CONTENTS:

PHILLY AREA ACTION:

NATIONAL and INTERNATIONAL ACTION:

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PHILLY AREA ACTION:

 

Big joint fundraiser by the local SJP's (Students) for the US Boat to Gaza AT TEMPLE UNIVERSITY:

 

Palestinian Nights!

Come invite your friends on facebook to the event! (You will 1st need to select if attending) http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=191537500891402&notif_t=event_wall#wall_posts

       

      Friday, April 22nd,  6:00-11:00 pm

      "The Underground", Student Center South, Temple University, 13th St. and Montgomery Av., Philadelphia PA

 

This is an event where we celebrate the Palestinian culture. We enjoy a great Palestinian dinner, listen to poetry, enjoy the culture's music and dance the debcha, and enjoy henna artwork and Arabic calligraphy. This semester’s event will be a large fundraiser for the US Boat to Gaza. Some big performers coming include the great poet Remi Kanazi, the author Susan Abulhawa, and "TheDuoRecital" band led by Vera Johnson and Jerrell Jackson. The night is for us but also a remembrance of those of Palestine.

--

Come visit our website: www.templesjp.org 

            (I'm going - If you would like a ride from Mt Airy, be here @5:30PM

            @ 515 Glen Echo Rd. Marlena Santoyo @215-247-4385-)

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TEMPLE STUDENTS FOR JUSTICE IN PALESTINE -

DEMONSTRATION - MONDAY APRIL 25, 11 am to 4 pm.

 

An 8 foot tall "Apartheid Wall" has been constructed by Temple Students for Justice in Palestine, for a great demonstration to be held on the center of Temple's campus, The Bell Tower, on Monday, April 25th.

 

We are putting the wall at the Bell tower, the busiest site at our unviversity. The National Lawyers Guild is bringing people to act as legal observers at the demonstration, just in case of unjust arrests. The Wall will be displayed in front of the Tower, with mock checkpoints and a model of an Israeli Caterpillar. The mock checkpoints will include volunteers posed as Israeli soldiers. T

There will be lines of Israeli and Palestinian "citizens." Each will have a "passport" identifying their nationality. Palestinians will be held up, forced to sit down while blindfolded, and be holding up in front of them a poster displaying an important message.

    

Come out on the 25th to be a volunteer for our demonstration! We need all the help we can get. 

Contact Razi Fareed at templesjp1989@gmail.com for questions.

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Please join Women for Sherrie Cohen for City Council

 

and host committee Kim Brown and Laurie Flint

Together with

      Florence Cohen Rep. Babette Josephs Deborah Willig

Mable Windham Fern Kaufman Margaret Lenzi Kathy Black

Roz Spigel Cathy Siu Gail Lopez-Henriquez Caitlin Conyngham

*Host committee in formation*

 

For a special women’s reception in support of

Sherrie Cohen

Candidate for Philadelphia City Council At Large

Saturday, April 23rd 2011, 6:00 PM-9:00 PM

 

At the home of Kim Brown and Laurie Flint

The Governor’s Mansion, 254 West Walnut Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19144

            Suggested contribution levels: Host: $500    Guest: $100    Senior/Student: $50

Please make checks payable to

“Cohen for Council”

PO Box 60052, Philadelphia PA 19102

                  RSVP to Molly at (845) 661-1093 or cohen4council@gmail.com

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Earth Day Demonstration Against Fracking 

 

Thursday, April 21, 2011 / Time: 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm   Dept. of Environmental Protection, 2 Main St., Norristown, PA 

 Demonstration at DEP to demand a ban on gas drilling. Stop polluting our drinking water as well as our waterways.

      This demonstration has been called by the Green Party of Philadelphia and endorsed by Brandywine Peace Community, BuxMont Coalition for Peace Action, Citizens for Clean Water, Green Party of Delaware County, Green Party of Montgomery County, Protecting our Waters and Saint Vincent’s Peace and Justice Ministry.

