Action Alerts List
1/9: Gaza March-Rally and Report Back
Gaza March-Rally & Report Back
12 Noon
Gather at Pioneer Courthouse Square
march to Portland State University
1 pm- March to Portland State University
1:30 pm- Indoor Rally at Portland State University Smith Building #296/298
Performers:
Political Folk Musician - David Rovics
Palestinian-American Poet - Shady Athamneh
Bethlehem Theater Presentation
Speakers:
Sarah Hassouneh- Portland State University
Jessica Campbell- Oregon State University
Michael King- Lane Community College
Allison Weir- of ifamericansknew.org
Peter Miller - of AUPHR.ORG
Saed Bannoura- of IMEMC.ORG
Rosa M. Navarro - American University in Cairo
Sponsored by: Students United for Palestinian Equal Rights, Americans United for Palestinian Human Rights, Peaceful Response Coalition, Palestine Action Group, PDX Peace, and the International Socialist Organization
(email wael@liberalarab.com for further information, tables available for organizations)
Urgent Update from Gaza Freedom March
This is a message from member group, SUPER, Students United for Palestinian Equal Rights
Supporters and Friends,
Even though 50-80 marchers have been let into Gaza, including two students from the Oregon contingent, the Gaza Freedom March has decided to reject Egypt's offer and continue protesting until they get everyone into Gaza to participate in this march and break the siege! 450 French Delegates continue to sit in in front of the French Embassy and Holocaust Survivor Hedy Epstein continues her hunger strike in Egypt. And now the Egyptian police have begun to physically attack peaceful protesters, see video below.
July 24-31: Portland Stands with Iran
Please join us this week in solidarity with Iran
A post from member group AIFC:
Portland Stands with Iran, a non-partisan group of ordinary people from the Portland Metropolitan area and from Vancouver, WA is hosting vigils and events this week in solidarity with the courageous people in Iran who have been protesting ever since the election results were announced and their will was disregarded.
Please join us at any of the events listed below to show that Portland believes in human rights and freedom from oppression for all the people of the world!
"Portland Stands with Iran" Vigil
Friday, July 24 at 7:00pm
in the South Park Blocks (corner of SW Hall)
in front of the Portland State University Library
Rally in Solidarity with the People of Iran
Saturday, July 25 at 1:00pm
at Pioneer Courthouse Square
and display it in your house, your car or your favorite stores.
www.portlandstandswithiran.org
Iran Teach-in
Friday, July 31
Time TBA
Multicultural Center at the Smith Memorial Student Union
Portland State University
At one point it was announced that the weekly vigils would be
cancelled, because of some tension between community members that
wanted non-partisan vigils, and others who wanted to show support for
the former monarchy. The organizers that are continuing this vigil are
those who would like to remain non-partisan while standing in
solidarity with the people of Iran who have been punished for
exercising their rights to non-violently make demands of their
government. They are still requesting that flags and other partisan
symbols are not displayed, and that instead supporters simply display
the color green, candles, or other symbols of peace.
Support War Resister in his Court Martial
War Resister, Victor Agosto, needs your support
PDX Peace is forwarding this Alert from Iraq Veterans Against the War:
Active duty soldier and IVAW member, Victor Agosto, has refused to fight in Afghanistan and may face court martial for his actions. Adding your name to our support petition can help his case.
Victor returned to Ft. Hood, Texas after his deployment in Iraq and got news that his unit would be sent to Afghanistan. He had already been questioning his service in Iraq and saw parallels with Afghanistan. "Both occupations fuel the insurgencies in those countries. We are creating 'terrorists' and we are killing so many innocent people," Victor concluded. In May, he told his unit command he would not go.
Victor has overtly refused to follow any order that has anything to do with his taking an action that would support the occupation of Afghanistan. If he continues to refuse orders, he almost assuredly will face court martial and likely jail time. read more »
10 minutes to end the war in Afghanistan!
Right now the entire world is talking about Afghanistan, and this is our chance to be heard! Take 10 minutes this week: 5 on the phone to Congress, and 5 bringing our message on Afghanistan to the media. If we each take one action to say "Out Now" imagine the impact our combined voices will have sweeping across the country!
Call Senator Merkley about his promise
The Senate is voting tomorrow (Wed, 5/20) on a new supplemental appropriation for more war. During his campaign, Senator Merkley promised that he would vote ‘no’ on any supplemental appropriations that did not include a timetable for withdrawal.
Senator Jeff Merkley: (202) 224-3753
See a suggested script and talking points on our website:
http://pdxpeace.org/actionalerts/call-now-senator-merkley-you-promised
Thursday: Media Day of Action on Afghanistan
The first step to ending the war in Afghanistan is shifting public opinion. We moved the public on Iraq, now is the time to step up our game and use the media to advance OUR message on Afghanistan: Out Now!
Join PDX Peace and UFPJ in our National Media Day of Action on Afghanistan this Thursday, May 21st.
Go to UFPJ's website for a list of resources to help you change your Facebook status, write a Tweet, send in a Letter to the Editor, and many more!
http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=4056
Upcoming Events:
Memorial Day with Veterans for Peace, Benji Lewis and Cindy Sheehan
Monday, May 25
12:00pm - Memorial Day Ceremony
Memorial Coliseum
6:00pm - Cindy Sheehan, Book Reading
First Unitarian Church, 1011 SW 12th AveThe Dangers of Debt: Martin Sanchez of the Venezuelan Consulate
Sunday, May 31
2:00pm
Jobs with Justice, 6025 E Burnside St, Portland
Call Now: Senator Merkley, you promised...
Your newest Senator promised NO new war supplemental - hold him to it TODAY.
