People Rising to Protect Our Earth and Our Rights!

Robert Kennedy Jr Being Arrested         AP Ann Heisenfelt

Yesterday, 48 activists were arrested for tying themselves to the White House gate to protest the Keystone XL Pipeline. The proposed pipeline is a "carbon bomb" that will increase carbon pollution to dangerous and potentially irreversible levels and create likely damaging spills. The people arrested include Robert Kennedy Jr and his son Conor, the executive director and president of Sierra Club (the first time in that organization's 150 years they approved of civil disobedience) Bill McGibbon of 350.org, NASA climate scientist James Hansen, Julian Bond and actress Darryl Hannah. James Hansen said the tar sands are "the dirtiest of fossil fuels" and that burning them would essentially mean "game over" to curb global warming. 

 "It's equivalent to burning coal in your automobile. We simply cannot be that stupid if we want to preserve a planet for our children and grandchildren," said Hansen.

Kudos to all arrested for preparing the way for the thousands who are converging in DC this Sunday, Feb 17 for the largest climate action in history. A Sierra bus from our area is already full, but Occupy New Platz is assessing whether another bus can be obtained if there is enough interest. Please write to Margaret Human corvasorora@yahoo.com or call 255-5727. Thanks to all who are going. You are making a difference.

  

From the UN Wire

Renewables could soon supply 80% of world's energy, Ban says

Politicians are lagging behind scientists and military leaders in sounding the alarm over climate change, and the consequences could be catastrophic, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said this week. "It's time to move beyond spending enormous sums addressing the damage and to make investments that will repay themselves many times over," Ban said. "With the right enabling public policies, close to 80% of the world's energy supply could be met by renewables by mid-century. This is not utopian or science fiction. It is current fact," he added.

GOP Misogyny Continues

Twenty-two Republican Senators voted Tuesday against the Violence against Women Act (VAWA). Despite their obstructionism, the bill passed in the Senate overwhelmingly and now faces an uncertain future in the House. Please remember these 22!!

 

They are: Tim Scott, Mike Lee, Marco Rubio, Roy Blunt, Mike Lee, Ron Johnson , Mitch McConnell, Mike Johanns, Ted Cruz, Orrin Hatch, Jim Risch,  Jim Inhofe, Tom Cobun, John Thune, Rand Paul, Lindsey Graham, Pat Roberts, Jeff Sessions, John Boozman, John Cornyn, Chuck Grassley, John Barrasso and Michael Enzi 

Let's Fight Back Together!

DEFEND WOMEN'S RIGHTS!
Fight Back Against the War on Women

Thursday, March 7, 6:30PM

SUNY New Paltz

LC 100 (the biggest on campus!)

Dozens of community, labor, feminist, peace, justice, political and college
organizations are backing this Mid-Hudson regional commemoration of
International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 7. Rallies are taking place in
many U.S. towns, called nationally by Women Organized to Resist and Defend
(defendwomensrights.org).

The meeting is an answer to recent conservative attacks on women’s rights, to
which we respond: Stop Violence Against Women, Stop the War on Women’s
Rights, Defend Reproductive Justice, Full Equality for all Women Workers!

Speakers, singers, poets and videos will express these demands at the rally.
There will be plenty of information and ideas to take home and use. The
program is in formation — all speakers and endorsers will be posted soon at
http://activistnewsletter.blogspot.com/. 

The Hudson Valley Activist Newsletter is the organizer. Early endorsers include
the Hudson Valley Area Labor Federation AFL-CIO, United University Professions
AFL-CIO (SUNY NP), New Paltz Women in Black, Amnesty International (local
branch), Bard College Student Labor Dialogue, Washbourne House (women
and children's shelter), Orange County Democratic Women, Ulster County
Democratic Women, Sociology Dept. (SUNY NP), Progressive Academic
Network (SUNY NP), Environmental Task Force (community/campus), NP
Climate Action Coalition, NYPIRG and OXFAM (SUNY NP chapters), Students
for a Free Palestine (SUNY NP), Move to Amend of Ulster County, Peace and
Social Progress Now, Mid-Hudson ANSWER, Haitian People’s Support Project.
——————————————————————————————————————
Attention Men: You are encouraged to attend the rally as an act of solidarity
with our demands and struggle! To volunteer for various tasks or submit an organization’s
endorsement, contact Donna Goodman atdonna0726@earthlink.net. 

