Thursday, May 31, 2012

The Boston-Johannesburg Connection at Tufts University Art Gallery



EVENT NOTICE

The Boston-Jo'burg Connection:
Collaboration and Exchange at Artist Proof Studio, 1983-2012
  
JUNE 1-JULY 29, 2012

 TUFTS UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY
 @ THE SHIRLEY and ALEX AIDEKMAN ARTS CENTER

Opening Reception: Thursday, May 31, 5:30-8:00
Curatorial Walk-Through, 5:30 PM
Live Music by the Afrika Gente Quartet, 6:15 PM
Nhlanhla Xaba, Untitled (Singer with Mask), 1999. Lithograph, 9/20,
Nhlanhla Xaba, Untitled (Singer with Mask), 1999. Lithograph, 9/20, 15x22 inches
This groundbreaking exhibition tells the story of Artist Proof Studio,
which was conceived in Boston by Tufts/Museum School graduate Kim Berman in the 1980s and co-founded with artist Nhlanhla Xaba in Johannesburg in 1991. Over its twenty-one year history, this community-based printmaking studio has mirrored the transformations in South African society from the end-stages of Apartheid to a conception of artists as activist-citizens in a democratic society 
  
The exhibition is guest curated by Pamela Allara, an expert in contemporary South African art who has published and lectured widely on Artist Proof Studio. She is an associate professor emerita of Brandeis University.

 


South Africa Partners
89 South St. Ste. 701
Boston, MA 02111
TEL: 617 443-1072

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Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Let's Organize the Hood: Memphis 2012 Black Power Conference, June 9th

Let's Organize the Hood: Memphis 2012 Black Power Conference

This Summer, come to Memphis, Tennessee, for "Let's Organize the 'Hood:"
The Memphis Black Power Conference.

Saturday, June 9, 2012, at the Java Complex, 1423 Elvis Presley Blvd., Memphis, TN.

10:00 am to 6:00 pm. All day teach-in on Black community organizing.

Memphis, Tennessee is the poorest big city in the USA, and the 171st (of the top 200) poorest cities in the world. Like many Black population centers, it has many problems: high unemployment and massive poverty, political corruption, racist redlining by banks, huge infant mortality levels, homelessness and hunger, gangbanging and street violence, and many others. What it does not have is a Black radical protest movement against these conditions, and the system of white racism and privilege that produced it. We need to educate, organize, and mobilize the Black community to fight for our own freedom and independence, instead of depending on the white power structure. Our very lives and that of our children, born and unborn, depend on this!

So, we are having this Black Power conference, not to just re-live the 1960's, but to call our people together in a time of deep crisis. We are suffering, and we need answers to get out of it, and dismantle the system that causes it. We are having this conference to build a Black Autonomy Network of Black Community Organizers here in Memphis, and hopefully inspire other activists to build them in other parts of the country. It does not matter where you live in the country, or other parts of North America, you are still part of the larger family.
Clearly, the civil rights movement has failed to understand that we need a protest movement at this time, rather than bending over for politicians, while we and our families starve from poverty and unemployment. The Wall Street bankers and other white businessmen have been bailed out with hundreds of billions of dollars, but what about our communities, who are suffering from more bank redlining, foreclosures, and structural poverty than anyone in this society? Who is looking out for our interest? We have to look out for ourselves!

Regardless of what conservative and liberal politicians alike say, it is not our fault for our oppression, it's theirs and their rich friends who profit from our misery! So we need to organize a new mass Black people's movement, consider our own problems, seriously evaluate our future and move forward. We hope that you can join us in Memphis, TN. on June 9th for this strategy meeting, and that together we can begin to rescue our people, and re-write our legacy.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Why are you having an all-Black conference at this time?

Africans in America must begin to attack and solve many of the own problems. When it was recognized that the government or no one else would address our issues, then historically, we have built their own movements to do just, whether it was the civil rights movement (1956-1965) or the Black Power movement which followed (1965-1975), we have always recognized that we were the ones effected by racism and oppression, and therefore we had to be the ones to resolve our problems. This does not mean that we cannot work with others, but like Malcolm X once said, there must be first Black unity around many political questions, before there can be overall unity [on a class basis]. So, therefore, we are not interested in a so-called "bash whitey" event, we are interested in building a mass movement, an organization of community-based organizers.

What issues will be discussed at this conference?

• Building an anti-poverty and unemployment movement for the millions of Black and low income people out of work;
• Building a mass movement against racist police terror and brutality, and to end racial profiling;
• Youth empowerment and building a revolutionary gang truce.
• Fighting racism and mass imprisonment of millions of Black youth, which is crippling families and their communities.
• How to organize a Black Autonomy chapter in your city to do revolutionary grassroots organizing.

Who should come to this conference?

