Buffalo May Day March & Rally!
Now it's more urgent than ever!
If you oppose Arizona's new anti-immigrant, apartheid, racist profiling law, join the
BUFFALO MAY DAY MARCH AND RALLY!
SATURDAY MAY 1
GATHER at 2 PM at MAIN and GOODELL
MARCH to MARTIN LUTHER KING PARK
If you oppose militarization of the border, join the
BUFFALO MAY DAY MARCH AND RALLY!
If you oppose Racial Profiling, join the
BUFFALO MAY DAY MARCH AND RALLY!
MARCH and RALLY to DEMAND
· Immediate LEGALIZATION for ALL undocumented in this country!
· End militarization of the border, including by vigilante groups!
· Stop the raids now, and end the ripping apart of families!
· End the U.S. policies, including trade policies such as NAFTA, that take away jobs in this country AND in other countries and create the conditions that force migration!
· Jobs for all workers in this country regardless of place of birth!
· Education for all regardless of place of birth or economic status!
· No guest worker programs!
· Recognition of the role climate change plays in creating refugees, and policies to prevent it!
The Schumer Plan is NOT “Comprehensive Immigration Reform”. It will lead to an increase in raids and punishment of immigrants. Read more »
ECRPC Update
Dear Allies,
Last Wednesday members of our Coalition met with staff to the Erie County Legislature to discuss measures that we feel need to be approached legislatively, not just to stop abuse, but to discourage the climate which promotes it. These included:
1. The creation of a Community Advisory Board to oversee the jails
2. Remuneration of the Commissary Account which funds education and rehabilitation programs
3. Additional medical/mental health staff for the jails
4. Structural projects, such as improved lighting and ventilation in parts of the Holding Center which can become very inhospitable in summer.
5. Assurance that the Eagle St. demolition site will not be used as a County lockup.
Respectively, we came to the following conclusions:
1. The Legislature will review our proposal for a Community Advisory Board as soon as it is complete - our friends in the National Lawyers Guild have been working with us on the legal research behind this initiative, and we expect a draft shortly (perhaps 2 weeks).
2. Thefts from the Commissary account are much more complicated than we had previously believed. Apparently, the County Comptroller has offered the Legislature contradictory accounts in the past of how much money needs to be reimbursed, depending on which pool of money it was taken from (ie phone fees v Commissary sales) and what it was spent on (ie do inmate medical expenses qualify as rehabilitative?). They told us they would be following up with the State Comptroller for an accurate account and interpretation of all expenditures. We'll let you know how it goes.
3. Apparently, in this budget year the Holding Center has added more nursing positions, up to a total of 4 full time. Some preliminary discussions of what might be added in the future took place at this time, but no action was agreed upon.
4. The Captial Budget process was explained and our part in it encouraged to make sure Holding Center projects are high on the list. Apparently, a review board will be meeting shortly to prepare a list of the top 50 or so capital budget projects to take place in the County, after which Chris Collins will review and narrow the list and pass it on the Legislature, which will put them in their final budget. We should know shortly who will be on the initial review board so we can begin lobbying. Read more »
Countering the Recruiters at Buffalo State
By Cliff Cawthon
source: www.buffalo.indymedia.org
Military Recruiters are a reoccurring feature in schools in poor communities, Buffalo & city schools are no different. It was characterized as a "military occupation of our schools", by Will Richardson, a student activist and former Hutch Tech student. On Tuesday, April 14th Buffalo State Students For Peace organized a panel discussion on counter-recruitment and military recruitment in our schools featuring: William Richardson (UB Student, President- United Socialist Movement of the Americas Buffalo chapter); Robynn Murray (Iraq War Veteran and IVAW organizer for WNY); Joshua Casteel (IVAW organizer); and Dr. Shawgi of Nazareth College.
The panel was insightful, powerful, and a moving counter to the friendly facade of university and high-school military recruiters. Their lessons are particularly relevant at Buffalo State College, which has a significant reservist and working-class population. The idea of free-education and benefits are quite attractive; however, due to terms of departure from the military or the decisions of institutional actors, a third of troops don't receive those benefits.
Dr. Shawgi initiated the panel with the Prison-Military pipeline that follows a pattern of criminalization, poverty, and military mobilization. Without livelihoods, strong criminal drug policies, and difficult obstacles to a post-secondary education (i.e. scholarships or debt) one of the most lucrative choices 'presented' to young people is the military. For example, on the Army website "Active Duty" enlistment may bring a $40,000 bonus.
