Peace campaigner shot by Israelis: Nobel Peace Prize winner Mairead Corrigan

[Published: Sunday 22, April 2007 - 09:28]

By Ciaran McGuigan

Nobel Peace Prize winner Mairead Corrigan has been shot by Israeli troops during a protest on the West Bank, according to peace activists.

The Nobel laureate from Belfast was shot in the leg with a rubber bullet when a protest exploded into violence last Friday near Ramallah on the West Bank, said fellow protesters.

The veteran peace campaigner had been in the Palestinian village of Bil'in last week to speak at an international conference.

For the past two years the village has been the scene of weekly protests against security fences erected by Israel.

Speaking after the incident on Friday, Mrs Corrigan who was later treated in hospital, said she wanted to say that "this separation wall, contrary to what the Israelis say, will not prevent attacks and violence.

"What will prevent attacks and violence is a peace agreement between the two peoples, and I am sure the Israeli people, like the Palestinian people, want peace."

Campaigners said that 24 demonstrators, including Corrigan, were hurt when Israeli troops blocked the protest march last Friday afternoon.

One campaigner, from the International Women's Peace Service, who took part in the protest told how troops fired between 30 and 50 canisters of tear gas into the crowd before opening fire with rubber bullets.

Speaking from Haris, she told Sunday Life: "Mairead was able to walk after being hit by the rubber bullet, but she was clearly suffering badly from the effects of tear gas.

"(The disturbance happened) when soldiers prevented people getting to the wall. The soldiers then started throwing gas canisters into the crowd."

Corrigan shared the Noble Peace Prize in 1976 for her work with the Peace People.

Mass Murderers

By Cindy Sheehan

“Humankind has not woven the web of life.
We are but one thread within it.
Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.
All things are bound together.
All things connect.”
~Chief Seattle~1855


Last night, at the annual White House Correspondent’s Dinner, we did not get the usual “stellar” comedy performance from George Bush in deference to the Virginia Tech tragedy. Who can forget that “uproariously hilarious” bit he did looking for WMD under the couch in his office in 2004 shortly before my son was killed in Iraq by this joker in chief? How nice that George reined in his comedic impulses for the families and friends of the murdered VT students…because I can assure you, their families are finding nothing funny right now.

Troops dying unnecessarily every day in Iraq has not even slowed down this annual event with correspondents and George Bush has not found it in the slight bit crucial to temper his comedy routines in deference to the families that he has destroyed by his war for profit in Iraq .

By all accounts, the mass murderer of VT’s horrific events on Monday was a disturbed loner and there was plenty of warnings and hints that he may do something violent, but no one could predict the magnitude of the horror.

From accounts of George Bush’ early life (Bush on the Couch, Dr. Justin Frank) from thinking it was funny to put firecrackers in the anus’ of frogs and blowing them up to burning pledges to his fraternity with cigarettes and his alcohol and cocaine abuse…we, as a nation, should have seen his mass murderous tendencies coming from leagues away. Instead we rolled over and played apathetic when he was unconstitutionally selected by the Supreme Court as President in 2000. He gleefully made fun of people he was about to execute as governor of Texas , and he and Al (“I don’t recall”) Gonzales never had an ounce of compassion for a single soul condemned to death.

In early August of 2005, 21 Marines from Ohio were murdered by their Commander in Chief’s homicidal tendencies and there was no national mourning for them. Not one elected official called for a nation-wide lowering of flags to half mast for these brave souls who were mortally abused by George’s war of terror. The cable news networks did not go on 24 hour reportage of the events, and person, who killed them. There were no profiles of their lives. No bereaved family member had the opportunity to tell America what a wonderful son, friend, lover, student, athlete, was lost in the desert of Iraq : too young, and just as random, violently, or senselessly as the ones killed in Blacksburg , Va. last week.

My friend, Vickie Castro’s son, Jonathan, was one of 14 soldiers killed in a mess tent incident shortly before Christmas in 2004. Jon was Vickie’s only child. He was a brilliant, handsome man with a bright future ahead of him. He made a horrible, but honorable, mistake by enlisting in the US Military to be sent off to war to die to enrich Dick and George and their buddies, and he and his family paid dearly for that honest mistake. The flags may have been lowered in his hometown, but no one, but Jonathan’s closest friends and family mourn him to this day in this country. Jonathan’s coffin wasn’t even allowed to be photographed and his body was returned to his grieving family with the utmost secrecy as if to cover the shame of this rogue state.

We, as a nation, were rightly shocked, saddened and repulsed by the murders of 33 students and faculty at Virginia Tech. My heart grieves with the friends and families of the fallen. I know what a ghastly path they have been forced to step off on by a maniac who unthinkably had easy access to weapons of limited (but infinite) destruction.

Another sociopathic killer with inexplicable and unconstrained access to the planet’s most deadly arsenal, George Bush, has condemned 100 times 33 of our nation’s bravest and brightest to death and most people walk around indifferent to the fact that our White House is inhabited by a serial killer of historic proportions. Bloody King George has even more tragically claimed the lives of more than 20,000 times 33 innocent victims in Iraq . Where is the public horror and outrage over these killings? Where was the 24 hour news coverage this past week when over 500 people were killed in Baghdad and 65 decomposing bodies were found?

I was in DC this past week when George’s bullet proof entourage (he always travels like he is outside the Green Zone in Iraq—how sad to have so many enemies you have to be put in a prison of your own making) hurried down to Blacksburg to participate in memorial services for the slain—yet, he has not attended one service for one of his murder victims in Iraq.

Many people will justify this reaction to the crimes at Virginia Tech and lack of reaction to our murdered soldiers and people of Iraq by saying that our troops volunteer and the people of Iraq are uncounted collateral damage. Consequently, because we have an all volunteer military our children are getting what they deserve and because BushCo took another tragedy of 9-11 and exploited those needless deaths to invade a country that had nothing to do with it, the people of Iraq deserve this constant violence? Thirty-three dead is sickeningly yet realistically a good day in Iraq . When do we Americans rise up and insist the carnage end for our brothers and sisters there?

