Texas Labor Against the War

On December 23, 2011, U.S. Labor Against the War sent this solidarity statement to the unions in Iraq.

Dear Comrades in the Iraqi Labor Movement:

U.S. Labor Against the War recognizes that the end to formal U.S. military occupation of Iraq does not end continuing U.S. interference in the internal affairs of Iraq. The Maliki regime has given
permission to the U.S. to continue to operate unarmed Predator drones from Iraqi
bases, purportedly to provide the Turkish government with intelligence on the
activities of PKK fighters operating in the mountains of Iraq. These can be
armed and redeployed elsewhere in Iraq whenever the U.S. desires.

Many thousands of private mercenary security forces will remain and the U.S.
government has constructed the largest embassy in the world to manage and direct
its continuing interference in Iraqi affairs. It may redeploy many of the
departing troops to bases in Kuwait and other areas in the region, positioned to
reenter Iraq on short notice if U.S. interests appear to be threatened.

The Maliki regime is a political creation of the U.S. occupation, not a
legitimate expression of the democratic will of the Iraqi people. Already
parties that had been cobbled together to provide Maliki with a majority in
Parliament have abandoned him as he aggravates sectarian tensions for partisan
advantage. As a predictable outcome of the U.S. divide and conquer policies that
pitted religious, sectarian, ethnic and regional interests against one another,
Iraq will now likely see escalating sectarian conflict. The responsibility for
this belongs first and foremost to the U.S. government.

Predatory multinational corporations have not abandoned their plans to gain control over
Iraq’s abundant oil and gas reserves. Therefore, the struggle by the Iraqi
people to regain full sovereignty over the nation’s natural resources will
continue because the neo-liberal scheme to privatize the Iraqi economy has not
been abandoned.

The struggle to establish human and labor rights will continue because under U.S. occupation, those rights were a fiction, and were and continue to be regularly violated. The Iraqi government has ignored the country’s own constitution, which calls for the adoption of a basic labor rights
law that conforms to international standards, and continues to enforce the 1987
antiunion decree of the dictatorship, adding even more repressive edicts in an
effort to cripple the Iraqi labor movement and suppress the movement for true
democratic rights. In this the U.S. and Maliki regime will fail because the
Iraqi labor movement will not forfeit its rights. The will of the Iraqi people
for a true democracy and Iraqi sovereignty will prove stronger than the schemes
of a corrupt regime that serves as a willing pawn for U.S. interests.

The U.S. debt to Iraqis will not be paid by the withdrawal of U.S. military forces.
We consider it our honor and duty to stand in solidarity with you, to hold our
government to account, to demand that our government abandon its interference in
the internal affairs of Iraq, to struggle in support of your national
sovereignty and human and labor rights, and to demand that reparations without
strings be paid for the horrific damage inflicted on Iraq and its people.

The U.S. military was driven from Iraq by the iron resolve of the Iraqi
people to be free of all foreign domination, supported by the solidarity of U.S.
and other antiwar forces around the world which finally made it politically
untenable for the occupation to continue. The work of U.S. Labor Against the
War, founded nine years ago in January in response to the threat of the illegal
U.S. invasion, does not end with the departure of U.S. troops. The bonds of
solidarity USLAW forged with the Iraqi labor movement through nine years of
struggle will continue.

We extend to you and the courageous labor movement and working people of Iraq our heartfelt wishes for peace, democracy, justice, security and sovereignty in the new year.

Yours in solidarity and struggle,

USLAW Co-convenors: Kathy Black, Gene Bruskin, Bob Muehlenkamp, Brooks Sunkett, Nancy Wohlforth, Michael Zweig

Staff: National Coordinator Michael Eisenscher, National Organizer Tom Gogan, Administrative Coordinator Adrienne Nicosia

On behalf of the Steering Committee and 195 labor organizations affiliated with U.S. Labor Against the War

Presented by Black Cinemateque and Dallas Peace Center (series: Films for Peace and Justice), Friday, Sept. 16, 8 pm, South Dallas Cultural Center, 3400 South Fitzhugh

Children in War In today’s wars 90 per-cent of the casualties are civilians, compared to 50 per-cent in World War II. During the 1990s, two million children were killed in wars throughout the world. Filmed on location in Bosnia, Rwanda, Israel and North-ern Ireland, this feature-length documentary explores war-torn neighborhoods, orphanages, schools and refu-gee camps. Through the eyes of children, the tragedy of war is witnessed. The children struggle to heal the past through art therapy and self-expression, but their per-sonal traumas are the recurring themes of war and terror-ism: fear of death, threat of physical injury; destruction of homes and displacement; disintegration of families; and the resilience of children in war.

