Weekly Activist Alert - Catastrophe in Haiti: An Unnatural Disaster

CATASTROPHE IN HAITI: AN UNNATURAL DISASTER

Action: Tell Obama and Congress to Open Haiti's Borders

Cause: Support Haitian Earthquake Relief!

Resource: Post Your Action on our website!

Article: CARICOM Blocked from Landing in Haiti

Events:

Th 1/21 - Catastrophe in Haiti: An Unnatural Disaster

Th 1/21 - Want Help Managing Your Board's Fundraising?

Fr 1/22 - Empower DC's 6the Anniversary and Annual Celebration

Sa 1/23 - Hearing on What's "Right" and What's "Wrong" with Utility Services in DC

Mo 1/25 - The Obama Administration, Africa and the Diaspora - One Day Conference

We 1/27 - Ending the War in Afghanistan: A Talk with Phyllis Bennis in Conversation with Andy Shallal

CATASTOPHE IN HAITI: AN UNNATURAL DISASTER

A week ago, the small island of Haiti experienced a devastating and life altering 7.0 scale Earthquake. Since then, the US military has taken many steps to occupy the territory and are now blocking aide coming from countries and organizations that are not favorable towards US and European interests. If there ever was a time to stand up for peace and justice, now would be that moment. The people of Haiti, who have pioneered the first revolution by enslaved Africans since the start of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade and supported liberation movements in other areas of the world, deserve unity and solidarity from all freedom and peace loving people.

While it is important to donate money to progressive organizations that are doing work on the ground, this is also a critical time to not be so shocked by this catastrophe that we allow imperialism to deepen its hold on the tramatized island of Haiti, which has suffered IMF/Worldbank policies, corrupt NGOism and unchecked foreign military presence that have been reported for raping the women and harassing the people.

We hope part of action steps you take to making a concerted effort at watch-dogging this politically volatile moment for Haiti should include taking action by writing President Obama and Congress, attending the WPC co-sponsored event at All Souls Church this Thursday and read the featured article.


FEATURED WPC RESOURCE THIS WEEK...
Post Your Action on our website!

If you have an Action, you can now fill out this form on our website and we will create an online action for your organization and create an alert. These actions are letters to elected officials to put political pressure and encouraging our readership to sign on to the letters. Some of these action.

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EVENTS

Catastrophe in Haiti:
An Unnatural Disaster
(Discussion and Forum)

Thursday, January 21
7:00PM
All Soul's Church
1500 Harvard St., NW
Washington, DC
(corner of 16th & Harvard)

The horror in Haiti is overwhelming. As many as 100,000 are dead and millions homeless or seeking emergency care after an earthquake struck the island-nation. But while the earthquake triggered this tragedy, the death tolls are not the result of a "natural disaster." A similar-sized quake hit San Francisco in 1989, killing 60, not 100,000. The difference is not only one of poverty. It's rooted in 200 years of the worst racism, exploitation and foreign military occupation-most recently at the hands of the Clinton and Bush administrations.

Sponsored by : All Souls Church, International Socialist Organization, Washington Peace Center, School of Americas Watch, Institute for Policy Studies

Endorsed by: Busboys and Poets, African Immigrant and Refugee Foundation, CISPES and the Hip Hop Caucus.

To endorse, call 202 276 1586 or email iso_district@yahoo.com


DC Metro Social Forum:
Local Movement and Fundraising Committee Meeting

Wednesday, January 20, 2010
6:30PM
Institute for Policy Studies
1112 16th St, NW Suite 600
Washington, DC
(On the Red Line - Farragut North Metro Station)

The USSF will provide space to build relationships, learn from each others experiences, share our analysis of the problems our communities face, and bring renewed insight and inspiration. It will help develop leadership and develop consciousness, vision, and strategy needed to realize another world.

The USSF sends a message to other people's movements around the world that there is an active movement in the US opposing US Policies at home and abroad.