Life is life and it is all precious—whether students in college, soldiers in the field, or inhabitants of an occupied, defenseless country. Until we as a nation wake up to the fact that our state’s directed violence to any human demeans and implicates each and every one of us in these crimes, the actions of April 16th and state sponsored horrors that have been perpetrated on a daily basis since Sept 11, 2001, will continue. True peace and true justice are not possible when our national compassion is limited to a certain demographic of victim.

Until we wake up and abhor and are appalled at violence even when it is not directed at unborn babies, or mostly white Americans, we are all condemned to living under regimes that condone, profit from, order and commit mass murder.

Please join Cindy, The Camp Casey Peace Institute, Gold Star Families for Peace, CODEPINK , Congress Reps John Conyers (D-Mi) and Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), and others, as we march on the Nation’s Capital on May 14th demanding an end to the violence in the Middle East and for the impeachment of the Bush Regime.

April 13th Rally at DoJ for Dr. Sami Al-Arian

WHAT: April 13th Rally and Press Conference for Dr. Sami Al-Arian, Political Prisoner in the U.S. since February 2003

WHEN: Friday, April 13, 2007, 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm

WHERE: U.S. Department of Justice, 9th and Pennsylvania Avenue NW In support of Dr. Sami Al-Arian the Muslim American Society (MAS) Freedom Foundation is holding a press conference and rally in front of the U.S. Department of Justice on April 13th, 2007. The event is in response to the U.S. Department of Justice's failure to uphold their current plea agreement with Dr. Sami Al-Arian, which scheduled his release date for April 13th. Dr. Al-Arian was recently sentenced to an additional eighteen months in jail for his refusal to testify before a grand jury. However, this verdict was rendered against him despite a plea agreement he had with the government, which included a no-cooperation clause.

http://www.masnet.org/takeaction.asp?id=3987
http://www.freesamialarian.com
Jummah Prayer, 12:30 pm Protest and Rally, 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm

Houston Freeway Protest Against Israel

April 8, 2007

This blurb comes from a relative in the Houston area about a small bunch of people protesting the Palestinian occupation and any attack on Iran on a bridge. This is just for people in the Houston area to join in if you are against these actions.

D I S T R I B U T E W I D E L Y , the announcement goes about a Planned Houston Freeway Protest Against Israel. The pictures show past protests.

FREEWAY BLOGGING (PROTESTS WITH SIGNS) IN HOUSTON, TEXAS ON MANDELL BRIDGE (NOT WOODHEAD) OVER HWY. 59 (SOUTHWEST FREEWAY) ALL INVITED. Photos of previous Wednesday protests show the site.

WHEN: Every Wednesday until further notice (starting Wed. 4-04-07)

TIME: 5:00 to 6:15pm

THEME: ISRAEL OUT OF PALESTINE--STOP ISRAELI CRUELTY--NO WAR WITH IRAN.

THE RESPONSES TO OUR SIGNS FROM THE CARS ON THE FREEWAY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN OVERWHELMINGLY POSITIVE AND GROWING, BUT WITH PATIENCE, IT WILL TAKE TIME TO PUT A DENT IN THE 4 DECADES OF SKEWED PRO-ISRAELI MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE ISRAEL/PALESTINE CONFLICT WHERE A MINIMUM OF 3 PALESTINIANS HAVE BEEN KILLED TO 1 ISRAELI, BUT IN TIME,THE PALESTINIANS WILL BE FREE SOMEDAY.

The SIGNS:

STOP U.S./ISRAEL WARS

STOP ISRAELI CRUELTY

PALESTINE SUFFERS

FREE PALESTINE

ISRAEL OUT OF PALESTINE

U.S. STOP FUNDING ISRAEL

THANK YOU FOR SAYING NO TO WAR

NO WAR WITH IRAN

READ CARTER'S BOOK ON PALESTINE

HANDS OFF THE PEOPLE OF IRAN

It reads on....

Why are we on the bridge protesting the U. S. unconditional political and economic support (approx. 10 million per day) to the Israeli Government when they continue the oppression, war crimes, and atrocities against the Palestinian people?

The average American doesn't know the extent of the suffering of the Palestinians and that this oppression is a predominant cause of radical Muslim terrorists, anti-Semitism, and anti-Americanism. When our government and Congressmen are unwilling to tell the truth about this conflict, and with the corporate media, which is highly biased in favor of Israel, this gross injustice is effectively kept under cover to "protect and defend" our twin brother, Israel. Even KPFT cooperates in this cover-up, inadvertently or intentionally, by canceling Flashpoints, which boldly attacks injustice where it exists, in Haiti, Darfur, or in Palestine. With our (US) phony "defense and protection" policies for our friend Israel, rather than defending and protecting, would not it be ironic if we contribute to its demise.

Injustices cannot last forever. History and inviolate laws inform us that the oppressor may become the oppressed. The Palestinian people are not going away.

Our efforts on the bridge may be slight but with malice toward none we would attempt to strike at the root of evil rather than hack at the branches and create a dialog for honest discussion to balance biased media coverage.

So if you’re in the Huston area, drop over on Wednesday afternoons and join in.

by Jackaloon

Video: Students Pelt Karl Rove In Protest

nbc4.com

Video: Students Pelt Karl Rove In Protest
Video: Watch The Report
Slideshow: Images From Scene

No Arrests Were Made

POSTED: 12:21 am EDT April 4, 2007
UPDATED: 8:29 am EDT April 4, 2007

WASHINGTON -- White House Advisor Karl Rove was the target of a protest on the American University campus Tuesday night, News4 reported.

