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| Seizure of humanitarian aid boat on its way to GAZA! |
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| Israel has illegally, in international waters, seized the 'Spirit of Humanity,' a boat carrying a cargo of humanitarian aid. The boat is being forcibly towed to an Israeli port. |
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| Also seized with the boat are 21 human rights workers from 11 countries, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mairead Maguire and former U.S. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney. The boat holds medicine, toys, and other much needed humanitarian relief for the Palestinians living in Gaza under siege. Its cargo was searched and it received a security clearance by Cypriot Port Authorities before departure. |
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| Call your Congressperson and your Senators today. Ask them to call the Israeli Embassy and to call the U.S. State Department demanding that the boat and its occupants be released, together with their humanitarian cargo, and that they be allowed to dock in Gaza. Ask them what crime is being committed by giving the people in Gaza medicines, toys, and pencils? |
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| Congress contact - click here |
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| Learn more from Free Gaza and Electronic Intifada - click here |
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Iran's "Stolen' Election: a Hardline Demogouge's Victory Over a 'Reformer?' Not So Fast.
By Phillip Wilayto |
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"...The dominant view among Western commentators, as well as some progressive members of the Iranian diaspora, is that Mousavi is a "reformer" who favors loosening restrictions on civil liberties within Iran, while being more open to a less hostile relationship with the West. Ahmadinejad, on the other hand, is described as a "hardliner" who demagogically appeals to the poor, while making deliberately provocative statements about the United States and Israel in order to bolster his standing in the Islamic world.
In my opinion, both of the above characterizations are superficial. The fundamental contradiction between the two leading candidates has to do with their respective bases of support and, more importantly, their different approaches to the economy"
Read More - click here - opens new window
Phillip Wilayto is a founding member of the Virginia Anti-War Network and national board member of the Campaign Against Sanctions and Military Intervention in Iran. In 2007 he organized a People's Peace Delegation to Iran, a project that became the basis for his latest book, In Defense of Iran: Notes from a U.S. Peace Delegation's Journey through the Islamic Republic. The WAMM Middle East Committee sponsored a slide lecture which he gave in Minneapolis recently.
Book Review: In Defense of Iran: Notes from a U.S. Peace Delgation's Journey Through the Islamic Republic"
by Phillip Wilayto, Reviewed by Margaret Sarfejooy, WAMM - click here. |
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A Weaver's Welcome
By Kathy Kelly
June 2, 2009 |
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Shortly after arriving in Pakistan, one week ago, we met a weaver and his extended family, numbering 76 in all, who had been forcibly displaced from their homes in Fathepur, a small village in the Swat Valley.
Fighting between the Pakistani military and the Taliban had intensified. Terrified by aerial bombing and anxious to leave before a curfew would make flight impossible, the family packed all the belongings they could carry and fled on foot. It was a harrowing four-day journey...
Read More - click here - opens new window |
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| from the June 2009 issue of worldwide w a m m |
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Profit, Pirates, and Propaganda
by Jeff Nygaard
On April 8th U.S. newspapers were filled with reports of “a riveting high-seas drama [in which] an unarmed American crew wrested control of their U.S.-flagged cargo ship from Somali pirates... and sent them fleeing to a lifeboat with the captain as hostage.” Almost immediately one could see some familiar premises being used to shape the coverage of this story, with the result being that certain points were highlighted while other, equally important, points were rendered invisible...
(more - click here) |
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WAMM 2nd Annual Walk Against Weapons
Saturday, June 6, 2009 |
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Thank you to the 90 people who walked in the rain, raising awareness drop by drop, about the lethal weapons of war produced and sold by Minnesota-based Alliant Techsystems.
Though the rain fell steadily on us during the Walk in Eden Prairie, and we got soaked, neither we nor our resolve were water soluble.
Thank you also to all those who contributed sponsorships to the WAMM 2nd Annual Walk Against Weapons. If you have collected sponsorships, sponsored yourself, or haven't yet contributed to the walk, but would like to, please act now. You can make your donation online now with PAYPAL. We would be very appreciative of your contribution.
Images from the WALK - click here |
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Talking Points to use with your family, friends, and anyone else... |
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Why We Say Out of Afghanistan Now!
1. The invasion and 8-year occupation of the sovereign state of Afghanistan are immoral and contrary to international law.
2. Seventy-five percent of Afghans support...
(more - click here)
Why We Say Out of Iraq Now!
1. The occupation of Iraq is immoral and illegal, and a large majority of Iraqis and Americans want the U.S. to leave Iraq.
2. The continued presence of the U.S. military and private contractors...
(more - click here) |
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Conscientious Objection, Youth & Militarism, Delayed Enlistment
(all links open new window. close to return) |
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• The Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors
Supports and promotes individual and collective resistance to war and the preparation for war.
More info online.
• Youth & Militarism, American Friends Service
AFS carries out service, development, social justice, and peace programs throughout the world.
More info online.
• Center on Conscience and War
Committed to supporting all those who question participation in war.
More info online.
• GI Rights Hotline
Info on getting out of Delayed Entry. Military discharges, grievances and other civil rights.
More info call 800-394-9544 or 877-447-4487 or online.
• Human Rights Watch: Stop the Use of Child Soldiers
A child is defined as anyone under the age of 18, according to the Convention on the Rights of the Child adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on May 25, 2000.
More info online.
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The Temple Mount is a holy place site in Jerusalem for Christian, Muslim and Jew. |
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End the Occupation of Palestine!
Weekly Vigil
Every Friday
4:15 - 5:30 pm
Summit & Snelling, St. Paul
(map - new window)
All are Welcome!
Please Bring a Sign.
See map: Palestine Shrinking.
Palestinians have lived under an illegal Israeli occupation since 1967, preventing them from establishing their own state on their homeland.
There are now millions of Palestinians who are refugees due to Israel's refusal to recognize their right under international law to return to their own homes since 1948.
Sponsored by the W A M M Middle East Committee.
For more information contact W A M M.
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Participate in a Vigil...
Weekly Peace and Say No to War Vigils continue all around the state.
Find out where in your community and if there ain't one, organize it and let us know!
click here
Weekly Vigil for Peace
Every Wednesday afternoon
5 - 6 PM
Lake Street/Marshall Avenue Bridge.
Please come to St. Paul or Marshall Ave. side so that we can greet you.
In the aftermath and with the renewed escalation of this immoral and illegal war on Iraq, the Peace vigil is an ongoing symbol of our resistance to war and our efforts to promote peace through direct nonviolent action this and every Wednesday.
Sponsored by W A M M and the Twin Cities Peace Campaign. |
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OUR MISSION: Women Against Military Madness is a nonviolent, feminist organization that works in solidarity with others to create a system of social equality, self-determination and justice through education, action and the empowerment of women. WAMM’s purpose is to dismantle systems of militarism, economic exploitation and global oppression.
Please note W A M M 's provision of information on other group's events is not meant to convey nor endorse any action contrary to public policy that would be inconsistent with exempt purposes under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) i.e., charitable purposes.
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W A M M is supported by the Membership
and funding from the following Organizations
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Sisters of
St. Joseph
of Carondolet |
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Community
SHARES
Minnesota |
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Headwaters
Foundation
for Justice |
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Barbra
Wiener
Fund |
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A.J. Muste
Memorial
Institute |
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