CONTENTS:
PHILLY  & Area ACTION:

Philly & NY Grannies for Peace Schedule: Jun 26-28th
        RITTENHOUSE SQUARE- 18TH AND WALNUT
        Breakfast talk at the White Dog Cafe from 8 to 9:30 AM on June 27th
        ** The Philly Grannies Are signing Up at the Military Recruitment Center** Noon, the 28th
ON THE GROUND IN IRAQ: the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth
Bread & Roses community fund / Tribute to Change/ Celebrating the Movement for Media Diversity
 Folk Factory People's Choice Concert
Benefit Tango Performance (from NY)
 NIM is Moving
 FILM  "OCCUPATION DREAMLAND"
'DON'T SPY ON ME' Campaign and ACLU FOIA  [Freedom of Information Act]
DECLARATION OF PEACE pledge online
Free Grant Writing Workshop
Building the Next Generation of Political Leaders
Everything you wanted to know about SPIN farming
Help Cut Mercury Pollution in PA
EVENTS OCCURING EVERY WEEK:
------------------ 
NATIONAL ACTION
Call for Congressional Debate on Iraq! An open debate on Iraq is OVERDUE! Sign H.Res.543
Call Congress, save the Internet...(888) 355-3588 (toll-free)
 WILPF SUGGESTIONS AND MEMBER ACTION ON IRAN
------------------------
EMPLOYMENT:
Democracy Now! has two immediate job openings
--------------------
COMMENTARY:
* Is Philadelphia bluffing on Public Access?- Comcast gets it's way!
* Green Fuel's Dirty Secret  by Sasha Lilley
*  Liberators as Murderers, The Way Americans Like Their War By ROBERT FISK
*  Evo Morales Launches Bolivia Land Reform & hands over land titles By James Read BBC News
* "No Good Science Goes Unpunished" - Environmental Journalist David Helvarg
* Activists, Celebs Stage Encampment For South Central Farm *
* British Antiwar Activist Salma Yaqoub on Iraq, Muslim Discrimination and Being the First Hijab-Wearing Woman
Elected to City Council in Birmingham

==================
PHILLY  & Area ACTION

Philly & NY Grannies for Peace Schedule:

* OUT OF IRAQ NOW!  **GRANDMOTHERS, GRANDFATHERS, AUNTS, UNCLES, FRIENDS*
                ALL OF YOU WHO ARE AGAINST THE IRAQ WAR-  We Really Need You!

                        THURSDAY, JUNE 8TH- NOON TO 1:30 PM
                        RITTENHOUSE SQUARE- 18TH AND WALNUT

Wear your sunbonnets //and join us to be a noontime peace presence on  the Square, to distribute informational flyers on Iraq and the HUMAN  cost of this
evil war for us, for future generation & for the Iraqi people. Get petitions signed for a Philadelphis City Council  Resolution that urges:  - OUT OF IRAQ NOW!
       
        Contact: PHILADELPHIA GRANDMOTHERS FOR PEACE 215-981-0693  545-4486  ZONNIE2@MSN.COM
Co-Sponsors:  Women's International League for Peace & Freedom (WILPF), Peace Action, United for Peace and Justice
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* The NY Grannies will be coming (on their trip from NYC to Washington DC) through Philadelphia June 26-29.

         - Breakfast talk at the White Dog Cafe from 8 to 9:30 AM on June 27th
(reservations recommended ) 215-386-9224-        $15/person,
                and includes a hot breakfast of either organic free-range eggs or pancakes, orange juice, coffee, and muffins.

 -  An evening talk with guest speakers at the AFSC building in the Rufus Jones Room the evening of June 27th,  7- 9PM. 
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** The Philly Grannies Are signing Up at the Military Recruitment Center **

 North Broad Street (Broad and Cherry), east side of Broad & Cherry,  across from the Phila. Academy of Fine Arts,
         Noon on Wednesday, June 28th.  - NY Grannies will be present with other F/friends and the media.

The NY Grannies will overnight the evening of June 28th and leave the next morning.  They will get an award from Princeton, NJ on Friday, June 30th.  They also plan a stopover in Baltimore.  They plan to arrive in Washington DC by July 4th to take part in demos there.

