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Announcing WAMM Today. A Blog for YOU. |
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Do you want to express your opinion about burning issues and outrageous ideas? Does the latest commentary on TV, radio or in the newspaper need a response? Have you got an idea that needs expression? Then the WAMM Today blog is for you. A project of the WAMM Media Committee, this blog welcomes postings and comments related to the WAMM Mission Statement broadly interpreted.
WAMM Today is not just for WAMM members. We particularly welcome original postings and writings, comments on the local, national, and international media, and insight that makes the connections between local, national, and international issues. (Like war and other such niggling questions.)
Post on WAMM Today. Read WAMM Today. Take a look - click here » |
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From the WAMM Board of Directors... |
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The WAMM Board voted unanimously to sign on to the Let’s build a U.S. for All of Us: No Room for Racism.
WAMM has a long history of working in coalition with many multi-racial organizations. However, the leadership and membership of WAMM has historically been almost all white. Organizationally, we have decided to address how our "whiteness" shapes us. Within the next month, our board will begin to read collectively Witnessing Whiteness: The Need to Talk about Race & How to Do It (2nd edition) by Shelly Tochluk. We will be setting a meeting time soon. If you are interested in joining our reading group, please email Vanessa at the WAMM office and she will be in touch.
We urge you to go to the website of Let's Build a U.S. for All of Us: No Room for Racism. Sign on individually.
Read and sign the statement - click here » |
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Minnesotans join New York Protestors Following Albany Peace Conference
Sara Martin. July 27, 2010 |
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Minnesotans Jack, Ward, Coleen, Sara and Kim in Albany New York. |
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Nine members of WAMM were among the 700 activists who answered the call of the United National Antiwar Conference in Albany July 23-25 because, “The prerequisites for ending the U.S. wars and occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan and re-orienting the nation’s priorities from empire building to solving the pressing needs at home are unity in action, massive mobilizations, inclusion of the broadest popular sectors of society.”
In an impressive display of unity and solidarity, the delegates overwhelmingly endorsed joint actions for the next year. Among them are the following:
* Devote October 7-16 to organizing local and regional protest to commemorate the 9th anniversary of the invasion and occupation of Afghanistan through demonstrations, marches, rallies, vigils, teach-ins, cultural events and other actions to demand an immediate end to the wars and occupations in both iraq and Afghanistan and complete withdrawal of all military forces and private security contractors and other mercenaries.
• Mid-March, 2011 nationally coordinated teach-ins to mark the 8th year of the Iraq War and to prepare for bi-coastal spring demonstrations the following month.
• Bi-coastal mass spring mobilizations in NYC, San Fransisco and Los Angeles on April 9, 2011.
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WAMM director Kim Doss Smith marches with Kathy Kelly in Albany, New York. |
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The conference supported emergency response actions to occur if the U.S. attacks or sponsors attacks on Iran and North Korea. The most significant vote was in solidarity with Palestine and in opposition to U.S. aid to Israel. The conference voted almost unanimously to support and organize actions in solidarity with Palestine.
In keeping with “never a meeting without an action” delegates marched to the state in solidarity with the families of Yassim Aref and Mohammed Hossain who were area arrested 6 years ago and convicted on trumped up terrorist charges. We marched to the state capitol and then on to their mosque for very moving comments by their families and supporters.
Delegates returned home energized and committed to working with a strong national alliance. |
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Good News and Bad from the Land called Holy
By Polly Mann
August 21, 2010 |
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There’s good news and bad news relating to the Israel/Palestine conflict. Let’s begin with the bad reported from the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions...
continued » |
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Reading between the Lines: Culture as Propaganda
Reading Lolita in Tehran
by Nasrin Jewell and Margaret Sarfehjooy
Not since Betty Mahmoodi’s book Not without My Daughter (1984) has any book shown such hatred of everything Iranian. This puts Nafisi squarely in support of U.S. policies for demonizing Iran.
Reading Lolita in Tehran, written by Azar Nafisi, has unfortunately become an important resource for understanding Iran, its policies, its culture and its people, and especially the life of its women. Many book clubs have read and extensively discussed this novel, assuming that they are getting an insider’s view. It has even been used as a textbook in many universities. Therefore, it is important to understand the context of this kind of Orientalist discourse and its role in our perception of a complex and nuanced society...
continued » |
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Are We Replaying Iraq... In Iran
By Lawrence Davidson, Reader Supported News |
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On July 15, 2010, Time Magazine carried an article entitled, "An Attack on Iran: Back on the Table." According to the piece, the point man for this growing belligerency is Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. It is to be noted that when the same Robert Gates served the infamous George W. Bush (the year was 2008), he actually helped talk that president out of attacking Iran. At the time we were bogged down in Iraq and so yet another war in the Middle East was, according to Gates, "the last thing we need." Now it is 2010 and we are bogged down in Afghanistan. No matter, Mr. Gates appears to have changed his mind. Or perhaps, he has been instructed to do so. "I don't think we're prepared to even talk about a nuclear Iran.... We do not accept the idea of Iran having nuclear weapons."
All of this is mighty strange. First of all, there is no supportable evidence that Iran is planning to build nuclear weapons. UN inspections and even US intelligence reports fail to support...
continued » |
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Atrocities Against Civilians in Afghanistan: A Troubling Timetable |
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Peace activists can hasten an end to the U.S. war in Afghanistan by demanding a timetable for U.S. military withdrawal. A bill in the House introduced by Representatives McGovern and Jones requires such a timetable. In the Senate, a similar bill has been introduced by Senator Feingold. Arguments in favor of a timetable for withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan should include readiness to examine disturbing patterns of misinformation regarding U.S./NATO attacks against Afghan civilians...
continued » |
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from the WAMM Immigration Committee |
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WAMM's Immigration Committee invites you to learn more about the Detention of Immigrants in Minnesota - click here »
From MPR: the account of one man's struggle in Minnesota - 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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WAMM
MIDDLE EAST
COMMITTEE
focusing on Palestine
online
llnks, resources,
media and more
Add to your
KNOWLEDGE
CHECK IT
OUT
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 800-379-2679.
• 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
5:00 - 6:00 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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Community
SHARES
Minnesota |
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Headwaters
Foundation
for Justice |
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Barbra
Wiener
Fund |
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