To receive the Activist Newsletter
email jacdon@earthlink.net.

Happy Valentine's Day to One and All!

Stop Violence against Women, Make the 1% Pay Their Taxes, ALEC Sponsored Climate Change Denial

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Write (and call) your Members of Congress in the Senate and House today, using our easy tool below! Use some of your own words for greatest impact.
 
The Violence Against Women Act strengthens law enforcement and provides resources to service providers so they can respond to domestic violence and sexual assault in our country.  This longstanding law, first authorized in 1994, was allowed to lapse last year, for the first time in the history of the legislation. 

Since VAWA was passed in 1994, reporting of domestic violence has increased as much as 51 percent, and the number of individuals killed by an intimate partner has decreased by 34 percent for women and 57 percent for men. VAWA saved $12.6 billion in its first six years alone.  

TAKE ACTION HERE- http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/696/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=12342 

Join One Billion Rising Feb 14th!

	One Billion Rising Please join us for a special event that will help generate greater attention to the fight to stop violence against women and girls. "One Billion Rising" is a global event that encourages one billion women, and those who love them, to walk out, dance, rise up, and show their support to end this violence. WHEN: Thursday, February 14th, from noon until 5:00 p.m. - registration begins at 11:00am. This event is free, but we are encouraging donations to the Washbourne House. WHERE: Backstage Studio Productions (BSP) on Wall Street in the Historic Stockade District of Uptown Kingston. FEATURING: Gwen Wright, Executive Director, Office for The Prevention of Domestic Violence DXF SM Drew Andrews from The Center for Creative Education Ulster County Panel featuring Kathy Morietti from Washbourne House, Holley Carnright DA, Liz Culmone ADA, Chief Tinti Dance With Me© V-Day Monologues Karen Holtslag rhythmic monologue accompanied by percussion Andrea Park, Executive Director, YWCA Ulster County and Mary Farel, Director, Girls, Inc. of Ulster and Dutchess Counties Pook and Energy Dance Company - Dance demo, drumming and dance along

There is also a One Billion Rising event in New Paltz!
3PM corner of Main and N Front Streets
Sign up here!
https://www.facebook.com/events/292714607518147/?ref=ts&fref=ts

SAVE the DATE!!
International Women's Day event evening of March 7, at Lecture Center 100, SUNY New Paltz.
This will be a great event with informed and passionate speakers on violence against women, issues of women in the workplace, reproductive justice and more. Three will also be some exciting performers and surprises! Mark you calendars now! More to come.

On March 8 there will also be a march across the Hudson River Walkway in honor of International Women'sDay. More to come!

Flip the Debt!

An influential front group of Wall St. Corporations calling itself ‘Fix The Debt’ is demanding we cut social support programs like Social Security and Medicare in order to reduce the deficit. The funny part? Our deficit is so huge because these very same corporations - and the wealthiest 1% - have been rigging the rules to exploit loopholes, tax havens and tax cuts for years! Read more.


Climate Change Denial Being Taught in Schools - Thanks to ALEC 

Despite above average global temperatures for 36 consecutive years, and this:

 ALEC model bills that require teachers to teach that global warming is just a theory that is  "steeped in controversy" have passed in Louisiana, Texas, South Dakota and Tennessee. Oklahoma, Arizona and Colorado introduced bills last month to spread the industry funded propaganda. Read more.

We're Not Broke, Just Twisted- Extreme Wealth Inequality in America

Think an extra $4 trillion would go a long way to turning our economy around? Watch the video to find out how.

Great No Fracking Video!

