Weekly Activist Alert: Environmental Warfare

In This Week's Action Alert
Action: Out of Afghanistan
Resource: Sustainability in the DMV
Featured Article:Bolivian Government Outlines Strategy for International Climate
 Negotiations
Cause: Volunteer for the Washington Peace Center

Events [scroll down for full details]:
We 4/21-Capital X : Fighting the Death Penalty
We 4/21-Latino Media Project Dinner Fundraiser
Th 4/22-Honoring the Living Earth: In Colombia
Th 4/22-Earth Day Fundraiser
Fr 4/23-Anticapitalathon Games 2010
Fr 4/23-Afghan Women: As Seen from First Hand Experiences
Sa 4/24-CISPES Secret Cafe
Sa 4/24-Still Brave: The Evolution of Black Women's Studies
Su 4/25-National Mall Climate Rally
Mo 4/26-Rally for Mumia
Mo 4/26-Shaw Gentrification Revealed Tour
Tu 4/27-Water Problems and Solutions You Need to Know
Th 4/29-Teach In On Capitol Hill: What Must The US Do To End Mideast Wars?
ON-GOING-Call for Submissions for Unrest Magazine:  Engaging Systems of Violence
 

Hey
D.C.,
With Earth Day around the corner on April 22nd, it is important to review the impact
of war on the environment. It is also significant to note that Western hegemony,
 or more specifically US imperialism, is based on the scramble for access and acquisition
of the world's resources.  This has been the case since the early days of empire
 and is even more so today. The US consumes over 50% of the world's resources but
only 6% of the Earth's people live here. Following the trail set by warfare helps
to understand the current political climate. Whether it be Iraq, Afghanistan, Congo
or Columbia, just follow the resources in and/or in the surrounding these areas
of interest and one becomes clear on the motivation of war.
In the quest for oil, water, diamonds, coltane or land, the US has got its hand
in almost every resource pot available through active combat or proxy war. Yet,
the environmental crisis cannot only be measured by the impact of militarism. Before
guns or drones touch ground, there is the age-old strategy of ideological warfare.For
example, this is why right-wing pundits dispute the existence of detrimental climate
change in general and, more specifically, global warming. Fortunately, third world
nations and conscious-minded people around the world are also actively engaged in
impacting on how we understand our environment. This is why the Bolivian conference
on environment is such an important undertaking for all oppressed people.
We at the Washington Peace Center hope that we all take personal responsibility
to overturning the many contradictions of ensuring that we are here on Earth for
 at least the next seven generations by taking action against
the war in Afghanistan and other places. We also hope that you also engage in the
change-making process by volunteering with us.

Featured WPCResource this week...

Sustainability in the DMV

Are you looking for ways to life more environmentally friendly? Are you in the know
of local organizations working on environmental justice issue? Or are you already
engaged and are looking for avenues of connecting with other doing this important
work? Whether you are aware of enviro-friendly ways of working and living or or
are looking for new ways to green-up your life, check out our Sustainability in
the DMV page and please let us know if you have anything to add!
Appreciate this service? Please DONATE to support the movement for a more just and peaceful world.


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Capital X : Fighting the Death Penalty
Wednesday, April 21
7:00pm
Nyumburu Cultural Center's Multipurpose Room
at the University of Maryland in College Park

Rapper, Activist and Public Speaker, Capital X will be speaking and performing on
the Prison Industrial Complex, the Death
Penalty, and Social Justice. This is definitely a program you won't want to miss!!
Intertwining facts gathered by years of extensive study in criminology, penology,
law, personal experience and
the experiences of fellow captives with hip hop music, "X" intoxicates audiences
 with what he calls "Raptivism".

For more details on the event, click here


Latino Media Project Dinner Fundraiser at Haydee's
Wednesday, April 21
7-11pm
Haydee's, Restaurant
3102 Mount Pleasant St. NW

The Latino Media Project Invites you to their fundraiser!!!
YOUR only progressive voice on radio in the DC Metropolitan area offering a unique
perspective and analysis on issues not found in corporate media.
Come and support a project dedicated to struggles for justice and equality. Suggested
donation: $5-10 sliding scale,
no one will be turned away from lack of $$

For more information, click here

Honoring the Living Earth: Afro-Colombian and Indigenous Communities in Colombia
Thursday, April 22
12:00pm - 1:30pm
Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, Room 4018, Fourth Level
4th Street & Independence Ave., SW
Washington, DC

Celebrate Earth Day with special presentations by Luis Gilberto Murillo-Urrutia,
 Dr. Alicia Rios Hurtado, and Dr. Eduardo Garcia-Vega. Murillo was elected governor
of Chocó, Colombia, at the age of 31 after successfully instituting pioneering programs
to protect biodiversity and the tropical rainforest, and to defend the land rights
of Afro-Colombian and indigenous communities.  As governor, Murillo won wide praise
for his innovative proposals and strategies for sustainable development and environmental
protection. Alicia Rios Hurtado has served as Vice-President for Research and Director
of the Institute of Biodiversity at the Technological University of Chocó and currently
leads the university research group on sustainable use of biodiversity. Dr. Eduardo
Garcia-Vega is the President of the State University of Chocó and former Director
General of the Institute for Environmental Research of the Pacific Coast of Colombia.

