Countdown to Withdrawal
August 31st marks the date that the US administration is withdrawing troops in Iraq. Please join us for a discussion with Raed Jarrar to discuss the current situation in Iraq and what still needs to be done by the US.
Thursday, Sept. 2nd 7:00 p.m.
St. Francis Xavier (College Church) Ballroom
Corner of Grand and Lindell- 3628 Lindell
The U.S. occupation of Iraq continues and the reduction of U.S. troops in Iraq can at best be called only a rebranded occupation. While the number of U.S. troops in Iraq will be reduced from a high of 165,000, there will still be 50,000 troops left behind, some 75,000 contractors, five huge “enduring bases” and an Embassy the size of Vatican City. The U.S. military’s overthrow of the brutal dictatorship of Saddam Hussein did not lead to a better life for Iraqis—just the opposite. It resulted in the further destruction of basic infrastructure—electricity, water, sewage—that continues to this day and the war has drained our treasury, causing hardship at home.
The war has not made us more secure.
Raed Jarrar is an Iraq-born architect, blogger, and political advocate based in Washington, DC. He is currently the Iraq consultant for the American Friends Service Committee, and a Senior Fellow at Peace Action. Jarrar is half Iraqi and half Palestinian. He holds a degree in architecture from the University of Baghdad, and a Master's Degree in Architectural Engineering, specialized in post-war reconstruction, from the University of Jordan.
After the fall of Baghdad in 2003, Jarrar worked as the country director of CIVIC Worldwide, the only door-to-door civilian casualties survey in Iraq since 2003. He also founded Emaar, an NGO that carried out humanitarian and reconstruction work in Baghdad and southern Iraq. After immigrating to the U.S. in 2005, Raed Jarrar has been working on a number of projects aimed at ending the U.S. occupation.
Jarrar gained attention after an incident on August 12, 2006 at John F. Kennedy International Airport. Raed had attempted to board a JetBlue flight from New York City to Oakland, California while wearing a black T-shirt with the text "We will not be silent" in English and Arabic. After a lengthy exchange with airport staff, Jarrar was made to cover his t-shirt with another T-shirt bought for him by JetBlue staff from an airport gift shop. On August 13, 2007, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit against JetBlue alleging illegal discrimination against Jarrar. In January 2009 JetBlue paid Jarrar $240,000 to settle the case.
Facebook Event: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=788573396#!/event.php?eid=146502985373923&ref=mf
3 Months After BP Spill, Choose a Side: People or Polluters?
On July 20th, concerned citizens from across Missouri gathered at Senator Claire McCaskill’s office to mark the three-month anniversary of the BP oil disaster and to remind Senator McCaskill that we cannot afford to wait 50 years to transition to a clean energy future. Speaking directly to her, Will Fischer of Climate Action St. Louis demanded that she, “In the wake of continued inaction, cross the line and stand with people, not polluters. To move towards a clean energy future, we demand that you reject campaign contributions from dirty energy corporations, work to switch federal subsidies from polluting fossil fuels to renewable technologies, and support an end to offshore drilling.”
Activists dressed as oil and coal executives presented a large check signed by BP, Peabody, and other dirty energy companies to highlight the influence of dirty energy money in politics. In recognition of the ongoing devastation in the gulf, demonstrators performed an oil “spill-in,” blocking traffic for 10 minutes, and then asked the Senator to choose a side.
The coalition that staged the event included Climate Action St. Louis, Missourians Organizing for Reform and Empowerment, Missouri Student Environmental Coalition, St. Louis Instead of War Coalition, Student Sierra Coalition, Washington University Climate Justice Alliance, Green Action, 1Sky, Labadie Environmental Organization, and the Catholic Action Network.
Palestine Film Series: Occupation 101
Join us this Sunday 11 July 2010 for Occupation 101, part of the St. Louis Palestine Solidarity Committee's Palestine Film Series at CTSA on Sunday evenings this summer!
Location: 1077 South Newstead, Forest Park Southeast, St. Louis, MO 63110
Time: Potluck dinner at 6:15, please bring food or drink to share! Film at 7PM.