Rove was on the campus to talk to the College Republicans, but when he got outside more than a dozen students began throwing things at him and at his car, an American University spokesperson said.

The students then got on the ground and laid down in front of his car as a protest.

The students said security officials picked them up and carried them away so Rove could leave.

Police said they have dealt with a lot of protests on campus and this one was handled peacefully.

No one was arrested.

Copyright 2007 by nbc4.com. All rights reserved.

Jews for Boycotting Israel: A New Initiative

J-BIG members believe that Israel's policies "constitute a betrayal of the best trends in Jewish ethical tradition" and operate a form of racism.

By Ruth Tenne
PalestineChronicle.com

The latest report of the International Development Select Committee regarding the Occupied Palestinian Territories (31 January 2007) makes for very distressing reading. In its section on trade, it refers to the ongoing restrictions in movements and access faced by the OPT, citing an OXFAM report which points out "that transaction costs for Palestinians wishing to export products are up to 70% higher than for Israelis exporting the same product. This market benefit is also true of products produced by Israeli settlers in the West Bank who can get direct access to markets in or through Israel without the disruptive road blocks and back-to-back transfers faced by the Palestinians. In addition, Palestinians face a range of regulations which do not appear to be linked to security. Moreover, the Palestinians are obliged to rely on Israeli intermediaries to transport their goods and therefore, do not pay purchase taxes and customs to the Palestinian Authority, which creates further losses to the economy of 3% of the GDP a year. The report concludes that "the viability of a future Palestinian economy depends significantly on its trading opportunities."

In order to challenge the stronghold Israel has on Palestine and its fledgling economy, a group of Jewish and Israeli residents in Britain was set up as a subsection of the campaign undertaken by Boycott Israeli Goods – BIG (www.bigcampaign.org.uk) . The new group, J-BIG, is an outcome of the deep frustration Jewish peace activists feel towards the inaction displayed by the Jewish community and its liberal wing with regard to Israel\'s repressive occupation of Palestinian land. J-BIG members believe that Israel\'s policies "constitute a betrayal of the best trends in Jewish ethical tradition" and operate a form of racism which is reminiscent of South African Apartheid - inflaming hatreds that render impossible the achievement of a just peace for both Israelis and Palestinians. Like ‘Enough!’ - the new coalition of trade unions, peace, faith and human right organisations in Britain- J-BIG believes that the British Government fails to stand up for the right of the Palestinian people and thus, calls for a consorted grass roots action. Along with the wider BIG campaign, members take part in direct action aiming to prevent the marketing and selling of goods and produce originating from the illegal settlements in the West Bank and from Israeli companies, especially those which are known to profit from the unlawful occupation. J-BIG’s strength is in the fact that being Jewish, we are unlikely to encounter charges of Anti-Semitism, made frequently by the Jewish community against those who criticise Israel\'s policies. At the same time, we hope that our stance will act as a "wake- up" call for the Jewish community in Britain and offer some symbolic support to the Palestinians who tend to regard the Jewish community as a keen champion of Israel’s policies. We hope that our actions will help attract greater publicity for the BIG campaign. Indeed, a recent picketing of Carmel- Agrexco, an Israeli marketing company, gained much publicity in the Jewish and Israeli press.

Carmel-Agrexco is a 50% Israeli state-owned export company which is responsible for exporting the majority of fruit and vegetables from illegal settlements in the West Bank to the UK. The UK forms a large part of the market for settlement produce, making up 60% of Agrexco\'s total exports. Agrexco profits from Israel\'s illegal occupation and entrenched system of racial apartheid in the occupied Palestinian territories. In the Jordan Valley of the West Bank, Agrexco set its farms on confiscated Palestinian land offering Palestinian farmers less than a living wage. Carmel-Agrexco can deliver fruits and vegetables to Europe in 24 hours while the produce of Palestinian farmers cannot get through the illegal Israeli military checkpoints and has to be left to rot in the field .

The picket of Carmel - Agrexco took place shortly before Valentine Day when the demand for Agrexco’s flowers is at its highest. Although the number of those picketing was just above 100, the attendance of J-BIG attracted special attention by the Israeli press. Interviewed by the Jerusalem Post, Deborah Fink - the convener of J-BIG, contended: "This is a grass roots action. It is a way the ordinary person can put pressure on Israel... It’s also to tell Jews that what Israel is doing is wrong. What Israel is doing is going against Jewish ethics. Uprooting olive trees is against Jewish law" Although the representative of Carmel -Agrexco UK dismissed the disruptive action, there is no doubt that such an action has a cumulative effect which help to turn consumers and the public against Israel, whose 2006 bombardment of Lebanon, "summer rain" shelling of Gaza and continued military incursions into the West Bank are etched in the public consciousness. Indeed, the results of a recent worldwide BBC’s poll of 28,000 people in 27 countries show that Israel is the most negatively viewed county. 56% of interviewees felt that Israel has a mostly negative influence on the world - a rating which is higher than any other country, including Iran and North Korea (Jewish News 8 March 2007).

J-BIG\'s campaign however, is not focused on one-off events. It is in the process of launching an ongoing campaign which will put pressure on supermarkets by informing them and their customers about Israel’s violation of human rights in the Occupied Territories, and of Israel\'s use of unethical and exploitative methods in marketing the produce of its illegal settlements in the West Bank - taking advantage of Palestinian labour and produce. In addition, J-BIG members will be requesting supermarkets to clearly label all goods which originate from the West Bank and Israel in order to help consumers make an ethical choice.