Activists, educators, students, workers, and many others, in fact, everyone who has looked at the problems of unemployment, poverty, infant mortality, police murder and brutality, and other issues concentrated in the Black community, and said to themselves: "There has to be an answer!" Well, there is, the Black community must organize its own mass movement and most put pressure on those in political office, corporations, and other institutions. Yet, we must all be willing to learn new ideas, and hear new voices and from new leadership not heard from before. This way, real solutions, instead of the political dead ends of the past few years will be presented. Memphis certainly needs such a new path, but this conference could jump-start Black power conferences in other cities and lead to the building of new social movements all over the USA and Canada. This is a Black organizers' conference, that any Black people in our community can attend if they come seeking answers.

You should come because you want solution to what you see in our communities everyday and on the nightly news: unemployed young men on the corner; dead kids at the hands of each other or from the police; massive numbers of Black people thrown into jail and prisons over the drug trade, families starving because unemployment and poverty, and other issues we see but don't understand that this is something we can do something about. We are talking about building solutions to our problems: a new campaign against police brutality and terrorism that includes community self-defense; a Black-led mass movement against poverty and unemployment that includes build a Black solidarity economy, at a time when our community is suffering from depression levels of unemployment, but there is no movement against mass unemployment; e need to talk about how we build a mass movement for youth empowerment and a revolutionary gang truce, in order to turn the youth into community organizers and agents for social change; we will talk about a mass community based movement against racial profiling and deadly police and auxiliary police attacks on Black youth; and finally we need to talk about how to build a movement for Black Autonomy in your city, in order to apply what you have learned at this conference.

How long is this conference and how is it conducted?

Let's Organize The Hood! is a one day event, presented in a modified teach-in style, a strategy meeting for Black community movement building. We will begin at 10:00 am and end at 6:00 pm, and at the end of that time, you will know what to do to build a movement for Black Autonomy in Memphis, or in your city. We give you the facts and what we consider solutions, then we discuss and work together to build organizations that deal with those issues. We do not intend to waste your or our own valuable time with boring speeches or endless lectures, we will come right to the point, tell you the facts, offer solutions, and ask for your help in building a new movement. Our time will be tight and so will be our information, and we cannot conduct endless workshops going absolutely nowhere, like most conferences you may have attended. We can't discuss issues not on our agenda, and we cannot solve all problems. We are holding this conference strictly for the business of movement building, not for socializing or debating other Black movements or leaders.

What about the meeting site?

The Java Complex (formerly known as the Black coffeehouse, "Java, Juice, and Jazz"), is an Afrocentric performance space and meeting hall, which by the time of this conference should have extended facilities for 300 persons after massive renovations. All manner of African-American business, fraternal, and cultural groups have their meetings at this facility. The Java Complex is located at 1423 Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, TN., and is fairly close from the Memphis international airport.

Where can I stay in Memphis during this conference?

There are a number of very moderately priced lodgings in the area near the conference site. Thousands of tourists come to Memphis every year, especially in the summer, so please make your motel/hotel reservations ASAP. If you will not be driving. please be aware that the bus company in Memphis, MATA, has poor service, which is particularly bad on the weekends, so you should catch a cab.
Memphis Motels/Hotels -- Price: Under $100 per night (partial list):

.*Motels with a star (*) are 6 miles or less from the conference site

1. Colonial Inn & Suites/Airport
1952 E. Shelby Drive
$60
(901)332-5777

*2. Econo Lodge Downtown
22 North Third St
$75
(901)522-7050

*3. Econo Lodge
3419 American Way
$65
(901)795-7866

*4. Best Western Executive Inn
3105 Millbranch Road
$89.99
(901)312-7000

*5. Clarion Hotel
1471 E. Brooks Road
$79.99
(901)332-3500

*6. Regency Inn & Suites
2411 Winchester Road
$79.99
(901)332-2370

*7. LaQuinta Inn & Suites - Airport
2979 Millbranch Road
$85
(901)791-9200

8. Extended Stay - Mt. Moriah
6520 Mount Moriah Road
$64.99
(901)362-0338

*9. America's Best Value Inn
1360 Springbrook Avenue
$69.99 to $79.99
(901)396-3620

*10. Motel 6
210 S. Pauline (I-240 @Union Ave./Madison Ave.)
$65.99
(901)528-0650

*11. Motel 6
1582 E. Brooks Road
$43.19
(901)345-3344

12. LaQuinta Inn & Suites
1236 Primacy Parkway
$75 to $85
(901)374-0330

*13. Homestead Memphis
2541 Corporate Avenue East
$52.99 to 92.99
(901)344-0010

*14. Memphis Airport Hotel & Conference Center
2240 Democrat Road
$87
(800)230-4134

How can I get to the conference site if I am driving?

We suggest that you use online resources like Google Earth, MapQuest, and Yahoo Maps to give you your driving route. They will probably be more precise than any directions we can give you. They will give you "turn-by-turn" street directions from your house directly to the front door of the conference site, and Google Earth can likely even give you a picture of the building! So we suggest that you map your trip out by computer and then come on the road.

How can I get to the conference site if I am flying in?