The presentation from the veterans preceded the Question and Answer section and it brought a striking realism to conclude the presentation. Robynn Murray addressed PTSD and the abuse in the military against women and men, according to the new IVAW pamphlet, "55 percent of all women service members and 38 percent of men have reported sexual harassment". Joshua Casteel complimented everything that was said by adding a brilliant illustration of the psychological dimension of the training of soldiers. At the core of this conditioning is the practice of "Operant and reflexive conditioning": showing an image or a theme to someone constantly and training their reaction.
One point that both IVAW panelists addressed was the infamous Apache Helicoper Video found by wikileaks: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyQsgkncxcc&feature=related
The feeling on the panel was that this video demonstrated the exact protocol that the soldiers were taught. This criminal action was not the product of a few individuals but, it was part-and-parcel of a larger behavioral complex. In turn, it was cited that one-third of active duty soldiers are on some kind of anti-depressant of sleeping medication because of the stressful and traumatic experiences. Read more »
Message from Buffalo/WNY IAC
Protest against TEA PARTY Express THIS MON APR 12 -11am BUFFALO
The Tea Party Express Tours is scheduled to rally in Buffalo this Monday, April 12, at 11am at the downtown Commercial Slip, right next to the Naval Park, at the foot of Pearl St and Scott.
They plan to have the racist millionaire developer Carl Paladino as their speaker.
IT'S ABOUT TIME WE STAND UP TO THIS GROUP OF EXTREME RIGHTWING RACIST, ANTI-IMMIGRANT, ANTI-WOMEN'S RIGHTS, HOMOPHOBIC NEO-FASCISTS!
It's time we let them, the media, and all the world know that they don't speak for us!
We're going to be there.
All progressive people should be there.
Bring your own signs, or pick up one of ours.
ECRPC Update
By The Erie County Prisoner's Rights Coalition
In the past month, much progress has been made in the Erie County Holding Center, from detoxification units being established to help combat the prevalent suicide problem, to state and federal investigators resuming inspection of the jails, this time without the supervision of County Attorney Cheryl Green. We are excited by the work that is going on, and we know that community outrage over the conditions in the Holding Center has played a major role in maintaining the urgency of the issue. We are active in anticipating next steps for the jails:
1. In early March we met for the first time with members of the National Lawyers Guild. Topics at this meeting included preparing legislation that would address money stolen from the Commissary account and establishing the Community Advisory Board for which we've been advocating for months.
Our sense from these conversations is that funds currently in the Commissary account are intended to be used again towards rehabilitation programs, while it may be more politically difficult to get the County to remunerate funds that were taken during the budget crisis of 2005.
2. Since our first contact with the Lawyers Guild, we have had conversation with Nan Haynes and Rebecca Town, who have developed a questionnaire that we can use to help refer former or current inmates and their families to seek legal help from member of the Guild. Last Wednesday they presented to us using this questionnaire and informed us as to how we can collect good testimony from the many people in our communities with stories to tell, so that those cases that have strong litigious potential can be advocated for. If you know folks whose stories need to be heard by a good lawyer, let us know. Read more »
A Panel Discussion on Persian Gulf and US Foreign Policy in the Middle East
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
BUFFALO, NY, April 7, 2010 – On Monday, April 12, 2010 The Western New York Peace Center and International Institute of Buffalo will be having A Panel Discussion on the Persian Gulf and US Foreign Policy in the Middle East. The Location has changed to Olmsted Center for Sight (1170 Main Street) in Buffalo, NY and will begin at 6:00 pm until 7:30 pm.
The discussion will focus on the Persian Gulf & US Policy, examining Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. During the discussion the four panelists will have 10 minutes to speak followed by 40 minutes of discussion. The Panel includes the following speakers for each country:
- Iran: Keith Henderson is a Professor of Political Science and has traveled to Iran and done extensive research on Iran.
- Iraq: Bill Marx is the co-chair of Pax Christi of WNY has traveled to Iraq and worked as a peace activist and Anti-Violence Project facilitator.
- Palestine/Israel: John Lloyd is a local teacher who has taught in Palestine for a year and has been an activist and speaker for the Palestinian cause.
- Afghanistan: Anthony Agnello is a teacher, President of Friends of Afghanistan and former Peace Corp volunteer who has worked in Afghanistan to build schools.
Coalition to Break the Blockade on Gaza Announced
April 4, 2010
Istanbul, Turkey – Following months of preparation, a coalition bringing together a number of organizations and movements working to break Israel’s illegal blockade on Gaza was announced yesterday in Istanbul. The coalition, comprised of the Turkey-based IHH (Insani Yardim Vakfi) organization, the European Campaign to End the Siege on Gaza (ECESG), the Greek Ship to Gaza campaign, the Swedish Ship to Gaza campaign and the Free Gaza Movement, will launch a flotilla of ships laden with cargo, media, parliamentarians, celebrities and activists to Gaza next month.