An additional aim of J-BIG is to promote Palestinian produce, especially extra virgin, organic, olive oil which is marketed by Zaytoun (www.zaytoun.org ) in accordance with the Fair Trade\'s code of practice. The olive oil comes directly from the West Bank and from Israeli Palestinian farmers who suffer from restrictions on their land ownership and use of water resources in Israel, (for a full account of the restrictions and discrimination suffered by Israeli Palestinians see Susan Nathan\'s book:The Other Side of Israel,2005). J-BIG members are promoting the sale of Zaytoun oil by giving it greater publicity through the media and by direct contact with potential vendors. They also aim to improve the market penetration of Zaytoun by selling the oil directly to friends, family relatives and members of the public. Palestine is the origin of the olive tree with some of the oldest olive groves in the world dating as far back as 1500 to 2000 years. This fact combined with the Mediterranean climate, rich fertile soil and the use of organic traditional farming methods makes Zaytoun\'s Palestinian olive oil a world beating product, with which Israeli olive oil that is produced mostly from younger olive trees, will find hard to compete.

On a political level, members of J-BIG have joined the wider campaign for abolishing the special trade and economic benefits granted to Israel as part of its trade agreement with the European Union. Indeed a significant number of British MPs appear to support this campaign. In February 2007 an Early Day Motion (EDM ) submitted to Parliament by Derek Wyatt notes that Israel "has routinely prevented the free movement of Palestinian goods and people and has withheld Palestinian funds from their people. ..... These and other grievous human rights abuses represent a clear breach of Article Two of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which calls for adherence to human rights" . The EDM goes on to commend the International Development Select Committee\'s recommendation that "the UK should urge the EU to use the Association Agreement with Israel as a lever for change and to consider suspending the Agreement until there are further improvements in access arrangements".

J-BIG and other activists have been writing to their respective MPs and requesting them to support Wyatt\'s EDM. It appears that the number of British MPs who have been signing the EDM is indeed growing, and the campaign for bearing pressure on Israel is taking root.

Being an Israeli-born citizen I hope , like the rest of my colleagues, that our campaign of boycotting Israel\'s produce of repression and "fruits of injustice" will successfully spearhead a grass roots action within the Jewish community against a brutal occupation which seeks to stamp out the Palestinians\' legitimate aspirations for nationhood .

Legislators say it's time to quit Iraq

By TOM FAHEY

State House Bureau Chief
1 hour, 11 minutes ago

Concord – The New Hampshire House today voted 214-151 to call for withdrawal of American troops from Iraq.

The House resolution expresses support for the troops, opposes the surge of 20,000 troops into Iraq, calls for full funding of medical services to veterans, and for diplomatic talks to calm the region.

The resolution is a symbolic victory for war opponents. It does not bind the federal government or the state to take any action.

Most of the two-hour debate was not over whether to pass a resolution, but which of two versions to adopt.

The original version sponsored by Rep. James Splaine, D-Portsmouth, which passed, was the tougher of the two.

An amended version that emerged from committee called for withdrawal “upon task completion.” Critics said the change left the withdrawal question open-ended, and could leave American troops in place for years to come.

Those who fought the resolution said New Hampshire’s legislature is not the place for a debate on a foreign war. They also argued that calling for withdrawal would be a sign of weakness in the nation’s war on terrorism.

Minority Leader Michael Whalley, R-Alton, argued against the measure, saying it will hurt troops in the field.

“We will cause their pain to be greater than it would be otherwise,” he said.

“And for one brief moment we will give satisfaction to the enemy and they will feel one step closer to having beaten us.”

Many who spoke are veterans of the armed forces, but they were on opposing sides of the debate.

“We should be worried about what going on with criminals in our state, not with what’s going on in Iraq,” Rep. Alfred Baldasaro, R-Londonderry, said. “We need to finish what we started.” A call for withdrawal “is a black eye for our state,” the retired Marine said.

Rep. Paul McEachern, D-Portsmouth, a U.S. Navy veteran, said the war is a proper subject for the Legislature.

“It is appropriate that it be discussed here, because it is the town square of New Hampshire. We should debate this,” he said.

Rep. David Smith, D-Nashua, said the resolution only hurts service members in Iraq and their families.

“If you don’t’ like war in Iraq, what we do here won’t make a difference over there, but it might make a difference to these young men and women down the road.

“I suggest if you want to send a message, contact your congressman.”

Rep. Robert Perry, D-Strafford, said that members of the armed forces are dying at a rapid rate with no end in sight.

He said 3,103 have died in the war, “24 more than when I spoke here in this hall a week ago."

Splaine said the debate was not about disrespecting those serving in Iraq.

“This is about the brave men and women who are in the armed services and how we can use our smarts in this country to fight the war on terrorism in ways that make sense. We need to find a way to end this war,” he said.

Rep. Peter Schmidt, D-Dover, also a retired Marine, said he supports the troops in the field, “but this is also a very incompetently waged war because ‘the Decider’ got it wrong.”

Rep. Eleanor Kjellman, D-Henniker, an Air Force veteran, mother of an Iraq Warveteran, said, “It is our duty to question the wisdom of this war and the broadening of it. It is our duty to ask when it will end.”

After the roll call was taken, a line of Republicans registered formal protests of the vote.

Peaceful Protests in Iraq - Against the Occupation

Peaceful Protests in Iraq

Danny Glover for Mayor: "AIPAC forces are out from New York to San Francisco to smother this baby in its crib"

"Danny Glover for Mayor

Jesus Christ, does this one have legs!?! The unapologetic AIPAC forces are out from New York to San Francisco to smother this baby in its crib before it even gets its first bottle. Go Danny go."
---

COURT JESTERINGS

With h brown

Photo(s) by Luke Thomas

Court Jester seeks Amnesty International
intervention in Wolf case

By h. brown

March 20, 2007

Does Josh need Amnesty International?

(will they move him to Guantanomo?)

Josh Wolf is a political prisoner within his own country. That is a fact. He is held because of his political beliefs. No other reason.

So, what do you do when there can be no justice from your own government? You seek it through the World Court. But first, through publicity from Amnesty International.

