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Alert #193 January 13, 2009
Last Thursday, the Senate passed Senate Resolution 10 expressing unconditional support for Israel's attack on the 1.4 million Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip. The measure was passed by unanimous voice vote, with no official record of any opposition. The same day, the New York Times reported that in a house bombed by Israel, twelve civilians were found dead, along with four small children, barely alive, lying next to their dead mothers. On Friday, the House passed an almost identical bill, House Resolution 34. Both bills "encourage" the President to work for a ceasefire "as soon as possible," but only after first expressing complete support for Israel and then demanding that Hamas stop firing rockets. This lopsided approach amounts to picking sides in the conflict, ensuring that it will continue. Please, in your five minutes for peace this week, contact your Representative and Senators Clinton and Schumer. Tell them that their vote for this resolution is an outrage, and that you expect them to show more fairness and compassion, or they will lose your support. Only when our legislators know that we are watching will we get change in Congress. This is not about being for or against Israel. It's about the livelihood and well-being of all people in the area, including the 1.4 million under attack in Gaza. The primary message of these resolutions, to both sides, is that the U.S. will not insist on an immediate cease fire, but considers it a third priority behind supporting Israel and condemning Hamas. This can only prolong the conflict, and that will will help no one. The invasion and blockade of this small strip of land has already caused a dire humanitarian crisis, bringing disintegration, desperation, and starvation to the civilian population. And many commentators, even some conservative ones, are saying that Israel's war on Gaza, long term, will strengthen Hamas and harm Israel. Further Resources
In Peace, Cheryl Wertz Peace Action New York State info@panys.org |
Tuesday, January 13, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.MIDTOWN NYC. US Mission to the United Nations, 140 East 45th Street, between Lexington and 3rd Ave. CANDLELIGHT VIGIL
Will include an interfaith ceremony in support of Israeli and Palestinian pacifists.
Sponsored by The Humanist Center of Cultures, Peace Action of New York State and New York City United for Peace and Justice.
For more information call 646-723-1749.
FOR PEACE AND NON-VIOLENCE IN GAZA. 
Tuesday, January 13, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.DOWNTOWN NYC. Federal Hall, 26 Wall Street A VIGIL TO REFLECT ON GUANTAMO, TORTURE, DETENTION AND THE LEGACY OF HUMAN RIGHTS
ABUSES BY THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION.
Hosted by the NYCLU and Amnesty International. Seven years ago this Sunday, the Bush
administration began indefinitely imprisoning suspects from its war on terrorism at a remote
U.S. naval facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. This prison would go on to become an international
symbol of U.S. torture and abuse practices. Yet in one week, a new president will be
sworn into office promising sweeping change and pledging the restoration of human and
Constitutional rights. On the eve of a new day in Washington, join your neighbors as we
look with hope to the future and reflect on the past. Light a candle to remember what's
been lost and to remind the next administration what this country is supposed to be. For
more information, contact arosmarin@nyclu.org
or 212.607.3358.
Friday, January 16, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. DOWNTOWN NYC. Foley Square, between Worth and Centre Streets NO IMMUNITY FOR GAZA WAR CRIMES:
PACK THE COURTS 
A rally and procession to the court house to demand that Avi Dichter, the
former Director of Israel's General Security Service, be held accountable under the Alien Tort
Statute and Torture Victim Protection Act. In 2002 Dichter planned and directed the dropping of a
one-ton bomb on an apartment building in Gaza City, killing eight children and seven adults and injuring
over 150 others. On the 16th the Center for Constitutional Rights will be appealing the
federal district courts dismissal of the case on the arguement that Dichter was under orders from the
Israeli government 0 an argument that has not stood up in court since the Neurenberg trials. Argument
starts at 2:00 p.m. at the US Second Circuit Court of Appeals, 500 Pearl Street, 9th floor, Ceremonial
courtroom. Arrive at least one hour prior to the argument to enter the court, as long lines are expected.
For questions email january16rally@gmail.com.
