Dear Supporter,
Please forward to your lists and congregations:
Torture Billboard, Blessing Gay Unions, Islamic Conference, Anti-War Rally
People of Faith CT e-newsletter
Monday, October 23, 2006
CONTENTS
Politics
1. Anti-Torture Billboard on I-84, I-95
2. Demonstration outside Lamont-Lieberman Debate, 10/23, New London
3. New SDS: A Public Reportback and Discussion, 10/26, Hartford
4. Northeast Socialist Conference, NYC, 10/28-29
5. Support Medical Marijuana Reform In Connecticut
Middle East Peace
6. Panel Discussion on Senate Candidates' War Positions, 10/23, New Haven
7. March Against The War, 10/28, New Haven
8. "Eyes Wide Open" & "Dreams and Nightmares" exhibits, New Haven
9. "My Name is Rachel Corrie" Bus Trip to New York City
Interfaith Understanding
10. "Muslim Identities: Shifting Boundaries and Dialogues," Hartford, 10/27-29
Immigrant Rights
11. Free The Danbury 11 Petition
12. Treatment of "A-Social" People by Nazis and US Facists
Civil Rights
13. American Blackout (film), 10/23-26, Hartford
Death Penalty Abolition
14. Talk by Sr. Helen Prejean, author of "Dead Man Walking," Fairfield, 10/23
Economic Justice
15. Petition Campaign for a State Earned Income Tax Credit
Queer Rights
16. CT Episcopal Diocese Allows Gay Blessings
17. "On Coming Out: Courage Vs. Cowardice" Bessy Reyna Column
18. Women & Wine-Tasting, LMF PAC Fundraiser, 10/23, West Hartford
19. Transcending Boundaries & PFLAG Conference, 10/27-29, Worcester, MA
20. Tara's Crossing: A TransWoman's Fight for Political Aylum, 10/28, Hartford
Media
21. Hartford Undercurrent's Underween Costume Party Saturday, 10/28, Hartford
Misc.
22. "Weavings of War: Fabrics of Memory" Exhibit Opening Reception, 10/27, Hartford
========================================================
1.
Politics
Anti-Torture Billboard on I-84, I-95
They Voted to allow Torture
Lierberman Johnson
Simmons Shays
“Torture is an issue that rises above partisan politics
and should always be illegal.
What we needed was moral leadership,
but these politicians failed to provide it.”
-- John Humphries, RTPV Steering Committee
Sponsored by Reclaiming the Prophetic Voice
View Billboard on-line:
http://www.reclaimingthepropheticvoice.org/events_allowingtorture.htm
========================================================
2.
Demonstration outside Lamont - Lieberman Debate
Monday, Oct. 23
Garde Arts Center
325 State Street, New London
6:30 -- 7:30 PM
Demand that the candidates talk about
Israeli invasions, occupation and apartheid
and the Zionist AIPAC occupation of Congress!
Signs available or bring your own.
Sponsored by the Middle East crisis Committee
Present 1200+ signed letters opposing
the use of a nuclear weapon
against the people of Iran
and supporting a peaceful solution
to the impasse between the Bush Administration and Iran.
Sponsored by NoNukes/NoWar
Car pool to leave Hartford at 5 PM
Carpool to leave Big Y Shopping Center in Mansfield.
Meet by Angelino's at 6PM.
Info: Joe Wasserman 860-561-1897
Both Actions Proudly endorsed by People of Faith CT
Directions:
From I-95 North
Exit 83, turn off onto Ramp for 0.2 mi
Bear LEFT (East) onto Local road(s) for 0.2 mi
Continue (East) on Huntington St for 0.7 mi
Bear LEFT (East) onto State St for 98 yds
Arrive 325 State St, New London, CT 06320
From I-95 South
Exit 84-N-E on Ramp (West) for 0.6 mi
Bear RIGHT (South) onto Williams St for 0.4 mi
Turn LEFT (East) onto Huntington St for 0.7 mi
Bear LEFT (East) onto State St for 98 yds
Arrive 325 State St, New London, CT 06320
Parking:
http://www.gardearts.org/section.php?s=41
========================================================
3.