The numbers and the passion (and the facts) are all right there. But then Cuomo ignored the subject completely in his State of the State address. Booo!

2012 - What Went Well

It is easy to be discouraged by much of what transpired in 2012. Topping the list would be our totally dysfunctional Congress. Did you know that House Republicans blocked legislation that would have increased the minimum wage to $10/hr- talk about a stimulus. They also refused to ratify an international treaty to protect the rights of disabled people around the world (based on our Americans with Disabilities Act!), pass a Paycheck Fairness Act, or even pass the usually noncontroversial Violence against Women Act which has helped make women safer since 1994. They also voted against a jobs bill for veterans. I'm surprised that these actions still surprise me- after all this is the party that voted against providing healthcare for 9/11 first responders two years ago. I think they deserve this cartoon.

But you know me, well, some of you do- and I like to focus on what went well and the possibilities that lie ahead.

I am always heartened by examples of people power- regular folks rising up to protect our planet, fight corporate greed and stand for fairness for the middle class and poor people. One dramatic example last year was the courage of the Tar Sands Blockade- people taking to the trees against Tar Sands oil- the dirtiest and most devastating to our planet.

More locally, I am impressed with the strength of the anti-fracking movement. Read more here- then submit your comments to the DEC here until Jan 11 and go to Albany Wednesday! Let's give Cuomo a protest he cannot ignore- sign up http://www.facebook.com/events/243510039113031/
And here is another petition to sign- http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/Ban_hydrofracking_in_New_York_State_US/?eBSQFdb

Prop 37 in CA, our right to know what we are eating and feeding our families was only narrowly defeated (3 percentage points), despite a $46 million dollar campaign by Monsanto and big food companies to mislead and misinform voters about the labeling of GMOs. The good news is they cannot keep fighting what is inevitable- the labeling of GMOs. If fifty other countries can do it, so can we! There are labeling initiatives in more than a dozen states with many eyes now focused on Washington state. Additionally, 15 states have come together to form the Coalition of States for Mandatory GMO Labeling!

In addition to agreeing with Medea's ten favorite things about 2012 (below), I also think there is a spiritual renaissance that has gone into full swing in 2012. People are awakening to a higher consciousness that reconnects them to the earth and to our human family. I wrote about it here-  The Birth of the New Earth . Maybe that is what is behind the fact that major conflicts and mass violence are actually down 50% world wide since the late 1980s. 

Hang in there for 2013- May it be the year the people have their say and true democracy and fairness flourishes in this country and around the world!

Ten of My Favorite Things about 2012

Posted by Medea Benjamen

Fri, Dec 28, 2012

There are many things to be thankful for in 2012, starting with the fact that the world didn’t end on December 21 and that we don’t have to witness the inauguration of Mr. One-Percent Mitt Romney. The global economic crisis continued to hit hard, but people have been taking to the streets around the world, from students in Chile to indigenous activists in Canada to anti-austerity workers in Europe. And while the excitement of the Arab world uprisings has been tempered by divisions and losses, the struggles are far from over.

Here are some US and global issues that experienced newfound gains in 2012.
1.     While conservatives launched vicious attacks on women’s rights, it backfired—and fired up the pro-choice base! US voters elected the highest number of women to Congress ever, including the first openly lesbian senator (Tammy Baldwin), the first Asian-American senator (Mazie Hirono) and first senator to make the banks tremble, Elizabeth Warren! Voters also rejected 4 crazy candidates who called for limiting a woman’s right to choose—including the resounding defeat by Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill over Mr. Legitimate Rape Todd Akin. Don’t forget that when Susan G. Komen for the Cure announced it would no longer fund Planned Parenthood, it got so heartily trounced that it caved in than seventy-two hours later. And stay tuned for the 2013 global women rising—a billion of us demanding an end to violence against women on February 14!