$10 admission, $5 under 18.

For info: 214-426-1683, [email protected]

www.DallasPeaceCenter.org

“I could celebrate a plan that would redirect our country towards seeking out the causes of violence, so that we will not again come to the place where our nation devotes a trillion dollars and thousands of lives in order to terminate one man’s life,” said DPC board member Rev. Diane Baker. “I pray that instead we could imagine using a trillion dollars to enrich the lives of our own citizens, and the lives of billions of our neighbors with whom we share the planet.”

DALLAS PEACE CENTER HOPES BIN LADEN DEATH IS TURNING POINT
Press release, May 2, 2011, http://www.dallaspeacecenter.org/?id=1

On May 1, President Barack Obama announced was made that Osama Bin Laden was killed in a military operation.  He declared that “justice has been served.”  If this is so, then we need to reflect on the price of that justice, and our opportunities for going forward. The death of Osama Bin Laden should be used as a turning point at which we can put away our instruments of war in Afghanistan and use diplomacy to further address concerns and grievances.
  
As peacemakers, we deplore all violence in all of its forms. Even though we understand why it was necessary to apprehend Osama bin Laden, and stop the violence he was inflicting, we do not see this as a moment of celebration.

“If the US is acting on its own form of justice through the use of violence, without the rule of law and a due process, then how is this going to stop people in other parts of the world from doing the same thing,” asks DPC President of the Board Dalia Abdelhady. “We need justice for all, including our enemies.”

Because of America’s rush to war, more than 7,000 American and coalition soldiers, along with tens of thousands of Afghani and Pakistanis, are dead. The only way to change our mourning to joy is to learn from this terrible chapter in our history.

With less than 125 Al Qaeda operatives left in Afghanistan, according to government sources, and the death of the Al Qaeda leader, now is the time to re-think US strategy in Afghanistan by encouraging our congressional members to accelerate the drawdown of U.S. troops and bring the war to an end.

“I could celebrate a plan that would redirect our country towards seeking out the causes of violence, so that we will not again come to the place where our nation devotes a trillion dollars and thousands of lives in order to terminate one man’s life,” said DPC board member Rev. Diane Baker. “I pray that instead we could imagine using a trillion dollars to enrich the lives of our own citizens, and the lives of billions of our neighbors with whom we share the planet.”

Part of this enrichment should surely be the education of our populace on peaceful conflict resolution. Although nothing excuses acts of terror, in order to achieve a comprehensive defense against terrorism our country must stop celebrating our kill, and assess our own role in growing terrorists.

Written by C Lee Taylor, http://www.hpjc.org/node/189, Houston Peace & Justice Center

Peace Camp Houston provides a unique, alternative day-camp experience that fosters an understanding of peace, justice and environmental awareness. Designed for children in grades K through 5th grade, the camp goals are to teach concepts of peace, equality, and justice at the appropriate age level; to encourage the development of self-esteem and critical thinking skills; to encourage respect for the environment and each other; to introduce peaceful conflict management skills and alternatives to competition and violence; to provide an opportunity for children of diverse backgrounds to create comfortable relationships.

Sponsored by the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom Houston Branch, the camp is now in its 12th year. Peace Camp 2011 is scheduled 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday July 25-29, at the Cameron Retreat Center at Holcombe near Almeda. Peace Camp is nonreligious and welcomes all children.

Some full and partial scholarships are available.

for more info, go to http://www.peacecamphouston.org/

MARCH FOR IMMIGRANTS AND WORKING FAMILIES

STAND UP FOR JUSTICE!  STOP THE ATTACKS AGAINST ALL TEXAS WORKING FAMILIES AND IMMIGRANTS!

View the event information in Spanish

When: 2:00 PM, Sunday May 1
Where: Start @ corner of Bellaire & Renwick. Go east on Bellaire, north on Chimney Rock, & west on Gulfton to Burnett Bayland Park. Distance is 1.5 mi.