New SDS: A Public Reportback and Discussion
7:30 PM
Thursday October 26th
La Paloma Sabanera Coffeehouse and Bookstore
405 Capitol Ave., Hartford
Matt McLaughlin, member of the CLASH collective, the
IWW and Students for a Democratic Society, and Bruce
Rubenstein of the National Lawyers Guild and the
Movement for a Democratic Society will give a
reportback on the recent re-founding convention of
SDS. Known as the iconic Sixties radical youth
organization, SDS has been revived by present-day high
school and college radicals across the country to fill
the void of grassroots youth-controlled organizations
on the US Left.
Since the announcement of a national organization in
January, SDShas grown to over 200 chapters and
thousands of members nationally. Activities have
included free speech fights on campus, participation
in and support for the immigrant rights movement, and
forcing the antiwar movement to be more responsive to
youth.
Following the reportback will be an open discussion on
SDS, its non-student affiliate the Movement for a
Democratic Society, and whatever else is on peoples'
minds. An announcement of the next statewide SDS
meeting will be forthcoming.
========================================================
4.
"Build The Left, Fight the Right"
Northeast Socialist Conference
October 28-29
City College, New York City
Israel, fully backed by the United States, attacks a country
in a war that shows that US imperial ambitions extend beyond Iraq
to the entire Middle East.
In the name of the "war on terror," racist lies are peddled
about Arabs and Muslims and our civil liberties are stripped away.
Politicians attack immigrants and call for "securing the border,"
giving confidence to far-right groups like the Minutemen
to harass undocumented workers.
All in the context of falling living standards
for workers and growing class inequality.
http://www.nesocialistconference.net/
========================================================
5.
Support Medical Marijuana Reform In Connecticut
Fixing Connecticut's medical marijuana law
will alleviate the fear of state criminal prosecution
for doctors and their patients and help to improve
the quality of life for people who are seriously ill.
The time to pass this bill is now.
11 states already have this compassionate law on their books.
Let your legislators know you support Medical Marijuana.
It is election time and they are listening.
Send your legislator a message letting them know of your support.
http://www.congressweb.com/t/l/?KFNIEFZEEGAMBDE
Sponsored by A Better Way Foundation
========================================================
6.
Middle East Peace
Panel Discussion on Senate Candidates' War Positions
Monday, October 23, New Haven
7:30pm
A107 Engelman Hall
Southern CT State University, New Haven
It's Time for a Real Alternative!
The race between Democratic candidate Ned Lamont
and Senator Joe Lieberman is often depicted as a race
between a pro-war (Lieberman) and an anti-war (Lamont) candidate,
but a closer look reveals some similarities between the two.
Both candidates support the “war on terror”
and the passing of the USA PATRIOT Act.
Both candidates support the invasion and continued occupation
of Afghanistan and Israel's war in Lebanon, Gaza, and the West Bank.
What the two seem to disagree on is the best way to carry out
the disastrous war on terror,
with Lamont favoring a “redeployment” of troops in the Middle East,
and Lieberman calling for a “winning strategy” in Iraq.
Both candidates champion “national security” as a main priority,
but neither addresses the real root causes of the conflicts
in the Middle East, instead focusing on a narrow debate
on how best to fight the brutal U.S. war on terror.
People who are against the war should not have to vote between
two pro-war candidates and pick a “lesser of two evils”.
It’s time for a real alternative!
Panel Discussion With Green Party And International Socialist
Organization Speakers:
Justine McCabe, International Committee of the Green Party
Daniel Sumrall, Candidate for House, 3rd Congressional Dist.
Khalil Iskarous, International Socialist Organization
========================================================
7.
U.S. OUT OF IRAQ NOW
March & Rally Against The War
Saturday, Oct. 28
GATHER, 12 NOON, CHURCH & CHAPEL ST. New Haven (at the Lower Green)
MARCH TO FOLLOW, RAIN OR SHINE
Iraqi Death Toll Now 655,000 Since the Beginning of the War
U.S. Casualties Climb Towards 3,000 As Wounded Exceeds 20,000
Question on the Continuation of the Iraq War Not On Nov. Ballot
Protesters to Vote With Their Feet on Saturday, Oct. 28 in New Haven
The A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition has initiated a call
for locally coordinated protests on Saturday, October 28
throughout the country just days before the charade of the
mid-term election takes place.