We have been collecting offers of overnight space.  If you would like to provide a bed for a Grannie, let Nina know.
 Dates are the nights of June 26, 27, and 28th.    Contact Nina at:  215-528-6130  or ninahuizinga@yahoo.com
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ON THE GROUND IN IRAQ: the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth

        Thursday, June 8th 7 PM - 10 PM
        Arts Bank, 601 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA- $15 per ticket
Get beyond the media hype with images and stories that the news doesn't
dare show you. Get the unvarnished story from filmmakers, soldiers, and
bloggers who have witnessed and engaged in the struggle, including Colby
Buzzell, author of My War: Killing Time in Iraq and activist Yasmine
El-Shamayleh. The film Voices of Iraq will also be screened. Peter Lems,
AFSC National Representative for Iraq will lead the discussion.
Sponsored by The Middle East Center at The University of Pennsylvania
        Visit http://cbftw.blogspot.com and www.voicesofiraq.com for info.
First Person Arts produces the FIRST PERSON FESTIVAL, the only known
festival of memoir and documentary art. In its first four years, the
Festival has showcased the work of more than 200 artists nationwide.
Contact Us! 267/402-2055 info@firstpersonarts.org www.firstpersonarts.org
____________________________________________________________________


Bread & Roses community fund / Tribute to Change/ Celebrating the Movement for Media Diversity

        Thursday, June 8, 2006, 6-9pm
        Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut Street
Honoring The Philadelphia Community Access Coalition www.phillyaccess.org and Mattie Humphrey.
Featuring a performance by Toshi Reagon & Bernice Johnson Reagon  www.toshireagon.com www.bjreagon.com

The evening will be hosted by Lorene Cary and will include a lively media justice awards ceremony, a celebration of outgoing Executive Director Christie Balka, grantee information tables and a reception with light food.
        To purchase tickets, http://www.breadrosesfund.org/sponsor06.html
 Low-income, scholarship, and volunteer exchange tickets available.
 For more information go to http://www.breadrosesfund.org/tribute05.html or contact jennie@breadrosesfund.org
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Friday, June 9 ,  8:00 p.m.   Folk Factory People's Choice Concert
Unitarian Church, 6900 Stenton Ave., Philadelphia, PA
For info, see www.folkfactory.org or call 215-848-6246.
_________________________________________


Saturday June 10 - Benefit Tango Performance
3 to 4pm
Kensington United Methodist (Old Brick) Church
Corner of Marlborough and Richmond Streets,  Philadelphia, PA

This is a link to for more info- http://phillytango.com/20060610.html
(Just off I-95 on the Delaware River side of Girard Avenue) Doors open at 2:30 pm
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 NIM is Moving

     NIM (now named Neighborhood Interfaith Movement) will celebrate their move onto Germantown Avenue and a redefinition of its mission to help *all congregations *create a more just and sensitive world. Bob Edgar of National Council of Churches will  speak, Singing City will sing, then we parade to our new home at 7047 GTN Ave. (where Dignity Housing was, across from the old Mt.Airy PO).
        JUNE 11 at 4 pm
        Lutheran Theological Seminary, 7301 Gtn Ave . Follow signs to NIM Celebration. Info: gayjohnson@verizon.net
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Brandywine Peace Community Monthly Potluck Supper/Program*  at University Lutheran Church, 3637 Chestnut St., Phila., PA
(bring main dish, salad, or dessert to share)  Potluck Supper - 4:30PM    Program  - 5:30PM

- JUNE 11 -  SHOWING OF THE ACCLAIMED FILM  "OCCUPATION DREAMLAND"
       
"OCCUPATION DREAMLAND", 78 mins., is an unflinchingly candid
look into a squad of American soldiers deployed to war ravaged city
of Falluja during the winter of 2004.  The film chronicles the daily life
of young soldiers on patrol in an environment  of violence creeping
steadily towards catastrophe.  Filmmakers Garrett Scott and Ian
Olds were given unrestricted access to operations of the Army's
82nd Airborne division as the  Iraqi city's waning stability gives way
to the final Marine assaults of 2004

- June 14 - Noon, National Constitution Center, 5th & Market Sts.,
Phila.,PA Launch of Phila. 'DON'T SPY ON ME' Campaign and
ACLU FOIA  [Freedom of Information Act]
filing for a wide range
Phila. Area Peace & Justice groups demanding of various
government intelligence agencies files on surveillance of area anti-war groups and efforts. 
        Before the National Constitution Center, we will speak to the
violations of constitutional rights and the assualt on civil liberties
done in thename of the "war on terror".  People will then walk to the
Phila.FederalBuilding for the FOIA filing. For more information: 610-544-1818


- THE DECLARATION OF PEACE is a new campaign that pledges to
turn the anti-war majority in the country toward a focused campaign
of active nonviolent opposition to the Iraq war.

THE DECLARATION OF PEACE is a pledge to take peaceful steps
for the immediate withdrawal of US troops and to engage in
nonviolent action protest if a plan to end the war is not established
and begun by September 21, 2006 -- International Peace Day --
days before Congress adjourns for the election recess.