2.     Immigrant rights groups, especially young Latinos, mobilized and took great risks to force a change in attitude—and a thaw in policy. They fasted and caravanned and marched and knocked on doors. They pushed the administration and in June, just before the election, President Obama announced a new immigration policy that allows some undocumented students to avoid deportation and receive work authorization when they apply for deferred action. While not nearly enough, especially in light of this administration’s record rate of deportations, a mobilized immigrant community with significant voting power stands poised to make more impactful changes in U.S. immigration policy next year.

3.     More money flooded the elections than ever before (some $5.8 billion!), but most of it went down a big, black hole—and unleashed a new movement for money out of politics. Billionaires wasted fortunes trying to sell lousy candidates and lousy ideas. Looking at the candidates supported by the biggest moneybags of all, Sheldon Adelson, NONE were elected to office. Right-wing “pundits” like Karl Rove proved themselves to be idiotic partisan hacks and the Tea Party has been tearing itself apart. But best of all, from Massachusetts to Oregon, Colorado to Illinois and Wisconsin, and Ohio to California, citizens throughout the country voted overwhelmingly for their legislators to pass a constitutional amendment to overturn the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission ruling and declare that only human beings – not corporations – are entitled to constitutional rights and that money is not speech and campaign spending can be regulated.

4.     The marijuana genie is now out of the bottle, with people across the country backing referendums seeking an end to the decades of destructive, counterproductive drug wars. Colorado and Washington voters legalized recreational pot, and medical marijuana will be legal in Massachusetts. Voters in California passed Prop 34, which restricts lifetime incarceration via the “three strikes” law to violent or serious third offenses, a change that will help limit the prison sentences of nonviolent drug offenders. Prominent leaders including Senate Judiciary Chair Patrick Leahy, former President Bill Clinton and President Obama have hinted that they will reconsider the harsh criminal drug policy that has cost so much money and so many lives while failing to curb drug abuse.

5.     This year marked momentous wins for gay rights. Massachusetts, Maine, and Washington legalized marriage equality, and Minnesota defeated a restrictive state constitutional amendment that would have upheld a ban. Now, one-tenth of states in the U.S. uphold marriage equality. Thanks to activist pressure, on May 9 President Obama became the first sitting president to endorse marriage equality for same-sex couples. Several prominent leaders in the Democratic Party followed his lead, and muted conservative responses only served to demonstrate how far public opinion has shifted on the issue.

6.     Climate activists have been kickin’ up a storm. Anti-coal activists have helped retire over 100 coal plants, victories that will save lives and clean our air and water, while wind energy hit a historic milestone of 50,000 megawatts. The global anti-fracking movement mounted effective campaigns that has led to local bans in the US and Canada, national moratoriums in France and Bulgaria, and tighter regulation in Australia and the UK. The grassroots campaign to stop the Keystone Pipeline has awakened a new generation of activists (don’t forget the upcoming February 17-18 President’s Day Climate Legacy/Keystone XL rally in Washington, D.C.). And on the national front, in August the Obama administration issued new miles-per-gallon rules on car manufacturers, mandating that Detroit nearly double fuel efficiency standards by 2025.

7.         Unions have been hard hit by the economic crisis and political attacks, but worker’s gains made in 2012 show potential muscle. The Chicago teachers’ strike in September, lasting for seven school days, led to an important victory for public education. Walmart workers staged the first-ever strikes against the biggest private sector employer in the United States and heralded a new model of organizing, with workers and community members coming together to support better conditions in the stores and warehouses even before the workers join a union. And in another example of worker/community organizing, student activism allied with union advocacy in San Jose, California led to a ballot initiative that will raise the minimum wage from $8 to $10 per hour for everyone working within the city limits.

8.     On the foreign policy front, opposition to drone warfare is on the rise. After years of silence about the use of lethal drones overseas, the public began to learn more and the level of anti-drone activism skyrocketed. Now there are protests all over the country, including army bases where drones are piloted and manufacturing plants, and US activists have hooked up with drone victims overseas. US attitudes, once overwhelmingly pro-drone, are beginning to change, becoming more aligned with the global opposition to drone warfare. And the increased global opposition is leading to a rethinking of US policies.

