Wednesday, August 10, 2005

BAUAW NEWSLETTER-WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 2005

Emergency rally in support of Cindy Sheehan

U.S. Troops Out of Iraq Now!

Friday, August 12 at 5 PM

Powell Street BART (Powell and
Market Streets), San Francisco

Last week, Gold Star Families for
Peace co-founder Cindy Sheehan
traveled to Crawford, Texas to pay
a visit to George Bush at his vacation ranch.
Cindy’s son Casey was killed in
action in Iraq on April 4th, 2004. Cindy is
currently camped on the side of
a road a few miles from the ranch and
plans to stay until Bush "tells me
why my son died in Iraq. I’ve got the
whole month of August off, and
so does he." Cindy has been informed that on
Thursday, she and her companions
will be arrested if they do not leave,
as they would reportedly be considered
a "national security threat" as
Rice and Rumsfeld plan to visit
the ranch on Friday.

Support Cindy!
http://www.meetwithcindy.org

Action initiated and supported by

Not in Our Name
CodePink
Global Exchange
Veterans for Peace, SF Bay Area Chapter 69
Courage to Resist
Bay Area United Against War

Add your organization and help spread the word!

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TONIGHT IN BENICIA!
URGENT CALL TO ACTION
SUPPORT CINDY SHEEHAN
PLEASE ATTEND THE BENICIA PEACE VIGIL
THURSDAY, AUGUST 11
5:00 PM -- 6:00 PM
CORNER OF MILITARY & FIRST STREET
BENICIA, CA 94510
Solano County resident Cindy Sheehan is
currently vigiling in Crawford, Texas home of
vacationing George Bush. Her son, Casey was
killed in Iraq and Cindy wants answers from W.
She is being harrassed and is facing possible
arrest (for exercising her First Amendment rights).
In a show of solidarity please consider spending
a few minutes vigiling in Benicia in protest of the
war and also the treatment of this brave dissenter.
Cindy has been all across this country voicing her
opposition to the war, in fact this Vacaville woman
has stood vigil in Benicia. We can and should
be able to show some positive support for her, too.
See her website for more background:
www.gsfp.org
Please forward far and wide....

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MILITARY LAW QUESTIONS?
*************************************
NATIONAL LAWYERS GUILD (NLG)
MILITARY LAW TASK FORCE

The National Lawyers Guild Military Law Task Force
assists those working on military law issues as well
as military law counselors working directly with GIs.

It trains and mentors counselors and beginning
military law attorneys in all aspects of military
law through training material and direct
communication.

It updates changes in military
law and policy.

If you have questions regarding
military service laws and contracts
contact:

Marti Hiken
jlhiken@pacbell.net
(415) 566-3732
or
Kathy Gilberd
kathleengilberd@aol.com
(619) 233-1701

*************************************

1) AN OPEN LETTER TO UFPJ, by Bonnie Weinstein

Dear UFPJ,

What we really need now is unity on Sept. 24th. Two separate
demonstrations is intolerable. I just received the new UFPJ
Bay Area postcard listing the groups in the Bay Area that
are affiliated with UFPJ. I am with Bay Area United Against War
and we are on that list.

I notice on the postcard there are a list of issues to get
active about: "afghanistan, the Bayview, Colombia, Haiti, Iraq,
Oakland, Palestine, around the globe and here at home"

So, it's OK to put Palestine on your printed material but just
not for Sept. 24th?

Stop being a stumbling block to unity over a hypocritical
stance.

We need one demonstration on Sept. 24 in DC!

Bonnie Weinstein, Bay Area United Against War
www.bauaw.org

2) Editor's Note: T r u t h o u t will be sending
William Rivers Pitt to Crawford to cover
this expanding story. Stay tuned for updates.
Military Families to Join Cindy Sheehan in Crawford
US Newswire
Tuesday 09 August 2005
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/080905Q.shtml

3) Historic Decision by Atlanta 11th Circuit
Court of Appeals Grants Cuban 5 New Trial

4) "Slow Falling Bird"
Performances are Thursday, Friday
and Saturday through August 20th, at
the EXIT on Taylor, 277 Taylor Street,
San Francisco.
I encourage reservations, as the
first weekend sold out. Call: 415-351-0277 - the EXIT

