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.