We suggest that you hail a cab at the airport and go to your hotel the day before the event, or call your hotel and see if they have a shuttle which can pick you up from the airport. Once you have checked in at your hotel, then it is just a matter of getting to the conference site by cab or bus. The location site is at 1423 Elvis Presley Blvd., which is in South Memphis. Most cab drivers are familiar with Java, Juice & Jazz, which is the former name for the Java Complex.

What you can do to help us put on "Let's Organize the Hood: The Memphis Black Power conference?

1. Buy a ticket online to the event for $15. We will then have your package waiting at the front desk when you arrive. If you cannot attend the event, then why not buy a ticket and allow another person to attend?
2. Donate money to the cause. Your $5, $10, $20 [and more] donation will allow us to purchase items to make the conference a more enjoyable experience for all. Send your donations to our PayPal payment gateway at: organize.the.hood@gmail.com, or if you prefer the safety of surface mail, please send it to Lorenzo Komboa Ervin, Memphis Black Power Conference 2012, P.O. Box 16382, Memphis, TN. 38186-0382
3. If you live in Memphis, you can donate food and paper products. Please call (901) 337-2492, or send an email to us at organize.the.hood@gmail.com, tell us where it is located, and we will gladly come and pick it up. Thank you for your generosity.
4. Please let others know about the conference by sending articles to your local newspaper, or social media networks, by calling radio/TV talk shows, to encourage Black people to attend the event.

**For more information about the conference and receive updates for all preparations for the event, please go to our Facebook page, MemphisBlackPowerConference2012.

Memphis Black Power Conference
organize.the.hood@gmail.com
-------

Tentative Schedule

Let's Organize the Hood:
Memphis Black Power Conference: June 9, 2012
Java Complex, 1423 Elvis Presley Blvd., Memphis, Tennessee

10-11:30 a.m. : Organizing a Black Movement
To Fight Poverty and Unemployment

11:30-11:45 a.m.:Break

11:45-1:15 p.m.: Organizing a Black Movement to Fight Racial Profiling and Police Brutality

1:15-1:30 p.m.: Break

1:30-2:45 p.m.: Organizing a Movement To Fight the
Mass Imprisonment of Black Youth

2:45-3 p.m.: Break

3-4:30 p.m.: Organizing a Progressive Youth Empowerment Movement and a Revolutionary Gang Truce

4:30-4:45 p.m.: Break

4:45-5:45 p.m.: Organizing a Black Autonomy Network of Community Organizers

5:45-6 p.m.: Announcements, Conference Wrap-Rise Up

Here a fascinating interview w/Bro. Kom'boa Ervin, Conference Organizer, available at  http://blacktalkradionetwork.com/events/political-prisoner-radio-w-lorenzo-komboa-ervin



-------------------
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GUADELOUPE: Communiqué of LKP (May 14, 2012) -- Respect the Bino Agreement! Stop the Repression!

GUADELOUPE: LKP Communiqué

On Saturday 12th May 2012 "an mitan mwa a méméwa", workers, the people of Guadeloupe and Liyannaj Kont Pwofitasyon (LKP) mobilised peacefully around the Milénis shopping centre, one of the two "profitation" centres in the country of Guadeloupe.  The gendarmes and police very soon stopped the demonstrators and blocked any access to the shopping centre until 6.0pm.

With a superstore like Carrefour, the Milénis shopping centre is the very illustration of how the workers and people of Guadeloupe are abused. The Milénis Carrefour, as well as being the champion for profiteering on prices, especially on food products, is also an employer of many low-wage workers concerned by the Jacques BINO agreement of 26th February 2009.

In accordance with the convertibility clause -- article V of the Bino agreement -- the Milénis Carrefour should have begun implementing as of the 1st March 2012 the payment of a 200 Euro increase for low-wage workers, given that Carrefour had benefited by subsidies from the State, local authorities and Social Security.

In fact, the RSTA, a specific monthly 100 Euro benefit in certain French colonies, was created by the French government so that for 3 years, tax payers instead of bosses, would finance part of the 200 Euro increase in low wages in Guadeloupe.

Since the 1st March 2012, the Milénis Carrefour, like other companies that signed the Bino agreement and follow the recommendations of the MEDEF (bosses' organisation) in Guadeloupe, has refused to implement the convertibility clause and hence violates the agreement signed. On the pretext that the State is prolonging the RST payment and exemption from paying in social contributions they assert that these provisions automatically entail the convertibility clause being postponed. 

This assertion is a case of manipulation, even of dishonesty, because a State aid being prolonged, cannot in itself change an agreement negotiated between contracting parties, by automatically postponing the implementation of an article. The agreement signed the 26th February 2009 refers to the State aid, clearly stating their length of time: 36 months i.e. 3 years. The agreement makes no provision for this aid being prolonged: it is therefore clear that the convertibility clause is planned to be implemented as from the 1st March 2012.

