Weekly Activist Alert: Obama's Surprise Visit to Afghanistan
Action: Out of Afghanistan!
Resource: DVD Library
Featured Article: Obama's Surprise Trip
Cause: Volunteer for the Washington Peace Center
Th 4/1-How to Search for Federal Funding
Tu 4/6-Economic Forum Event with Simon Johnson
Th 4/8-Walk for Nuclear Disarmament
Regardless of semantics of false declarations of loyalty to the troops and concern for the impact of war on the Afghan people, the evidence of his true political message is apparent in body language (ex. wearing a bomber jacket) and delivery. This week's featured article recaps Obama's message and speculates on thelong term impact on this visit. However, what remains apparent is that socially conscious and progressive minded people inside and out of the US need to take a stronger stand against war efforts in Afghanistan followed by appropriate action.
The upcoming Greater DC People's Assembly on May 15 and US Social Forum in Detriot, MI in June potentially offer forums where information on the war and other social justice issues can be discussed. Another important way to strengthen movement against the wars in Afghanistan take action by writing the President and Congress to demand an immediate exit plan from Afghanistan.
Lastly, we encourage people to join organizations and/or support organized efforts at resisting war policies and changing unacceptable sphere in which we currently operate. We hope that some of your political action involves volunteering with the Washington Peace Center and help us define the tools needed to change the world.
Do you use DVDs as a learning/organizing tool? Are you in search of informational pieces to enhance your personal knowledge of a particular issue? Or are you seeking a specific DVD to enhance your events programming? Check out our DVD Library page and please let us know if you have anything to add!
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Grants.gov: How to Search for Federal Funding
Thursday, April 1
2:00pm - 3:00pm
The Foundation Center
1627 K Street, N.W.,
Third Floor, Washington, DC
A representative from Grants.gov will walk you through the first steps of how to apply for federal government grants including how to register on-line at grants.gov. Presenter: Janelle Kelley, Business Manager, Grants.gov, Dept. of Health and Human Services
This program is offered free of charge. Space is limited and registration is required. It is also recommended that you arrive on time or you may lose your seat.
For more information, click here
Metropolitan Washington Public Health Association Annual Conference
Friday, April 2
8:30am - 4:00pm
Kaiser Family Foundation Barbara Jordan Center,
1330 G Street, NW,
Washington, DC, 20005 (Metro Center)
Saturday, April 3
3:00pm
St. Johns Church (2640 St. Paul St) Baltimore, MD
The Civilian-Soldier Alliance is organizing a panel talk with multiple war resisters, all with different experiences and perspectives. Josh Steiber won CO status after a 14-month tour in Iraq in 2007 and is now organizing
full-time for peace. Steve Yoczik deserted the U.S. Army in 2006 to resist an Iraq deployment and found temporary refuge in Canada. He now lives in DC and organizes with Iraq Veterans Against the War. Also expected is Aiden Delgado who refused to load his gun while stationed at Abu Grahib prison in Iraq and other special guests..
For more information, click here
Tuesday, April 6, 2010 - 6:30pm - 8:00pm
CSIS Conference Room
1800 K Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006
Simon Johnson, former Chief Economist of the IMF, joins the World Affairs Council - Washington, DC to discuss his new book, 13 Bankers: The Wall Street Takeover and the Next Financial Meltdown. In 13 Bankers, Johnson and co-author James Kwak offer a stark new look at the US financial sector. Johnson pulls no punches in describing how the immense concentration of power within the financial sector led our country to the brink of an economic breakdown. He examines the financial and political ramifications of the immense personal power amassed by those at the commanding heights of the financial sector. Though his message may not be a popular one, it is a must-read for anyone interested in the long term financial health of the US, and clearly delineates what is at stake for America in the midst of financial sector reform.
Thursday, April 8 - 12:00pm
Thursday, April 29 -12:00pm
This walk will depart Washington, DC on April 8, 2010 and pass through Baltimore, Wilmington, Philadelphia, Princeton, and points between on the way to New York, NY. Participants will walk about 15 miles per day, while meeting, eating and staying with supportive groups and individuals in cities and towns along the way, covering about 250 miles in 21 days.