Right now you can sign the DECLARATION OF PEACE pledge online, visit the DECLARATION OF PEACE:
http://declarationofpeace.org/
        Here in the greater Philadelphia area, we ask you not only to sign up online at the above site, but also to visit the BRANDYWINE PEACE COMMUNITY website, www.brandywinepeace.com, to fill out and  return the pledge - either by e-mail at brandywine@juno.com or by  regular mail - to: Brandywine Peace Community, P.O. Box 81, Swarthmore, PA 19081.
                        - DECLARATION OF PEACE flyers, info & pledges are available 610-544-1818.
_______________________________________________________________

Saturday, June 17 ,   9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.   Free Grant Writing Workshop
Calvary Center for Community & Culture, 801 S. 48th St., Philadelphia, PA For info, call 215-823-5288.
_______________________________________________________


Building the Next Generation of Political Leaders

The Center for Progressive Leadership is actively recruiting highly motivated leaders from a variety of backgrounds throughout Pennsylvania who will be ready within the next 3-10 years to:
 
Run for office – from local level to state or federal office- Run an organization – political, issue, or community group
Run a campaign – political, advocacy, or neighborhood effort
        Applications open May 1.
                ·  Southeastern, Pa: June 24th and 25th (Application deadline: Friday, June 16)
                ·  Southwestern, Pa: July 8th and 9th (Application deadline: Monday, July 3)
To apply go to http://www.progressleaders.org/states/pennsylvania.htm

Fareeda Mabry, PA Recruitment Director, (215)923-5165  Fareeda@progressleaders.org, www.progressleaders.org
____________________________________________________________________________


Everything you wanted to know about SPIN farming
..... I'd love to see some of those vacant lots we drove by yesterday growing fruit & veggies....

        Monday, 7/24/06, 10am-2pm
        Urban Farming SPIN Style, PASA Field Day, Pennsylvania Association of Sustainable Agriculture
        Somerton Tanks, Philadelphia PA Cost: $15 PASA and PA WAg'N members, $25 non-members- Lunch will be provided.
Participants of this field day will see SPIN (S-mall P-lot IN-tensive) Farming in action at Somerton Tanks Farm, a half-acre prototype urban vegetable farm located on Philadelphia Water Department land. Participants will tour the farm and learn about SPIN's agricultural and financial breakthroughs, about how it's enticing a new breed of farmer and inspiring conventional farmers to rethink their own operations. They will see how SPIN can be used to create new farmland closer to metropolitan areas, and how it can re-establish a viable role for independent farmers in the U.S. food production system.
        Roxanne Christensen, co-founder and President of the Institute for Innovations in Local Farming, operates Somerton Tanks Farm, in partnership with the Philadelphia Water Department. Ms. Christensen contends that the separation of country and city is a bankrupt concept. "As development erodes the rural way of life, agriculture is creeping closer and closer to metropolitan areas. SPIN-FARMING (TM) leverages this trend in a positive way - by capitalizing on limited resources and space. 
 Register online at www.pasafarming.org or call 814-349-9856 ext. #7.
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Help Cut Mercury Pollution in PA

Between now and July 4th, lobbyists for the electric utility and mining companies will be working around the clock to block Gov. Rendell's plan to cut toxic mercury pollution from Pennsylvania's coal-fired power plants. 
        In order to counter these special interest lobbyists, we are asking concerned citizens to submit letters to their local newspapers to convince our politicians that every-day people like you and me want less mercury pollution in our environment.
        You can help us today by writing a letter to the editor to your local newspaper in support of Gov. Rendell's plan and the strongest possible mercury reductions. Then ask your family and friends to help by forwarding this e-mail to them.
To take action, click on the link below or paste it into your web browser:
http://www.pennenvironment.org/PE.asp?id=198&id4=ES
__________________________________________________________

EVENTS OCCURING EVERY WEEK:

Thursdays

10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.   Talk Radio Program with Sandra Dungee Glenn (Member, School Reform
Commission)   On WURD 900 AM--call in number is 215-426-1310.

6:00-8:00 p.m.   Workshop: "Build Your Own Computer"
Nonprofit Technology Resources, 1524 Brandywine St., Philadelphia, Pa
$25 per session   To register, call 215-564-6686.

7:00-9:00 p.m.   International Concerned Friends & Family of Mumia Weekly Meeting
4601 Market St., 5th floor, Philadelphia, PA
For info, call 215-476-5416.