The Bush administration locked him up. Bush's Attorney General, Alberto Gonzales personally signed the order to arrest Josh. This is the same Alberto Gonzales who wrote a legal rationalization supporting the right of the Bush administration to move anyone they want from country to country and torture them in secret prisons.

This is the same Alberto Gonzales who just fired 8 federal district attorneys generals for political purposes. What are you gonna do? Appeal to the Supreme Court, perhaps? It's stacked and votes along party lines. There is, in fact, no ultimate justice in today's continuum of American jurisprudence.

Are you listening? Your president is doing this and no one is calling for his impeachment? Certainly not Nancy Pelosi. Or, Harry Reid. Where does one turn?

Speaker Nancy Pelosi

Peaceful protest

Starting today, Josh's mom and dad will welcome fellow well-wishers to their vigil in front of the Federal building on Larkin at Golden Gate. The 24/7 demonstration will evolve into a mother's hunger strike if Josh is not released. We may need, as mentioned, Amnesty International on this one and it could end up with the Attorney General of the United States indicted by the World Court. These people make Nixon look like a bleeding-heart liberal.

I'm dusting off my 'Free Josh' sign and heading over there and if you value freedom of the press and have a few minutes, it is your duty as an American to come by and hang out. Realize what you're up against.

You will be photographed and catalogued by the FBI. Homeland Security probably already has a file on you. This is not your father's America. This is Bushland. They'd kill you if they could. The last demonstration I attended in front of that building featured a security force with only half of the guards wearing ID's. Look for the ones without ID's. They'll be the first to snap a visor down and start whacking grandmothers with billy clubs.

If you have a camera, take pics of the cops. Particularly the ones who don't have any identification. It's illegal for them to not have any identifying numbers. Some of them will put tape on their badge numbers. Watch out for these pricks. They have decided in advance that they are going to bust some skulls and they are too cowardly to do it with their family names over their breast pocket.

Danny Glover for Mayor

Jesus Christ, does this one have legs!?! The unapologetic AIPAC forces are out from New York to San Francisco to smother this babyin its crib before it even gets its first bottle. Go Danny go.

Danny Glover

The Gonzalez forces hate the idea. The Newsom people must have run a poll because they are approaching apoplexy. Let me say a few words about this subject.

Idea came from 'Wish you were dead'

Political junkies in town are divided upon the idea of Glover running for Mayor. Half of them are Downtwon hacks terrified of the prospect. The other half are trying to take credit for the idea.

We'll deal with the first half of the mob later. As regards the origination of the idea (listen up, Danny) … it came from an anonymous poster who titles himself: 'Wish you were dead'. He began pushing your name for public office last year when Sarah Lipson announced she wouldn't run for re-election to the School Board. Clearly, that wouldn't have been a position from which you can have maximum impact. 'Wish' prefers to remain anonymous.

Mirkarimi to call Press hearing?

The Josh Wolf Vigil began an hour or so ago in front of the Federal Building at Larkin and Golden Gate. I brought the subject up with D-5's Supervisor, Ross Mirkarimi at his monthly art opening in his office last Friday. I noted that with the entire argument of Josh's imprisonment revolving around the definition of 'journalist' in today's America, that it might be a good idea to have another hearing on the topic.

Ross agreed but noted that the last hearing was before the Rules Committee and that Rules Chair, Tom Ammiano would have to call up the item. So, Tom, how about it?

I intend to bring up the topic of the federal shield law at the hearing, should it occur. My concern is that, as presently defined, the law does not cover unpaid online journalists who could still be locked up by the likes of Judge William Alsup. Federal law should not enshrine the idea that the likes of Ken Garcia and Pat Murphy - paid by Downtown interests and are totally biased - are legitimate journalists who can keep their sources private, … but that writers such as myself who are unpaid (and, admittedly, nevertheless of a totally biased point of view) … should have to give up Eileen Left's real name.

At any rate, I call upon the good Supervisor Mirkarimi to make note of the Wolf family's continuing vigil for Josh's release when he makes his 'Roll Call for Introductions' presentation before the Full Board at Tuesday's meeting.

Odds and ends and odd ends

Salon on Friday was alive with ideas growing like fungi in the warm sun. An 'associate' ("I used to work for Kamala, but I don't now.") of D.A., Kamala Harris, showed up for the 2nd time in 3 weeks and sat next to our roiling group to listen. She'd been pointed out to me a couple of weeks ago but I didn't say anything to her. I mean, shit, you don't have to spy on us. Just show up and sit at the table with us. I'll out her by name if she shows up again.

Gonzo roomie, Jimmy Dorenkott showed up at the Mirkarimi event, soused, angry, threatening and unkempt. Christ, it was like looking in the mirror.

So, Dorenkott threatened Marc Salomon (which he's done before) and trembled with rage until calmed by the 'Persian Colossus' himself. Email contacts with Gonzalez requesting he rein in this present-day, Luca Brazzi heard Matt reply that: "Jim is his own man.". Sure, and Jennifer Siebel didn't get her ideas about Ruby Tourk from Gavin. Poor form. Kind of fun, though. Look for a repeat side-show at noon today when all sides of the conflict (has to do with feminism and equal billing for women) will gather in front of the aforementioned Federal Building to either implore the new House Speaker to push for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, … or, perhaps, the Greens will just roll on the ground and fight with each other.

Glover for Mayor.

h. brown is a 62 year-old keeper of sfbulldog.com, an eclectic site featuring a half dozen City Hall denizens. h is a former sailor, firefighter, teacher, nightclub owner,and a hard-living satirical muckraker. Email h at h@ludd.net.

URL

Activists Assail AIPAC Agenda

Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, March 2007, pages 46-47

Northern California Chronicle

Women in Black Spread Message of Peace, Opposition to War, Violence

By Elaine Pasquini

	Passing a San Francisco cable car and with a police motorcycle escort, Bay Area Women in Black march silently amid holiday shoppers the day after Thanksgiving (Staff photo P. Pasquini).