Want Help Managing Your Board's Fundraising?

Thursday, January 21st
5:30PM - 7:30PM
SALSA c/o Institute for Policy Studies
1112 16th St., NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036

Meet Andrea Kihlstedt and Brian Saber, the creators of Asking Matters -- a web-based business designed to get more people out asking for gifts and raising more money for their organizations.

Register by emailing Andrea at andrea@askingmatters.com
The first 10 registrants will have their own solicitation profiles completed before the event.

Copies of Andrea's books (Capital Campaigns: Strategies that Work, and How to Raise $1 Million (or more) in 10 bite-sized steps)
will be raffled.


Empower DC's 6th Anniversary and Annual Celebration

Friday, January 22nd
6:30PM - 8:30PM
Charles Sumner School
1201 17th St, NW
Washington, DC


Suggested Donation $10 - No One Turned Away
Family-Friendly Event - Bring the Children!
Bring a Pot-Luck Dish to Share
The Event Will Include Highlights of Empower DC's Successes from 2009! Special performances & Guests Fun, Friends & Fellowship!

RSVP to (202) 234-9119 or parisa@empowerdc.org


Hearing on What's "Right" and What's "Wrong" with Utility Services in DC

Saturday, January 23
10:00AM - 2:00PM
John A. Wilson Buidling
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W Room 500
Washington, DC

The DC Committee on Public Service and Consumer Affairs will hold hearings on what is right and what is wrong with utility services.
Intended Audience: General Public

Those who wish to testify should contact Davida Crocket, at dcrockett@dccouncil.us or by phone at 202-654-6421.



The Obama Administration, Africa and the Diasopra - One Day Conference

Monday, January 25
9:00AM - 5:00PM
The United Methodist Building, Conference Rooms 1-4
100 Maryland Ave, NE
Washington, DC 20002

Please join TransAfrica Forum for a dynamic discussion of U.S. policy toward Africa and the Diaspora. Speakers will present and analyze the Administration's emerging focus on Africa, including discussions on crisis countries and the continuing controversy over the U.S. Africa Command. Panelists will also discuss ongoing barriers to Africa's economic development as well as emerging trends from Latin America and the Caribbean.

Organized by: TransAfrica Forum, In Cooperation with The U.S. Department of State Bureau of African Affairs And the Center for Economic Policy Research Hosted by The United Methodist Church General Board of Church and Society.



Ending the US War in Afghanistan:
A Talk with Phyllis Bennis in Conversation with Andy Shallal

Wednesday, January 27
6:30PM - 8:00PM
Busboys & Poets
2021 14th St., NW
Washington, DC 20009

Was Afghanistan ever a "good war"? And will President Obama's plan and escalation of US troop presence in Afghanistan work? Join us for this in-depth discussion with co-author, Phyllis Bennis and Andy Shallal of Busboys and Poets on the pending issues around the war. And get your signed copy of this timely and compelling work.

This event is co-sponsored by Teaching for Change, Washington Peace Center, Interlink Publishing, Peace Action, Busboys & Poets, and Institute for Policy Studies.

Please RSVP to netfa@ips-dc.org or by calling 202-787-5229

Featured Article:
CARICOM BLOCKED FROM LANDING IN HAITI
Posted January 17, 2010 on Jamaica Observer.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados -- The Caribbean Community's emergency aid mission to Haiti, comprising heads of government and leading technical officials, failed to secure permission Friday to land at that devastated country's airport, now under the control of the USA.
Consequently, the Caricom "assessment mission" that was to determine priority humanitarian needs resulting from the mind-boggling earthquake disaster last Tuesday had to travel back from Jamaica to their respective home destinations.

Consequently, the Caricom "assessment mission" that was to determine priority humanitarian needs resulting from the mind-boggling earthquake disaster last Tuesday had to travel back from Jamaica to their respective home destinations.

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See you in the streets!

Chioma, Hazal & Sonia
Washington Peace Center