For more information, click here

Earth Day Fundraiser
Thursday, April 22
7:00pm - 10:00pm
Local 16
1602 U Street
Washington, DC 20009

DC's green job leaders, WeatherizeDC, CarbonfreeDC and Earth Day Network are joining
forces to power the Earth Day Direct Impact Fundraiser to build DC's Green Economy.
Every dollar raised will directly fund the weatherization of 8 local homes in communities
of high need, which will also produce 8 new worksites to ignite local green job
creation.

For more information, click here

Anticapitalathon Games 2010
Friday, April 23  1:00pm
to
Sunday, April 25- 2:00pm

The Anticapitalathon (TM) Games are being held at the same time and place as the
 spring WB/IMF meetings- not to highlight the connection between neoliberalism and
economic misery, but to scam free publicity for our budding sports empire.
The Anticapitalathon (TM) will be a dramatic weekend of games, scavenger hunts and
walking tours of the opulent downtown neighborhoods of the empire's capital.
So bring a team or come as a solo competitor to DC in April. Homemade prizes, delicious
food and radical levels of fun are sure to follow!

For more information, click here

Afghan Women: As Seen from First Hand Experiences
Friday, April 23rd
2:00pm -- 5:00pm
ICC 270
Georgetown University

The Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding and Kabultec
Invite you to attend a seminar on: Afghan Women: as seen from first hand experiences
Networking and refreshments
Seating is limited.

For more information, click here

CISPES Secret Cafe
Saturday April 24th
5pm-10pm
1114 Girard St, NW

We're fixing up some tasty recipes, good times and a family friendly space to offer
you, in celebration of Spring and for the regeneration of spirit and community for
what promises to be an active (hectic!) summer of street heat and popular resistance
to everything from public service cuts to gold and coal digging, from youth and
poor criminalization to forced migration. $5-15 suggested donation but no one turned
away for lack of funds. All donations will go to the Radical Roots Youth Delegation
to El Salvador in June!

For more information, click here

Book Talk:
Still Brave: The Evolution of Black Women's Studies
Saturday, April 24
6:00pm
Busboys & Poets
2021 14th St. NW

Cheryl Clarke, Angela Davis, Bell Hooks, June Jordan, Audre Lorde, and Alice Walker-from
the pioneers of black women's studies comes Still Brave, the definitive collection
of race and gender writings today.  Including Alice Walker's groundbreaking elucidation
of the term "womanist," discussions of women's rights as human rights, and a piece
on the Obama factor, the collection speaks to the ways that feminism has evolved
 and how black women have confronted racism within it.
Editors Stanlie M. James, Frances Smith Foster, and Beverly Guy-Sheftall will discuss
and sign their collection. Event is free and open to all.

For more information, click here

National Mall Climate Rally
Sunday, April 25
11:15am
The National Mall
700 Independence Avenue
Washington, DC 20024

Join WeatherizeDC volunteers at Earth Day Network's massive climate rally on The
 National Mall. Speakers, music, conversation and action will fill the afternoon
 and evening. WeatherizeDC volunteers will have an opportunity to make our local
 presence and impact known on a national scale, connect with potential volunteers
and weatherizing homeowners, and celebrate the culmination of a successful earth week.

For more information, click here

Rally for Mumia
Monday, April 26
11:15am
The National Mall
700 Independence Avenue
Washington, DC 20024

Free Mumia Coalition
Events scheduled for Monday, April 26:
There will be a press conference at New York Ave. Presbyterian Church
at 11:30 a.m.
(13th and NY Ave., NW),
followed by a march to the
Dept of Justice
(950 Penn. Ave., NW).

The group will rally, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., calling on Attorney General Holder
to investigate civil rights allegations in the Mumia case.

For more information, click here

Shaw Gentrification Revealed Tour
Monday, April. 26, 6:00-8:00pm
6th & O Streets NW
(three blocks from the Mt Vernon Sq Metro)

Join Greater DC Metro Social Forum, for a 2-hour talk/walking tour of the Shaw neighborhood.
You'll learn more about the Shaw community and get a chance to see the impact of
 its work. Andrew Willis Garcés will guide you through the history of the neighborhood,
the impact of structural forces on the lives of community residents, and the struggle
to create and preserve racial and economic equity in the District.

For more information, click here

Water Problems and Solutions You Need to Know
Tuesday, April 27
7:00pm
Smithsonian's Anacostia Community Museum
1901 Fort Place SE, Washington, D.C

Representatives from the D.C. Water and Sewer Authority (DCWASA) will discuss three
projects impacting Washington, D.C. and east of the Anacostia River communities:
 the tunneling under Anacostia River to address the sewage and stormwater flowing
into the river; the construction on the Fort Stanton reservoir and its transfer
to DCWASA; and the St. Elizabeths reservoir proposal.

For more information, click here

TEACH IN ON CAPITOL HILL: WHAT MUST THE US DO TO END MIDEAST WARS?
Thursday, April 29
1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Gold Room (2168), Rayburn House Office Building,
Independence Ave and C Street SW

DESCRIPTION: Educational briefing on the U. S. agenda in the Middle East, its consequences
and development of a strategy/plan to withdraw. Emphasis will be on constructive,
interactive dialogue among panelists and attendees.
MODERATOR: Representative Dennis J. Kucinich (D - Ohio)
PANELISTS: Chris Hedges, Jeremy Scahill, David Swanson, Ann Wright
ADMISSION: Free and open to the public, the media, members of Congress, and staff

For more information, click here

Featured Article:

Bolivian Government Outlines Strategy for International Climate Negotiations

See you in the streets!

Chioma, Hazal, Jon & Sonia
Washington Peace Center