For more info: Green Party of Phila. 215-243-7103 or gpop@gpop.org. 

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  Re-cycling Fundraiser for Won Buddhist Temple

 

WON BUDDHIST TEMPLE of Philadelphia,

423 Abington Avenue. Glenside, PA, 19038

At the corner of Abington Ave. and Parkdale Ave,  between Jenkintown Road and Keswick Avenue.   Near Keswick Village and the Keswick Theater.

We are having a scrap metal drive ongoing from now to  APRIL 20th.    Please donate anything you have around the house that you no longer want that's made primarily of metal--old pots and pans, tools, bicycles, gutters, lawnchairs or other furniture, equipment, appliances, lamps, fixtures, sheet metal, car batteries, washing machines, dryers, etc.  aluminum, steel, iron, copper.   Old electric motors (think fans) are good.  We can only take air conditioners or refrigerators if the freon has been removed.  It's OK if there is some plastic or other material in the item, they will be disassembled.   This is a great way to keep all this stuff out of landfills.   It will go to a scrap facility and will be re-purposed.   We are even accepting cans.

      You  may drop off items any time around the back of the Temple.    If the item is really large, or if you have no way to get it there, we can have it picked up  for you. For questions, or if you need help,  please call Reverend Jo at 267-772-4130.    We appreciate anything you can give, it doesn't have to be large.   Thank you!   Peace.

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Philadelphia’s Primary Election is on May 17th – just over four weeks away. The most heated races are for City Council, with five open seats and several incumbents facing tough challenges.

 

You can be part of the action! Help answer questions and resolve problems at the polls by volunteering with the Committee of Seventy’s non-partisan Election Day program.  There are several shifts so you don’t have to work all day. We'll provide all the training, materials and support you need.

      Sign up today at www.seventy.org/volunteer. (Ask a friend to sign up too and we’ll pair you up!)

      For more informaton about the Election Day Volunteer program, the Battle for City Council, or Seventy's series of     City Council Candidate Forums, visit www.seventy.org.

      Frankie Lancos, Director of Voter Services & Civic Programming, Committee of Seventy

      215-557-3600 ext 110, flancos@seventy.org

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Second Annual Interfaith Green Fair -  Sunday, May 1, 2011 (1 – 5 pm)

 

GFS Science Building, West Coulter Street

between Germantown Avenue and Green Street, Philadelphia, PA 19144

 

The Germantown Meeting of Friends (Quakers), in cooperation with local faith-based communities and environmental organizations (see list below), will be hosting the Fair this year in the Germantown Friends School Sustainable Urban Science Center, near the corner of Coulter Street and Germantown Avenue.  This building has been certified as a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building and was recently given a gold certification.

            Exhibits --- Workshops  --- Music and Entertainment   ---  Food  ---  Fun

This is an opportunity to talk to local experts and find out about resources that can help green your homes and neighborhoods.  Come and learn how to:

•            Reduce your home energy bills           

•            Join a community garden and grow some of your own food       

•            Conserve your own water and help protect the sources of your water

•            Invest in socially and environmentally responsible ways • And more…

ALL ARE WELCOME!!!   Admission is Free.

Workshop Schedule

1:00-1:30               Hydro-Fracking in Marcellus Shale and Protecting our Waters – Iris Marie Bloom

1:30-2:00               Home Cooling Strategies – Tanya Morris, Energy Coordinating Agency

2:00-2:30               Sustainable Living in NW Philadelphia – An Action Plan to Save Millions – John Ungar, Ogontz Area                                            Revitalization Corporation (OARC)

2:30-3:00            Quiet Riot, Dave and Bill Mettler

3:00-3:30            Panel: Moral Dimensions of the Climate Crisis – Sister Mary Elizabeth Clark and Rabbi Arthur Waskow:                                                      - Moderator: Rev. Cheryl Pyrch

3:30-4:00            Creating Zero Waste Homes – Maurice Sampson, RecycleNow

4:00-4:30            Next Great City Initiative – Bryan Collins, PennFuture

Other Special Attractions:

Music will be provided by Bruce Pollack-Johnson, the Folk Factory.