5) SUPPORT CINDY SHEEHAN

6) Activists Object to U.S. Navy as Concert Sponsor
By Joe Garofoli
Published on Tuesday, August 9, 2005
by the San Francisco Chronicle
Anti-war activists are asking San
Francisco radio station KMEL-FM to
remove the U.S. Navy as a sponsor of
the annual Summer Jam concert in
Mountain View, saying the station
is "using hip-hop to promote the
military to young people of color."
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0809-05.htm

7) What One Mom Has to Say to George Bush
by Mike Ferner
"That lying bastard, George Bush, is taking a five-week
vacation in time of war," Cindy Sheehan told 200 cheering
members of Veterans for Peace at their annual convention in
Dallas last Friday evening. She then announced she would go
to Bush's vacation home in nearby Crawford, Texas and camp
out until he "tells me why my son died in Iraq. I've got the
whole month of August off, and so does he."…
"And the other thing I want him to tell me is 'just what
was the noble cause Casey died for?' Was it freedom and
democracy? Bullshit! He died for oil. He died to make your
friends richer. He died to expand American imperialism
in the Middle East. We're not freer here, thanks to your
PATRIOT Act. Iraq is not free. You get America out of
Iraq and Israel out of Palestine and you'll stop the
terrorism," she exclaimed.
http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/ferner090805.html

8) Why He Went to War
By Kimi Eisele, AlterNet
Posted on August 9, 2005, Printed on August 9, 2005
http://www.alternet.org/story/23953/
View this story online at:
http://www.alternet.org/story/23953/

9) Swift Road for U.S. Citizen Soldiers Already Fighting in Iraq
Johan Spanner/Polaris, for The New York Times
One hundred and forty-three troops from 46 nations took
the oath of citizenship in a former Hussein palace.
By EDWARD WONG
Published: August 9, 2005
CAMP VICTORY, Iraq - For Specialist James Garrovillas,
enlisting in the Army meant more than just joining
the military.
It meant joining the United States.
In a 50-minute ceremony in late July, Specialist
Garrovillas and 142 other service members took the
oath of citizenship inside one of Saddam Hussein's
palaces here, now part of the headquarters of the
American command in western Baghdad. Between white
marble walls, a brass band struck up "God Bless America."
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/09/international/middleeast/09soldiers.html

10) Pentagon Plans to Send More Troops to Iraq
Staff and agencies
08 August, 2005
By ROBERT BURNS, AP Military Writer 3 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - Anticipating a new burst of insurgent violence,
the Pentagon plans to expand the U.S. force in Iraq
to improve security for a planned October referendum
and a December election.
http://www.leadingthecharge.com/stories/news-0056699.html

11) COLLEGE NOT COMBAT VICTORY! WE’RE ON THE BALLOT!

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1) AN OPEN LETTER TO UFPJ, by Bonnie Weinstein

Dear UFPJ,

What we really need now is unity on Sept. 24th. Two separate
demonstrations is intolerable. I just received the new UFPJ
Bay Area postcard listing the groups in the Bay Area that
are affiliated with UFPJ. I am with Bay Area United Against War
and we are on that list.

I notice on the postcard there are a list of issues to get
active about: "afghanistan, the Bayview, Colombia, Haiti, Iraq,
Oakland, Palestine, around the globe and here at home"

So, it's OK to put Palestine on your printed material but just
not for Sept. 24th?

Stop being a stumbling block to unity over a hypocritical
stance.

We need one demonstration on Sept. 24 in DC!

Bonnie Weinstein, Bay Area United Against War
www.bauaw.org

---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*--------

2) Editor's Note: T r u t h o u t will be sending William Rivers Pitt to Crawford to cover
this expanding story. Stay tuned for updates.
Military Families to Join Cindy Sheehan in Crawford
US Newswire
Tuesday 09 August 2005
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/080905Q.shtml

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3) Historic Decision by Atlanta 11th Circuit
Court of Appeals Grants Cuban 5 New Trial

Havana, August 9, (RHC)-After almost nineteen months after
the appeal was heard on the 10th of March 2004, the 11th
Circuit Court of Appeals has sent down their 93 page
opinion, Tuesday, on the case of the Cuban Five who have
spent the last seven years in US prisons. The judges found
that the five Cuban men did not have a fair trial in Miami
and recommend that they be retried outside of the
jurisdiction.

