Wednesday, May 11, 2005

BAUAW NEWSLETTER WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 2005

1) MONEY FOR SCHOOLS NOT FOR WAR!
GET THE MILITARY RECRUITERS OUT OF OUR SCHOOLS!
COME TO THE COLLEGE NOT COMBAT KICKOFF RALLY
AND PETITION DRIVE FOR THE ANTIWAR COUNTER
RECRUITMENT BALLOT INITIATIVE!
SATURDAY, MAY 28, 2004
16TH AND MISSION BART STATION
Planning meeting for kickoff rally: Sat. May 21, 3pm,
110 Capp St. between 16th & 17th—buzz #202
415-248-1701
Come and help petition to get a proposition on the ballot that
Says:
The people of San Francisco oppose U.S. military recruiters
using public school, college and university facilities to
recruit young people into the armed forces. Furthermore,
San Francisco should oppose the military’s “economic draft”
by investigating means by which to fund and grant scholarships
for college and job training to low-income students so they
are not economically compelled to join the military!
Speakers TBA

2) Soaring birth deformities and child cancer rates in Iraq
By James Cogan
10 May 2005
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/may2005/iraq-m10.shtml

3) FREE PABLO PAREDES AND KEVIN BENDERMAN
PUT THE WAR ON TRIAL
This is the most up-to-date information on the
Put the War on Trial event in New York City.

4) 20,000+ letters sent to Bush & Congress to say:
No asylum for Luis Posada Carriles
Extradite him to Venezuela

5) Halliburton Lands $72 Million in Bonuses
Reuters
Tuesday 10 May 2005
Army awards firm for logistics work; no decision on
dining services.
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/051005W.shtml

6) Pentagon Is Asking Congress to Loosen Environmental Laws
By MICHAEL JANOFSKY
Published: May 11, 2005
"WASHINGTON, May 10 - After three unsuccessful tries,
the Pentagon is asking Congress again this year to loosen
major environmental laws to allow military training
exercises around the country to proceed unimpeded.
Military officials say the requested changes, which could
be approved this week as part of the defense authorization
bill for 2006, are essential to preserve the quality of
training and to avoid lawsuits over possible violations
of statutes that govern air, water and waste."
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/11/politics/11enviro.html?

7) Super Sized Support for 'McLibel'
Global Exchange, CorpWatch and National Lawyers Guild on Board to
Promote High-Profile 'McLibel' Case Doc. Film Opens in June.
Cinema Libre Studio
8328 DeSoto Avenue
Canoga Park, CA 91304
www.cinemalibrestudio.com
May 10, 2005
Contact: Lauri Blue, (818) 349-8822, lblue@cinemalibrestudio.com
Beth Portello, 818-349-8822
bportello@cinemalibrestudio.com


8) May Day in Caracas 2005
a multi-media presentation
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
7:30-9:30pm
Sliding scale $5-15 (no one turned away for lack of funds)
La Pena Community Center
3105 Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley, CA
(near the Ashby BART)
Jonathan Nack traveled to Venezuela on special assignment for
the Epicenter News Service to cover the mass mobilizations that
took place there for May Day, May 1, 2005. Mr. Nack will give
a multi-media presentation including video, photos, interviews
with workers and leaders, Venezuelan music, and a brief travel log.
A short clip from Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Frias's day
Day speech will be included.
Come out and learn how Venezuela is completely off-the-hook
and how the Bolivarian Revolution is mobilizing and being led
by workers and the poor. Get your battery charged and faith
reinforced off the energy of the Venezuelan people. Know for
sure that another world is possible.
Jonathan Nack is the Managing Editor of the Epicenter News
Service, which is the publisher of EastBayNews.org .
The program will include other special guests.
http://www.EastBayNews.org

9) Sanders' Forums Take Aim at Poverty
by Kim Smith Dedam, Southern Vermont Bureau
Published on Tuesday, May 10, 2005 by the Rutland Herlad
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0510-10.htm