9.     The international movement for Palestinian human rights has gained unprecedented momentum. In November the United Nations endorsed an independent state of Palestine, showing sweeping international support of Palestinian demands for sovereignty over lands Israel has occupied since 1967. The Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions call by Palestinian civil society gained international traction as well, with economic, cultural and academic victories. Several different Christian denominations and college campuses voted to divest from Israeli occupation, the Technical University of Denmark dropped scientific collaboration projects with an Israeli settlement, the South African ANC endorsed the BDS call, Stevie Wonder cancelled a performance at a “Friends of the IDF” fundraiser, and much more. The grassroots call for Israel to adhere to international law has never been louder.

10.       After nearly 15 years of house arrest, Burmese opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi was elected to Parliament! Suu Kyi’s party, the NLD (National League for Democracy), swept the April by-elections, winning 43 of the 44 seats it contested. After decades of abuse, the military-dominated government released hundreds of political prisoners, enacted laws on forming trade unions and freedom of assembly, eased official media censorship, and allowed the opposition to register and contest elections. President Obama’s November visit, the first by a sitting US president, was an acknowledgement of the reforms. There’s still need for pressure, as hundreds of political prisoners remain, ethnic conflict continues, and Burmese military still holds too much power. But 2012 was a good year for the Burmese people.

There will be no time to rest in 2013, since the wealthy are already pushing to protect their profits to the detriment of the environment, workers’ rights and our democracy. But just as the massacre in Sandy Hook has led to a reinvigorated fight for gun control, so 2013 will surely mark a renewed effort to build stronger coalitions to spread the wealth, reverse global warming and disentangle ourselves from foreign wars. And with the presidential elections behind us, the time is ripe for building a progressive movement that is not tied to any political party but can put pressure on the entire system. Let the organizing begin!!!
Medea Benjamin is cofounder of www.codepink.org and www.globalexchange.org. Her latest book is Drone Warfare: Killing by Remote Control.

Federal Prison for Peacefully Protesting Killer Drones

It is hard to believe this is my country.

About 40 folks went to this air force base to peacefully protest killer drones which are terrorizing and killing civilians in Pakistan and other countries. A Stanford NYU Study found that 98% killed by US drones are civilians. I also wrote about drones and helped to organize a protest in New Paltz, NY about them. You can see the write-up and video here.

One man, Brian Terrell who merely went to the gate to ask directions about how they could deliver a petition (an indictment of the immorality and illegality of drone warfare) was promptly arrested and now has to serve six months in a federal prison. Here is what Brian said at his sentencing.

"Each of the government's witnesses, all of them Air Force police personnel, testified that participants in this protest were nonviolent, respectful and peaceable in assembling at Whiteman Air Force Base, a government installation, to petition that government for redress of a grievance, demanding that the remote control killing carried out daily from Whiteman cease. They testified that at no time, before or during our protest, did they perceive us as a threat.

"Our expert witnesses testified that our behavior was consistent with the activities that the drafters of the First Amendment intended to be protected, not persecuted, by the government. The order and security of the base would not have been compromised had the security police allowed us to proceed to the headquarters to deliver our petition. No testimony to the contrary was offered this court.

"Instead of planning to accommodate a constitutionally protected peaceable assembly, however, the Air Force chose intimidation and conspired to deprive us of the rights they are sworn to protect. We learned from government witnesses that the phalanx of goose-stepping riot police is a 'Confrontation Management Team,' deployed only in the case of preannounced events. Whiteman security did not call out the Team to defend the base but to intimidate citizens engaged in lawful activities."

Brian Terrell

 A local woman named Keara met Brian at Catholic Worker 35 years ago. She shared his address if anone would like to write to him. He especially asked to be kept up to date about acts of resistance and peacemaking in your community.

BRIAN TERRELL 06125-026
FPC YANKTON
FEDERAL PRISON CAMP
P.O. BOX 700
YANKTON, SD 57078


And please sign the petition to ban weaponized drones from the world!

