Announcements
War is illegal
Against a background of escalating ecological crises, and the fact that large parts of the world´s population are being exposed to extreme poverty, inhuman working conditions and increasing social tensions, the annual global military expenditure has risen to more than 1000 billion dollars.
The military-industrial complex of just a few G8 countries is responsible for the overwhelming part of this spending, causing incalcuable social and ecological consequences.
Unequal distribution of global resources, increasingly controlled by large multinational companies, global debt policy and unfair international trading practices ultimately could not be maintained without military security. In many countries the military is used to repress critical opposition.
The terror attacks of September 11, 2001 are increasingly used to justify systematic surveillance and the dismantling of constitutional rights. Even European countries have helped to establish Guantanomo-like secret prisons, where torture in all probability takes place.
Iraq was attacked based on falsified evidence causing the death of hundreds of thousands of people, widespread destruction, destabilization and contamination with cancer-causing depleted uranium munitions.
Now plans to attack Iran and the possibility of a new World War have been made public, meeting resistance even from moderate elements within the military due to the unforeseeable consequences.
Faced with the choice between a war, that according to some western leaders, will last for many years or a possible peaceful transformation we support the following demands:
1) Impeachment proceedings against US President Bush and US Vice President Cheney before the 2008 election, a demand raised in solidarity with large parts of the US public and some members of US Congress. Furthermore prosecution by the International Court of Justice of G. W. Bush, R. Cheney and other officials from various countries for waging wars of aggression contrary to international law and committing crimes against humanity.
2) International investigation of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks. They are used as the central justification for the “War on Terror”, but well documented evidence shows that the official explanation of 9/11 cannot be correct. International personalities in science, politics, and culture, including high-ranking military veterans, have called for a new investigation.
3) Immediate military withdrawal from Afghanistan and Iraq, and no attack against Iran. International prohibition of war as a means of conflict resolution. Military intervention and export of weapons should be criminalized.
In a civilized society torture must be prohibited in any form.
4) Conversion of military industries to civilian purposes and the development of ecological and sustainable energy resources. According to the UN environmental agency, a fraction of the annual global defence expenditure could ensure that all humans have access to clean water and a basic supply of food and healthcare.
This statement is based on a commitment to non-violence and tolerance of all ethnic groups and religions. Two devastating World Wars and historical catastrophes like the Nazi Holocaust must always remind us of the worst consequences of nationalism, racism and incitement to war.
Sign this statement, pass it on, whatever we can do. It is up to us.
signed by 1200 groups, businesses and individuals:
to see websites of most signatories go to www.war-is-illegal.org
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ntern and Work at SOA Watch!
Help us make the upcoming November 21-23, 2008 Vigil to Close the SOA/WHINSEC one of the most exciting events of the year by joining the SOAW Staff! SOA Watch is currently looking for Summer/Fall interns as well as full-time long term Development Coordinator and Communications Coordinator to work out of our Washington, DC office and assist us in organizing the annual vigil at the gates of Ft.Benning. Internships are great opportunities for students or anyone looking to experience working closely with an international grassroots human rights campaign. Our full time paid staff positions offer a competitive salary, health benefits, paid vacation and opportunities for skill development. The SOA Watch staff is made up of paid, unpaid, full-time, and part-time activists who are all dedicated to this work. Interns have played a critical role in the campaign to close the School of the Americas. While these positions are unpaid, financial assistance for housing and transportation is available. All of the employment, internships and volunteer opportunities are offered at the SOA Watch Washington DC office, which is a ten-minute walk from the Brookland-CUA station on Metro’s Red Line: ORGANIZING INTERN The Organizing Intern works with the Events Coordinator to organize, develop, and promote the SOA Watch campaign and major events such as the yearly November demonstration to close the SOA/WHINSEC and Trial Preparation for members of the SOA Watch movement who are standing trial for civil disobedience actions. The internship could include, but is not limited to: working with SOA Watch working groups on elements of event organizing, assisting the Events Coordinator with convening the organizing process for major events and bottom-lining major events, updating the web site, contacting partner organizations and supporting grassroots activists in their work to build outreach, media, direct action, legislative and organizing capacities. Internship positions at SOA Watch last for two to four months and interns commit to a certain number of hours per week. The minimum commitment is 20 hours per week; 32-40 hours per week is most common. How to apply: Send to: Eric LeCompte at elecompte(at)soaw(dot)org. Email or call 202-234-3440 with questions. DEVELOPMENT & OPERATIONS COORDINATOR The Development & Operations Coordinator is a full-time position at SOA Watch. It involves the production of donor appeals, grant applications and other fundraising materials; the development of new and creative was to fundraise and build relationships with donors; provide fundraising and budget information for decision-making by SOA Watch Council and staff. Supervise bookkeeper to do the following: manage bank accounts, payroll, benefits, and payment of other bills; track all assets and liabilities; fulfill tax and insurance requirements; identify opportunities for cost savings. This position is a full time paid position. Requirements: Strong commitment to working in a diverse, grassroots movement rooted in solidarity with the people of Latin America. Ability to work independently and in a collective process; follow-through and attention to detail is essential. Strong computer skills, interpersonal and communication skills and willingness to work in a consensus decision-making environment are a plus. People of color, women, differently-abled people and LGBTQA persons are strongly