Demands:
Bring the troops home now!
No new war vs. Iran, Syria, Cuba, Korea & Venezuela!
No to racism! Full rights for immigrants!
Right of Return for Palestinians!
Stop the attacks on civil liberties!
U.S.-Israel pay reparations to Lebanon!
The only real way that people in the U.S. can bring the issue
of the Iraq war onto the political stage is by taking to the streets.
Info: 203-404-9965
Download flier:
http://link.toolbot.com/pephost.org/22300
========================================================
8.
"Eyes Wide Open" Boot display of War Dead, Oct. 23-31
http://afsc.org/eyes/index.php
&
"Dreams and Nightmares: Life and Death in Iraq" Photo Display
Oct. 23-25
http://afsc.org/eyes/dreams-and-nightmares.htm
Sponsored by the American Friends Service Committee
Exhibits
Yale Divinity School
409 Prospect Street
New Haven
========================================================
9.
"My Name is Rachel Corrie" Bus Trip to New York City
Saturday, November 11
Minetta Lane Theatre
18 Minetta Lane
New York City
Taken from the words left behind in the diaries, letters and emails
of American activist Rachel Corrie, MY NAME IS RACHEL CORRIE chronicles
the human, social and political evolution in the life and controversial
death of a young woman.
The play traces the life of Rachel Corrie From her early days
in Washington State, through her experiences as an activist
seeking to learn more about the community within Gaza.
Cost: $90 for the bus and theater ticket
Info: Wayne (860)234-5405
http://www.hopeoutloud.org/rachelcorrie.html
========================================================
10.
Interfaith Understanding
"Muslim Identities: Shifting Boundaries and Dialogues"
The 35th Annual Conference
of the Association of Muslim Social Scientists
October 27-29, 2006
Hartford Seminary
77 Sherman Street, Hartford
Co-sponsored by Hartford Seminary.
Conference Chair:
Dr. Jane Smith, Hartford Seminary, 509-9532
http://www.amss.net
========================================================
11.
Immigrant Rights
Free The Danbury 11 Petition
[The initiators of this petition ask that all friends
of the immigrant rights movement take a moment to read
and sign it as a show of opposition to the ongoing attacks
on immigrants in Danbury and across the country.
If you and/or your organization would like to endorse,
please email FreeTheDanbury11@yahoo.com
or call (203) 417-3590. Thank you.]
Dear Representative Johnson, Governor Rell, and Mayor Boughton:
On Tuesday, September 19, the city government of Danbury
collaborated with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
in an attack on working people.
A law enforcement agent, disguised as a contractor,
lured 11 immigrant day laborers into a van
with the promise of work and drove them
to the Danbury police station, where federal agents
awaited to whisk them away to jail in Hartford,
then on to detention in Boston.
With no justification, 7 of them have since been moved
to a prison in Texas, making it even more difficult
for families to contact them or petition for their release.
On Wednesday, October 12, the ICE attacked again,
raiding the homes of 3 immigrant workers in Danbury and arresting them.
On the same day, a fourth immigrant was pulled over and arrested
for not using his turn signal,
and Danbury police called the ICE to take him away.
These people are not criminals.
They came here to work and contribute to the wealth of our society.
Any law that says otherwise is an abomination
and must be changed immediately.
We view all of these arrests as audacious attacks on civil liberties,
due process, workers' rights, and human dignity.
No attack on immigrant workers can improve the lives of American-born workers.
On the contrary, every raid that goes unchallenged is an assault
on the living standards of working people, regardless of legal status,
because it weakens the resolve of immigrants to stand up for themselves
and makes it easier for employers to get away with paying everyone less.
We demand that all of the Danbury 11 who remain imprisoned be freed immediately,
with charges dropped, and that they be joined in freedom
by all other prisoners of the unjust immigration policy in the U.S.
