occupation is a crime...and Ive got a shoe for Bush!' After the speeches, the protesters marched to the White House. Once there, they tossed shoes and combat boots at the White House and insisted: 'Arrest Bush!' For background, see: http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/nod... and http://shoebush.org/ and http://arrestbush2009.com/.

Israeli TV airs Gaza doctor's pleas after children killed

This video has English subtitles. Double click to open video on Youtube, then click 'more info' for instruction.

SO MUCH FOR PRAYER

This is a 2 minute film I have made. Please take a look, this is what a child's life is worth today.

http://www.vimeo.com/2828713 Thank you Dean Omori

If Americans Knew What Israel Is Doing!

VIDEO WAS CENSORED!

http://representativepress.googlepages.com/

Israel Attacks Gaza, Silence from Mainstream Media about Israeli Violations of International Law

http://www.youtube.com/user/representativepress

Israelis Soldiers refuse to serve in Gaza

srael Social TV presents: Israelis Soldiers refuse to serve in Gaza!

Daily Show Gaza excerpt January 5, 2009: Strip Maul

jon Israel gets their bombing in before the January 20th hope and change deadline. (watch the full show for more Jon Stewart on Gaza)

Norwegian doctor in Gaza Decries Israeli Attacks

Mads Gilbert, a Norwegian doctor in Gaza, tells Sky News that the number of civilians injured and killed in Gaza proves that Israel is deliberately attacking the population.

Thousands of Israelis protest against the war in Gaza

http://www.youtube.com/user/SocialTV

http://www.tv.social.org.il/

"March of the Dead" Demonstration on Capitol Hill

adoptresistance.blogspot.com

Al Jazeera

Israeli strikes hit UN schools - 06 Jan 09

http://www.youtube.com/user/AlJazeeraEnglish

Al Jazeera English

Gazans flee homes and seek refuge in UN schools - 05 Jan 09

http://www.youtube.com/user/AlJazeeraEnglish

Al Jazeera English

More children killed as war on Gaza continues - 05 Jan 08

http://www.youtube.com/user/AlJazeeraEnglish

Featured Video: 3 women arrested outside the Israeli embassy.

Featured Video: Law of War

Courtesy of Israel Social TV. They have good English videos.

Featured Video: Jews That Lived In Palestine Tell Their Story

Featured Video: Israeli Conscientious Objectors, Shministim

Send letter www.december18th.org

Support Israel's young conscientious objectors. WWW.December18th.ORG Shministim say why they refuse to serve in an army that occupies the Palestinians.

Featured Video: Bush Shoe Incident in Iraq {CNN}

Featured Video: ABC News Feature on Cuban 5

ABC News 12/11/2008. New Leaders Hold Fate of Cuban 5. Could President-Elect Obama and Raul Castro improve U.S._Cuban relations?

Real News Network: US war resister is granted stay of deportation

Click on image for streaming video

Featured Video: Alaska Women Reject Palin rally-Anchorage Alaska

Alakan Women Reject Palin Rally 9-13-08 Click Image for video, photos, and links to blog posts

Featured Video: Palin has WORSE than a Pastor Problem! She’s Herself Preached Controversy!

Sarah Palin at Wasilla Assembly of God church, june 2008 Click Image for streaming video

Featured Video: Police Sieze Journalists Notes About RNC Protest Plans


More at http://www.theuptake.org
A trio of journalists who have a track record of documenting police abuse at political conventions were stopped and searched during the early morning hours in Minneapolis. Police took their video equipment, cell phones, hard drive and notes about protests planned for next week's Republican National Convention. No charges have been filed against the three, according to Mineapolis police spokesman Sgt. William Palmer. Video by Ken Avidor