encouraged to apply. Strong preference for Spanish-speaking candidates. How to apply: Please send a resume, a writing sample of no more than 600 words, a cover letter explaining what qualities you would bring to this job and three references to Eric LeCompte at elecompte(at)soaw(dot)org. Email or call 202-234-3440 with questions. COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR The Communications Coordinator position involves developing a proactive bilingual media campaign to keep our movement updated and informed, as well as pitching stories of relevant news and events to the international media. To achieve these tasks, the Communications Coordinator will maintain and update the SOAW website, produce mass emails, draft press releases, coordinate interviews, host press conferences, provide media skills training sessions and resources for grassroots activists and facilitate the operations of a media office during major events. The Communications Coordinator is also in charge of coordinating the translation of resource materials, website and documents. This position is a full time paid position. Requirements: Ability to work independently and with a team in a collective organizational model. Strong oral and written communication skills. Some experience working with the media. Familiarity with HTML and website work. People of color, women, differently-abled people and LGBTQA persons are strongly encouraged to apply. Strong preference for Spanish-speaking candidates. Knowledge of the School of the Americas issue and familiarity with layout design and Photoshop and Pagemaker a plus. How to apply: Please send a resume, a writing sample of no more than 600 words, a cover letter explaining what qualities you would bring to this job and three references to Eric LeCompte at elecompte(at)soaw(dot)org. Email or call 202-234-3440 with questions. Click here to see current internship, volunteer and employment opportunities at SOA Watch |
Join a Delegation to Colombia August 24 - September 3 , 2008 Join the 8th Day Center for Peace, Witness for Peace, EPICA, CRLN and SOA Watch on a delegation to the Cauca and Valle del Cauca region of Colombia to learn about Afro-Colombian and indigenous communities’ struggle for territory, culture and environment. Meet with communities organizing in resistance to current military and free trade policies in the provinces of Cauca and Valle de Cauca. Meet with a wide range of Colombians including community leaders, displaced persons, and human rights defenders. Learn how to educate and advocate to US citizens and policy makers. Cost: Application Due: Click here to read more about this delegation For More Information contact: Delegation sponsored by 8th Day Center for Justice, Witness for Peace, EPICA, CRLN and School of the Americas Watch. |
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Click here to unsubscribe, or reply to this email with “unsubscribe” in the subject line. Our mailing address is: Our telephone: Donate to Support the Campaign to Shut Down the SOA/WHINSEC |
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2008 BiLL OF RiGHTS CELEBRATiONS
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Issue #3 of the Mormon Worker is now available. Paper copies can be picked up at Sam Weller’s Rare Books and Ken Sanders Rare Books in Salt Lake City. The full length articles are available to read online as well at www.themormonworker.org.
Subscriptions are available. For more information about subscribing go to http://www.themormonworker.org/subscribe.php
Issue #3 includes articles about: an LDS women who worked as an interrogator in the US military, and refused to participate in torturing detainees in Iraq; US propaganda and the Iraqi Resistance; Racism in the US prison system; the proto-communist thought of Gerard Winstanley and the Diggers in 17th century England; the thought of Wendell Berry; the dangers of US efforts to control space; the relation between socialism and religion; an essay on Israeli collective punishment in Gaza and the West Bank, Zion/Babylon dualism in Mormonism and Anarchism; Fascism and the Bush Family; the thought of the Russian Christian Anarchist/Pacifist Peter Chelcicky; a love poem from an active duty soldier in Iraq.
Please feel free to pass this notice along to friends. For questions, please contact us at themormonworker@gmail.com.
Thanks,
The Mormon Worker Staff
Promoting Mormonism, Anarchism, and Pacifism since 2007.
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UTAH NEEDS FAMILIES TO HOST INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Many people ask what they can do to make things better for themselves, their children, their communities, and the world. By sharing your home and heart with a YES scholarship student, you will make a difference. What begins as an exchange of kindness, customs, and culture within a family extends throughout a high school and community to touch thousands of lives.
Sharing and learning happen naturally—in conversations at the dinner table, excitement about the prom or a sports team’s victory, sharing a family tradition, or making a presentation in the community.
Vicky Wason of Salt Lake City is interviewing families in the Salt Lake area interested in hosting a scholarship high school student next year from countries with predominantly Muslim populations. Ms. Wason is a Cluster Leader for PAX - Program of Academic Exchange, a not-for-profit educational organization.
PAX students will arrive in the U.S. in August for a school year. They will come from Ghana, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, India, the Philippines, Brunei, Thailand and Indonesia. They will live with American host families and attend public high school. PAX students speak English, have full medical insurance and their own spending money. Students placed locally will be supervised by Ms. Wason.
Host families provide meals, a place to sleep and study, and a warm, supportive environment. Single parents, couples without children and retirees are welcome to apply as hosts. For more information contact Vicky Wason at 801-908-0388 or vicky.wason@slcc.edu
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Announcements Moab City Leads the State in setting a pace once again!
Last Tuesday, March 11, Moab City became the First city in Utah to pass a resolution in favor of a U.S. Department of Peace! Moab was the first ‘Blue Sky’ community in the U.S.! What a great example to other cities about the possibilities! Please take a minute to write our Mayor to thank him for taking a stand & being the Swing vote - Moab City
Although we are few in number in our state, we are willing to work for Peace! We have an upcoming presentation to young people in Moab on April 4th. The subject is ‘building a non-violent culture’. We are available to speak or present to your group about the campaign or Peace related subjects. We appreciate the opportunity to share. Please contact us - we’d love to hear from you! INFO