As a reminder, Article 1134 of the Civil Code provides that "collective bargaining agreements legally entered into are as law to those who made them". It is therefore not possible to change them without agreement on the side of  the contracting parties. The 26th February 2009 agreement is an agreement for an unspecified length of time that can be modified according to the provisions of Article L.2261-1 of labour legislation. Seeing that the initial agreement does not provide for a revision clause, jurisprudence considers, that on the one hand, unanimous consent of the signatories of the agreement  is necessary for starting revision procedure and on the other, that only the organisations that have signed, have authority to sign the endorsement of revision.  'Soc.13 Nov 2008.D.2008.AJ 3090).

It is clear, "yo vlé kouyonné nou, kontinyé kouyonné nou é tchouyé akow BINO" ( "they want to make suckers of us , they continue to make suckers of us, and they make the BINO agreement fail"). We remind you that several hundred workers who get less than 1.4 of the minimum wage (SMIC) have never been paid the RSTA, nor what the county or the region should have paid, since the latter have changed the wage reference.

What's more, since the bringing in of the supplementary activity revenue (RSA) the 1st January 2011 and according to Decree N° 2010-1784 the RSTA is only paid out to wage earners  "having received this benefit in November 2010 or December 2010" AND "on condition" that they have had "no interruption in their right (to the  RSTA) any longer than 2 consecutive months " AND that no member of the household "receives the active solidarity revenue".

In clear:  Workers who, in November and December 2010, were in training, were unemployed,  still students, or employed in France cannot receive the RSTA 100 Euro benefit and will never have a right to it ! Workers who, between  the 1st January 2011 and the 31st December 2012 had a minimum period of 2 month's unemployment cannot receive the RSTA 100 Euro benefit and will  never have the right to it !

Workers with a partner or a dependent child, who receive the RSA benefit - basic or complementing activity - are being denied the RSTA 100 Euro benefit!

Once more "yo bouzwen fè nou pran dlo-mouchach pou lèt"!

The result of their lies and refusal to pay up, is therefore discrimination against workers on account of  their professional career  and family reality.  Pou menm trava-laa, tini sa ki ka gannyé 100 E é sa ki ka pa gannyé !  (For the same work there are those who can earn 100 Euros and those who cannot earn them !) This ultimately is  the pure and simple disappearance of the BINO agreement.

It is to denounce this new mascarade of the profiteers and this unacceptable discrimination that the LKP was present peacefully on Saturday 12th May in front of the Milénis shopping centre in order to obtain the 200 Euros for every worker !

But it is also to put a stop  to the unbearable profiteering (pwofitasyon) on staple goods that the LKP mobilised Saturday 12th May to denounce the "agoulou gran fal " of the super stores.

For three years now the LKP has demanded that the State respect the commitments made on controlling the price of staple goods ;

For three years now the LKP has been demanding that the big super stores implement the reduction of dock dues accorded by the region in October 2009 to the detriment of the budget of the 32 Communes of Guadeloupe.

For 3 years, Travayé é Pèp Gwadloup an lari-la pou di "LAS VIDE POCH AN-NOU, LAS PWOFITE SI NOU"!

Workers, people of Guadeloupe annou kontinyé découkaj a pwofitaasyon for the satisfaction of our just demands  é konstwi ondot Gwadloup !

WE SUPPORT THE WORKERS WHO ARE FIGHTING: Goyave Town Hall, Geothermal Central of Bouillante, Super U Chanzy, Jerry Ecomax Depot, Chemin Neuf Crèche, Toyota, SGDM, Marimax, Leader Price, Esso, Vito, Total, Texaco, Cap, Saseman, Viennoiseire plus, Milénis Carrefour, the Town Halls of Capesterre, of Saint Claude, of Port Louis, of Abymes, of Bouillante , of Baie-Mahault, of Vieux-Habitants, Cadik surgelé, Logigua, Saserq, Dorlin, Bannette, Datex, Gosier Transport, TCSV, Soprest'illes, Carrefour market, Canelle Beach, Sictom MIB Secrity, é tou lézot ki o konba é sa kay rantré an konba Š

FOR THE RERSPECT OF ALL THE BINO AGREEMENT PROVISIONS !

FOR REVENUES TO BE MAINTAINED IN CASE OF ILLNESS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE!

FOR A STOP TO PROFITEERING ON PRICES !

THE LKP CALLS ON ALL THE CHILDREN OF GUADELOUPE TO JOIN THE STRUGGLE AND TO TAKE PART IN ALL ACTIVIST ACTIVITIES,

TO COME TO THE MEETING

FRIDAY 18th MAY AT 7.0p.m.  DOUVAN BIK A LKP.
                              
