Texas Labor Against the War

The CAMEOs of UT and Texas State are proud to present:

Iraq Veterans Against the War speak out
Monday, Nov. 10, 7:00 PM
UT Campus, ART 1.110 (http://www.utexas. edu/maps/ main/buildings/ art.html)

Hear first-hand accounts from servicemen whose time in Iraq turned them against the war. Speakers: Michael Nordstrom, a Marine who served two tours in Iraq. Mike has been recalled by the Marine Corps.”In the enlistment oath I swore to defend and protect the Constitution from all enemies foreign and domestic. I’ve been to Iraq twice and I promise you we don’t need to protect the Constitution from them.“ Hart Viges, former U.S. Army airborne infantryman. Hart fought in Fallujah and left the Army as a conscientious objector. “From my time in Iraq I can personally attest to what can happen when a group of highly motivated people work together. We started a violent revolution and overthrew a government. Now we must start a peaceful revolution and change our government.” Greg Foster, Army veteran, antiwar activist and student at Texas State:”Over the last few years I have realized that the most patriotic thing I can do, as a Veteran, is talk to Americans about why the war in Iraq was wrong from the beginning and what we can do to end it.“ Ronn Cantu, SSG, 1st Cavalry, active duty at Ft. Hood:”After two tours in Iraq, the only thing we were ‘fighting’ for was to live for one more day until we came home and it’s been the families of the dead, both American and Iraqi, who have suffered as a result of this nightmare political stunt.“

On Facebook: http://www.facebook .com/event. php?eid=32846961 542
email antiwarcampus@ yahoo.com for more info.

The Art building is on San Jacinto, in between 26th and 23rd St. There are parking spaces all along San Jacinto; on a Monday night, many of them should be open.

We are also looking for someone to video this event (for future YouTube posting). If you can help us with this, please email me (kelly b) at birdonawire03@ hotmail.com. thanks!

(CAMEO = Campus Antiwar Movement to End Occupations)

The regular meeting of Texas Labor Against the War will NOT be held Sunday, November 9.

Some of our folks will be out of town on that date.

World-renowned journalist, author and documentary filmmaker John Pilger will discuss the “war on terror,” focusing on the gap between the rhetoric in the air and reality on the ground in order to help citizens understand the methods of, and the motivations behind, that war. Pilger began his career in 1958 in his native Australia before moving to London in the 1960s.  Beginning in Vietnam in 1967, he has covered the wars and economic policies that have defined the foreign policy of Western governments in the past decades.  His most recent film is “The War on Democracy” and his most recent book is Freedom Next Time.

Describing Pilger’s work as “a beacon of light in often dark times,” Noam Chomsky has said, “The realities he has brought to light have been a revelation, over and over again, and his courage and insight a constant inspiration.”

Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 7 pm
Location: University of Texas at Austin, Welch 1.120 (map)

Austin, October 5, 2008. The biennial statewide general assembly of the 12,000 member Texas State Employees Union (CWA Local 6186) passed an antiwar resolution Sunday morning, Oct. 5. TxLAW members and other TSEU activists promoted the resolution, which passed by a voice vote, though not without considerable opposition. We publicized the resolution prior to the Assembly and got a number of folks to enthusiastically sign on. More signed on when they arrived at the Assembly and learned about the resolution. We tried to talk to a lot of delegates during the weekend and we passed out numerous copies of the resolution. Our union has a large and diverse membership, so opposition was to be expected. It was mostly along three lines: people who argued the resolution was unnecessary and divisive; veterans (especially those who have served in Iraq) and family of deployed military members, who believe in the wars; people who oppose the war in Iraq but believe the Afghanistan war needs to be fought. Of course, many veterans supported the resolution.  We believed it was appropriate for our union to consider an antiwar resolution at this time.  The human and financial toll of these wars has a direct effect on members of our union and on the people we serve.

Below is the text of our resolution. You can read the national resolution on a previous news post on this website. Our resolution has been posted on the national US Labor Against the War website. We appreciate the attention! See it at http://www.uslaboragainstwar.org/article.php?list=type&type=52

Resolution adopted by Texas State Employees Union 2008 General Assembly, October 5, 2008

Working for Peace and Labor Rights in Iraq and Afghanistan: In support of resolution passed at 2008 CWA national convention

Whereas: Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have been a disaster for the U.S. people, U.S. military members, and the people of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Whereas: TSEU members, family, and friends are among those who’ve been killed and wounded, who are veterans, or who are now in harm’s way.

Whereas: The U.S. continues to spend billions of dollars on these wars that we need at home for public services, veterans services, infrastructure rebuilding, and public worker pay and benefits.

Whereas: U.S. and Iraqi government attacks on the Iraqi labor movement are an affront to labor unions everywhere.

Whereas: The national convention of our parent union, the Communications Workers of America, adopted a strong resolution opposing the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, supporting our troops and veterans, and supporting our union brothers and sisters in Iraq.

RESOLVED: TSEU/CWA Local 6186 adopts the national CWA resolution.

RESOLVED: TSEU/CWA Local 6186 will actively work to implement this resolution by adding our voice to those demanding that resources spent on these wars be redirected to our needs at home; by demanding of our government that our troops, veterans, and their families get the medical care and benefits they deserve; and by exploring affiliation with U.S. Labor Against the War and other groups which support international labor standards.

From CodePink–Women for Peace:

CodePink Austin Dance Party and Fundraiser
DANCE FOR CodePink!!
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Jovita’s, 1617 S. First St.

Starting at 6 p.m.

FEATURING:

CERRONATO

Vallenato y Cumbia from the Texas Hill Country

and

THE DJEMBABES

Women whose drumming and singing create bridges
to understanding and who speak as instruments for
peace!

PLEASE JOIN US FOR FUN, DANCING, FELLASHIP,
AND SURPRISES! HELP US RAISE FUNDS TO
CONTINUE OUR CREATIVE, POWERFUL, AND
SOMETIMES OUTRAGEOUS WORK FOR PEACE!!

$10 suggested donation at the door

For more info go to www.codepinkaustin.com