| People of Faith Progressive Politics & Activism! |
| Inaction in the face of institutional racism -- as in our criminal justice system -- or blatant individual racism -- as in the assault on 16-year old Nashawn Williams of Plainfield -- only strengthens and emboldens racism. This week, we are happy to report that Connecticut justice and peace organizations will take stands for our common humanity and against individual and institutional racism at actions in many cities. Solidarity Actions for Nashawn Williams of Plainfield, CT. Plans are currently in development for statewide solidarity actions for Nashawn Williams and his mother. Nashawn was assaulted at a school bus stop by a group of white racist teenagers who then threw hot coffee on him. While in school, Williams had been the target of racial slurs. These actions will also protest the lackluster response of the Plainfield Police Department and elected officials at the local and state levels. Local candlelight Vigils are being planned for the week of December 3. A Solidarity Rally is tentatively planned for Sunday afternoon, Dec. 16 in Plainfield. If you are interested in organizing in your local community or congregation, please reply to this message. A Week of Anti-Racism Actions, November 26 - December 1: Monday, Nov. 26 Protest the Parole Ban Following the Cheshire murders, Gov. Rell instituted an open-ended ban on parole for incarcerated people. Law-abiding, hard-working parolees who were trying to support themselves and their families were also remanded to prison for an indefinite time period. Because of the systemic racism in our criminal justice system, the parole ban disproportionately impacts working-class black and Latino communities. Join the Coalition Against the Parole Ban for a protest outside Whalley Avenue Jail in New Haven from 5-7 PM. More info Tuesday, Nov. 27 Public Hearing on Criminal Justice Reforms Room 2E, Legislative Office Building, Hartford The Judiciary Committee will take testimony beginning at 1 PM on a wide variety of bills covering such areas as Victim Services, Sentencing, Parole, Community Supervision, GPS Surveillance, Online Offender Data, Home Invasions, Persistent Offenders, New Prison Construction, Mental Health Services, Sex Offender Placements, Community Re-Entry, and Death Penalty Appeals. There has never been such focused attention on the criminal justice system. Now is the time to call for a system that is just and equitable, restorative rather than solely punitive, with the goals of compensating victims, rehabilitating offenders, and maximizing successful re-entry into society. More info Agenda Peace Demonstration in Middletown End the racist and capitalist war on Iraq and stop the militarization of our youth March from Usdan Courtyard on Wesleyan Campus to the Army National Guard Recruitment Office on Main Street. More info Statewide Activist Meeting to Oppose Immigration Raids There was a time when an ICE raid of the Parkville, Hartford magnitude was considered out of the question in a city like Hartford. Now the question is how soon will there be another? Come to an activist meeting Tuesday evening in Hartford at 7:30 PM. For more information, call Kate Prendergast of Stop the Raids! Trinity College at 610-209-9264 or Frank O'Gorman of People of Faith at 860-841-5006. What Happens After Annapolis? Start of the Bush Administration's "Peace Talks" on Palestine and Israel in Annapolis, MD. Read "What Happens After Annapolis" by Mazin Qumsiyeh. Wednesday, Nov. 28 Perspectives on the Death Penalty The Saint Joseph College Chapter of Amnesty International will sponsor a panel discussion on the death penalty including CT's own Robert Nave, executive director of the CT Network to Abolish the Death Penalty. Crystal Room of St. Joseph's College, West Hartford 7 PM More Info Nov. 28 -- Dec. 1 Socialist Action Educational Conference Central Connecticut State University and Trinity College Learn about Malcolm X and the Struggle for Black Liberation Mexican Politics Today Revolution as a Historical Force in Haiti and Latin America American Trotskyism More info Thursday, Nov. 29 Fifty Years Since Little Rock: Where is Greater Hartford on School Integration? The program will feature a keynote address by social activist and community leader Elizabeth Horton Sheff, a panel composed of educators and parents, and small group discussions. Universalist Church, West Hartford 6 -- 9 PM More info International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People Two film documentaries on the struggle of Palestinians against the racist apartheid policies of the Israeli government: "Children of the Nakba (1947 Massacres and Dispossessions) "Gaza Strip" (the stark realities of Palestinian life and death under Israeli military occupation.) West Haven Public Library 5:30 -- 7 PM More info Saturday, Dec. 1 World AIDS Day Leadership Panels Panels on People of Color, TransPeople, Women, Youth, Inmates, Addicts. Hispanic Health Council and Institute for Community Research, Hartford 9 AM -- 2 PM More info Countering Military Recruitment in the Schools Calling all high school students, their parents and teachers to resist the militarization of our youth for racist wars. Unitarian Society of New Haven 1 - 4 PM More info Banquet Fundraiser for Ambulance for Jenin Hospital, Palestine Sheraton Hotel, East Hartford 8 PM More info View full listing of Justice and Peace Events in Connecticut. |