 Lapwent, Monday 14th May 2012



 From: ILC



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The 6th Annual Day of Mourning to Heal the Pain of the MAAFA, June 19th


* IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY AS AN AFRICAN TO PASS THIS ON TO EVERY AFRICAN IN YOUR SPHERE OF INFLUENCE


The 6th Annual

African International Healing Day Of Mourning



WHAT: The 6th annual Day of Mourning to heal the pain of the Maafa

WHEN: Tuesday June 19th from 12:01am to 11:59pm

WHO: Every Black/African Being

WHERE: Wherever you as an African are throughout the African Diaspora and the Continent of Africa on June 19th

HOW> Take a personal or group moment on June 19th and:

Reflect on the pain of our Ancestors who were tortured, terrorized, brutally raped, murdered and enslaved during the Maafa (African Holocaust). This focuses our collective need for healing
Empathize their pain, go inside them feel what they felt, see them, be them. This raises our collective love vibration
Mourn the pain they suffered and died in. Mourning is a specific heavy tone born of Love that matches the heaviness of pain so it goes to the depths where pain is and tones the painful energy into joy for the beloved. This focuses our collective love
WHY: To collectively tone/heal the pain of the Maafa into joy for our Ancestors and free those Ancestral energies still trapped in a vortex of pain and horror to finally cross over. This will refresh and re-energize the African Collective Consciousness.

PAIN: a state of physical/mental/spiritual agony

JOY: a state of physical/mental/spiritual well-being

The effects of the MAAFA has caused the African Collective Consciousness to be in PAIN, our responsibility is to tone it back to JOY

COME
LET US MOVE THE VILLAGE
LET US MOURN
6.19.12


* Any questions? meditate, the answer is within you
feel free to contact Rudwaan at Rudwaan@bellsouth.net
--
African International Healing Day of Mourning
For Trapped Energy Traps Energy
Mourn The Pain of the Maafa
Tuesday 6.19.12



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Sat June 2nd, 12noon-6pm, Diversity Celebration Festival

  

NEW YORK AFRICAN CHORUS ENSEMBLE INC.

PRESENTS

THE 3rd ANNUAL CELEBRATE DIVERSITY CELEBRATE YOU FESTIVAL
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Let us all come together to learn about each other and celebrate our diverse cultures.

WIN TWO TICKETS TO GHANA WITH A DONATION OF $10.00
Call 212-862-4858 and ask us how!

FREE LIVE PERFORMANCES BY:

The South African Harlem Voices * Erika Matsuo * Jo Lee Dance and Performing Arts * Emperor Adichie * InI MLD Allstars * Querencia * Bokande African-American Dance Theatre * Ebone Roots Dance & Drum Theater * Wilson Exclusive Talent Productions * Salsa Dance 
Party and many more.

OTHER ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: 
Art exhibit and Poetry Reading by Centro Civico Cultural Dominicano * Free food and drinks for Kids * Free Health Screening * Resources for the immigrant community * Free giveaways * and more.

Place: Adam Clayton Powell Jr.
State Office Building Plaza
163 W.125th Street, New York, NY 10027

Time: 12:00PM - 6:00PM

The 3rd Annual Celebrate Diversity Celebrate You Festival is made possible in part with public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, the City Council, Council Member Inez E. Dickens, 9th Council District, Speaker Christine Quinn and the New York City Council, the Fund for Creative Communities supported by New York State Council on the Arts and administered by Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, with additional support from New Heritage Theatre, and Harlem Arts Alliance, and material donations from Materials for the Arts a program of the NYC Dept of Cultural Affairs, including the Office of General Services of the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Harlem State Office Building, and Arikair the Official Airline for this festival.

To participate call 212-862-4858 or click on the link. http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=mijduvhab&oeidk=a07e5unapzvf1b764b4

Email us at joyce@celebratediversitycelebrateyou.org

"You cannot plow a field by turning it over in your mind" Unknown
Paule-Sylvie Yonke
Balafon Communications
Re-branding the image of Africa
212-510-8512
Click here: www.petersmap.com
See full size image

Check out "Smiley and West announce new book tour dates! Poverty Threatens Our Democracy"




For All Points-Of-The-View.
KWASI Akyeamp…
Check out the discussion 'Smiley and West announce new book tour dates! Poverty Threatens Our Democracy'
Poverty has been good to Tavis Smiley and Cornel West (Smiley and West Road Show). How much wealth have they created for others? Yet another book and another tour to fill us with gloom

Discussion posted by TheBlackList eNewsletter:

The Smiley Group, Inc. | 4434 Crenshaw Blvd | Los Angeles, CA 90043      

Discussion link:
Smiley and West announce new book tour dates! Poverty Threatens Our Democracy




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HAITI: Update on Preparations for June 1 Int'l Day of Action in Solidarity with the Haitian Workers and People



June 1, 2012: International Day of Mobilization and Solidarity with the Haitian Workers and People

Initial Call Issued by the Continuations Committee of the International Commission of Inquiry on Haiti (ICI-H) & the Mobilizing Collective for Reparations to the Victims of Cholera

To the Labor, Political, Popular and Democratic Organizations the World Over

Since June, 2004, a multinational occupation force has been installed in our country under the cover of the United Nations. Its official aim is to "stabilize" Haiti. But behind this purported mission, we know full well that this occupation force is here to safeguard imperialism's project in Haiti -- that is, to guarantee the interests of the multinational companies and those of the local ruling class.