The flotilla includes at least eight vessels, including three cargo ships, and will set sail from European ports beginning May 3, reaching the port of Gaza later in the month. Over 500 passengers from more than 20 countries will take part, and 5,000 tons of cargo, including cement, prefabricated housing, other building materials, medical equipment, and educational supplies will be delivered to Palestinians in Gaza.
The Free Gaza Movement has been launching ships to Gaza since August 2008, partnering with organizations and activists around the world on these missions. In December 2009, IHH led a land convoy to Gaza that brought tons of humanitarian aid and other supplies. In January 2010 the European Campaign brought 50 parliamentarians to Gaza in solidarity with the Palestinian people and to witness the devastation wrought by Israel’s illegal policies. Ship to Gaza/Greece and Ship to Gaza/Sweden meanwhile have had ongoing campaigns in their countries to raise awareness and funds for this effort and for materials to be brought to Gaza.
“Through this coalition, these organizations will be able to maximize resources, experience and commitment to ending the illegal siege on Gaza. Even as Israel continues its daily persecution of Palestinians, we will use this action to wake the world’s consciousness about the crimes committed against Palestinians,” said IHH President Bulent Yildirim. Read more »
Free Gaza Movement to Launch Cargo Ship from Ireland
www.freegaza.org
Wednesday March 31st 2010
Yesterday the Free Gaza Movement bought a 1200 tonne cargo ship at an auction in Dundalk, Ireland.
The vessel had been impounded a year ago following an inspection by the International Transport Federation (ITF) which found that its owners had exploited its Lithuanian crew members- not paying their wages and subjecting them to humiliating treatment.
ITF Inspector and SIPTU organiser Ken Fleming said, ‘We are pleased to announce that this vessel which was used to subject workers to modern day slavery, will now be used to promote human rights for the people of Palestine.’
The Free Gaza Movement now owns four ships including three passenger vessels.
Free Gaza’s ships will take part in an international flotilla taking humanitarian aid to the besieged Gaza strip this May. Passenger and cargo ships are also being organised by the Turkish humanitarian organisation I.H.H., and by groups in Greece, Sweden, Malaysia and Belgium.
Free Gaza has launched eight missions to Gaza over the past two years. Five were successful. The last two were violently stopped by the Israeli Navy.
The Irish ship will be taking 500 tons of cement, as well as medicines, medical equipment and educational materials to the people of Gaza.
Derek Graham of the Free Gaza Movement said, ‘We have international law and the conscience of the people of the world on our side. We know the Irish people will not stand by and let the people of Gaza be starved and punished by Israel any longer’.
In preparation for the launch of the Irish ship, hospitals, trade unions, churches, mosques, families and community groups are being invited to sponsor bags of cement to help the people of Gaza to rebuild. Read more »
Israeli Historian Ilan Pappé Lecture draws large crowd, inspires many
By Jane Piazza
On Wednesday, March 24, 2010, Israeli historian Ilan Pappé spoke at Woldman Theater in UB’s Norton Hall to an audience of about 170 people, many from the WNY Peace Center and UB students. He spoke quite in depth on “The Past and Present Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine”, punctuating serious material with down-to-earth good humor, and then entertained a very open question-and-answer period. The event was sponsored by the U.B. Muslim Students Association and the Palestine-Israel Committee of the WNY Peace Center.
While acknowledging the need for an Israeli state, Pappe emphasized the need for regime change. The Zionist representation of Israeli-Palestinian reality in U.S. publications has perpetuated many myths. Some of these myths include: The 1919-1948 period, often referred to as the time when Palestinian “terrorism” began, deemphasizes the importance of Britain “moving” Palestine and necessitating a forced migration very destructive to Palestinian people. Also, the 1948-1967 period, often characterizing Israel as a model of democracy, fails to mention the military control of Palestine and then the eventual occupation of the West Bank when U.S. President Johnson supported it. Read more »
Rally to restore the SUNY Budget
Tired of overcrowded classrooms, higher tuition and fees, job loss and program cuts? Rally to save SUNY! We will tell our New York State representatives and the SUNY administration that public education needs public funding. With $40 million in cuts to UB alone in the past two years, we cannot survive the proposed cut of $16 million more. We have to fight to restore the SUNY budget. President Simpson and Chancellor Zimpher shouldn't use the budget crisis as an opportunity to push through their privatization agenda. Read more »