Police Detain Journalists-Amy Goodman Jumps Fence To Question Cops


More at http://www.theuptake.org
Sat. Aug 30, 2008. Saint Paul, MN Police Department raids a home at 591 Iglehart Avenue at gunpoint. The journalists include a contributing photojournalist with "Democracy Now", whose host Amy Goodman appears in this clip jumping a fence to question police officers. This is part of a series of police actions on the eve of the Republican National Convention in St. Paul. After several hours, all those detained were released. No arrests. No property was seized as result of the search warrant. The clip ends with an interview with homeowner Mike Whalen. At the start of the clip, a neighbor shouts to the media and onlookers that we could all come into her backyard to see the detained people held in the adjacent backyard.
Video by Chuck Tomlinson

Featured Video: Palestian Authority raids Palestinian orphange

Palestinian Authority raids Palestinian orphanage Click Image for streaming video

Featured Video: No ‘good guys’ in Georgia conflict

Featured Video: Who's to blame for the Georgia conflict? Click Image for streaming video

Featured Video: Fox News cuts American child for thanking Russian troops

Fox News cuts American child for thanking Russian troops Click Image for streaming video

Featured Video: Now The People Have Awoken Exploring Venezuela’s Revolution

Now the People have Awoken (movie still) Click Image to go to web site for streaming video Download 317 Mb 55'10" (Flash player required; Real Media Player should work)

Featured Video: Thousands at funeral of boy shot in West Bank protest

Palestinian mourners carry the body of Ahmed Mussa, 10 years old, who was fatally shot by Israeli troops after protests against Israel's separation barrier in the West Bank village of Nilin . Thousands marched through the occupied West Bank in the funeral. Emad Bornat.

Featured Video: Combat Paper, Scene from “Paper Over Iraq”

Featured Video: Alternatives to Impeachment?

House Judiciary Committee hearing on executive power and its constitutional limitation, July 25, 2008. Rep. Bobby Scott, D-VA and member of the Committee asks what are the alternatives to impeachment? Constitutional lawyer Bruce Fein, and former representatives Bob Barr and Elizabeth Holtzman respond.

Featured Video: Iraqi Freedom – TV advertisement

Featured Video: John McCain’s Neverending War

Featured Video: UN Inspector Scott Ritter: Fools would Bomb Iran

Featured Video: Truth and Truthiness episode 4

Featured Video: The Rev. Billy on the Ithaca Commons

Rev Billy and the Stop Shopping Gospel Choir exorcise the demon Monsanto from the Cornell Ag School while visiting the Ithaca Commons on April 20, 2008

Featured Video: The Rev. Billy

Rev Billy and the Stop Shopping Gospel Choir exorcise a Starbucks cash register, sending money back to Ethopia coffee farmers. Starbucks is blocking Ethiopians from trademarking specialty coffee names, where a trademark could help them negotiate a higher sale price.

Featured Video: An Interview with Riad Hamad

Riad Hamad is a non-violent activist in Austin, Texas who was found drowned, bound with duct tape, in Lady Bird Lake near Austin, TX. This interview produced bt Free Speech TV gives the context of the FBI's harassment of Mr. Hamad for his charity work helping Palestinians. It brings into focus who this man is and why we should remember and honor him, counters the lies being propagated that he supports violence and terrorism. It is hard to fathom that was a suicide. But even if it was, the Bush administration and its right-wing allies are still implicated.

The Israel Lobby (Marije Meerman, VPRO Backlight 2007)

For many years now the American foreign policy has been characterized by the strong tie between the United States and Israel. Does the United States in fact keep Israel on its feet? And how long will it continue to do so? In March 2006 the American political scientists John Mearsheimer (University of Chicago) and Steve Walt (Harvard) published the controversial article 'The Israel Lobby and US foreign policy'. In it they state that it is not, or no longer, expedient for the US to support and protect present-day Israel.