Friday, January 16, 4:00 p.m.BUFFALO. Sen. Schumer’s office, 130 South Elmwood Avenue RALLY TO END THE BLOODSHED
The current invasion of Gaza has claimed 600 plus innocents and wounded 3000, according to the
International Committee of the Red Cross. We as citizens or residents of the U.S., Israel's main
diplomatic and military supporter can stop this. If you have seen the carnage caused by this conflict,
the injustice of perpetual ignorance, and also the immoral and unjust stifling of humanitarian assistance
to innocents; JOIN US! For details on the strategy, or the rally itself send an e-mail to
bscstudentsforpeace1@gmail.com
or call 716-430-0922. Hosted by Buffalo State Students for Peace.
Tuesday, January 13, 7:00 p.m. UPPER WEST SIDE. New York Society for Ethical Culture, 2 West 64th St. at Central Park West EMERGENCY TOWN HALL MEETING: A CALL TO ACT. STOP THE ISRAELI MASSACRE IN GAZA. We condemn the US Role in this War Crime. $10 admission. Speakers include Chris Hedges, Cynthia McKinney, Alan Goodman, Adam Shapiro, Peter Weiss, and Najla Said. Initiated by Revolution Books. Saturday, January 17, 10:30am- 5:30 p.m. MIDTOWN WEST. Martin Luther King Labor Center, 310 West 43rd Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues. WILPF RACIAL JUSTICE WORKSHOP. Join us for a one-day workshop where we will explore how to build leadership skills, develop community/coalition building, strategize a racial justice work plan, integrate racial justice into our activism work and enhance our commitment to racial justice on a personal, organizational and community level. Workshop features all workshop materials, special screening of “Making Whit ness Visible,” using Theater of the Oppressed techniques, and lunch. $10 donation requested, but no one will be turned away. Limited space. Please RSVP to 212-533-2125 or wilful@wilpfnymetro.org 
Wednesday, February 11, 7:45 – 10:30 p.m.BAY RIDGE. Hotel Gregory – Best Western. 8315 4th Avenue, at 84th Street EVENING WITH PROF. GLEN LAWRENCE, AN AUTHORITY ON DEPLETED URANIAM TOXICITY. Featuring Professor Glen Lawrence, Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Long Island University. During the current Iraq War the U.S. use of radioactive DU weapons increased from 375 tons used in 1991 to 2200 tons. Geiger counter readings at sites in downtown Baghdad record radiation levels 1,000 and 2,000 times higher than background radiation. Over one million U.S. soldiers have rotated into Iraq. Today, half of the 697,000 U.S. Gulf War troops from the 1991 war have reported serious medical problems and a significant increase in birth defects among their newborn children. We will show the award-winning documentary “The Doctor, the Depleted Uranium and the Dying Children.” Hosted by Peace Action Bay Ridge & The Bay Ridge Interfaith Peace Coalition. For further information call (718) 680-2981, email bklynpeaceaction@yahoo.com, or see www.panys.org/BR. Thursday, January 15, 10:30 a.m. ROCHESTER. Grace United Methodist Church, 121 Driving Park Avenue COORDINATING RESISTANCE TO THE NYS BUDGET CUTS: AN INFORMATIONAL AND STRATEGIC ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION. Let’s coordinate our efforts and gain maximum synergy on the budget issue. What are our strategic points of agreement? How can we share tactics and roles (press conference, letter writing, personal testimony, lobbying, phone calls etc)? This meeting is 501c3 friendly. Sponsored by New Yorkers for Fiscal Fairness Saturday, January 17, 1:00pm (lunch), 1:30pm (meeting.) GENESEO. Omega Restaurant, 4182 Lakeville Road at Route 20A GENESEE VALLEY CITIZENS FOR PEACE MEETING. Saturday, January 17, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. NANUET. Corner of Rte. 59 and North Middletown Road. 
