CONTENTS:
PHILLY & PA ACTION:
* GRANNY PEACE BRIGADE PHILADELPHIA Events:
September 14, 2006: Grannies and friends pack City Council
Hearing Room
September 17, 2006: Grannies support the ACLU Demo for our
Constitutional rights
September 21, 2006: Grannies and friends again pack City Council
Brandywine
Declaration of Peace Action at Christ
Church
September 26, 2006: Cindy Sheehan speaks at Philadelphia Free
Library (Logan Circle)
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Film: Camden 28 at International House
Conference on Iraq at University of Pennsylvania
Urge Mayor Street to sign smokefree law
Grandparents (Bubbies & Zaydes) for Peace in the Middle East
Film: THE GROUND TRUTH- community screening
Community conference on PA's capital punishment and criminal justice
systems
CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE: Children and Violence in Philadelphia.
SIX ACTORS IN SEARCH OF A PLOT:
Constitution Day Peace Event at Senator Specter's home
Philadelphians Against Santorum Town Hall meeting with Bob Casey
Invitation to JVP Tashlich Ceremony
RALLY IN HARRISBURG TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, TO DEMAND STRICTER GUN LAWS
VOICES FROM THE MIDDLE EAST
BARACK OBAMA at Free Library of Philadelphia
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NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL ACTION
The Day That Changed Everything Wasn't 9/11
Feminist Action Guide To Challenging U.S. Policy
DECLARATION OF PEACE NATIONAL CALL-IN to CONGRESS* DAYS
Stirring the Pot -- Women's Voices Matter!
Before you Enlist
[TAKE ACTION] How Did your Senator Vote on Cluster Bombs?
[WCUSP]: KEEP SPACE FOR PEACE WEEK LOCAL ACTIONS
-----------------
COMMENTARY:
* GOP secretly channeled millions to Lieberman
* Vatican attacks Christian Zionism, Matthew Tostevin(and more)
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PHILLY ACTION:
GRANNY PEACE BRIGADE PHILADELPHIA Events:
http://grannypeacebrigadephiladelphia.democracyguard.org
September 14, 2006: Grannies and friends
pack City Council Hearing Room, City Hall Room 400 (4th Floor)
from 10 AM on. City Council will vote on whether to place a
referendum on the ballot in November. The referendum says: Bring
the troops home from Iraq. Wear your "We will not be silent"
T-shirts and your "Granny Peace Brigade" buttons. Bring "Bring
the troops home" signs.
September 17, 2006: Grannies support the
ACLU Demo for our Constitutional rights (rapidly being eroded) on
Constitution Day at Independence Mall, 5th and Arch Street from
2:30 PM. James Dean (of Nixon Watergate fame) will speak. Reading
of Poetry written by Guantanamo Bay detainees read by actor Vaneik
Echeverria, co-star of InterAct Theatre Company’s upcoming production
of Kiss of the Spider Woman. *** Grannies will do a "Recite the first
amendment" action. ***
September 21, 2006: Grannies and friends
again pack City Council Room 400 at City Hall for vote on referendum,
starting 10 AM. Wear your T-shirts and your buttons. Bring
your signs.
September 21, 2006: Brandywine Declaration
of Peace Action at Christ Church,
2nd and Market St. and September 25th at Old First Reformed Church, 4th
and Race St.
September 26, 2006: Grannies pass out
flyers before Cindy Sheehan speaks at Philadelphia Free Library
(Logan Circle). Leaflet 11:00 to 11:30 AM, Cindy talk,
starting at Noon.
September 20, 2006: Film: Camden 28 at
International House (37th and Chestnut Street)
September 19, 20, 21: Conference on Iraq at
University of Pennsylvania, Huntsman Hall, Room F85.
Details at their web site: http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/fsawi/teachin
_____________________________________________________________________
Urge Mayor Street to sign smokefree law/ A
Smoke-free Philly No ifs, ands, or butts
Philadelphia Mayor John Street has only several days left to sign or
veto the smokefree workplace ordinance. Please send a letter to
Mayor Street at www.smokefree.net/Philly urging him to sign the
ordinance. Street says he opposes the law's failure to include outdoor
cafes By Jarad Miller
The Daily Pennsylvanian
http://www.dailypennsylvanian.com/media/storage/paper882/news/2006/09/08/News/HardFought.Smoking.Ban.Bill.May.Get.Veto.Mayor.Threatens-2262904.shtml?norewrite200609111509&sourcedomain=www.dailypennsylvanian.com
A Philadelphia smoking ban - long discussed and passed by City
Council this summer - may have again hit a snag. Mayor John
Street has recently voiced concern about the bill and says he is
considering vetoing the legislation by Thursday's deadline. His main
complaint is that the ban does not extend to outdoor cafes, though some
attribute his failure to sign this and previous legislation on the
issue to personal differences between himself and former Councilman
Michael Nutter, a proponent of smoking-ban legislation who is currently
running for mayor.