At a telephone conference today, Leonard Weinglass, part of
the Fives legal defense team and lawyer to Antonio
Guerrero, stated:

"This is really an historic opinion. Never before in the
history of the United States has a federal circuit court of
appeals reversed a trial courts finding with respect to
venue. This is a first. And in writing their opinion which
covers just one issue of the eight or nine issues raised on
appeal, the issue being venue, the court analyzed in great
detail virtually every facet of the case, of the community,
of the publicity, of the attitude of the jurors, the
actions of the prosecutor and the motions that were made
during and after trial.

It is as an extensive and factual and detailed analysis on
the issue of venue that I have ever seen in a written
opinion in any court anywhere. So this is a remarkable
decision and a tremendous tribute to the vitality of the
appellate court and it is just a marvel to read and we all
feel very appreciative and grateful for this decision."

US Lawyer, Paul McKenna, who represents Gerardo Hernandez,
serving two life sentences plus fifteen years for
conspiracy to commit first degree murder, said during the
press conference that he will apply for bail as soon as
possible for his client as his legal status is now what it
was before he was convicted.

If the 11th Circuit Court of Appeal's opinion is upheld by
the US Attorney General's office, the five men will be
transferred back to Miami to begin the process of looking
for a change of venue with the aim of getting a fair and
unprejudiced trial.

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4) "Slow Falling Bird"
Performances are Thursday, Friday
and Saturday through August 20th, at
the EXIT on Taylor, 277 Taylor Street,
San Francisco.
I encourage reservations, as the
first weekend sold out. Call: 415-351-0277 - the EXIT

---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*--------

5) SUPPORT CINDY SHEEHAN
In a message dated 8/9/05 11:32:19 AM,
maureen@riseup.net writes:


Salutations,
-- Please forward widely
Cindy Sheehan's son, Casey was
killed in the Iraq War. She is turning
her tragic loss into a relentless
anti-war campaign that has brought
her to Crawford, Texas to occupy
a space outside G.W. Bush's ranch
until he agrees to speak with her.
As I write this, supporters in
Crawford have been harassed by the
police, gone on hunger strike and
are in need of your support.

Rumsfeld and Rice are expected to arrive
at Crawford tomorrow to meet with
G.W. Bush so the risk of arrest
will increase as Cindy Sheehan and
Diane Wilson have been warned they
are a "threat" to national security.
Any and all help/support is
appreciated and there are numerous
ways to do so.

We have folk from Houston that
are willing to offer support and
deliver needed supplies but
transportation is an issue. If we could have
members of the community step up
to raise approximately $350-450 for
an 8-12 rental van that would allow
for Houstonians to make it out to
Crawford.( more money means more people)
This is a huge moment for military
families and all anti-war activists
and time is of the essence- we hope
to get a group out there by some time
tomorrow. Please contact me at 832.641.2882
or respond to this email to donate money
to send a Houston contingency to support
Cindy Sheehan and military families
everywhere that dare to speak out.
Remember the tide started turning
in Vietnam when the families and the
average person said no more and joined
the anti-war movement. Our friends in
Crawford are in need of the following:

1. Bodies, if you can make it up there
for a day, a week to observe,
support or potentially be arrested.
Contact me if can provide a ride or
need a ride.

2. Food items (not everyone is on
hunger strike) think non-perishable
since they are out in the heat.

3. Water

4. Emergen-C electrolyte replacement

5. Coffee

6. Paper towels, cutlerly, bowls, wet wipes

7. Cots, blankets, pillows.

8. Money donations can be sent to
Crawford Peace House, P.O. Box 710218,
Dallas, Tx. 75371-0218 or contact
Andrea Buffa of Global Exchange/Code
Pink at 415-575-5552 to sponsor
other military families that want to
support Cindy but cannot afford to
travel on their own. Also, if there is
anyone on this list willing to sponsor
a group from Houston to go via van
or bus that would be most helpful
in terms of getting supplies to
Crawford.

9. First aid supplies

10. Batteries

11. Flashlights

12. Bug spray

13. Ice chests

14. Banner making supplies

Pick up of donated items can be arranged
or they can be dropped off at
4501 Feagan, 77007. Please email
maureen@riseup.net or call 832.641.2882.
For other up to date information
check out www.houston.indymedia.org.