10) LUIS POSADA CARRILES
THE DECLASSIFIED RECORD
CIA and FBI Documents Detail Career in International
Terrorism; Connection to U.S.
National Security Archive Electronic Briefing Book No. 153
For more information contact
Peter Kornbluh - 202/994-7116
May 10, 2005
http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB153/index.htm

11) Real Wages Fall at Fastest Rate in 14 Years
by Christopher Swann in Washington
Published on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 by the Financial Times
"Real wages in the US are falling at their fastest rate in 14
years, according to data surveyed by the Financial Times by
the Economic Policy Institute."
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0511-08.htm

12) Memories of Phil and Phylis Morrison
Send contributions (images, audio, stories) to
stories@memoriesofmorrison.org
This site celebrates the lives of two remarkable people:
Phil and Phylis Morrison
http://www.memoriesofmorrison.org/
The friends and extended family of Phil and Phylis Morrison
are saddened at the passing of an era that occurred in the
afternoon of Friday, April 22, 2005, when Phil passed away
in his sleep. Although neither Phil nor Phylis had much use
for tributes, we do feel the need for continuing connection,
and so have come together in cyberspace to celebrate their
impact on our lives.
A memorial service will be held at M.I.T. on Saturday,
September 10, 2005. At this point, times are being coordinated,
but it looks like a late morning to early afternoon affair
to be held in Kresge Auditorium on the main M.I.T. Campus.
Watch this space for more information.
We welcome you to this site, and hope you will pass along
ideas and suggestions for ways that we can continue to
honor their legacies. You can send email to
stories@memoriesofmorrison.org

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

1) MONEY FOR SCHOOLS NOT FOR WAR!
GET THE MILITARY RECRUITERS OUT OF OUR SCHOOLS!
COME TO THE COLLEGE NOT COMBAT KICKOFF RALLY
AND PETITION DRIVE FOR THE ANTIWAR COUNTER
RECRUITMENT BALLOT INITIATIVE!
SATURDAY, MAY 28, 2004
16TH AND MISSION BART STATION
Planning meeting for kickoff rally: Sat. May 21, 3pm,
110 Capp St. between 16th & 17th—buzz #202
415-248-1701
Come and help petition to get a proposition on the ballot that
Says:
The people of San Francisco oppose U.S. military recruiters
using public school, college and university facilities to
recruit young people into the armed forces. Furthermore,
San Francisco should oppose the military’s “economic draft”
by investigating means by which to fund and grant scholarships
for college and job training to low-income students so they
are not economically compelled to join the military!
Speakers TBA

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

2) Soaring birth deformities and child cancer rates in Iraq
By James Cogan
10 May 2005
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/may2005/iraq-m10.shtml

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

3) FREE PABLO PAREDES AND KEVIN BENDERMAN
PUT THE WAR ON TRIAL
This is the most up-to-date information on the
Put the War on Trial event in New York City.

Please Distribute Widely:

FREE PABLO PAREDES AND KEVIN BENDERMAN
PUT THE WAR ON TRIAL

On May 11th, Sailor Pablo Paredes and soldier Kevin Benderman are
scheduled to appear before military court martial tribunals for their
opposition to the Iraq War. They face forfeiture of pay and benefits,
and military jail time.

On December 6, 2004, Navy Petty Officer Pablo Paredes refused to board
his ship as it left the San Diego Naval Station in support of the Iraq
War and occupation.

On January 5, 2005, Army Sgt Kevin Benderman refused to deploy for a
second tour of duty in Iraq with the Army's Third Infantry Division.
At the same time seventeen other soldiers from his unit went AWOL, two
tried to kill themselves and one had a relative shoot him in the leg to
avoid deploying.

Both men applied for discharge from the US military as conscientious
objectors. The military has wrongly rejected both claims.

It's time for us to escalate public pressure and action in support of
Pablo, Kevin and the thousands of other courageous men and women who
have followed their conscience to uphold international law and to take
a principled stand against the unjust, illegal war and occupation of
Iraq. It's time we had their backs.

On May 12th, we will have a unique event. What Pablo and Kevin are
unable to say in their trials we will say in public. We will put the
war on trial.