___________________________________
Grandparents (Bubbies & Zaydes) for Peace in
the Middle East
Fridays @ Noon on S. 15th
Street above Locust
The past week has been filled with disturbing
news! (1) defeat of the
Feinstein-Leahy bill that would have prevented the sale of cluster
bombes by
US; (2) 700 new permits issued for expansion of West Bank Settlements;
(3)
denial of renewal of visas for American Palestinians currently living in
West Bank; (More about all of these issues below!)
Our presence on S. 15th Street is more
important than ever. Lively
conversations are now the norm. There are many folks who stop to
share
their appreciation for our presence and our message.
________________________________________________________
Film: THE GROUND TRUTH- (community screening)
Sunday, September 17 at 8:30
PM
Philadelphia PA Christ
Church 20 N American St.(Philadelphia, PA)
The filmmaker's subjects are patriotic young Americans - ordinary
men and women who heeded the call for military service in Iraq -
as they experience recruitment and training, combat, homecoming,
and the struggle to reintegrate with families and communities. http://www.thegroundtruth.net/
___________________________________________________________
Conference on Pennsylvania's capital
punishment and criminal justice systems.
On Saturday September 23, from 9AM to 2PM at the First United
Methodist Church of Germantown at 6023 Germantown Avenue, there will be
a community conference on Pennsylvania's capital punishment and criminal
justice systems. Free and open to the public. Call 215-324-1751 to
register.
_____________________________________________________________
CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE: Children and Violence in
Philadelphia.
Penn Professor Michael Eric Dyson will moderate a City
Wide Discussion on Violence, Weds, September 27 at 7:00 at the Central
Library – 1901 Vine Street.
Before this city-wide event , fill out A Community Violence Survey
available at all Free Library Branches, & www.Library.Phila.Gov or
Www.Pccy.Org . Also other gatherings at other branches.
Check the
website for date, time and location. Sponsored by the Free
Library and
Philadelphia Citizens for Children and Youth. Flyer on the bulletin
board.
______________________________
SIX ACTORS IN SEARCH OF A PLOT:
by Palestinian Muslim playwright Muhammad Ahmed Zaher and Temple's
Billy Yalowitz,
an American Jew, who is also director/choreographer. Six Actors is
coming to the
U.S. for performances in Philadelphia & New York City in
September-October. Temple University per-formance at Conwell Dance
Theater, Tues, October 10 at 8pm,
& at the Painted Bride- October 13, 14, 15, at 8pm.
_______________________________________________________
Constitution Day Peace Event at Senator
Specter's home
Date: Sunday
September 17, 2006 at 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Location: West
Schoolhouse Lane (between Henry Avenue and Gypsy Lane) in East Falls
City State Zip:
Philadelphia, PA 19129
Description: On Constitution Day, explain to Sen. Specter:
the U.S.
occupation of Iraq is unconstituional. Bring the troops home now!
Phone: 215-843-4256
____________________________________
Philadelphians Against Santorum Town Hall meeting
with Bob Casey
Monday, September 18th,
6:00-7:30 PM
First Unitarian Church, 2125
Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Supervised children's playroom is available.
To RSVP for the meeting and submit a question to be asked of Casey that
night, click here:
http://www.phillyagainstsantorum.org/go/event
Philadelphians Against Santorum works independently of the Casey
campaign.
If you can't make the
meeting but would still like to play a key role in this campaign, call
our office at (215) 253-6579
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Invitation to JVP Tashlich Ceremony
Please join Jewish Voice for Peace-Philadelphia as we gather to observe
the High Holiday custom of Tashlich ("casting") in the aftermath of the
Israeli government's war on Lebanon and in the continued spectre of the
occupation of East Jerusalem and the West Bank and the oppression of
Palestinian people in Israel and Gaza.