ISRAEL: Afshin Rattansi talks to Hampshire College

Activists block Fort Hood Soidiers from deploying

—-Original Message—–
From: Erin O’Brien <anarchist.blue@gmail.com>

Aug. 23, 2010 (KILLEEN, TX) – Five peace activists successfully blockaded six buses carrying Fort Hood Soldiers deploying to Iraq outside Fort Hood’s Clarke gate this morning at around 4 a.m. While the activists took the width of Clarke Rd. and slowed the buses to a halt, police made no arrests, but instead beat the activists out of the streets using automatic weapons and police dogs so the deploying Soldiers could proceed. Continue reading Activists block Fort Hood Soidiers from deploying

Ithaca Welcomes Walkers for a Nuclear Free Future


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Ithaca welcomes the walkers for a nuclear free future. Ithaca Unitarian Church, March 30, 2010.
The peace walkers are passing through the Six Nation Native American Territories and NY State, walking to the UN by May 2 for the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Conference of 190 Countries. They are coming to call attention to the intertwined problems of nuclear weapons and nuclear power. This two-month sojourn is the brainchild of Jun Yasuda, a remarkable Buddhist nun of the Nipponzan Myohoji order. The Japanese-born peace pilgrim has lived in the U.S. for 20 years and spends many months each year on foot. She is also responsible for a Peace Pagoda in Grafton, northeast of Troy.

The welcoming starts with Buddhist chants with hoop drums with Jun Yasuda and Gyotethu Morishita (from Japan). Clare Grady introduces speakers Paul Gagnon, Larry Bring Good, Gyotethu Morishita, and Frida Berrigan, followed by Q&A.

The Walk For a Nuclear Free Future in Ithaca Tues., March 30

Dear Friends,
The Walk For a Nuclear Free Future will be arriving in Ithaca next Tues., March 30. Below you will find the schedule for when the walkers arrive in Ithaca. Also you’ll find the walk itinerary, if any of you are interested in joining the walk. And if any of you are able to help out with food, rides or $ please contact Clare Grady at  claretgrady@yahoo.com or 273-6257

Here’s a link to the opinion piece in the Ithaca Journal several days ago if you would like to know more about the reasons for the walk.

http://www.theithacajournal.com/article/20100323/VIEWPOINTS02/3230303/1129/viewpoints/Walking-the-anti-nuke-walk

Ithaca Schedule
Continue reading The Walk For a Nuclear Free Future in Ithaca Tues., March 30

Margo Ramlal-Nankoe continues the fight for academic freedom

Here is an update letter from Margo:

Dear Supporters and Friends,

I am writing to update you on my Ithaca College tenure case.

For the first time in 11 years, I did not start the Fall semester as a professor in the Sociology Department at Ithaca College. I am deeply saddened by this and I have truly missed the campus and my opportunity to engage students and interact with my peers.

Despite this dramatic absence in my life, I have been busy telling my story, interacting with cherished supporters and collaborating with other professors in similar situations. I am also very happy to announce that I have just accepted a position to teach in the Sociology Department at Hunter College in New York City.

Below, I would like to highlight some of the truly inspirational interactions I have had over the past few months: Continue reading Margo Ramlal-Nankoe continues the fight for academic freedom

Rhetoric and Reality: Masking War Escalation as a Withdrawal Plan

The anti-war movement responds to President Obama’s speech
Statement from the ANSWER Coalition

The U.S. cannot “win” the war in Afghanistan. It was losing the war when Barack Obama took office. In March 2009, President Obama ordered another 30,000 troops. Rather than reverse the outcome, the U.S. and NATO effort lost even more ground. Now President Obama has ordered another 30,000 troops to Afghanistan.

Attempting to deflect growing opposition to the announcement of his dramatic escalation of the war in Afghanistan, President Obama is simultaneously claiming that U.S. troops will start to be withdrawn in July 2011.

The Generals and Admirals, and now the White House, are unwilling to accept responsibility for a military setback. The President knows they cannot win and yet is unwilling to leave. Since no leader is willing to take responsibility, they are instead sending thousands more to their deaths. Continue reading Rhetoric and Reality: Masking War Escalation as a Withdrawal Plan

Father Roy Bourgeois, WSH 414, Cornell

Father Roy Bourgeois from the SOA Watch speaks Thursday September 24th, 1 pm in Willard Straight Hall 414.

