Local 2 Social Justice Committee Report
April 2010
Reminder: The Bremer/Hussein Law that makes unions illegal in Iraq is still in effect. Iraqi workers have formed unions despite this but their position is precarious. Their funds are seized, offices raided, peaceful assemblies are attacked with military force (with participation of US forces), union leaders are transferred from their homes to distant work sites, jailed, and assassinated. All of this is under the aegis of U.S. occupation. This is not what Democracy looks like. Demand that Iraqi unions have legal status, the rights of collective bargaining, and protection from retaliation by the occupation and puppet government. Right now, the Oil workers' unions are under direct attack. We must object.
Reminder: When further funding bills for the wars and occupations come before Congress, let your representative and Senator know that you want them to vote No. End the funding of the wars, spend the money to create jobs here at home, provide affordable health care, and fund education and the arts.
Events:
Friday April 23 -- Walter Reed Vigil --All the Troops Home Now! The vigil continues to take place every Friday, from 7 to 9 PM, in the middle of the 7100 block of Georgia Ave NW between Dahlia and Elder Streets. The wounded continue to arrive, many being treated in special mobile surgeries even as they are transported. The war is not over. The killing continues. How do working people benefit? Ending the war should be our top priority.
Friday April 23 -- Homeless Rights' Street Law Series
This class will discuss:
What is Take Back the Land?
Are there rights to housing in DC?
What is Adverse Possession (Squatters' Rights) and how can it be used to address the housing crisis in DC?
How can we fight against discrimination?
The new sweeping "anti-nuisance" bill being considered by the DC City Council--its effects on working people.
Location: Martin Luther King Jr. Library, Room A5
Time: 12 noon to 3 PM
Refreshments will be served.
For more info: ericsheptock@yahoo.com or jjzara@aol.com
Ph: (240) 305-5255
Wednesday April 21 -- Healthcare Not Warfare Brown Bag Lunch Vigil
Noon to 1 PM
Across from the Rayburn House Office Building
Independence SE between 1st St SW and South
Capitol St SE
Sponsored by Progressive Democrats of America along with other peace and justice groups
Vigil will gather on Independence Ave across from the Rayburn House Office Building -- for more info call (773) 617-4493
Thursday April 29 -- Teach-in on Capitol Hill: What must the U.S. do to end the Mideast wars?
Moderator: Representative Dennis J. Kucinich (D -OH)
Location: Gold Room (2168), Rayburn House Office Building, Independence Ave and C Street SW, Washington, DC
Time: 1:30 PM -- 4PM
Panelists: Chris Hedges, journalist
Jeremy Scahill, journalist
David Swanson (After Downing Street), blogger
Ann Wright, (Col. US Army, Ret.), resigned from foreign service on eve of invasion of Iraq in protest.
This will be an 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.
[This discussion is most important given the recent news of US military decision to retreat in the face of Taliban forces in parts of Afghanistan. We were not supposed to lose to an "inferior force" in Vietnam but following one disaster after another, and many deaths and casualties, millions of Vietnamese casualties, we left in shame. History will repeat itself in Afghanistan unless we learn from the past and act now to end the wars and occupations while we can still do it on our own terms.
Thursday May 6 -- Japanese Nuclear Bomb Survivors 7 - 9 PM,, St. Aloysius Church (lower level), 900 Block of North Capitol St. NW, Washington DC
Event: A formal meeting with Gensuikyo delegates hosted by Pax Christi USA. The delegates will be coming from the NPT Nuclear Disarmament Conference of 'Peace and Justice Now'.
To hear from those who experienced the destruction caused by, and live with the consequences of the use of an atomic bomb. To take this opportunity to build solidarity with our Japanese sisters and brothers in the effort to abolish nuclear weapons.
The delegates are:
Yayoi Tsuchida--national political organizer for the Japan Council Against Atomic & Hydrogen Bombs.
Ms. Junko Kayashige and Mr. Kenjirou Ichihara (both A-Bomb survivors -- "Hibakusha")
And 120 other delegates from the meeting.