We further demand an immediate end to the attacks on the immigrant community
and to the collaboration of the State of Connecticut and City of Danbury
with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Finally, we demand equal rights and legalization for all immigrants.
An injury to one is an injury to all.
Initiators:
Leonel Villavicencio, President, Danbury Area Coalition for the Rights of Immigrants
Franklin Peña, President, Ecuadorian Civic Center of Danbury
Wilson Hernandez, Vice President, Ecuadorian Civic Center of Danbury
Pastor Juana Jourdain-Villavicencio, Hispanic United Church of Christ
Juan A. Sánchez, President, Dominican Civic Club of Danbury
Christopher Towne, Danbury Coalition for Peace
Endorsers (list in formation):
John Olsen, President of Connecticut AFL-CIO
Art Perry, Political Director of SEIU/32BJ Connecticut
Carol Lambiase, Education Director, United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America
Roger Vann, Executive Director, American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut
Rabbi Donna Berman, Executive Director, Charter Oak Cultural Center
Father Pedro Dinis, Coordinator, Brazilian Catholic Center of Danbury
Rachel Meeropol, Center for Constitutional Rights
Gabriel Camacho, Coordinator of New England American Friends Service Committee's Project Voice
Andrea van den Heever, President, Connecticut Center for a New Economy
Michael Boyle, President, CT Association of Immigration Attorneys
Henry Lowendorf, Chair, New Haven Peace Council
Simon Moshenberg, Yale Law School Legal Clinic, New Haven
Marie Lausch, VP, UE Local 222, CILU/CIPU
People of Faith CT
========================================================
12.
Treatment of "A-Social" People by Nazis and US Facists
"I thought about the language I have heard here in the States.
The language that was labeling people as "a-social"
because they were illegal refugees or because
they were gay or lesbian.
I thought about the hatred and fear behind that language
and where such language led the policies of the Nazi's
to exterminate such people.
Will our silence and indifference
lead us in the same direction
to set up internment camps or ghetto's
for the people whom we judge to be "a-social"?
While there were a few courageous religious and political leaders
who spoke out against the Nazi's (and most of them were the
victims of extermination themselves), there were not enough to
stop the genocide.
Will there be enough of us to stand courageously together
to stop the language and rhetoric of hatred and prejudice?"
-- Vernon Meyer
========================================================
13.
Civil Rights
American Blackout (film)
Oct. 23-26
Real Art Ways
56 Arbor Street, Hartford
Black Voter Disenfranchisement
during the national elections in 2000 and 2004.
Fact-filled and informed, American Blackout
is a must-see before the election.
http://www.realartways.org/cinema.htm
========================================================
14.
Death Penalty Abolition
Talk by Sr. Helen Prejean, author of "Dead Man Walking"
Monday, Oct. 23
Edgerton Center for the Performing Arts
Sacred Heart University
5151 Park Avenue, Fairfield
Info
Directions:
http://www.sacredheart.edu/pages/2710_fairfield_ct_campus.cfm
========================================================
15.
Economic Justice
Petition Campaign for a CT Earned Income Tax Credit
"To: Governor Jodi Rell, Lt.Governor Kevin Sullivan,
and All State of Connecticut Senators and Representatives
Connecticut Association for Human Services (CAHS),
Greater Hartford Interfaith Coalition for Equity and Justice (ICEJ)
and the undersigned respectfully ask the public officials of
Connecticut to work together in a bipartisan manner
to enact a Connecticut Earned Income Tax Credit
equal to 25% of the corresponding federal EITC.
A state EITC would provide tax relief to hard-working,
low-income families.
It would help them close the gap between what they earn
and what they need to make ends meet.
In 2003, over 162,000 Connecticut households (10.1% of tax filers)
received federal EITC benefits totaling over $256 million;
the average payment per household was $1,578.
A 25% Connecticut match would add another $64 million
($394 per household.)"
The goal is to collect 25,000 signatures to deliver
to the Governor and Legislature in the 2007 session.
We urge you download and print out the petition
and bring it with you everywhere you go to collect signatures.
Ask members of your congregation, organizations, neighborhood,
and family to sign on!