5:30 pm on Sunday,
September 24
Philadelphia Water
Works (in back of the Art Museum on Kelly Drive)
As Jews and as human beings in this world, we will bear witness and
give voice to the sins occuring in our name -- the Israeli
government's sins of occupation and the bombing of innocent civilians,
and our own government's financial and moral support of these
actions.
Bringing our spriitual and political selves to this ritual, we will
unburden ourselves of these sins and assume a renewed commitment to
pursue justice and peace for Jews and Arabs alike in Israel/Palestine
in the year to come.
Please forward this invitation on.
..Contact: Alissa Wise
[alissa@resist.ca]
_________________________________________________________________________________
RALLY IN HARRISBURG TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, TO
DEMAND STRICTER GUN LAWS
Visit www.september26rally.org or call 215-923-1940 to sign up to join
this important effort!
Loree D. Jones , City of Philadelphia , Office of the Mayor
, loree.jones@phila.gov
____________________________
VOICES FROM THE MIDDLE EAST
Saturday, September 30, 2:30 - 4:30
Stapeley in Germantown, +6300 Greene St. (at Washington Lane)recreation
room
Speakers:
Najib Yateem
President of the Greater
Phila Chapter of the American-Arab Anti--Discrimination Committee.
Taghreed Duaibes
Former Coordinator, Gender
and Human Rights at the Women's Studies Ctr in E Jerusalem
Nachshon David Mahanymi
Peace and Justice activist
and cofounder of the Philadelphia Tikkun community.
Moderator:Libby Frank
Member of National WILPF
Campaign: Women Challenge U.S. Policy:
Building Peace on
Justice in the Middle East
_________________________________________________________________
BARACK OBAMA at Free Library of
Philadelphia| 10/21 at 6:30 p.m.
The Free Library of Philadelphia presents a special event with U.S.
Senator BARACK OBAMA on Saturday, October 21 at 6:30 p.m. Senator Obama
will discuss his new book, The Audacity of Hope. Tickets go on sale
Friday, September 15 at 10:00 a.m. through UpStages at (215) 569-9700.
General Admission $15.00 | Simulcast $8.00. Call the Lecture Office at
(215) 567-4341 or visit us online to find out about all of the Author
Events at the Free Library of Philadelphia!
Free Library of Philadelphia Lectures | 1901 Vine Street | Philadelphia
| PA | 19103
===============================
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL ACTION
* The Day That Changed Everything Wasn't 9/11
Recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable
rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom,
justice and peace in the world: Preamble, Universal Declaration
of Human Rights http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html
Number Of Iraqi Civilians Slaughtered In
America's War? As Many As 250,000
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article11674.htm
Number of U.S. Military Personnel Sacrificed
(Officially acknowledged) In Bush's War 2671
http://icasualties.org/oif/
The War in Iraq Costs $314,051,236,567
See the cost in your community
http://nationalpriorities.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=182
____________________________________________________________________
Women Challenge U.S. Policy:/ Building Peace on
Justice in the Middle East
Feminist Action Guide To Challenging U.S. Policy
A 6-week course
Brazilian educator Paulo Freire claims that through conscious efforts
of education, reflection, and action people can build movements that
change conditions. Meeting that goal requires that we define ourselves
and our communities, deciding what a democratic society should look
like and how it ought to work. Study groups — small, democratic, and
participatory — are a proven method for social learning. They offer a
way to voice our own histories and experiences and to engage one
another in matters of our common life.
The WCUSP Feminist Action Guide to Challenging US Policy in the Middle
East is a 165 page tool for forming a study group or embarking on
independent study as an individual, and is complete with original
source material, articles, maps and steps to take action. The Feminist
Action Guide will serve as a launchpad for future action to challenge
U.S. Policy in the Middle East.
Topics Include:
US Policy in the Middle East
The Role of the Israel Lobby
Dual Occupation: Similarities Between
Israel/Palestine and U.S./Iraq
Israel and Palestine Today
The US Occupation of Iraq- New Facts on the Ground
The study guides cost $20.00 and can be purchased through the Women's
International League for Peace and Freedom.
To purchase a guide or
multiple guides, email Kate Zaidan, Program Coordinator, at
kzaidan@wilpf.org. Or, send a check or money order to:
Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, US Section
1213 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 1910
New members of WILPF receive
a $5 discount on the study guide. To join visit. http://wilpf.org/get-involved/join.htm. As a
member of WILPF, you will be a part of our global network, connected to
women (and men) working for peace all over the world. Also, you will
receive a free subscription to WILPF's magazine Peace and Freedom,
which includes action alerts and updates on issues related to WILPF's
campaigns and programs.