CONTINUING a six-year tradition, some 40 members of Bay Area Women in Black paraded silently through the heart of San Francisco’s shopping district the day after Thanksgiving to bring attention to their message of peace, and opposition to the Iraq war and to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land and killing of Palestinian civilians. Dressed in black, the women, and also several men, carried signs reading, “War is Terror,” “We Refuse to Be Enemies,” “Mothers Are Grieving in Israel and Palestine,” and “Support Our Peacemakers.” Motorcycle patrolmen accompanied the group as it was dogged by a noisy handful of pro-Israel hecklers.

Activists Assail AIPAC Agenda

Demonstrators outside an AIPAC fund-raising luncheon held at San Francisco’s Moscone Center (Staff photo S. Twair).

Californians opposed to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s (AIPAC) influence on U.S. foreign policy and the $3 billion in annual U.S. aid to Israel protested at the pro-Israel lobby’s recent Northern California membership fund-raisers. Some 70 activists demonstrated outside Sacramento’s Radisson Hotel Dec. 3, while an equal number protested at Santa Clara’s Convention Center the same day. The following day, while AIPAC supporters dined inside San Francisco’s Moscone Center, demonstrators outside the tony fund-raiser venue held a large banner reading “AIPAC DOES NOT SPEAK FOR US.” Later that evening more than 75 activists rallied outside Oakland’s Marriott City Center. The two-day campaign against AIPAC was organized by StopAIPAC.org, a group of Bay Area peace and justice activists. Through the fiscal sponsorship of The Rebuilding Alliance, <www.rebuildingalliance.org/>, the group placed a full-page statement of conscience endorsed by 200 individuals in the Nov. 29 edition of the San Francisco Bay Guardian. Calling on congressional representatives to “reject the dangerous politics of militarism and confrontation promoted by AIPAC,” the group demands that their representatives “support a new foreign policy based on respect for human rights and international law.”

War Vets, Resisters Speak in San Francisco

	Darrell Anderson (r) with IVAW musicians atop their bus at a rally in San Francisco (Staff photo E. Pasquini).

“Action is the only thing that’s going to stop this war,” Iraq war veteran Darrell Anderson told some 75 supporters at San Francisco’s War Memorial Veterans Building Dec. 9. The Purple Heart recipient was discharged from the Army in October 2006 after he returned to the U.S. from Canada, where he fled the night before he was to return to Iraq for his second tour of duty in January 2005. The 24-year-old armored vehicle specialist is presently a member of the Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) cross-country bus tour designed to raise awareness and support military resisters and their families.

Army Pfc. Kyle Snyder, 23, AWOL since April 2005, addressed the crowd by telephone. “I just couldn’t be a part of what I believe to be an illegal and immoral war,” he said of his decision not to fight in Iraq.

Standing in front of the IVAW bus parked on the street across from City Hall, Bob Watada and Rosa Sakanishi, father and stepmother of 1st Lt. Ehren Watada, the Army’s first commissioned officer to refuse deployment to Iraq, spoke to their supporters and the media. “Lack of courage is not Ehren’s reason for refusing to serve in Iraq,” Sakanishi said. “He should not be punished for raising his voice and taking a stand, but that’s what he’s facing.” The 28-year-old Hawaiian faces court martial for his decision to go absent without leave.

Courage to Resist and the Lt. Ehren Watada Support Committee (SF) co-hosted the event. For more information visit <www.couragetoresist.org/x/> and <www.thankyoult.org>.

Consular Corps Ladies Hold Holiday Bazaar

The Ladies of the San Francisco Consular Corps held their second annual holiday bazaar Dec. 2 at San Francisco’s City College. Susan Somaya, wife of Honorary Consul of Mauritius Jitu Somaya, chaired the bazaar, which featured crafts, gifts, and holiday traditions from San Francisco’s 76 international consulates. Proceeds from the event benefited local charities, including St. Anthony’s Foundation and the Tenderloin After School Project. The non-profit group also will fund a City College scholarship for foreign students.

Emphasizing that the group ignores political differences, Somaya explained, “We wish to give something back to the community we all live in.”

Among the items for sale were a specially designed Christmas tree ornament featuring a dove with the words “Peace on Earth,” and The Diplomatic Apron, a cookbook of recipes from the members’ various kitchens. The Egyptian and Indian consulates offered delicious native cuisine. Music and dancing completed the event along with a silent auction and raffle.

ACCC Celebrates Christmas, Eid al-Adha

	Sandra, one of the ACCC’s young Arabic-language students, makes holiday crafts at the Dec 16 bazaar (Staff photo E. Pasquini).

On Dec. 16 San Francisco’s Arab Cultural and Community Center (ACCC) hosted a holiday bazaar celebrating Christmas, the New Year, and Eid al-Adha, which occurred on Dec. 30. Beautiful handcrafted jewelry, crafts, purses, scarves and other items from the Arab world were offered for sale. Children from the ACCC’s weekly Saturday Arabic class enjoyed making holiday cards and decorations after their morning lesson. All the guests appreciated the holiday sweets and lively Arab music provided courtesy of ACCC youth program assistant director Ahmed Hashem, who acted as deejay for the afternoon celebration.

The Islamic holiday Eid al-Adha occurs on the 10th day of the Islamic month Dhul-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar. It commemorates the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Isma’il in response to a command from God, and God’s mercy in substituting a lamb for Isma’il. Occurring at the end of the hajj (the annual pilgrimage to Mecca), one of the five pillars of Islam required of all Muslims at least once in a lifetime if finances and health permit, this holiday is observed by sharing food with family and friends, and giving gifts to children.

The ACCC may be reached at (415) 664-2200; via e-mail at <info@arabculturalcenter.org>; or through its Web site, <www.arabculturalcenter.org>. The holiday bazaar was sponsored by the San Francisco Foundation. <http://www.sff.org>.