Fr Roy Bourgeois has lived in a small apartment next to the main gate of the world’s largest military training base for the past 18 years. His concern is the US Army training of Latinos at Ft Benning, Ga. . SOA Graduates (renamed WHINSEC) are trained in combat arms with a sprinkling of ‘new’ human rights courses. Graduates have gone back to their own countries to commit horrendous crimes against their own people. A blood trail left by graduates of the US Army School of the Americas extends from Central to South America. America tax payers subsidize the horror.

Long before Abu Ghraib, Roy Bourgeois knew well the tactics of teaching torture by the US Military. When Americans began to realize that our claimed moral superiority was a false assumption, Roy Bourgeois and others had long pointed to our history of terror teaching at the US Army School of the Americas. Back in the 1990’s Roy spent a total of over four years in federal prison in his attempt to publicize the crimes of American foreign policy in Latin America.

Long a supporter of human rights, Roy has also taken the struggle of women within his church to a controversial high in American Catholicism. His support for the ordination of women has made him a target of derision by church hierarchy.

See: http://www.soaw.org/ for more details.

Sponsored by the Latin American Studies Program, COLA and CSAS with SAFC funding.

International Day of Peace Observance, DeWitt Park, Ithaca

On Monday, September 21st, folks around the world will take a moment in their day to send out energy for world peace.

I hope you’ll honor this Day in whatever way works in your life.

For something special, I hope that you and your family and friends will come to the downtown DeWitt Park at 6:30 pm for a sing-along with JOHN SIMON and his guitar. At 7:30 Debaura Dahl and Dani Novack Land of Dawes will open a silent vigil with an invocation ceremony in the Native American tradition.

All ages welcome – along with signs, flags, posters, information about your own peace and justice group – and your good will for the world.

Patricia Haines, Level Green

LEVEL GREEN – fostering sustainable community through collaborative initiatives in hospitality, education and the arts, in the 150 year-old democratic spirit of the Danish Folk School. 1519 Slaterville Road, Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 339-9472

911 Truth Informational Meeting, Women’s Community Bldg, Ithaca

911 TRUTH INFORMATIONAL MEETING
WOMEN’S COMMUNITY BLD, ITHACA, NY
(corner of Seneca and Cayuga Sts)

INFORMATION TO BE COVERED:

  • THE RECENT 911 TRUTH CONFERENCE, IN NYC 9/11-9/13.
  • THE NYC 911 BALLOT INITIATIVE: CALLING FOR A NEW 9/11 INVESTIGATION, &
  • THE UPCOMING RALLY/MARCH, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26TH, 1P.M., UNION SQUARE TO CITY HALL, NYC.

Additional info:
NY City Coalition for Accountability Now, (NY CAN), has obtained 80,000 signatures, towards placing a 911 ballot initiative on the November Ballot in NYC. NYC City Hall has accepted these as valid, and will vote on September 30th, whether or not to allow this initiative to be placed on the ballot, allowing NYC residents to vote in favor of a new 911 investigation by an independent, non-governmental body.

People are encouraged to come to this informational meeting to learn more about the reasons this new investigation is being called for.

The meeting is free of charge. Donations accepted to offset rental.
Presenters: Bob Nape and Stephen Calkins

THOM HARTMANN, Emerson Suites, I.C.

Progressive talkshow host and author THOM HARTMANN will be broadcasting his nationally-syndicated radio show before a live audience from IC campus from Noon-3pm in Emerson Suites. He’s a unique talkhost, more teacher, than ranter — heard locally on “progressive talk” 1470am. (Come for any part of it, but tickets required/seating limited. I have some tickets for ICers in my office. Or go here http://1470wnyy.com/pages/4791576.php?contentType=4&contentId=4336379).