June 1, 2012, will mark the 8th anniversary of the MINUSTAH [UN Mission for the Stabilization of Haiti] presence in Haiti. During these eight years, this so-called stabilization force has become infamous for its multiple assaults against the Haitian people. Many of the violations of human rights, rapes, thefts, and trampling upon university autonomy are widely known and have been documented and denounced by human rights, labor and popular organizations.

The introduction of the cholera epidemic into Haiti by the MINUSTAH troops has added salt to the gaping wound. More than 7,000 deaths from cholera have been recorded, and more 500,000 people are already infected, according to official estimates.

In the face of this alarming situation, we are witnessing a growing outburst of hatred and mobilization against the MINUSTAH presence in Haiti. In this framework, the Continuations Committee of the International Commission of Inquiry on Haiti (ICI-H) and the Mobilizing Collective for Reparations to the Victims of Cholera have already organized several activities to raise awareness about, and mobilize for, the immediate withdrawal of the MINUSTAH troops and reparations by the United Nations for the victims of the cholera epidemic.

These mobilizations have to continue until we are victorious.

In Haiti, like elsewhere -- particularly in the Caribbean region and on a continental level -- many activities and mobilizations have already been organized.

On November 5, 2011, a Continental Rally in Sao Paulo, Brazil, representing 14 countries, proposed the formation of a Continental Committee for the Immediate Withdrawal of the UN Troops from Haiti and the organization of an International Day of Action around this demand on June 1, 2012 -- the 8th anniversary of the MINUSTAH occupation of Haiti. The Caribbean Conference of Cap-Haitien on November 16-18, 2011, unanimously supported this proposal from the Sao Paulo rally.

In the spirit of the resolution adopted at this Caribbean Conference, we Haitian organizations that are part of the Continuations Committee of the ICI-H and the Mobilizing Collective for Reparations, hereby issue the Call to your organizations the world over, inviting you to join us in this International Day of mobilization and solidarity with the workers and people of Haiti. We call upon you to help us ensure its full success.

Together, let us demand:

- The total and unconditional cancellation of all of Haiti's debts;
- An end to the policies of structural adjustment;
- The repayment by France of the US$21 billion that it looted from the first Haitian Republic;
- The immediate withdrawal of all occupation forces;
- the abolition of the International Committee for the Reconstruction of Haiti (CIRH, by its French acronym), a supranational body headed by former U.S. President Bill Clinton);
- Reparations by the United Nations to all the victims of the MINUSTAH occupation.

-- April 4, 2012

signed/

Petit-Jean DERINX
On behalf of the Continuations Committee of the ICI-H

Yves PIERRE-LOUIS
On behalf of the Mobilizing Collective for Reparations to the Victims of Cholera


- - -

(1) Steering Committee formed by : CATH, Chaandel, CTSP, Modep, Rona, Unnoh and others.

(2) Collective formed by : Batay Ouvriyé, Tèt Kole Organizasyon Poliè yo, UNNOH, MODEP, MOLEGAF,KRD, Sèk Gramsci, GREPS, Chandèl, AVS, Bri Kouri Nouvèl Gaye, ACREF, and other.


* * * * *

UPDATES

The 1st May was organised by the Autonomous Confederation of Haitian Workers (CATH) for the immediate withdrawal of the MINUSTAH.  The meeting took place in Ouanaminthe, where Arnold Bien Aimé, member of the Executive Committee of the workers and employees union in the Free Trade Zones of Ouanaminthe and Dieubénite, Dorsainval (Sofezo-Codevi) were sacked.  Information given by the International Confederation of Trade Unions (ICTU) and the Autonomous Confederation of Haitian Workers (CATH) has served to launch an international campaign endorsed by dozens of signatures of unions  all over the continent asking for the immediate rehiring of these leaders.

* * * * * * * *

REPORT ON ACTIVITIES ON JUNE 1 IN FRAMEWORK OF CONTINENTAL DAY OF ACTION FOR AN END TO THE OCCUPATION OF HAITI

The continental day of action on the 1st of June, organised at the initiative of the Continental Committee of the Continental Meeting (5th of November 2011) that assembled in Sao Paulo with representatives from 14 countries, has as a central axis the combat for the sovereignty of the Haitian people and the demand for the withdrawal of MINUSTAH troops from Haiti.      

We publish the accounts of preparation for this continental day from different countries.  Join us in our combat for the sovereignty of the Haitian people. Take part in this day of action! Organise a demonstration in your own town.

ACTIVITIES IN HAITI:

Harry E. Jean Phillipe (Radio Peyizan) reports that the Steering Committee of the International Inquiry Commission on Haiti and the Mobilisation Collective for Compensation for the Cholera Victims are busy preparing a series of mobilising events all over the country:

- Throughout the week leading up to June 1 there will be photo exhibits and displays of statements and texts organised in many neighbourhoods of Port-au-Prince and some cities across Haiti.