Guest Witnesses Include:
Michael Ratner, Center for Constitutional Rights
Tod Ensign, Citizen Soldier
Chris Harrison, Iraq Veterans Against the War
Ray Ramos, deployed in Iraq with the 442nd Military Police
Medija Tahir
and more...

Thursday, May 12th at 7pm
The Community Church of New York
40 East 35th Street (between Park and Madison Ave.)
Take the 6 train to 33rd Street or the B, D, F, and R to 34th Street
and 6th Avenue at Herald Square.

To endorse the event, please email ParedesBendermanDefense@yahoo.com

Sponsored by (in formation):
Citizens for Pablo
Veterans for Peace
Military Families Speak Out NY-NJ-CT
Vietnam Veterans Against the War
United For Peace and Justice
International Action Center / SNAFU
Not In Our Name
Campus Anti-War Network
Vietnam Veterans Against the War - Clarence Fitch Chapter (NY, NJ, CT)
New York City Labor Against the War
Chris Harrison (Iraq Veterans Against the War, Peace-Out.com)*
Nancy Romer (Chair, PSC-CUNY Peace and Justice Committee and Co-
convener, Educators to Stop the War)*
International Socialist Organization
Solidarity
GI Special
Military Project
Code Pink
Citizen Soldier

* For identification purposes only

"All of the politicians that want to fight a war are free to trade
places with me at any time. I will gladly go and learn war no more."
--Sgt. Kevin Benderman

"I call on everyone who reads these words, to reclaim their humanity.
Refuse, as every member of humanity should, to promote this mass
violence against innocent people."
--Pablo Paredes

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT PABLO AND KEVIN AND TO SIGN AN ONLINE PETITION
IN SUPPORT OF THEIR CASES VISIT:
www.defendpablo.org
www.bendermandefense.org

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

4) 20,000+ letters sent to Bush & Congress to say:
No asylum for Luis Posada Carriles
Extradite him to Venezuela

You can help keep the pressure up!

The incredible response to A.N.S.W.E.R.'s campaign to extradite
anti-Cuban terrorist Luis Posada Carriles has led to people sending
more than 20,000 emails and letters to Bush and members of Congress.
Weeks of letter writing, press conferences and rallies has
successfully drawn attention to the obvious hypocrisy of the Bush
administration's so-called "War on Terrorism."

This campaign is making a big impact. Yesterday (May 9), the New York
Times ran a major front-page story on the case. A link to the article
can be found below. Today, there was a follow-up editorial.

Let's keep up the pressure - right now - as it is making a big
difference. Please send a letter or another letter and forward
this appeal to a friend or family member and urge them to act now.
It is easy for you and your friends to join this campaign.
A.N.S.W.E.R. has set up an easy-to-use mechanism to facilitate
sending a quick email to George W. Bush and the Congressional
Representative in your District and Senators in your state with
your demands. We have provided a sample letter, but you can
customize your message to get your point across. Just click
here to get started sending your letter! For background on
the case, click here.

The A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition can continue this and all the other
campaigns because of the generous contributions and donations
of people who want this movement to grow.

Your Help Makes the Difference

It is the tireless work of volunteers that allows us to
simultaneously support Cuba's right to be free from U.S.-sponsored
terrorism, oppose the occupation of Iraq, support the Haitian
people's fight for democracy, defend Social Security and oppose
the Bush budget cuts, while striking back in support of the Bill
of Rights and the First Amendment as the government tries to
eviscerate those cherished freedoms.

Hard work from hundreds of dedicated activists throughout the
country is only part of the equation. Every person of conscience
needs to support this work by a making a contribution. We use
the principle of the equality of sacrifice. A donation of $10
for low income people could be equal to a $50 contribution or
a $500 contribution from someone in a more stable economic
situation. The most important thing is that everyone who
believes in social justice and peace participate in this
great undertaking.

Click here now to make a credit card contribution through our
secure server, where you can also get information on how to
contribute by check.

Read the article in the May 9 New York Times: Cuban Exile
Could Test U.S. Definition of Terrorist.