Elaine Pasquini is a free-lance journalist based in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Activists Assail AIPAC Agenda

Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, March 2007, pages 46-47

Northern California Chronicle

Women in Black Spread Message of Peace, Opposition to War, Violence

By Elaine Pasquini

	Passing a San Francisco cable car and with a police motorcycle escort, Bay Area Women in Black march silently amid holiday shoppers the day after Thanksgiving (Staff photo P. Pasquini).

CONTINUING a six-year tradition, some 40 members of Bay Area Women in Black paraded silently through the heart of San Francisco’s shopping district the day after Thanksgiving to bring attention to their message of peace, and opposition to the Iraq war and to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land and killing of Palestinian civilians. Dressed in black, the women, and also several men, carried signs reading, “War is Terror,” “We Refuse to Be Enemies,” “Mothers Are Grieving in Israel and Palestine,” and “Support Our Peacemakers.” Motorcycle patrolmen accompanied the group as it was dogged by a noisy handful of pro-Israel hecklers.

Activists Assail AIPAC Agenda

Demonstrators outside an AIPAC fund-raising luncheon held at San Francisco’s Moscone Center (Staff photo S. Twair).

Californians opposed to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s (AIPAC) influence on U.S. foreign policy and the $3 billion in annual U.S. aid to Israel protested at the pro-Israel lobby’s recent Northern California membership fund-raisers. Some 70 activists demonstrated outside Sacramento’s Radisson Hotel Dec. 3, while an equal number protested at Santa Clara’s Convention Center the same day. The following day, while AIPAC supporters dined inside San Francisco’s Moscone Center, demonstrators outside the tony fund-raiser venue held a large banner reading “AIPAC DOES NOT SPEAK FOR US.” Later that evening more than 75 activists rallied outside Oakland’s Marriott City Center. The two-day campaign against AIPAC was organized by StopAIPAC.org, a group of Bay Area peace and justice activists. Through the fiscal sponsorship of The Rebuilding Alliance, <www.rebuildingalliance.org/>, the group placed a full-page statement of conscience endorsed by 200 individuals in the Nov. 29 edition of the San Francisco Bay Guardian. Calling on congressional representatives to “reject the dangerous politics of militarism and confrontation promoted by AIPAC,” the group demands that their representatives “support a new foreign policy based on respect for human rights and international law.”

War Vets, Resisters Speak in San Francisco

	Darrell Anderson (r) with IVAW musicians atop their bus at a rally in San Francisco (Staff photo E. Pasquini).

“Action is the only thing that’s going to stop this war,” Iraq war veteran Darrell Anderson told some 75 supporters at San Francisco’s War Memorial Veterans Building Dec. 9. The Purple Heart recipient was discharged from the Army in October 2006 after he returned to the U.S. from Canada, where he fled the night before he was to return to Iraq for his second tour of duty in January 2005. The 24-year-old armored vehicle specialist is presently a member of the Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) cross-country bus tour designed to raise awareness and support military resisters and their families.

Army Pfc. Kyle Snyder, 23, AWOL since April 2005, addressed the crowd by telephone. “I just couldn’t be a part of what I believe to be an illegal and immoral war,” he said of his decision not to fight in Iraq.

Standing in front of the IVAW bus parked on the street across from City Hall, Bob Watada and Rosa Sakanishi, father and stepmother of 1st Lt. Ehren Watada, the Army’s first commissioned officer to refuse deployment to Iraq, spoke to their supporters and the media. “Lack of courage is not Ehren’s reason for refusing to serve in Iraq,” Sakanishi said. “He should not be punished for raising his voice and taking a stand, but that’s what he’s facing.” The 28-year-old Hawaiian faces court martial for his decision to go absent without leave.

Courage to Resist and the Lt. Ehren Watada Support Committee (SF) co-hosted the event. For more information visit <www.couragetoresist.org/x/> and <www.thankyoult.org>.

Consular Corps Ladies Hold Holiday Bazaar

The Ladies of the San Francisco Consular Corps held their second annual holiday bazaar Dec. 2 at San Francisco’s City College. Susan Somaya, wife of Honorary Consul of Mauritius Jitu Somaya, chaired the bazaar, which featured crafts, gifts, and holiday traditions from San Francisco’s 76 international consulates. Proceeds from the event benefited local charities, including St. Anthony’s Foundation and the Tenderloin After School Project. The non-profit group also will fund a City College scholarship for foreign students.

Emphasizing that the group ignores political differences, Somaya explained, “We wish to give something back to the community we all live in.”

Among the items for sale were a specially designed Christmas tree ornament featuring a dove with the words “Peace on Earth,” and The Diplomatic Apron, a cookbook of recipes from the members’ various kitchens. The Egyptian and Indian consulates offered delicious native cuisine. Music and dancing completed the event along with a silent auction and raffle.

ACCC Celebrates Christmas, Eid al-Adha

	Sandra, one of the ACCC’s young Arabic-language students, makes holiday crafts at the Dec 16 bazaar (Staff photo E. Pasquini).

On Dec. 16 San Francisco’s Arab Cultural and Community Center (ACCC) hosted a holiday bazaar celebrating Christmas, the New Year, and Eid al-Adha, which occurred on Dec. 30. Beautiful handcrafted jewelry, crafts, purses, scarves and other items from the Arab world were offered for sale. Children from the ACCC’s weekly Saturday Arabic class enjoyed making holiday cards and decorations after their morning lesson. All the guests appreciated the holiday sweets and lively Arab music provided courtesy of ACCC youth program assistant director Ahmed Hashem, who acted as deejay for the afternoon celebration.