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6) Activists Object to U.S. Navy as Concert Sponsor
By Joe Garofoli
Published on Tuesday, August 9, 2005
by the San Francisco Chronicle
Anti-war activists are asking San
Francisco radio station KMEL-FM to
remove the U.S. Navy as a sponsor of
the annual Summer Jam concert in
Mountain View, saying the station
is "using hip-hop to promote the
military to young people of color."
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0809-05.htm

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7) What One Mom Has to Say to George Bush
by Mike Ferner
"That lying bastard, George Bush, is taking a five-week
vacation in time of war," Cindy Sheehan told 200 cheering
members of Veterans for Peace at their annual convention in
Dallas last Friday evening. She then announced she would go
to Bush's vacation home in nearby Crawford, Texas and camp
out until he "tells me why my son died in Iraq. I've got the
whole month of August off, and so does he."…
"And the other thing I want him to tell me is 'just what
was the noble cause Casey died for?' Was it freedom and
democracy? Bullshit! He died for oil. He died to make your
friends richer. He died to expand American imperialism
in the Middle East. We're not freer here, thanks to your
PATRIOT Act. Iraq is not free. You get America out of
Iraq and Israel out of Palestine and you'll stop the
terrorism," she exclaimed.
http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/ferner090805.html

---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*--------

8) Why He Went to War
By Kimi Eisele, AlterNet
Posted on August 9, 2005, Printed on August 9, 2005
http://www.alternet.org/story/23953/
View this story online at: http://www.alternet.org/story/23953/

---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*--------

9) Swift Road for U.S. Citizen Soldiers Already Fighting in Iraq
Johan Spanner/Polaris, for The New York Times
One hundred and forty-three troops from 46 nations took
the oath of citizenship in a former Hussein palace.
By EDWARD WONG
Published: August 9, 2005
CAMP VICTORY, Iraq - For Specialist James Garrovillas,
enlisting in the Army meant more than just joining
the military.
It meant joining the United States.
In a 50-minute ceremony in late July, Specialist
Garrovillas and 142 other service members took the
oath of citizenship inside one of Saddam Hussein's
palaces here, now part of the headquarters of the
American command in western Baghdad. Between white
marble walls, a brass band struck up "God Bless America."
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/09/international/middleeast/09soldiers.html

---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*--------

10) Pentagon Plans to Send More Troops to Iraq
Staff and agencies
08 August, 2005
By ROBERT BURNS, AP Military Writer 3 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - Anticipating a new burst of insurgent violence,
the Pentagon plans to expand the U.S. force in Iraq
to improve security for a planned October referendum
and a December election.
http://www.leadingthecharge.com/stories/news-0056699.html

---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*--------

11) COLLEGE NOT COMBAT VICTORY! WE’RE ON THE BALLOT!
1. It's Official!
We received official notice from the city that our
signatures have been certified and College Not Combat
will be on the San Francisco ballot this fall! Thanks
to the hard work of all the volunteers, San
Franciscans will get to voice their opposition to
military recruiting on college & high school campuses!
Congratulations to all!

2. Next Steps...
We will be having our next meeting on Saturday, August
13 at 110 Capp Street in San Francisco (buzz 202).
At this meeting we will be discussing our strategy
going forward, how we are going to build mass
support around the campaign, what kind of events we'd
like to put on, and so forth. Please come and bring a
few friends!

3. In the News...
As most of you probably know, CNC has gotten a TON of
coverage in local, national & even international
press. While the bloody occupation of Iraq drags on,
and the military recruitment crisis deepens, CNC has
proven to be a lightning rod for those interested in
stopping the war machine and providing alternatives to
military service for young people. Here are just a few
links to some of the media coverage:

El Universal (Mexico)
http://estadis.eluniversal.com.mx/internacional/36373.html
New York Times newspaper:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/13/national/13recruit.html
KQED radio debate:
http://www.kqed.org/epArchive/R507120900
SF Bay Guardian
http://www.sfbg.com/39/40/news_recruiters_out.html

4. Great response...
Because of the great press coverage & the visibility
of CNC volunteers hitting the pavement, we continue to
hear from sympathetic people in San Francisco and
beyond saying they support our effort. In addition to
parents, students and other activists, we've also
heard from family members of military personnel
currently serving in Iraq!

Thanks again to all those who have helped build this,
and we hope to see you all this Saturday!

CNC

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