Chris Paulmier will show how to convert your diesel car to vegetable oil.

Contact:  Linda Knapp (lknapp@netreach.net)

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ACLU-Greater Philadelphia Chapter Annual Meeting

 

Keynote speaker Christopher Calabrese, Legislative Counsel at the National ACLU Legislative Office, will tell you what you can do to protect your privacy in the digital age.

      Wednesday, May 4 at 6:30 p.m.

      Center for Architecture, 1218 Arch St., Philadelphia, PA 19107

 

You are invited to stay for a reception after the program. The event is free and open to the public.

No RSVP is necessary.

      For more information, contact us at aclupa@aclupa.org or 215-592-1513 x122.

      Greater Philadelphia Chapter, ACLU of Pennsylvania, www.aclupa.org

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NATIONAL and INTERNATIONAL ACTION:

 

IMPORTANT! VOTE AND SPREAD THE WORD: Manning in top 10 for TIME"S Person of the Year

Please vote- this could have an impact on Bradley's detainment and torture

VOTE & SPREAD THE WORD

Bradley Manning has moved into the top ten, #8, for TIME's Person of the Year. Last night he was #19. He is moving up fast. Vote here by Thursday:

http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2058044_2060338_2060205,00.html?xid=tweetshare

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APPEAL this: Petition President Obama to free the Cuban Five prisoners

 

On March 30, 2011, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter told reporters in Havana: “I believe that the detention of the Cuban Five makes no sense, there have been doubts expressed in U.S. courts and by human rights organizations around the world. They have now been in prison 12 years and I hope that in the near future they will be freed to return to their homes.”

Please sign now the petition the “Pardon for the Five” group initiated four months ago. We ask that President Obama free the Cuban Five. And please share the petition widely. Amnesty International recently detailed judicial shortcomings in the case of the Five.

            To bring the petition up for signing, go to:

            http://tinyurl.com/pardonthe5

 

Versions of the petition suitable for print-outs and distribution at meetings etc. can be obtained from Tom at atwhit@roadrunner.com. Your questions and suggestions are appreciated. Contact Tom Whitney at (207) 743-2183.

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From: USLAW International Solidarity Task Force [mailto:solidarity@uslaboragainstwar.org]

INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY WORKS!

We are pleased to be able to report that one of the detained Iraqi activists has been released.  Two others are as yet unaccounted for.  If you have not yet sent a message, please do so.  Other young activists are still in jeopardy!  Use the link below.



Act NOW to free Iraqi Activists

at risk of torture, disappearance or death

USLAW received a message from Falah Alwan, President of the Federation of Worker Councils and Unions in Iraq asking for urgent action to help locate and free three young activists who have been detained by the al-Maliki regime and are at grave risk of torture, disappearance or death.

Please take a moment to send a message to the Iraqi government demanding that these activists be immediately freed.

GET DETAILS AND TAKE ACTION HERE:

http://uslaboragainstwar.org/IraqSolidarityAction

The actions we take can make the difference between life and death or brutal torture.

Subscribe to the USLAW Information Service

and union and occupation lists


 

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There's no denying the irrational increase in prison spending, and its impact on state budgets and our nation's children. But there is something you can do about it. Ben Jealous, NAACP [mailto:info@naacpnet.org]

 

      Sign our petition to tell America's governors to support the NAACP's reforms that will focus on making sure we invest in schools, not prisons.

http://action.naacp.org/MisplacedPriorities

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Call for 2011 Olive Picking Program in Palestine

 

On Behalf of the JAI’s Olive Tree Campaign we wish to invite you to be part of the 8th Olive Picking Program in October 15-24. 2011. This annual event is an opportunity for people from around the world to be exposed to Palestinian cultural and political reality under the continuous Israeli military occupation. The Olive Picking Program is also an opportunity for you to be with, learn about and help out Palestinians during the Olive Harvest Season.