FATHER ROY BOURGEOIS, Handwerker Gallery, I.C.

FATHER ROY BOURGEOIS, the Maryknoll priest who founded School of the Americas Watch http://soaw.org/ and has championed human rights in Latin America for decades, will be speaking at I.C.’s Handwerker Gallery 10:50am to Noon. He’s a legendary social activist. His remarks will include discussion of the recent military coup in Honduras, led by an SOA grad. http://www.ithaca.edu/intercom/article.php/20090916051913121
Sponsored by Park Center for Independent Media, 607-274-1330
directions and parking

Kenny Ritter Presente!

Kenny’s Luminary News on public access tv in Ithaca showed the way. We could build on his legacy by re-forming Indy Media. –Cris

Peter Meiers sent the following:

Hi folks: (apologies for cross-posting)
Am sending this to some of the activist lists that both Kenny Ritter, Linda Holzbaur (his wife) are a part of, thinking that there would be a fair amount of people on these lists that might not otherwise have heard…… I am incredibly sad to say that yesterday morning, (Saturday) Kenny passed away at the hospital. Below are the details that Linda just posted to Facebook of services on Tuesday……

Kenny was a great friend. I met him when he convinced me to run for Sheriff back in 2002. He then became my campaign manager, and he helped to inspire me personally to get as involved as I have in community organizing……When Kenny became sick with Multiple System Atrophy we went to over 75 minor league baseball games ‘tween 2003 and 2006. Truly a great guy and an inspiration to myself and many in the larger community.
In loving solidarity
Pete
(from Linda Holzbaur) Kenny Ritter, 57, died 9/5/09 from complications of Multiple System Atrophy. His children Grace (Josh Dolan), Nat (Kim Wheelock), Anna, Eleanor, granddaughters Vienna, Leona and wife Linda Holzbaur live in Ithaca. Burial will be at Greensprings Natural Cemetery, Newfield at 11:00 Tuesday 9/8/09. A memorial and dish-to-pass will follow at 2:00 at the Ithaca Farmers’ Market, Steamboat Landing.

Ithacan returns from Cuba with Venceremos Brigade

Never let it be said that our alternative media and new modes of communication like blogs, Facebook and Twitter will ever replace the role of the conventional daily paper. It came as a complete surprise that I read in this morning’s Ithaca Journal that Emiliano Acevedo, a recent Ithaca College graduate, just returned with the Venceremos Brigade.

The article Ithacan joins Cuba protest trip, states:

The 23-year-old now hopes to inspire more Ithacans to join him for next year’s trip, and he is planning to start a Cuba solidarity group here.

Please go to the Ithaca Journal website NOW to comment on the story. This kind of opportunity doesn’t happen everyday.

I do hope he does stay around and help build the new momentum locally for increased understanding and bridges between the peoples of the US and Cuba, an end to the US trade, econmonic, and cultural blockade of Cuba, full freedom to travel, and re-nomalization of relations between our two countries. We have mostly focused on Pastors for Peace Caravans, which are also a travel challenge. Having met the brigadistas two years ago and interviewing some of them for a video (which I really should post on this site) I can see that the Venceremos Brigade has a great appeal for young people, and it really deserves more of our attention and support.

I think it would be great to host an event in September with both Dan Burgevin and Emiliano Acevedo as featured participants. Can we couple this with something cultural?

Continue reading Ithacan returns from Cuba with Venceremos Brigade

Dan Burgevin, back from Cuba with Pastors for Peace

I am back from my third trip with pastors for peace to our neighbor Cuba. Every time I have gone, the place and people there get a little deeper into my consciousness. We visit new facilities or see a different service that the revolution has provided for the people and I’m further convinced about how much we have to learn from Cuba about living together peacefully. Too, I’m further convinced about how fearful our government must be about having a different system of living together as a fair and equitable society right under our noses being revealed to ordinary US citizens. Why else would we be trying (since 1959) to be undermining, trying to assassinate, poison and bomb Cuba’s citizens and leadership? Why else would we be trying to undermine its economy and deny its people medicine and food for its children? Why else would 11 different US administrations punish Cuba just for having the right of self determination? I’ll tell you why —fear. Continue reading Dan Burgevin, back from Cuba with Pastors for Peace