SPECIAL ROCKLAND COALITION FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE PEACE VIGILThis is a special vigil to call for following the footsteps of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to end the war and bring all troops home now. January 2009 will mark the 80th anniv. of Dr. King’s birthday. January 2009 Barack Obama will be sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America. At this defining moment, the words of Dr. King in the ‘60s are amazingly relevant to the current wars and economic crisis. They point out to Obama the road to peace and justice. Saturday, January 17, 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. NANUET. Corner of Rte. 59 and North Middletown Road ROCKLAND VIGIL FOR PEACE FOR IMMIGRANTS The targeting and murder of Latino men makes tragically clear that we have not yet achieved Dr. King's complete dream, which was for all of us. In the second murder, the two Ecuadorian brothers were also targeted because they were walking together, and thought to be gay. We invite all people of good will to join us in remembering two hard working immigrants who came to this country seeking a better life, only to become victims of hateful violence. In doing so, we will honor Dr. King and his vision for our country. Organized by the Rockland Immigration Coalition. Saturday, January 17, 7:00 p.m. ALBANY. Madison Theater, 1036 Madison Avenue PREMIERE OF “WAITING FOR MERCY” A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT ALBANY’S 2004 FBI “STING” CASE. 
Written, produced, and directed by local documentary filmmaker Ellie Bernstein, and
co-produced by Guilderland resident Tony Grocki, Waiting for Mercy tells the story of the
fabricated FBI sting operation in Albany that made international headlines in the "war on terror"
and that ended with the 2006 convictions of two Albany Muslims on terrorism-related charges. After
the premiere of Waiting for Mercy on January 17, there will be a brief update about the case and
a question-and-answer session with Bernstein, the filmmaker. Admission to the film follows the
Madison's standard ticket prices: $6 for children and seniors, $7 for adults during the matinees,
and $8 for the evening shows.
Monday, January 19, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.NYACK. Riverspace Theater, 119 Main Street. ANNUAL JAZZ CONCERT CELEBRATING MARTIN LUTHER KING’S BIRTHDAY. Featuring jazz legend Monty Alexander. Organized by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Multi-Purpose Center Monday, January 26, 6:00 light dinner will be served. 6:30 training begins. WHITE PLAINS. Center for Racial Justice at WESPAC, 255 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, 2nd floor WHAT PREVENTS US FROM BUILDING A BROAD PEOPLE’S MOVEMENT? AN EVENING WITH ANTHONY PORTER, CO-FOUNDER OF “A CALL TO MEN.” Recognizing the Internalized Manifestation of Racial/Gender Oppression: How does internalized racial/gender oppression manifest itself as Internalized Racial/Gender Inferiority and Internalized Racial/Gender Superiority? How does it interfere with movement building? $20 per person. RSVP required at info@wespac.org or 914 449-6514 Saturday, Feb. 7, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. ROCHESTER. Rochester Friends Meeting House, 84 Scio Street. PANYS ANNUAL MEETING: WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? Details to follow. Many local peace groups hold regular events, vigils, "Honk for Peace" actions, etc. See our list: www.panys.org/ongoing.htm 
Monday, January 19, 1:00 p.m.TEANECK, NJ. 713 Teaneck Road, Across from the Holy Name Hospital, at the site of the newest “Bring them Home” billboard RALLY AND PRESS CONFERENCE TO HONOR DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. We will be calling on President-Elect Obama and the new Congress to end the war in Iraq, keep the New Jersey National Guard in New Jersey, take care of the troops when then get here, bring the more than $12 billion home to use in our communities and demand health care, housing, jobs and education. Please bring food and baby supplies for National Guard families. Sponsored by: Military Families Speak Out, Bergen County Chapter, Bergen Peace and Justice Coalition, NJ Peace Action, Teaneck Peace and Justice Coalition, NJ Coalition to Bring the Troops Home NOW. Speakers include: Teaneck Town Council member Barbara Toffler and other elected officials, Hallie Emma Brevetti, Teaneck High School Student, Veterans, Military Family members, community activists.
Weekend of Sat. January 17 through Tuesday January 20. NATIONWIDE. BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION OF REV MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., AND PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION This weekend promises to be the biggest ever, with the celebration of Dr. King's birthday on Monday January 19th followed by the Presidential Inauguration the very next day. Make plans now. See, for example the MLK Mobilization coalition web site. Going out of state? Check UFPJ's national Events Calendar: http://www.unitedforpeace.org/calendar.php. |