A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition
Act Now to Stop War & End Racism
http://www.ANSWERcoalition.org
info@internationalanswer.org
National Office in Washington DC: 202-544-3389
New York City: 212-533-0417
Los Angeles: 323-464-1636
San Francisco: 415-821-6545
For media inquiries, call 202-544-3389.

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

5) Halliburton Lands $72 Million in Bonuses
Reuters
Tuesday 10 May 2005
Army awards firm for logistics work; no decision on
dining services.
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/051005W.shtml

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

6) Pentagon Is Asking Congress to Loosen Environmental Laws
By MICHAEL JANOFSKY
Published: May 11, 2005
"WASHINGTON, May 10 - After three unsuccessful tries, the
Pentagon is asking Congress again this year to loosen major
environmental laws to allow military training exercises
around the country to proceed unimpeded.
Military officials say the requested changes, which could
be approved this week as part of the defense authorization
bill for 2006, are essential to preserve the quality of
training and to avoid lawsuits over possible violations of
statutes that govern air, water and waste."
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/11/politics/11enviro.html?

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

7) Super Sized Support for 'McLibel'
Global Exchange, CorpWatch and National Lawyers Guild on Board to
Promote High-Profile 'McLibel' Case Doc. Film Opens in June.
Cinema Libre Studio
8328 DeSoto Avenue
Canoga Park, CA 91304
www.cinemalibrestudio.com
May 10, 2005
Contact: Lauri Blue, (818) 349-8822, lblue@cinemalibrestudio.com
Beth Portello, 818-349-8822
bportello@cinemalibrestudio.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 10, 2005


Super Sized Support for 'McLibel'
Global Exchange, CorpWatch and National Lawyers Guild on Board to
Promote High-Profile 'McLibel' Case Doc. Film Opens in June.

LOS ANGELES - Global Exchange, CorpWatch, National
Lawyers Guild, CodePink, Voices for a Viable Future, SF Vegetarian
Society and Bay Area Vegetarians have joined forces with Cinema
Libre Studio to support the June theatrical release of the
controversial documentary 'McLibel.'

Directed by Franny Armstrong, "McLibel" follows the
15-year story of London Greenpeace activists Helen Steel and Dave
Morris as they are transformed from anonymous campaign volunteers
into unlikely global heroes. McDonald's sued the single father
and part-time bar worker for libel in 1990, after "McSpies"
infiltrated their non-profit group.

Morris and Steel refused to apologize for distributing a leaflet
that asked consumers to ponder the question: "What's Wrong with
McDonald's?" The leaflet listed 15 reasons why the corporation
did not have the public's best interests in mind. The 'McLibel 2'
defended themselves through what became the longest running
legal battle in English history. The case has been described
as "the biggest corporate PR disaster" ever.

"For organizations like ours," says Andrea Buffa, Communications
Director of Global Exchange, "that are dedicated to exposing
the toll that corporate globalization takes on human rights
and environment, it is important we be able to get real information
to the public about what corporations are doing. Global Exchange
can't afford billboards and television commercials like the
corporations can, so we need to be able to spread our information
in other ways - like leafleting outside McDonald's the way
David and Helen did."

The seven organizations will provide support for the film by
spreading the word on a grassroots level and educating their
members on the issues raised in the film in relation to their
own organizational causes. Some of the orgs will reach out to
the media, leafleting outside of McDonald's in select cities
and by creating specific actions to promote the film.

Eric Schlosser, author of "Fast Food Nation," became a supporter
of "McLibel" early by participating in the film as one of the
interviewees. In addition, agit-prop artist Ron English generously
donated his artwork titled "McAmerica" (owned by Robert C. Carvalho)
to use as the "McLibel" poster image in the US.

In the "McLibel" case (1996-2005), London's Royal Courts of
Justice found McDonald's marketing to have claimed "a positive
nutritional benefit which their food did not match", that
McDonald's "exploits children" with their advertising strategy,
found the company to be "culpably responsible for animal
cruelty", and that it was fair comment to say that McDonald's
employees worldwide "do badly in terms of pay and conditions."
And finally, "If one eats enough McDonald's food, one's diet
may well become high in fat, with the very real risk of heart
disease."