Ithaca Veterans Peace Council – Organizing Meeting, Autumn Leaves on the Ithaca Commons – 2nd Fl. Office

Location: Autumn Leaves on the Ithaca Commons – 2nd Fl. Office

Membership discussion, upcoming events: a veterans’ vigil (see Louie), veterans’ writing group (Post Traumatic Press), film presentations on D-U poisoning and Agent Orange – effects on children, civilians and our soldiers, fundraisers for Michael Blake’s project and for ‘Teach In Vietnam’… and more…

Event Sponsors: Veterans For Peace, VVAW, Military Families Speak Out and IVAW – The Ithaca Veterans’ Peace Council

Video from Green Fest 2009


download
New York Green Fest 2009, Aug. 7-9, Alfred, NY. Forum on Sustainable Energy, Part 1: Musical welcoming by the Lucky Pluckers and introduction to the solar stage. Continue reading Video from Green Fest 2009

Contagious Love Experiment: Josh Stieber at Grassroots


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Read more of Josh’s experiences and thoughts in Ithaca, Trumansburg, and beyond on contagiousloveexperiment.wordpress.com.
In mid-July of 2009, Peace Now Ithaca, a local group in the Fingerlakes rgion of upstate New York that had organized a successful campaign to designate Ithaca a Sanctuary City for war resisters, received word that 21-year old Iraq veteran and conscientious objector, Josh Sieber, was on a trek across the nation and wanted to come to Ithaca. With the help and cooperation of the Ithaca and Perry City Friends Meetings, the Social Justice Council of the Ithaca Unitarian Church, the Finger Lakes Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance and annual Peace Forum, we organized a potluck dinner to meet Josh, a local Peace Walk with him, and arranged for his participation at the festival.

Joining Josh on the walk were Plowshares and Catholic Workeractivist Ellen Grady, her daughter Saoirse, Peace Now Ithaca activistBob Nape, and videographer Cris McConkey. At the festival, Josh met up with former medic and conscientious objector Michael Blake.

The peace forum is an annual eventat the Fingerlakes Grassroots Festival of Music & Dance. It was started by Jolene Uticone, a widely known and loved youth worker. This video starts with the peace walk and ends with Josh’s address in the Dance Tent, where he was invited to speak by the traditional Irish band the Grumblin Rustics.

To sum up Josh’s message in one sentence: We need to live out of trust and out of love… …and not out of fear.

Police Brutality vs Cornell Queers

On the night of May 30th of this year, we found ourselves stuck in the middle of a police riot against the crowd of queer & trans folks in Chicago, which has left us now in a very sensitive situation. In short, while in Chicago for a queer & trans activist convergence, we were part of an approximately 100 queer and trans folk-crowd walking in Boystown, or, the ‘gay nightclub district.’ Police showed up, and without rhyme, reason, or warning, hit people in the crowd with patrol cars. More cops ran into the crowd and grabbed queers, seemingly at random, and proceeded to beat them with batons and extendable asps. What followed can only be described as bedlam and a bloody evening.

Dear Cornell students, staff, faculty, and alumni bisexies, transfolks, two spirits, queers, genderqueers, lesbians, gays, anomolies, friends, family, allies, and distant relatives, etc.,

We hope this letter finds you all well, but unfortunately it does not contain the best of news. This is a follow up to the update sent out a month ago about Cornell queers who were bashed by the police in Chicago. Continue reading Police Brutality vs Cornell Queers

Radio interview w/ Josh Stieber WHCU 870 8:15 am Saturday

Josh Stieber, the Iraq vet turned conscientious objector who is on a walking across the nation on a pilgrimage he has dubbed “contagious love experiment”, will be interviewed live on WHCU 780 am at about 8:15 am during Saturday morning’s peace walk from Jacksonville to T-burg. The interview should be available as a podcast soon after 10 am.