The Senate is voting tomorrow (Wed, 5/20) on a war spending bill (called a supplemental appropriation) that would provide $96.7 billion more in funding for the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Call them today.
Senator Jeff Merkley: (202) 224-3753; Senator Ron Wyden: (202) 224-5244
In fact, on the campaign trail last fall, Senator Merkley promised that he would vote ‘no’ on any supplemental appropriations that did not include a timetable for withdrawal. We have to hold him to his promise right now. If we do, Oregon’s Senator could be the first to stand up to the administration and tell them this is not what Oregonians voted for. We want the troops home now! read more »
Portland Actions for Peace and Justice
Mother's Day Silent Vigil
Sunday, May 10
12:30pm
The Rhododendron Gardens
SE 28th & Woodstock
National Media Day of Action on Afghanistan
Thursday, May 21
Media Training Conference Call
Thursday, May 14th
6:00pm Pacific
email organizing@unitedforpeace.org to RSVP and get call-in number
What's the first step for us to stop the war in Afghanistan? Shift American public opinion.
That's why PDX Peace is joining UFPJ in a National Media Day of Action on Thursday, May 21 to reach out to every local, regional and national media source! How do we do all that? It's much easier than you think. We'll provide you resources, tool and tips, and a Media Training conference call May 14 to teach you how to get our voices there!
Go to the UFPJ website on May 14th to find the resources you need
Mark your calendars for: Thursday, May 14 -- 6:00pm PDT (9:00pm EDT). Please email organizing@unitedforpeace.org if you plan on attending the conference call. We will then send you the call details, including the phone number.
Learn how to be in the media mix, get geared up to be on radio and tv shows, learn how to jump into the online world of Media 2.0, and build your skills to be part of a longer-term media strategy for grassroots peace and justice organizing.
OTHER EVENTS and ACTIONS
See more events, or post your own, on the PDX Peace events calendar! For more Actions to take, see our Action Alerts page!
May 4th Membership Meeting
Dear Members,
The days are getting warmer, the sun is peeking out more often, the Obama administration is rounding the 100 days milestone, and PDX Peace is gearing up for the summer! We have some great ideas about energizing, creative and powerful actions to take in the coming months to end our country's dependence on militarism, war and occupation. Come to the meeting on Monday to hear about some of those ideas, or bring your own!
PDX Peace Coalition Membership Meeting:
All organizational and individual members are encouraged to attend.
This is the meeting of the general membership of the coalition where
all proposals and budgets are approved by the members.
Monday, May 4
7:00-9:00 PM
Multnomah Monthly Meeting
4317 SE Stark St
Facilitator: megan brooker
Notes: Janet Dietz
Proposed Agenda:
To request agenda items or changes, email coordinatingcommittee@lists.pdxpeace.org.
1. Introductions, Agenda Review
2. Debrief of Change ≠ War, April 4th (30 min.) read more »
How You Can Stop War and Injustice
Hey Portland, get to it!
In this time of national and global crisis, it only takes one person to make a difference. You can take action by clicking a link or picking up a phone! And come out to the events below to show your support for victims of war and economic injustice.
Keep the Guard Home
The Campaign to Keep Oregon's Guard in Oregon is at a critical point. We have significant bi-partisan support for our measures: HB 2556-1 (the amendment was worked out between Democrat Chip Shields and Republican Dennis Richardson), HR4 and SR1. But, we can't push for a vote until we can identify 31 "yes" votes in the House.
Please click here to send an e-letter to your representatives, or call your state representative and senator and ask them to support these measures. Oregon could be the first state to pass "Guard Home" legislation--but we're running out of time, and we need your help!
April 29 - Long Time Passing:
Mothers Speak about War and Terror
An Evening with Susan Galleymore
Long Time Passing: Portland Book Launch & Celebration
With Music, Art, and Refreshments!
Wednesday, April 29th, 7:00pm
Doors open 6:30pm
Event begins, 7:00 pm
This is a free event
First Unitarian Church of Portland
1011 SW 12th Avenue
Portland, OR 97205
Directions
Susan Galleymore, the mother of a U.S. soldier, made international headlines by taking the extraordinary and dangerous step of traveling to Iraq to visit her son stationed on a military base in the so-called Sunni Triangle, north of Baghdad.
What she found in Iraq challenged her to continue her journey interviewing mothers in war zones including Iraq, Israel and the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, and Afghanistan—as well as in the U.S. These powerful first-person stories offer dramatic insight into the impact of war on mothers, families, communities, and cultures around the world. read more »
Portland Demands Change, Not War!
Thank you!
No Justice, No Peace
US Out of the Middle East!
A fantastic, energized and dedicated crowd marched on a beautiful warm, sunny Saturday this weekend. Hundreds came to march, and hundreds more saw and heard our message as we marched across Pioneer Courthouse Square and then right through the center of a bustling Saturday Market! Benji Lewis of IVAW, and Veterans for Peace led the march, while The No War Drum Corp, and several bullhorns made sure that everyone within earshot heard our chants: "They're Our Brothers, They're Our Sisters, We Support War Resisters," and "They Say Bail Out, We Say Troops Out!"
All day we received an incredibly positive reaction from everyone we passed, and then wrapped up the day with a very compelling, and moving afternoon in the middle of the Market, as we read the words of Dr. King, and heard from Iraq Vets, Iraqis, Afghanis and Palestinians about the pain and suffering of war and occupation. Thanks to all of the readers, some of whom participated with very little warning, for such a powerful event.
As Dr. King said "We are called to speak for the weak, for the voiceless, for the victims of our nation and for those it calls 'enemy,' for no document from human hands can make these humans any less our brothers [and sisters]." Thank you to all of our cosponsors and endorsers, and all the volunteers that helped us to do just that on Saturday.