In February 2005, the European Court of Human Rights declared
that the notorious "McLibel" case breached Steel's and Morris'
rights to a fair trial, to freedom of expression, and had failed
to protect the public's right to criticize massive corporations
whose business practices can affect people's lives, health and
the environment. The court's rulings will likely change the
course of British freedom of speech laws forever.

Media interest in the story remains as fevered today as it has
been for the past decade and a half.

"This story is an inspiration to activists everywhere," says
Pratap Chatterjee, managing editor/project director of CorpWatch.
"Two individuals with no money can defeat multinational Goliaths!"

"McLibel" will open on Friday, June 10th in San Francisco and
Seattle and will continue to Minneapolis on June 17th. Exact
theaters to be announced shortly and additional cities to be
added soon.

Grassroots organizations interested in becoming involved in
the McLibel campaign should contact Rich Castro at
rcastro@cinemalibrestudio.com.

ATTENTION EDITORS AND PRODUCERS: Screeners of "McLibel" and
interviews with Franny Armstrong, Dave Morris or Helen Steel
are available upon request. To learn more about the feature
film "McLibel," or to download photos, please visit
www.McLibelthemovie.com.

-30-

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8) May Day in Caracas 2005
a multi-media presentation
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
7:30-9:30pm
Sliding scale $5-15 (no one turned away for lack of funds)
La Pena Community Center
3105 Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley, CA
(near the Ashby BART)
Jonathan Nack traveled to Venezuela on special assignment for
the Epicenter News Service to cover the mass mobilizations that
took place there for May Day, May 1, 2005. Mr. Nack will give
a multi-media presentation including video, photos, interviews
with workers and leaders, Venezuelan music, and a brief travel log.
A short clip from Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Frias's day
Day speech will be included.
Come out and learn how Venezuela is completely off-the-hook
and how the Bolivarian Revolution is mobilizing and being led
by workers and the poor. Get your battery charged and faith
reinforced off the energy of the Venezuelan people. Know for
sure that another world is possible.
Jonathan Nack is the Managing Editor of the Epicenter News
Service, which is the publisher of EastBayNews.org .
The program will include other special guests.
http://www.EastBayNews.org

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

9) Sanders' Forums Take Aim at Poverty
by Kim Smith Dedam, Southern Vermont Bureau
Published on Tuesday, May 10, 2005 by the Rutland Herlad
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0510-10.htm

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

10) LUIS POSADA CARRILES
THE DECLASSIFIED RECORD
CIA and FBI Documents Detail Career in International
Terrorism; Connection to U.S.
National Security Archive Electronic Briefing Book No. 153
For more information contact
Peter Kornbluh - 202/994-7116
May 10, 2005
http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB153/index.htm

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

11) Real Wages Fall at Fastest Rate in 14 Years
by Christopher Swann in Washington
Published on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 by the Financial Times
"Real wages in the US are falling at their fastest rate in 14
years, according to data surveyed by the Financial Times by
the Economic Policy Institute."
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0511-08.htm


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

12) Memories of Phil and Phylis Morrison
Send contributions (images, audio, stories) to
stories@memoriesofmorrison.org
This site celebrates the lives of two remarkable people:
Phil and Phylis Morrison
http://www.memoriesofmorrison.org/
The friends and extended family of Phil and Phylis Morrison
are saddened at the passing of an era that occurred in the
afternoon of Friday, April 22, 2005, when Phil passed away
in his sleep. Although neither Phil nor Phylis had much use
for tributes, we do feel the need for continuing connection,
and so have come together in cyberspace to celebrate their
impact on our lives.
A memorial service will be held at M.I.T. on Saturday,
September 10, 2005. At this point, times are being coordinated,
but it looks like a late morning to early afternoon affair
to be held in Kresge Auditorium on the main M.I.T. Campus.
Watch this space for more information.
We welcome you to this site, and hope you will pass along
ideas and suggestions for ways that we can continue to
honor their legacies. You can send email to
stories@memoriesofmorrison.org

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

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

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

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