On June 1 there will be conferences, forums and a central demonstration in Port-au-Prince to demand the immediate withdrawal of MINUSTAH troops from Haiti and reparations for the cholera victims.

Activities will take place on June 4 in four cities: Port-au-Prince, Cayes (in the south), Cap-Haïtien (in the north) and Hinche (in the Plateau Central).

ALSO: Activities against MINUSTAH and in support of the cholera victims also took place on 18th of May (Flag Day). The CATH also reports that activities will be organised in Ounaminthe.

ACROSS THE CONTINENT:

MEXICO:  At the initiative of the Political Organisation of the Workers and People (OPT), there will be a rally in Mexico City in front of  the US Embassy with a letter addressed to the UN for the withdrawal of troops. In Mexicali, on the border with the US, there is to be a public rally, and in the city of Hermosillo (Sonora), there will be a rally in front of the US Consulate.

PERU:  a Peruvian Committee for the withdrawal of Peruvian troops from Haiti has been set up with the CGTP trade union federation taking part ; it will hold a meeting demanding the withdrawal of UN troops from Haiti, within the framework  of the mobilisation organised by the Sao Paulo Continental Committee and will, through the CGTP Secretary for International relations,  request an audience with the Congress President for 4 p.m.on the Ist June in order to transmit to him a copy of the letter addressed to the President of the Republic.

ECUADOR : A national Meeting for the defence of the sovereignty of Haiti will be held in Quito, followed by a march to transmit a letter to President Rafael Correa for the withdrawal of Ecuadorian soldiers  that are part of the MINUSTAH troops.

BOLIVIA: The Bolivian Worker Confederation  (COB) on the  occasion of its Congress will take part in the preparation of this day.

GUADELOUPE:  The ATPC, Association of Workers and Peoples of the Caribbean, will organise with the LKP a delegation to the French State representation in Guadeloupe.


DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: the Dominican Trade Union Confederation (DTU) has informed us through its General Secretary, Bernard Nicholas, that it will send a letter, to be published, to the Prime Minister inviting the government to use all means at its disposal in the UN to get the MINUSTAH to immediately  withdraw from Haitian territory, inviting also the Dominican people to let their voices be heard."

UNITED STATES: Activities are being organised in St Louis, San Francisco, Boston (at Citicorp branch to demand repatriation of gold stolen from Haiti's Central Bank during 1915-34 US occupation) and New York (in front of the United Nations).

FRANCE: a broad-based delegation in Paris will go to government offices.

BRAZIL:  Sao Paulo (SP): the Committee "to defend Haiti is to defend ourselves" with the MST, the MNU, the member of Parliament Adriano Diogo, Claudia Silva from SOS racism and the PT O Trabalho current are organising a meeting in the Presidency of the Republic representation offices in SP where a letter demanding the withdrawal of troops will be sent, requesting an audience with Minister Celso Amorim. Mogi das Cruzes (SP) : teachers will be organising a Free Haiti Committee with a debate the 11th May and a delegation to the meeting in SP.  Barueri (SP): debate at the town hall the 1st June. Porto Alegre (RS): the Committee (CUT trade unions, MNU and PT activists) is preparing a meeting at the CPERS teachers 'union headquarters in the presence of Marcon , member of Parliament (PT).  Salvador (BA): the Committee (JR,JPT PT activists and CUT trade union activists) is organising a meeting  in the CECUT  (CUT State Congress). Fortaleza (CE) : a meeting with video projection is being organised by young people (JR and Levante Popular) and also Dialogue pétista reunions. Sarandi (PR): meeting at the town hall with a video "What is happening in Haiti" and a debate. Brasilia (DF): meeting organised by trade unions and Juventude Revolucao (Revolution Youth) at Government Palace.

REPORTS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES TO FOLLOW ...


From: ILC












Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Oyotunji African Village Invites You to Come on Board as an Official Sponsor for the Pan-African Grassroots Assembly

Come on Board as an Official Sponsor for the Pan-African Grassroots Assembly TODAY!!!

Receive heightened visibility and awareness for your business or organization as an Official Partner of the Pan-African Grassroots Assembly at Oyotunji African Village


Pan-African Grassroots Assembly

The Kingdom of Oyotunji African Village and HRM's Yoruba Assembly Movement invite you to support our 1st ever Pan-African Grassroots Assembly designed to teach the practical application of Ancient African traditions, this June 29-July 1, 2012. We are excited to partner with your business or organization for this unprecedented event. There are a variety of ways in which to partner; Commemorative Booklet, multiple levels of Event Sponsorship or allow us to create a custom partnership with you! See our sponsorship page for details…

***

If you own a business, operate an Ile, are a member/leader of an Egbe or in any way capatilize from or do business with the African Traditionalist, ATR community, Babalawo, Orisa Priest or Priestess, Ifa practicioner, Pan-African, African-American, Africa

***

For as little as $25, you can become an Official Partner of this unprecedented event!