Disaster Averted, Victories and Work to Do!

Disaster Averted!

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Important Victories

Obama had a bigger win than Kennedy, Nixon, Carter, or Bush! The American people have spoken! Boehner said the other day that there is no mandate to raise taxes on the top 2%. Yes, there is!

Going into the election, six states and DC had legalized gay marriage that was the result of court rulings or legislative measures. For the first time, same sex marriage won through ballot referendums in Maine, Maryland and Washington. In Minnesota voters rejected a ballot measure restricting marriage to a man and woman.

There will now be an openly gay member of the US Senate- Tammy Baldwin of WI.

In Iowa the right wing tried to oust a State Supreme Court justice because of the court's unanimous decision in 2009 to allow same-sex marriage on equal protection grounds- in the past they were successful in taking out three justices. This time the voters rejected that idea. Similarly, in FL, three State Supreme Court justices targeted by conservatives all retained their seats. A victory for judicial independence.

Misogynists with big mouths were defeated!

America's first Hindu Congresswoman will take the oath of office on the Bhagavad Gita.

Women were clear winners Tuesday! There will be a record 20 female US Senators in 2013 and white men will be a minority in the House Democratic Caucus!

The people are demanding an end to corporate person-hood and for Citizens United to be overturned.
In Montana,75% of the voters called for Citizens United to be overturned- stating that corporations are not people and money is not speech. Five months ago, the Supreme Court nullified Montana's 100 year old Corrupt Practices Act (which was passed to fight the mining industry's domination of state politics). The man that brought the lawsuit against that Act that brought it to the Supreme Court lost his state House seat 66 to 34%.

Tuesday was a also a big victory for a more sane drug policy. Colorado and Washington both passed ballot referendums calling for the legalization of recreational marijuana and Massachusetts and Montana voted for legalization of medical marijuana.

"Legalization could save U.S. taxpayers the $10 billion spent each year on enforcing marijuana prohibition, and eliminate the criminal cases against more than 750,000 people arrested per year for possession, which NORML says is 'far more than the total number of arrestees for all violent crimes combined, including murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault.' "

Karl Rove spent hundreds of millions of dollars and had a 1% return. The eight candidates that Sheldon Adelson backed- all lost!

The youth vote was up over 2008! Obama won that vote 60 to 36%.

Time to Roll Up Our Sleeves

All this good news- BUT there is still so much to do and the window of opportunity for enacting real and meaningful change is open now and has to be taken advantage of. I'll leave you with Michael Moore's letter that sums up the work ahead of us well.

"And please Mr. President, make the banks and Wall Street pay. You're the boss, not them. Lead the fight to get money out of politics – the spending on this election is shameful and dangerous. Don't wait til 2014 to bring the troops home – bring 'em home now. Stop the drone strikes on civilians. End the senseless war on drugs. Act like a pit bull when it comes to climate change – ignore the nuts, and fix this now. Take the profit motive out of things that any civilized country would say, "this is for the common good." Make higher educational affordable for everyone and don't send 22-year-olds out into the world already in massive debt. Order a moratorium on home foreclosures and evictions. Enact economic policy that will create good-paying jobs and spend the money that's needed to do that. Make your second term one for the history books." read more

Lastly, a couple of losses in this sea of victory- In our new 19th District in NY, Julian Schreibman lost to Chris Gibson. Julian waged a great campaign and we are grateful to him for his hard work and dedication to improving the lives of average Americans. Chris Gibson- you now represent thousands of more liberally minded people who were honored to be represented for 20 years by Maurice Hinchey, one of the most progressive members of the House. You will be hearing from us!

Also, Prop 37- which would have required the labeling of foods with genetically modified organisms failed in CA. Monsanto and Big Ag spent over $45 million to mislead and scare voters. They won this time- but a movement has been born and we will eventually, like over 60 other countries in the world, have GM labeling so we know what we are eating and feeding our families. Join us on FB-  GMO? OMG! Hudson Valley for NO GMOS