Fridays

4:30 p.m.   Anti-war leafleting and picket
Market & 11th Sts., Philadelphia, PA   For info, email pawf@critpath.org

5:00 p.m.   Vigil--Women in Black
Swarthmore Train Station, Park Ave. & Chester Rd., Swarthmore, PA   For info, email wibswarthmore@hotmail.com.

Saturdays

10:00 a.m. to noon
"Talking Union" weekly call-in radio show, 1340 AM

noon-1:00 p.m.   Peace Vigil
Rte. 38 & Cherry Hill Mall Dr., Cherry Hill, NJ   For info, email greatercamdenunitycoalition@yahoo.com

1:00-2:00 p.m.   Protest at Ferber Furs
1708 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA   For info, email phillyar@yahoogroups.com.

Mondays

5:00-7:00 p.m.   Radio Show: "Labor to Neighbor" with hosts Janet Ryder, Pat Eiding &
Pete Matthews   900 AM WURD--215-634-8065.

Tuesdays

7:00 p.m.   Weekly ANSWER Meeting
Calvary Church (basement office), 48th & Baltimore Ave., Phila, PA
Call 215-724-1618 or email philANSWER@action-mail.org for info.

7:00-9:00 p.m.   Organizing Meeting   Toviah Thrift Shop
Chestnut St. (between 42nd & 43rd)
Call (215) 382-7251 or (215) 474-6459 box 1 for more info
Sponsored by Neighbors Against McPenntrification

7:30 p.m.   Books Through Bars Packing Cafe
The A Space, 4722 Baltimore Ave., Philadelphia, PA
Help pack books to send to prisoners.   Email info@booksthroughbars.org

Wednesdays

4:30-5:30 p.m.   Peace Vigil   Federal Building, 601 Market St., Philadelphia, PA
Sponsored by House of Grace Catholic Worker   For info, email brandywine@juno.com .

5:00 p.m.   Vigil for Peace   Outside Unitarian Society of Germantown, 6511 Lincoln Dr., Philadelphia, PA
For info, see www.northwestpeacecoalition.org.

6:00 p.m.   Movement Class taught by Sophia Hoffer-Perkins
A-space, 4722 Baltimore Ave., Philadelphia, PA
Sliding scale donations   For info, call 215-727-0882.

7:00 p.m.   Peace Vigil   Germantown Ave. & Bethlehem Pike, Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, PA
For info, see www.northwestpeacecoalition.org.

7:30 p.m.   International People’s Democratic Uhuru Movement Weekly Meeting
Uhuru House, 1021 S. 49th St., Philadelphia, Pa   For info, see www.inpdum.org.

===============

NATIONAL ACTION

MESSAGE: Call for Congressional Debate on Iraq! An open debate on Iraq is OVERDUE! Sign H.Res.543


CONGRESSMAN, PLEASE TAKE AN ACTIVE & VOCAL ROLE. URGE YOUR COLLEAGUES TO JOIN YOU!
Call your Congressional Representative at (888) 355-3588 (toll-free)

Here are lists of those who have and have not signed: http://www.openiraqdebate.com/inner/roll-call.html

Message for NON-signers and/or Signers of H.Res. 543:
As your constituent, I ask (or thank) you to sign onto H.Res. 543, a "discharge petition" that calls for open and honest debate on Iraq and consideration of ALL alternatives to the policy of open-ended occupation of Iraq. I will not be satisfied with a limited debate that prohibits the introduction of real alternatives to the President's failed policy in Iraq. It is time to show strong leadership to bring peace in the region.
        The pressure we are applying is already having an impact. There have been news reports that some members of Congress, hoping to dodge a real discussion about Iraq, will offer a tightly-controlled debate framed by supporters of the war. This alternative is clearly an election-year effort, rather than a serious commitment to address the failed policy and the need to bring all the troops home now. This alternative won't allow members who oppose the war to offer plans to bring the occupation to an end.
        Tell your Congressmember that you demand a debate with an "open rule," meaning that any proposals to bring the trooops home can be introduced, debated and voted on. The surest route to that debate is for them to sign the discharge petition and ask their colleagues to do the same.
- UNITED FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE  www.unitedforpeace.org | 212-868-5545  To subscribe, visit www.unitedforpeace.org/email
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Call Congress, save the Internet...(888) 355-3588 (toll-free)

This week, the full House of Representatives decides whether or not to protect Internet freedom.
Can you call your Rep. right away to urge support for Net Neutrality?

Some tips when calling:
1) If the staffer is making a tally of constituent calls, make sure they have a category specifically for "Vote no on the COPE telecom law if it doesn't protect Net Neutrality." Otherwise, your representative may get a diluted message and miss the point.

