Sunday, November 23, 2008

Upcoming Events - 11/23/08

Next meeting of the WNC Peace Coalition will be in January. We are taking the month of December off.

++++++

From Mary Olson of Common Sense at the Nuclear Crossroads:

Common Sense at the Nuclear Crossroads will be presenting a transportation ordinance before Asheville City Council meeting at 5 PM on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at the Asheville City Building on the fifth floor. We will be later on the agenda, so if you need to come after 5 PM, that is okay. For more information, including a copy of the proposed ordinance and the presentation, please contact Mary Olson at nirs@main.nc.us.

Events, announcements and late breaking news can be posted in the comments.

++++++++

EVENTS

11/25/08 Asheville City Council to hear Common Sense at the Nuclear Crossroads presentation on their local campaign to raise awareness about existing nuclear shipments of materials and waste and the prevention of an enormous increase in quantity (and hazard) of nuclear waste if “recycling” of nuclear waste is approved and takes place in South Carolina. They are asking for an ordinance that would make it a crime to bring irradiated fuel through the city. PLEASE attend the November 25 City Council meeting at Asheville City Hall, inviting folks who care about this issue to attend as well. There will be a public comments period on this issue. For more information, contact Mary Olson at nirs@main.nc.us. For more background information, go to this post.

12/01/08 World AIDS Day

12/02/08 Dept of Peace Campaign meets at 7 PM at the Community Action Opportunities Building at 25 Gaston Street. Contact Laura at 665-3668 for directions or more information.

12/04/08 Veterans for Peace meet at 6 PM at Firestorm Café & Books in Asheville. Contact Ronald at 828-LUCK 180 for more information. This will be followed by a movie called “The End of America” at 7 PM.

12/04/08 Public meeting in Graniteville, SC about Dept of Energy's draft EIS regarding reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel. Tom Clements urges attendees to voice opposition (SRS is prime site for US’ high-level waste). For info on how to submit email or written comments, go to this website.

12/05/08 to 12/06/08 Progressive Democrats of NC Annual Convention in Greensboro. Go to http://www.progressivedemocratsnc.org/blog/node/119 for more information.

12/06/08 Buncombe County Green Party meeting at 10 AM at the Fortune building on Haywood Street. Call David at 828-683-1783 or email ireland.dw@juno.com for more information.

12/10/08 Human Rights Day - 60th Anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights

12/12/08 to 12/14/08 United for Peace & Justice will hold their National Assembly near Chicago at the Wyndham O’Hare Hotel.

12/12/08 Unitarian Universalist Congregation will show a film at 7 PM. Movie will be “Kilowatt Ours” – the new version. Discussion will follow. Free, donations accepted. Contact Lew at patrie.wncpsr@main.nc.us or call 828-299-1242 for more information.

12/15/08 Bill of Rights Day

12/16/08 WNC Physicians for Social Responsibility meeting at UU Church in Asheville on Charlotte and Edwin St. Contact Lew at patrie.wncpsr@main.nc.us or call 828-299-1242 for more information. This meeting has been canceled.

12/16/08 WNC Peace Coalition meeting at UU Church in Asheville at 7 PM. Please enter on the north side. Contact the Peace Line at 271-0022 for more information.

12/21/08 The Ethical Society of Asheville will meet at 2 PM at the Botanical Gardens Visitor Center at 151 W.T. Weaver Blvd in Asheville.

01/13/09 to 01/17/09 “Heeding God’s Call: A Gathering on Peace” in Philadelphia. This is a gathering of the Religious Society of Friends, Church of the Brethren and Mennonite Church. The purpose of the gathering is to strengthen our witness and work for peace in the world by inspiring hope, raising voices, taking action. More information at www.peacegathering2009.org.

January 20, 2009: Join thousands to demand "Bring the troops home now!"

01/27/09 to 02/01/09 World Social Forum will be held in Brazil. The World Social Forum is an open meeting place where social movements, networks, NGOs and other civil society organizations opposed to neo-liberalism and a world dominated by capital or by any form of imperialism come together to pursue their thinking, to debate ideas democratically, for formulate proposals, share their experiences freely and network for effective action. http://www.forumsocialmundial.org.br/.

03/20/09 to 03/23/09 Department of Peace Campaign National Conference, March 20-23, 2009 in Washington, DC

3/21/09 Massive day of protest against the Iraq occupation and war.
Mass Actions on the 6th Anniversary of the Iraq War -- March 21, 2009
Bring All the Troops Home Now -- End All Colonial Occupations!
Fund People's Needs, Not Militarism & Bank Bailouts!

04/29/09 to 04/30/09 Join Christian Peace Witness for Iraq in Washington DC. This is with the Episcopal Peace Fellowship.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND ACTIONS

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Have some ideas for the next NC Governor? Go to this website and let Governor-elect Purdue know what you think.