Download Petition:
http://www.faithCT.org/eitcpetition.pdf
========================================================
16.
Queer Rights
CT Episcopal Diocese Allows Gay Blessings
"At the heart of the matter is whether we as a Church
will welcome and embrace, serve with and care for
and bless persons who are homosexual and partnered
as cherished and fully accepted members of the body of Christ.
I believe it is right to change our current policy,
which prohibits our clergy from blessing same-sex relationships."
-- Bishop Andrew Smith of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut
Read full article.
Commenting recently on divisions within
Anglican Communion on the place of queers in the church:
"But for me now, this issue has moved
from one of unity . . . to one of justice."
-- Archbishop Terence Finlay
Retired bishop of the Anglican diocese of Toronto
========================================================
17.
On Coming Out: Courage Vs. Cowardice
Bessy Reyna Column
"Serrano's courage, his willingness to risk his life
and his commitment to civil rights for gays,
contrasts greatly with the hypocrisy and secretive double life
led by U.S. Rep. Mark Foley to stay in power."
Read entire column.
========================================================
18.
Women & Wine-Tasting, LMF PAC Fundraiser
Monday, October 23
65 Ridgebrook Drive, West Hartford
Bring $25 for the Love Makes a Family PAC,
a bottle wine (or soda!) and mingle with cool women!
RSVP to shaileen@sbcglobal.net
========================================================
19.
Transcending Boundaries & Northeast Regional PFLAG conference
A celebration of the Spectrum of Sexuality, Gender & Sex
October 27-29
Hilton Garden & DCU Center
Worcester, MA
Cost: Advance ($70/$50 low income) deadline 10/25
At the door ($80/$60)
Housing: Hilton Garden $121 (508-764-9894)
http://www.transcendingboundaries.org/
========================================================
20.
Tara's Crossing: A TransWoman's Fight for Political Asylum
(a play)
Saturday, October 28
8:00 PM
Charter Oak Cultural Center
21 Charter Oak Avenue, Hartford
Tara's Crossing recounts a transgendered asylum-seeker's remarkable flight
from Guyana and her uphill battle to prove her claims of persecution
from within the confines of U.S. Immigration Detention.
The play is one of the first ever to deal with the subject of
political asylum for sexual minority refugees
and was inspired by interviews with asylum-seekers from around the world.
$15 general admission, $10 seniors, $5 students
Sponsored by
Connecticut TransAdvocay Coalition
http://www.transadvocacy.com
and
Charter Oak Cultural Center
http://www.charteroakcenter.org
Proudly endorsed by People of Faith CT
========================================================
21.
Media
Hartford Undercurrent's Underween Costume Party Saturday
Saturday, October 28
7:30pm - ???
ArtSpace Gallery
555 Asylum St.
Downtown Hartford
Hartford
DJ and Dancing
Fearsome Food and Devilish Drinks!
PLUS, PRIZES for COSTUMES!
Suggested Donation: $6.66!!!
*no one turned away for lack of funds*
Hartford Independent Media Center
860-232-8081 ex.13
himc@riseup.net
http://www.hartfordimc.org/
What does underween mean?
Glad you asked!!
Underween: to undervalue (obs.); As in: The major media has underweened
indymedia for too long! Now they will pay!
========================================================
22.
Misc.
"Weavings of War: Fabrics of Memory" Exhibit Opening Reception
Friday, October 27
5-8 PM
The Institute for Community Research
Two Hartford Square West, Suite 100
146 Wyllys St Hartford
(Registration is required; call (860) 278-2044)
An an exhibit of needlework by artists from around the world
who have created textiles to express their experiences
of war and devastation in their home countries.
While the exhibit deals with war and trauma,
its central theme demonstrates that art, narrative,
and tradition can have a healing effect
on those who have suffered through strife.
The Reception will feature a Cambodian court dance performance
by master artist and Khmer Rouge survivor Somaly Hay;
speakers from the exhibit programming advisory team;
and ethnic food from local restaurants.
This and more peace and cultural events can be found at:
http://www.incommunityresearch.org/weavingsofwar.htm
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