The Islamic holiday Eid al-Adha occurs on the 10th day of the Islamic month Dhul-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar. It commemorates the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Isma’il in response to a command from God, and God’s mercy in substituting a lamb for Isma’il. Occurring at the end of the hajj (the annual pilgrimage to Mecca), one of the five pillars of Islam required of all Muslims at least once in a lifetime if finances and health permit, this holiday is observed by sharing food with family and friends, and giving gifts to children.

The ACCC may be reached at (415) 664-2200; via e-mail at <info@arabculturalcenter.org>; or through its Web site, <www.arabculturalcenter.org>. The holiday bazaar was sponsored by the San Francisco Foundation. <http://www.sff.org>.

Elaine Pasquini is a free-lance journalist based in the San Francisco Bay Area.

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Ottawa and Montreal - Day of Action: 4th Anniversary of Iraq War

Saturday, March 17, 2007

Hundreds of people once again braved icy winds and snow flurries today to join at least 37 Canadian cities and thousands of U.S. cities in voicing grave concern over the wars inflicted by the West on Iraq and Afghanistan, and currently being threatened against Iran. There was actually a global callout that included protests against regional wars such as in Somalia, Palestine and Darfur as well.

Below you will see photos from the Ottawa demo and below that are a few words and some photos of the Montreal demo, courtesy of Ron Saba, Editor of Montreal Planet Magazine.

I need to say very little about the Ottawa rally, because the protest signs spoke volumes. It was obvious the people are not fooled by the false premises - such as, we're there to "help with reconstruction" - on which the wars and horrendous human rights violations are based and by which they are lamely justified.

The Ottawa demonstration was cooperatively organized by groups such as ROCG, NOWAR-PAIX and SCAW. Information about those groups, their websites, and the names of persons who spoke at the event can be found here.

I heard several times today from people of my advanced age how wonderful it was to see so many bright young faces in the crowd. Students probably have no idea how much their enthusiasm and creativity are appreciated by worn out older activists.

On with the photos. If you notice white spots, that's falling snow. (Click on each image to see a larger version)

Gatineau, Ottawa and student groups converged at the National Art Gallery. In this photo a man is holding one of the most stand-out, homemade peace symbols I've ever seen. Someone else is carrying a sign that says: "War is a moral issue - Thou shalt not kill" It seems that even though Stephen Harper and George Bush proudly proclaim their Christianity, they have missed the point of it entirely.

"Harper Dearest: Don't Assume I Share Your Prejudices"
This sign also contains the universal symbol for "No" (a red circle with a diagonal line) and the word "Fascism" inside the circle.

"No to military attack on Iran! No to Islamic Republic of Iran!"
(Worker Communist Party of Iran)

Another sign in this photo: "The Emperor has no brain"

Two signs: "War is not the Answer" and "Stop the Bloodshed - Troops out Now!"



Two signs: "9.11 - 20.3.03; Lest We Forget - the official version IS a conspiracy!"
"Blessed are the Peace Makers for they shall be called Children of God, Matt. 5:9"



Then the march began through the Byward Market area and toward the US Embassy.
This sign says: "This is what Democracy looks like!" (In case anyone has forgotten)

"Collateral damage is not reconstruction"



"Bombs are not smart"

"We are all to blame - it's time to take a stand"

"War = The best terrorist recruitment tool our tax dollars can buy"

"Troops' lives are not worth Harper's lies"

"There is no 'reconstruction' in military destruction"

"To live the American Dream, you have to be ASLEEP! WAKE UP CANADA!"

This sign is orange and diamond-shaped like a stop sign.
It has images of Harper and Bush side by side and the words:
"Caution - War Mongers in Progress"

Here we are at the US Embassy. Photo: Girl holding bomb. I don't think it's real.



This is the speakers' dais, decorated with two wooden coffins made by a professor from one of the universities. That's the embassy in the background at which Ottawa activists have so often vented their frustration with George Bush.

Moving on toward Parliament Hill
Sign: "Our Troops are Amazing! Our Foreign Policy is Abominable!"

Banner: "Industrial Workers of the World - An injury to one is an injury to all!"

"No Illegal Imprisonment"

"Stop Fascism"
I have to assume this means the fascism in our own country. The word Islamofascism was coined by those who are trying to project our own sins onto someone else.

Taking the message right to the steps of Parliament.

The Raging Grannies received an enthusiastic response to their songs.

Here are my favourite photo subjects - I always love to see the all-important drummers and the sweet little kids

One of the drummers.

Child wearing military style helmet with the words "Class Warrior" in red at the front. The "A" in warrior is changed to a peace symbol, and there is a larger peace symbol on the back of the helmet.

This little girl made and decorated her own sign. It says "Peace on Earth" and it has hearts and stars and flowers and Mr. Sun on it, all in pretty pastel colours.

On to Montreal
Israeli Apartheid is always included in Montreal rallies. This one was no exception.

By Ron Saba: Montreal Anti-Occupation/War/Apartheid Demo, March 17, 2007
(Photo captions added by YYC)

With a cunning smile, the US Empire and its Canadian lackey offers imperial soup. And then guns them down with imperial guns. Canadians have much blood on their hands. We will have even more blood on our hands unless we act now to stop the Harper/Bush Military Industrial Complex before it attacks Iran. We the people must stand together and demand an end to the military industrial complex. We the people must stand together and demand an end to the illegal occupation of Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine.

Sign: "Palestiniens et Juifs Unis Contre L'Occupation Israélienne"

View of marchers in the street

Sign: "Massacre Charitable? C'est Louche!"

Street theatre - tough guy soldiers with guns

Sign: "No More Bantustans - South Africa 1988, Now Palestine"
(The Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid)

A pointed message about Petro Canada : "See ya in Iran"
In other words, we're onto you guys. We know what you're really after, and what you don't mind shedding other people's blood for.

Related:
CanadaWatch: PHOTOS of Hamilton demo
CBC: Rallies in Canada and U.S. protest Iraq war, Afghan mission
More links to photos at WhatReallyHappened.com