      To learn more about the 2011 Olive Picking program and the suggested schedule please go to: http://www.jai-pal.org/content.php?page=1066

      To read more about previous olive picking programs please browse through the following link http://www.jai-pal.org/content.php?page=914

      You can also find some short films on previous picking and planting programs here http://www.youtube.com/JAIPalestine#p/u/11/OmiDCm9OBxk

      Finally, you are encouraged to pass this invitation forward to your friends who might be interested in being part of this exceptional event.

      For more  information, questions, concerns, or to request a registration form, please contact:

Baha Hilo, Joint Advocacy Initiative of the East Jerusalem YMCA and the YWCA of Palestine (JAI), campaigns officer, via email at: olivetree@jai-pal.org or by phone at (+970) 2 2774540.

Jawad Musleh, Alternative Tourism Group (ATG), program coordinator, via email at: jawad@atg.ps or by phone at (+970) 2 2772151

      Baha' Hilo, Campaigns officer, Joint Advocacy Initiative, The East Jerusalem YMCA, , POB 19023 East Jerusalem

      Tel: +970 2 2 77 4540,  Mob: +970 598 941 185, Email: Olivetree@jai-pal.org, Web: www.jai-pal.org

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Protecting Our Waters: What can you do in 35 minutes?

 

The Associated Press is reporting that Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) workers spend as little as 35 minutes per permit on natural gas drilling permits, "and the regulators say they do not give any additional scrutiny to requests to drill near high-quality streams and rivers even though the waterways are protected by state and [...]

Read more of this post (http://protectingourwaters.wordpress.com/2011/04/16/what-can-you-do-in-35-minutes/)

Add a comment to this post: http://protectingourwaters.wordpress.com/2011/04/16/what-can-you-do-in-35-minutes/#respond

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End the Travel Ban on Cuba

 


Below is a list of Witness for Peace’s delegations to Cuba this year:
Cuba: Research Delegation for Health Care Professionals  - June 05-15, 2011

The delegation will focus on how the U.S. embargo affects the health of the Cuban population and the relevance of the Cuban model of care to the health system of the United States.

Cuba: Research Delegation for Professional Educators - June 16-26, 2011

This trip is scheduled for educators who want to research Cuba's urban and rural educational programs from primary to university levels including the Latin American School of Medicine and the National School of Music.

Cuba: Research Delegation for Lawyers and Legal Professionals
November 20-29, 2011 - November dates are tentative.

It is anticipated that major reforms will be adopted at the Congress of the Cuban Communist Party in April.  This research program will provide an overview of Cuban law and judicial system and will explore the impact of the April reforms on environmental law, gender and diversity rights in Cuba.

 



 

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* New report from WhoProfits, showing that ALL Israeli wineries are using grapes grown in Settlements.

                        http://www.whoprofits.org/articlefiles/WhoProfits-IsraeliWines.pdf

 

* Arab League to ask UN to impose no-fly zone over Gaza

http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=215986

 

* The African World, BlackCommentator.com Book Review, By Bill Fletcher, Jr

http://www.blackcommentator.com/422/422_aw_book_review_other_green_movement.php

 

* Phyllis Bennis: Attack on Libya May Unleash a Long War, Institute for Policy Studies

http://www.ips-dc.org/articles/attack_on_libya_may_unleash_a_long_war

 

* What's at Stake for Women in Wal-Mart v. Dukes by Fatima Goss Graves New Deal

http://www.newdeal20.org/2011/03/24/whats-at-stake-for-women-in-wal-mart-v-dukes-39085/

 

* Mexicans say "no" to the US drug war

It's taking place right on the US border. -  Fresh video from the streets of Mexico:

http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/1076.html