___________________________________________
DECLARATION OF PEACE NATIONAL CALL-IN to
CONGRESS* DAYS
Tuesday, September 19;
Tuesday, September 26.
September 21 is the DECLARATION OF PEACE deadline
for Congress to
begin a comprehensive plan for peace in Iraq.
CALL CONGRESS: 888-355-3588 or 202-224-3121 (9am - 5pm, EST)
Call the Congressional Switchboard and ask to speak to your
Representative or Senators. The message is simple: "I am
calling Rep.
---- [or Sen. -----] to ask her/him to sign
the Declaration of Peace Congressional Pledge to end the
occupation,
bring the troops home, begin a comprehensive plan for peace in
Iraq."
For more information, visit the national website of the DECLARATION OF
PEACE website, www.declarationofpeace.org
For more on DECLARATION OF PEACE in the Phila. Area, including the
Declaration of Peace Week, visit the Brandywine Peace Community website,
- Brandywine Peace Community, 610-544-1818, brandywine@juno.com
www.brandywinepeace.com
_________________________________________
Stirring the Pot -- Women's Voices Matter!
Our goal? To take a moment out of our busy lives and remind women
that we can make a difference – that our voices do matter – if we
vote and encourage others to vote, too.
Moms, daughters, friends,
neighbors, sisters, co-workers – women from all over the country will
come together in small groups Tuesday, October 10th, to share a meal
and our concerns for the future. These gatherings are an
initiative of the AFL-CIO and Working America. Please sign up today to
host a “Stirring the Pot” gathering. We’ll give you all the tools you
need to make it easy, fun and effective!
Hosting a “Stirring the Pot”
gathering is simple. Invite people you know and plan snacks or
dessert or a potluck dinner. Order a pizza and sit on the porch.
Meet at the local deli or even on your lunch break at work. You don’t
need to be a policy expert or politically active to gather some
neighbors and have a chat. We’ll provide easy-to-use tools,
including a discussion guide, a Web site, even simple menu
suggestions! Log on right now at www.stirringthepot.org to learn
more and receive a planning kit.
____________________________________________________
Before you Enlist,
Hannah Strange (Ruckus Society) and Daniel Hunter (Training for Change)
COMING SOON! TO PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY, E-MAIL pecelearn@igc.org.
This new training manual, commissioned by American Friends Service
Committee (AFSC), contains:
Fifty group exercises to help design counter-recruitment campaigns,
teach about the military-industrial complex, and become more effective
at strategy and building strong groups.
Eight complete workshops on
topics ranging from what is the poverty draft, how a recruiter gets
your number, organizing skills, how to build a campaign, and media
& messaging.
Handouts and support articles for further reading and to pass out on
all the topics -- over forty in all -- in this 229-page curriculum.
All tools designed with the
direct education approach, which uses group exercises that emphasize
participants' empowerment and taps their wisdom as much as possible,
not a boring lecture-based teaching approach.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
www.TrainingForChange.org
________________________________________________________________________
[TAKE ACTION] How Did your Senator Vote on
Cluster Bombs?
Senate Votes on the Feinstein Amendment on the Use of Cluster Bombs
Amendment rejected by Senate by a Vote of 30-70
On September 6, the Senate rejected an amendment offered by Senators
Diane Feinstein (D-CA) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) calling for the
protection of “civilian lives from unexploded cluster munitions” by
preventing US tax dollars from being spent to acquire, utilize, sell,
or transfer cluster munitions. The final vote was 30 in favor, 70
opposed.
AAI urges all its friends to:
1) Contact Senator Feinstein and thank her for her amendment on cluster
bombs
2) Contact your senators. Thank them if they voted in favor and
express your disappointment if they opposed the amendment. Find
your senators phone numbers by clicking here: http://capwiz.com/arab/callalert/index.tt?alertid=9007686&type=CO
________________________________________________________________
[WCUSP]: KEEP SPACE FOR PEACE WEEK LOCAL ACTIONS
Stop the Militarization of Space! No Weapons in Space! Stop Star Wars
Research & Development!
Convert the Military Industrial Complex! Fund Human Needs
October 1 - 8 Local Actions
Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space, PO Box 652
Brunswick, ME 04011 (207) 729-0517 http://www.space4peace.org
globalnet@mindspring.com http://space4peace.blogspot.com
(our blog)