***

Want more information? Have general questions? No problem! Contact the Steering Committee at yamcon2013@gmail.com or call us at (843) 321-9806.

BECOME A SPONSOR TODAY @ http://www.oyotunji.org/sponsorship.html!!!

***
©2012 The Kingdom of Oyotunji African Village | 56 Bryant Lane | Sheldon, S.C. | 29941  

Text TheBlackList to 41411 for Pan-African Grassroots Updates

Monday, May 28, 2012

Official Statement From Women With A Vision After Recent Arson


From:
Deirdre Wilson;deirdre@womenprisoners.org
Date: May 26, 2012 6:29:50 PM EDT

Friday, May 25, 2012


Official Statement From Women With A Vision After Recent Arson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp8lEEj1rc4&feature=player_embedded


This letter and video is reposted from the website of Women With A Vision. You can donate on their site: http://wwav-no.org.

Dear friends, colleagues and family,

Today we reach out to express our gratitude for your support and to let you know that everyone in the Women With A Vision family is safe.

Thanks to the fast response of all of our supporters across the country, many of you have already heard that our office was broken into last night and set on fire. The worst damage was concentrated in our community organizing and outreach office where we store all of the resources we use to educate our community. We lost everything. We do not have an office to operate out of right now.

Most of our office equipment and all of our educational resources were destroyed. Because of the targeted nature, we can only assume that this was intentional.

We are shaken to be sure, and deeply worried about how we will provide for our members while we are rebuilding. But the work will continue. This cannot and will not stop us from speaking out for people who do not have a voice.

Please know that your thoughts, your prayers, your kind words and your positive energy are felt. Your care for WWAV is what is giving us the strength to make sure that we reopen, bigger and better than before, as soon as possible.

But we will literally be starting from scratch, so donations and in-kind contributions are critical right now.

Immediate Meeting Spaces for WWAV Events. We are in the process of finding a new permanent home, but also need immediate assistance with space. We have several coalition meetings that were to be held at the WWAV office next week, and our new micro-enterprise program is scheduled to launch early next week. New Orleans friends, do you have conference room space you can lend? Member programming will need to accommodate 10-15 people. Coalition events will bring together 20-25 people.

Donations to Replace our Health Education Materials. We lost all of our health education materials, including harm reduction supplies, condoms/dental dams/lube, reproductive health models, educational brochures, hygiene kits and OraSure HIV tests. Replacing these will cost thousands of dollars. If you are able, please make a tax-deductible donation through our website.
• $50 will buy a case of male condoms;
• $100 will cover a month supply of harm reduction kits,
• $250 will replace one of our reproductive health models;
• $500 will enable us to make a month's supply of hygiene kits;
• $1000 will buy a case of female condoms; and
• $2000 to replace our two cases of OraSure rapid HIV tests.

Suits/Dresses/Shoes to Restock our Clothing Bank. We have lost all of the professional clothing that was donated to WWAV for our women to go on job interviews. Please contact us if you have suits, skirts, dress pants, dresses and shoes to donate. Women's clothing 8 to plus-size and shoe sizes 7 to 12 are most needed.

Donations to Replace our Office Furniture & Supplies. When we are ready to move into our new office, we will need to replace most of our office furniture, all of our office supplies, and all of our decorations for WWAV member holiday events and women-centered programming. Desks, desk chairs, and furniture for our drop-in space will all be incredibly costly. And we all know how quickly copy paper and post-it notes can add up. Any donation will help us to open as quickly as possible. Gift cards to office supply stores like OfficeMax, Office Depot and Staples are welcome. In-kind contributions of women-centered art, social justice posters, and holiday decorations will all be deeply appreciated when we are nearer to our re-opening date.

Donations to Replace Computers & Printer(s). One desktop computer, one laptop and one printer were completely destroyed in the fire. We are in the process of testing our remaining computers and printer to see if they have been permanently damaged by smoke. At this point, our technology replacement costs are unknown. Again, any donation will help us to reopen as quickly as possible.

We will continue to post updates to our website as our rebuilding process continues. Please keep checking back!

For now, we thank you for your love and your support. We are truly humbled to be on this journey with such an incredible community of allies. And the work continues…

In struggle,

Deon Haywood, WWAV Board of Directors, WWAV Staff and the women we support


http://louisianajusticeinstitute.blogspot.com/2012/05/break-in-and-arson-at-offices-of-women.html?m=1
________________________________________
Deirdre Wilson
Program Coordinator
California Coalition for Women Prisoners
1540 Market Street  #490
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone 415.255.7036 x:4 l Fax 415.552.3150
deirdre@womenprisoners.org l www.womenprisoners.org




Mask no difficulties, mistakes, failures.
Claim no easy victories. 


Amilcar Cabral





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DREAD TIMES - Dedicated to the free flow of information - http://www.dreadtimes.com 





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