Bring: walking shoes, sun hat, drinking water &, if you wish, signs.

More information (from Houston Peace and Justice Center): http://www.hpjc.org/node/196

and from Houston United (Houston Unido): http://www.houstonunido.org/

http://weareaustin.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=130546 This link includes a VIDEO.

Story from weareaustin.com, March 19, 2011.  Photo by Laura Skelding, Austin American-Statesman, http://www.statesman.com/news/local/central-texas-digest-austin-baseball-field-structure-burns-1333624.html

The Million Musicians March for Peace (MMM), Austin’s annual musician-organized community event for peace, justice, and liberty through public awareness and involvement, met in Austin on Saturday.

Hundreds took part in a concert rally which was followed by musicians and speakers who will represent various issues of war, peace, liberty, justice, and promote our common ground by dispensing reliable sources of information that support all of our vital concerns.

Organizers say that the annual rally is held to raise the level of information and provide action in support of peace. In addition the rally is meant to raise awareness provide action in support of Peace.

Supporting organizations include: Under The Hood, Artists for Media Diversity, Vote Rescue, Texans For Peace, Waco Friends Of Peace, Iraq Veterans Against War, Code Pink Austin, Monkey Wrench Books. This year MMM also welcomes Instruments of Freedom for Justice, a group espousing immigrant rights, joining in a show of solidarity.

The rally is organized by the Instruments for Peace network of musicians and friends, the annual Million Musicians March for Peace is the result of the hard work of volunteer organizations and individuals helping in a multitude of ways.  Musicians use their music, email networks, event production and promotion skills, and public relations infrastructure to organize and promote the event.

For more information on the group, visit their website www.instrumentsforpeace.org.

(We reprint another gem by Alice Embree after her trip to San Antonio for the event marking 100 years of celebrating women.  Did you know that International Women’s Day has its roots in U.S. women’s labor struggles in the 1910′s?  Enjoy the photos and read on!)  http://theragblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/alice-embree-texas-actions-mark-100.html See also San Antonio’s Esperanza Peace and Justice Center: http://www.esperanzacenter.org/

See gallery of photos below.

San Antonio observed International Women’s Day on Saturday, March 5, with its 21st annual celebration — a march of more than 1,000 that embraced issues of reproductive rights, attacks on transgendered people, local union struggles for nurses and hotel workers, and women’s demands for peace and justice. The spirited march through San Antonio culminated with poetry, music, and speeches. CodePink Austin participated for the second year.

I was unaware of International Women’s Day and its roots in U.S. labor struggles until 1970. As the women’s liberation movement was beginning to reshape my consciousness, I participated in a small celebration in the basement of an Austin campus-area church.

The March 8 events gathered scope and were observed throughout the 70s with activities that included women’s theater, skits, and workshops on global struggles for women’s rights from Asia to Iran to Austin. Workshops highlighted gay and lesbian rights and the dual oppression experienced by women of color.

It was a period in which women challenged countless barriers, including those to employment. Women filed lawsuits, or threatened them, to become Austin bus drivers, emergency medical technicians, firefighters, and cable splicers. Out of Austin came the historic legal challenge to abortion laws, Roe V. Wade. Women set up peer counseling services and demanded services for victims of rape and domestic abuse.

International Women’s Day is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. In many countries, it is a national holiday, a time when women and men honor the struggle for equality, justice, and peace. The United Nations has observed March 8 as International Women’s Day since 1975, a year designated by the UN as International Women’s Year.

The idea of an international day for women was advanced by socialist parties in the United States and other countries and propelled by the historic struggles for women’s suffrage and workplace rights at the turn of the century. In 1911, more than one million people attended worldwide rallies demanding the women’s right to vote, hold public office, and organize on the job to end discrimination.

Less than a week after these rallies, the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire in New York City took the lives of more than 140 women garment workers. It was a horrific fire with a devastating loss of life because women had been locked into the building. 100,000 people participated in the funeral march for the women workers. PBS has recently aired a documentary on this event.

In 1912, in the textile mills of Lawrence, Massachusetts, 20,000 workers walked out of the mills protesting wage cuts. Most of them were women. The strikers had a committee of 56 representing 27 languages.