Synopsis
A thought-provoking and powerful documentary film on the current and historical root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Unlike any other film ever produced on the conflict -- 'Occupation 101' presents a comprehensive analysis of the facts and hidden truths surrounding the never ending controversy and dispels many of its long-perceived myths and misconceptions.
The film also details life under Israeli military rule, the role of the United States in the conflict, and the major obstacles that stand in the way of a lasting and viable peace. The roots of the conflict are explained through first-hand on-the-ground experiences from leading Middle East scholars, peace activists, journalists, religious leaders and humanitarian workers whose voices have too often been suppressed in American media outlets.
The film covers a wide range of topics -- which include -- the first wave of Jewish immigration from Europe in the 1880's, the 1920 tensions, the 1948 war, the 1967 war, the first Intifada of 1987, the Oslo Peace Process, Settlement expansion, the role of the United States Government, the second Intifada of 2000, the separation barrier and the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, as well as many heart wrenching testimonials from victims of this tragedy.
http://occupation101.org/
Gather in the Garden with Justice and Peace Shares
Date: Sunday, June 27, 2010
Time: 4:30pm - 6:30pm
McGurk's Irish Pub, 12th and Russell in Soulard
It's that time of year again! Join Justice and Peace Shares in the annual fundraiser that is always a good time! Accoustical music by City Lark, appetizers and first drink provided. Bring a new Justice and Peace Shareholder and you and your guest attend free.
$10 suggested donation.
St. Louis Justice and Peace Shares (JPS) is a collaboration of six local groups with different missions, all committed to nonviolent social change and justice for the poor. Recognizing that competition for funds drains both staff and donors, in 2004 these organizations decided to collaborate on fundraising, education, and training.
To find out more about JPS: http://jps-stl.org/
Caterpillar: "Take the Responsibility, Do the Right Thing!"
"On June, 9th we traveled to Chicago to participate in an action with several groups to protest Caterpillar's sales of militarized bulldozers to Israel that are used to destroy Palestinian life. We traveled to participate in this campaign because we strongly believe that divestment is the strongest tool that we have to changing US participation in the Israeli governments policy of Apartheid towards the people of Palestine. Caterpillar and its equipment are responsible for the loss of life, loss of homes, loss of agriculture and infrastructure as well as continuing to build and support an apartheid structure. Our goal today is to tell Caterpillar: "Take Responsibility and Do the Right Thing."' -Colleen Kelly, Sandra Tamari and Mark Chmiel
Condemning Israel's attack on Gaza Freedom Flotilla
Talk about it in comments (0 comments - 205 views)
Freedom Flotilla approaches Gaza
Four cargo ships and four passenger vessels, carrying 10,000 tons of donated supplies and hundreds of human rights activists, are making their way toward blockaded Gaza — and a likely weekend showdown with the Israeli navy. The ships are carrying an array of donated goods which Israel does not allow into Gaza, including cement, prefab homes, lumber, window frames, paper for printing school books, children's toys, a full dentist's office, electric wheelchairs and high-end medical equipment. This latest attempt to break Israel's blockade of Gaza comes at a time of growing appeals by the international community to Israel to ease or lift the border closure.
On Tuesday May 25, the ships were heading toward the southern Mediterranean from various European ports, and planned to meet Friday off Cyprus. St. Louis peace activist and holocaust survivor Hedy Epstein will also join the the flotilla in Cyprus. From there, they will set off for the one-day journey toward Gaza. For updates, and how you can help, see:
http://www.stl-psc.org/?p=88
http://www.freegaza.org/
http://gazafreedommarch.org/cms/en/flotilla.aspx
http://www.witnessgaza.com/
This week's St. Louis vigil for peace (Sunday May 30) will be dedicated to the Gaza flotilla and to Hedy. The vigil gathers every Sunday evening from 7 to 7:30 pm at the corner of Grand and Lindell, on the steps of College Church. Also, this week's vigil will begin early, at 6 pm, to read the names of the military service members from Missouri and Illinois who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan.
| NEXT page |