2) If they ask for more details, you can urge your representative to support the bipartisan Sensenbrenner-Conyers Net Neutrality amendment (HR 5417) which passed the House Judiciary Committee two weeks ago with a powerful 20-13 bipartisan majority. And if that amendment fails, they should vote against the entire bill.
                         - Eli Pariser, MoveOn.org Civic Action [mailto:moveon-help@list.moveon.org]
______________________________________________________________________________


 WILPF SUGGESTIONS AND MEMBER ACTION ON IRAN

Read the accompanying joint WCUSP-DISARM statement on Iran.  The statement reflects issues we are already working on in U.S. WILPF and is being sent to U.S. officials, Congress and the media.  We hope some of you will choose to
·       Join the WCUSP Leadership Team to work on Iran issues within the Middle East Campaign context,
·       or join the DISARM Leadership Team to work on Iran issues within the nuclear weapons and disarmament framework.
·       Check out the Iran issue resources on the DISARM UPDATE website at www.disarm.wilpf.org.  The Focus Issue for May and June is Iran and India: nuclear weapons and nuclear power. (access from there the RCW resources!)
·       Communicate with relevant Administration officials, your Representative and Senators, your local newspaper, etc. re Iran issues raised in this statement or on Reaching Critical Will (see below).  Use the new legislative toolkit on www.wilpf.org for addresses and to send emails or write letters.

All of us can use the Iran Action Pack and the excellent resources furnished to us by WILPF’s Reaching Critical Will at the WILPF UN office in New York.  Here is an excerpt from the Iran Action Pack:

        There Is No Military Solution To the Iranian Nuclear Situation
        But there is a lot each one of us can do to build momentum for a peaceful solution:
Educate yourself—use this information packet, gather and use the resources listed here, follow the news, and analyze the news you read.
Educate others—request additional information packets to distribute, copy this packet, organize a public program using the suggested speakers (list included), write letters to your local paper (sample included).
Speak up loud and clear—raise the urgent need for a peaceful solution (suggested solutions included) at every opportunity and public forum on the Middle East, war and peace events, and especially at rallies and programs calling for an end to the War against Iraq. We need to add the call for a peaceful resolution to the Iran crisis to all anti-war mobilizations.
Pressure your elected representatives—peace movements around the world must build momentum for a peaceful solution to this crisis if we are to avert another war. Tell your elected officials to contact their foreign ministry or state department and request better diplomatic efforts and a stop to all talk of military action. Ask them if they will introduce a resolution or letter from colleagues instructing the foreign ministry to pursue every diplomatic channel available.
Write to your United Nations Mission calling on your ambassador to stop escalating the situation. Ask them to work for a ban on fissile material production in the Mid-East.

You will find the complete Iran Action Pack with model letters and resources on Reaching Critical Will at www.reachingcriticalwill.org .  On the home page click on Iran Action Pack in the right hand column under What’s New: Security Council Considering Iran Nuclear Program.  From there you can also reach extensive background information by clicking on Nuclear Iran?
=============


EMPLOYMENT - Democracy Now! has two immediate job openings:

*Web Store Manager*
Democracy Now!, a non-commercial, national, daily, grassroots, global
radio/TV/Internet news-hour based out of New York City, is hiring a
full-time Web Store Manager to oversee all aspects of sales from our web
store, including customer service, merchandise management, and
promotion/marketing of Democracy Now! gifts/products.
REQUIREMENTS:
Candidates must be detail oriented with prior experience and a high level of
skill in the following areas: database management, writing promotional
materials, marketing, graphic and web design. Excellent organizational and
managerial skills necessary. Familiarity with Democracy Now's work extremely
important. Women and people of color strongly encouraged to apply.

*TV Graphics Designer Wanted*
Democracy Now!, a non-commercial, national, daily newshour based out of New
York City, is looking for an upbeat, motivated, and energetic Freelance TV
Graphic Artist. The qualified candidate will work under the direction of the
program's producers to create stills and animated graphic images for our broadcasts.
REQUIREMENTS:
The qualified candidate must be a detail oriented individual with ability to
handle tight deadlines, work well under pressure and prioritize multiple
projects. At least two years experience and demonstrated proficiency on
PhotoShop; AfterEffects experience a plus; Strong Design skills and
knowledge of video production and principles; Must be able to work early
morning shifts. Familiarity with Democracy Now!'s content preferred.
Women and people of color strongly encouraged to apply.

- Send Resumes to job@democracynow.org. Positions starting immediately. Salary based on experience.