The strikers — mostly immigrant women — won significant concessions and a placard, “Bread and Roses,” inspired a poem by James Oppenheim that was later set to music by Caroline Kohlsaat. The song, “Bread and Roses,” captures the spirit of International Women’s Day.

In 1917, with two million Russian soldiers dead as the result of World War I, women chose the last Sunday in February to strike for “bread and peace.” Four days later, the Czar was forced to abdicate and the provisional Government granted women the right to vote. That historic Sunday fell on the 23rd of February on the Julian calendar then in use in Russia, but on March 8 on the Gregorian calendar in use elsewhere.

Fast forward to today. We can see the legacy of the second wave feminist victories from women’s leadership in countless progressive organizations to a woman president of the Texas AFL-CIO. But we are witnessing historic backlash with assaults on reproductive choice and funding for programs as important as domestic and international family planning.

At the University of Texas, the Center for Women’s and Gender Studies was singled out for severe cuts. In Wisconsin, we not only see an assault on workers’ rights, but on teachers — a field in which women workers are the majority. It is my hope that this International Women’s Day will mark the beginning of an era in which progressive fights converge as effectively as Austin’s pro-choice rally merged with the Wisconsin workers support rally on Saturday, February 26.

The rising of the women is the rising of us all!

[Alice Embree is a long-time Austin activist, organizer, and member of the Texas State Employees Union. A former staff member of The Rag in Austin and RAT in New York, and a veteran of SDS and the women's liberation movement, she is now active with CodePink Austin and Under the Hood Café. Embree is a contributing editor to The Rag Blog and is treasurer of the New Journalism Project.]

Peeking through the pink peace symbol above is The Rag Blog‘s Alice Embree.
International Women’s Day in San Antonio. Group of photos above by Susan Van Haitsma / The Rag Blog.




Lower group of photos by Alice Embree / The Rag Blog.

Note from Texas Labor Against the War:  Here are a couple of historical photos we

Bread & Roses strike, Lawrence, Mass., 1912 (photo from socialistworker.org)

 found:

International Women's Day in St. Petersburg, 1917 (photo from cpcml.ca)

http://www.austinpeacecenter.org/

What: Festivál por la Paz y la Justicia en City Hall / Festivál at City Hall for Peace & Justice 

When: Saturday, March 19, 2011 @ Noon until 3:00 p.m.

Where: City Hall Plaza, 301 W. 2nd St. (Cesar Chavez side)

WHO: Coalition of community organizations – listed at bottom

(Austin, Texas) Festivál at City Hall for Peace & Justice, slated for Saturday March 19 in the heart of downtown Austin, will be the city’s first multicultural gathering of its kind. Festivál at City Hall will bring together many of the city’s musicians, activists and organizations in an effort to unite the city’s swelling ethnic communities in a musical celebration.

TxLAW note:  We are listed above as a sponsor of this event.  We are not aware of having been asked to be a sponsor.  While we support any actions opposing the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and many other social justice issues, we are not promoting one action over another on March 19, 2011, when there are 2 worthwhile events occurring in Austin, TX, at the same hour. 

New Priorities Meeting, Washington DC, October 3, 2010 from Mike Prokosch on Vimeo.

see also: http://www.uslaboragainstwar.org/article.php?id=23246

How can we move our money from the Pentagon to our communities, fund the jobs and services we need?

On October 3 2010, some 26 peace, racial and economic justice organizations came together and founded a network to support the long-term organizing it will take. This video features short statements about challenges we’ll face: breaking down the silos between movements, building power at the grassroots, organizing for the long term, focusing on what matters to our neighbors, connecting the economic pain of today with the ‘justice economy’ that’s possible.

Speakers are: Michael Eisenscher and Michael Zweig, USLAW; Phyllis Bennis, IPS; Alan Charney, US Action; Steve WIlliams, POWER and GGJ; Aaron Hughes, IVAW; Judith Le Blanc, Peace Action; Lisa Savage, Code Pink and Bring Our War $ Home; Joanie Parker, 1199SEIU and the Boston Coalition to Fund Our Coalition – Cut Military Spending 25%; Michael Leon Guerrero, Grassroots Global Justice.

LEARN MORE