Iraq Vet turned conscientious objector Josh Stieber, Ithaca & Trumansburg


21-year-old Josh Stieber, an Iraq vet turned conscientious objector, was deployed to Baghdad as part of the Surge from Feb 07 to Apr 08. He’ll be in Ithaca on Friday and in Trumansburg on Saturday as he travels across the country, sharing his experiences and learning everything he can. Check out his blog at Contagious Love Experiment.

  • Potluck
    dinner/talk
    Friday, July
    17, 6:30
    pm, Ithaca Unitarian Church Parlor (306 N. Aurora St., Ithaca)
  • Peace
    Walk
    , 7:30 am,
    Hector Meeting
    House, 5066 Perry City Road to Trumansburg Fair Grounds (3.6 miles).
    Simple Prayer Breakfast at 7:00 am in the pavilion on the grounds of
    the meeting house. We will have a sag wagon and can shuttle walkers
    back to their cars after the walk.  Directions from Ithaca:
    Turn
    left off Rte 96 onto Jacksonville Road in Jacksonville.  Right
    on
    Perry City Road by cemetery. PLEASE
    PARK ON THE SAME SIDE
    AS THE MEETING HOUSE
    with
    the driver’s side wheels off the
    pavement. This is very important so as not to constrict the road way
    and create a traffic hazzard, and to avoid ticketing and problems for
    our hosts, the Ithaca Friends Meeting.
  • Josh
    will be at the Grassroots Festival

    all day Saturday, starting with Common Ground for Peace forum, 9:30 am,
    Cabaret Hall.  At 3 p.m.,  he will also be introduced
    by
    Grumblic Rustic  in the Dance  Tent.

For more info, contact Bob Nape or Cris McConkey 607/387-93830.

Spec. Trevor Loope is Free! Army Drops Court Martial

Immediate Release: Saturday, July 11 at 12 Noon

Specialist Trevor Loope, 24, of Austin,. TX who faced a year in prison and a Bad Conduct discharge at Special Court Martial for AWOL was discharged administratively by order of Ft Drum’s Commander, Gen. Michael Oates on Friday, July 10th.

Because Loope possessed an Honorable Discharge from an earlier Army tour, he will be eligible for GI Bill benefits as well as treatment at VA medical facilities.

Loope had left Ft Drum in 2007 when he was unable to obtain mental health treatment for his Afghan-war-related injuries. With the support of Citizen Soldier, a national GI and veterans rights advocacy group based in New York City, Loope had surrendered to Ithaca’s Common Council on December 3, 2008. He relied on a resolution which the council had adopted in October, 2008 which offered “sanctuary” in Ithaca to war resisters. Although council members offered Trevor support, they didn’t provide sanctuary.

After surrendering at Ft Drum,.Trevor spent the next seven months serving in administrative jobs in his old unit. He had provided Ft Drum therapists with an extensive psychiatric diagnosis which documented that he suffered from both severe Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and a Major Depression.

His civilian psychologist, Dr. David Ogren travelled from Houston TX to testify at an Army “sanity board” which met to determine Trevor’s mental state on June 18th at Ft Drum. Although that board has still not published its recommendations, General Oates approved an administrative discharer in lieu of court-martial.

Tod Ensign, Esq.,and Director of Citizen Soldier commented; “The Army has finally done the right thing by separating Trevor without court martial, but they have done this six months ago. For some reason, they wanted this injured soldier to ‘twist in the wind’ for a while, probably in hopes of deterring other ailing soldiers who might go AWOL in search of treatment.” Ensign added: “Trevor’s release is a victory that resulted from the broad support his case generated in Ithaca and across the country. However, we can’t forget that there are thousands of other soldiers like Trevor who are denied mental health care every day.”

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