The objective is to support the United Nations, US President Barack Obama, and over 70% of Americans who want Earth to know "the peace of a world without nuclear weapons," by working towards a solution at the 2010 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review at the UN during May of 2010.
Eyewitness Accounts from Egypt and Palestine
Saturday, April 10, 2010
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
The Potter's House
1658 Columbia Road, NW
Alice Azzouzi, Jihan Hafiz and Athena Viscusi will talk about their trip and experiences trying to reach GAZA.
Saturday April 10
8pm-12am
8th St NW
(Between Varnum & Webster)
CISPES formally invites you to:
2nd Annual BIG GAY BEAUTY PARLOR...under the sea!
Get made up and dance the night away with DJ's, Cash Bar, and an Under-the-Sea formal dance.
$10-30 sliding scale gets you unlimited primping and includes: Manicure, Pedicure, Massage, Hairstyling, Facials and MUCH MORE!
African American Dance Concert
Sunday, April 11
4:00pm
Publick Playhouse
5445 Landover Road
Cheverly, MD 20784
The African American Dance Ensemble is an internationally acclaimed dance troupe that uses dramatic staging, rhythms, choreography and colorful costumes to present a dance concert of dramatic excitement. The Ensemble's mission is to preserve and share the finest traditions of African and African American dance and music, celebrating traditional African culture, aesthetics and values.
Tickets: $20/person; $15/person DancePass holders.
2010 Arab American Heritage Month Festival
Sunday, April 11
12pm - 4pm
Activity Center at Bohrer Park
506 South Frederick Avenue
Gaithersburg, MD. "In Unity, WeBuild a Caring Community" is the theme for the 2010 Arab American Heritage Month Festival, hosted by the City of Gaithersburg's Multicultural Affairs Committee along with Arab Americans of Montgomery County. The free festival will feature poetry readings, arts and crafts,folkloric dance and music, Middle-Eastern food, cultural exhibits, vendors, henna, calligraphy, and children's activities.
Tuesday, April 13
7:30-9:30pm
Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church
4th and Independence Ave., SE
Washington DC
Rhythm Workers Union is hosting a seminar for activists and organizers on the subject of effectively using drumming and rhythm in marches, meetings, assemblies and other gatherings.
Drumming and rhythm can give a lot of energy to your activists! You will learn how to make/obtain cheap/free drums and rhythm instruments; how to meet drummers who are also activists and who can support your events; tips on incorporating rhythms in your meetings and events; how to use drums to support and energize your chants and cheers; how to lead drummers and non-drummers in rhythm.
Obama's Surprise Trip to Afghanistan: A Pro-War Pep Rally
Written by Norman Solomon
March 29, 2010 on www.alternet.org
On Sunday, Obama stood before thousands of U.S. troops to proclaim the sanctity of the war effort, a commander in chief rallying the troops, while wearing a bomber jacket.
President Obama has taken a further plunge into the kind of war abyss that consumed predecessors named Johnson, Nixon and Bush.
On Sunday, during his first presidential trip to Afghanistan, Obama stood before thousands of American troops to proclaim the sanctity of the war effort. He played the role deftly -- a commander in chief, rallying the troops -- while wearing a bomber jacket.
There was something candidly macabre about the decision to wear that leather jacket, adorned with an American Eagle and the words "Air Force One." The man in the bomber jacket doesn't press the buttons that fire the missiles and drop the warheads, but he gives the orders that make it all possible.
One way or another, we're used to seeing presidents display such tacit accouterments of carnage.
And the president's words were also eerily familiar: with their cadence and confidence in the efficacy of mass violence, when provided by the Pentagon and meted out by a military so technologically supreme that dissociation can masquerade as ultimate erudition -- so powerful and so sophisticated that orders stay light years away from human consequences.