Have some ideas for the next US President? Go to this website and let President-elect Obama know what you think.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From the Peace Alliance:

We're launching a "Personal Postcards to Your President" campaign!

It's easy to participate!
1. Visit your local store and get a postcard representing your town or city
2. Write a note to YOUR next President
3. Mail it by Inauguration Day, January 20, 2009
4. Urge all of your friends and family to do the same

You should use the address of Obama’s Senate office:

President-elect Barack Obama
713 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-1305

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

*Film: “End of America Thursday, Dec. 4th at 7:00pm

Sponsored by Veterans For Peace Chapter 099
Based on Naomi Wolf's best-selling book, *The End of America* identifies how open societies close down as they slide toward fascism, and how this is happening in the U.S. right now. The documentary follows Wolf as she takes her book to the streets, urging Americans to defend the Constitution and restore our nation's cherished democratic values. Discussion afterwards.

Location: Firestorm Cafe, 48 Commerce St, 28801 (please support Firestorm if you can by buying dinner or a treat)

Watch a trailer or the whole video here and find out actions you can take:
www.myamericaproject.org

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From ACLU:

Dear ACLU Supporter,
I’ve never done this before. In my entire seven years as the ACLU’s executive director, I have never asked you to sign a presidential petition written in appreciation and support, rather than in outrage and protest. That’s how dramatically different things can be now.

After eight years of a Bush administration that thumbed its nose at the Constitution and the rule of law, it was incredibly gratifying to see President-elect Obama in his “60 Minutes” interview affirm his intentions to reject torture and put an end to the Guantánamo prison camp and its sham military commission system which have been a stain on America’s name at home and abroad.

Just last week, you helped the ACLU run a full-page ad urging Barack Obama to take the lead on these critical issues. And now, using language strikingly similar to the words we use to describe the horrors of Guantánamo Bay, the President-elect has confirmed his promise.

I hope you felt a special sense of achievement upon hearing his close Guantánamo pledge because it wouldn’t have happened without you and the ACLU.

Watch Barack Obama’s strong words. (This will take you to CBSnews.com.) Then, affirm your support for bold action!

Our task now is to do everything we can to maintain momentum for a January 20th executive order. Immediately closing Gitmo and shutting down the military commissions can be a powerful first step on the long road to a full restoration of our fundamental freedoms.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Peace & Earth Committee of Asheville Friends Meeting is working to help Haiti

From American Friends Service Committee: We have received an urgent appeal to send Hygiene Kits and Infant Kits to Haiti as soon as possible. Please help with this desperate need. Below is a list of items needed. Please place items in a plastic bag and leave on front porch of Meeting House or contact Susan for pickup. (dancewater2@gmail.com) Cash donations are also welcome. Checks can be made out to “Asheville Friends Meeting” and are tax-deductible. Please put “Haiti” on the memo line.

HYGIENE KIT
1 Tube Toothpaste
1 toothbrush
1 Bottle Shampoo
1 Bar Bath Soap (Antibacterial or Ivory)
1 Comb (Wide-toothed)
1 Washcloth
1 Small Towel

INFANT KIT
2 Receiving Blankets
4 Baby Washcloths
1 Baby Towel
1 Bar Baby Soap (or Ivory or Baby Liquid Soap)
1 Small Tube or Jar Petroleum Jelly
2 Pairs Infant Socks

Thank you for your participation in this outreach to storm-ravaged Haiti.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS OF NC

2008 PDNC ANNUAL CONVENTION
BUILDING A UNITED PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENT
When: Friday evening, December 5th, 6 PM, PDNC Business and Strategy Meeting with election of officers.
Saturday, December 6th, 8:30 – 5:00, Progressive Summit

Where: Bur-Mil Club House, 5834 Bur-Mil Club Road, Greensboro, NC 27410

The Questions: What are the strategic implications of the election and the economic crisis? What are the next steps for bringing together progressive groups in NC in a unified and effective social movement? How do we effectively move the Democratic Party and the legislature in a progressive direction?

Saturday’s Keynote Speakers Include:

Tim Carpenter, National Director, Progressive Democrats of America,

Michael Schwalbe, Professor of Sociology, NC State University

Registration: Go to: http://www.progressivedemocratsnc.org/blog/
or send your check to David Mills, PDNC Treasurer, 1607 Delaware Ave., Durham, NC 27705
Fees:
Friday night: $35 after Nov. 23rd. Includes dinner
Saturday: $40 after Nov. 23rd. Includes lunch

A limited number of scholarships will be available for students and low-income people.
Registration at either event includes annual membership dues. Membership is open to any voter registered in North Carolina as Democrat or Unaffiliated who openly espouses the PDNC Statement of Purpose and actively supports the policy agenda of the organization.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

School of the Americas Watch:

News report here.

Susan’s report and photos here.

Photo is of Warren Wilson College Students at the SOA Watch on November 23, 2008.

0 comments: