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This is a letter of remembrances in memoriam for my friend Gene Akins who passed away recently. Gene was a lifelong bonafide card carrying Industrial Workers of the World ‘Wobblie’ and a lifelong anarchist.
“Jasper: I remember the time the Wobblies…”
Mack: Wobblies!
Jasper: You said one big union!
Mack: Yes, one big union..but we ain’t annarkists an’ we don’t believe in violence. No weapons ,no force unless your attacked.”
-- Langston Hughes 1930’s play HARVEST
Hello Comrades, Friends and Allies
This is a letter of remembrances in memoriam for my friend Gene Akins who passed away recently. Gene was a lifelong bonafide card carrying Industrial Workers of the World ‘Wobblie’ since the early 1960’s. Sure he let his dues lapse for years at a time, but he always carried around that crumpled up red dues booklet in his wallet EVERYWHERE and was proud of it. He was also the first Wob I met in the 90’s down here in Texas. He was also a lifelong anarchist.
In his more raucous years he had done time at the notorious Angola Prison aka The Farm in Louisiana (which also still holds two former members of the Black Panther Party known the Angola 3) during the 60s for drugs, gotten clean and had worked towards social, environmental and economic justice pretty much since then.
He was a cantankerous agitator and old school organizer with a big heart, who worked doing community organizing with a lot of recovering addicts, adding a political foundation to their world views and understanding.
He also opened my political philosophy of what he called ‘real’ labor history and not the distortions of labor we are sold now. He also gave me tools to organize across cultural boundaries. He would say “If you want people without cars, phones, safety nets or privilege to participate then you help them to participate”. I went around with him in his old van picking up people to drag to meetings and rallies of all sorts, if they didn’t have phones then you went to check on them, and if the electricity was cut off you helped them get through that month; he showed me the value of supporting people in political organizing. Helping to build their power and self sufficiency as they also worked to help others.
He was a street philosopher who loved dialectics and always stressed the idea of little ‘a’ anarchism. He reminded me that it was freedom of thought, not dogma to be followed like a sheep. He would always bring libraries worth of things to read for people in his old van, always suggesting books, pamphlets and essays by writers many had never heard of. He turned me onto better books about anarchism, how many of the Wobblies had been anarchists, and how personal liberty was tied to collective struggle.
Gene often said “…if it describes you or your actions just claim the damn thing.” It wasn’t a label to box ourselves in with. To him it was a badge of honor, and a point of reference—an opening to possibilities. I had come home politically and philosophically to something that made sense, and wasn’t always full of ‘old dead guy’ language. It lived and spoke on many levels about us as individuals and about our worlds simultaneously especially in Dallas which was never an oasis for libertarian thought—even in its small DIY or punk circles. Gene and I didn’t always agree on issues and topics, but at least we had good debates and tried out ideas. That loaded and distorted ‘A’ word took on a positive meaning in my life for the first time.
Anarchism became just common sense thoughts or actions wrapped in political language. It became the integrated foundation I wanted to work and grow from. Gene had provided the spark for this revolutionary path with many questions --and others would fill in the gaps as I learned more. I thank him for that spark.
He was no saint and he would never want anyone to think otherwise, but he was gutsy, real and he was sincere. He struggled all his life and influenced and supported many people in making their lives better. Gene Akins deserves his place in our canons of Texas anarchist and labor heritage. You my friend will be missed by many. Your final and long struggle with death is over, please rest as you smile down on us.
You'll get pie in the sky when you die
Gene Akins
1937-2010
Still Dreaming of Collective Liberation and recognizing my roots
scott crow
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by John Garvey Addressing the questions of strategy and tactics in the anarchist movement, with specific reference to the roles the Black Block tactic, and militant direct action, play in our movement.
These questions are particularly important due to the debate that has re-erupted after the “Heart Attack” protest on Feb. 13 in Vancouver and the upcoming G8 / G20 protests in Toronto.
I take it for granted that militant direct action and revolutionary violence are a necessary part of any movement that aims to be revolutionary in practice, as well as in theory and rhetoric. I reject the idea and practice of “revolutionary non-violence” as both theoretically misleading and historically inaccurate.
This isn’t to say that non-violent political action doesn’t have a large role to play in social movements. It is to say that social movements should be both theoretically and practically prepared to accomplish their goals through revolutionary violence if that is what will be most effective. That said, we need to clarify what “diversity of tactics” means, and to continually examine both the tactics we are using and our strategy in protests and in movement building .
Let’s Keep Pushing: Physically and Analytically
At the peaceful protest in Vancouver on Feb. 12, after the black block had been asked to take the front lines against the police by the elders who were leading the march and to push through the police line in order to reach the Olympic Stadium, there was a young woman who kept insisting that we push through the police line. If everyone there had been willing to push forward, if there had been greater unity, tactically speaking, we probably could have done it and then we would have crashed the opening ceremonies…Imagine that! Sadly, there simply wasn’t enough people who were committed to pushing through the police lines to accomplish this.
All the attention that is currently focused on the issue of tactics and strategy and violence and non-violence has created an opportunity for those of us who want to see a militant movement to push back against the idea that social movements are merely a leftish “loyal opposition.” It is an opportunity to argue for a greater diversity of tactics than currently exists as well and to continue subverting the hegemony of the pacified, “non-violent” social activism that has pervaded the “radical left” in Canada for the past 4 decades.
In the last 10 years the radical left in Canada has been able to push the discussion called “diversity of tactics” far enough that it is a constant theme in mass mobilizations here. At the least it is a discussion that political activists of all stripes are familiar with, and many feel that they have to engage with, either for or against.
In addition to all of this, the discussion around the “Heart Attack” demonstration has created an opportunity for the anarchist movement to engage in much needed discussion about strategy and tactics. Articles like those by Mick Sweetman, David Rovics and others, while I strongly disagree with many points they made, both involve anarchists thinking strategically about the anarchist movement.
Feature continued on newswire >>
Join DC activists for the November vigil in Georgia.
November 20-22, 2009: Vigil and Nonviolent Direct ActionConverge on Fort Benning, Georgia
Join the Mass Mobilization to Close the School of the Americas and to Change U.S. Foreign Policy
In less than 2 weeks, thousands will converge on Fort Benning, Georgia to say no to military coups, military violence and the training of repressive forces at the School of the Americas. Join union workers, students, religious communities and grassroots activists from across the Americas from November 20-22, 2009 at the gates of Fort Benning to commemorate the martyrs and to take a stand for justice. It is up to us to change oppressive U.S. foreign policy since we can only hope for as much as we are willing to work for.
Click here to visit the new November Vigil Rideboard. (see links to transportation, hotel & other logistical information on the bottom of this posting.)
Speakers and MusiciansAmong the many featured performers on the stage at the gates of Fort Benning and in the Columbus Convention Center will be the Indigo Girls, the Hip Hop groups Rebel Diaz and Kuumba Lynx, Emma's Revolution, Candy Garcia, the lead vocalist of the Salvadoran folk band Grupo Musical Horizontes and many more.
The high-profile line up of speakers includes Bernardo Vivas of the Cacraica Community for Self-Determination, Life, and Dignity (CAVIDA) from Colombia, South Bronx community organizers and immigrant rights activists Victor Toro and Nieves Aires, Catholic Worker and Plowshares activist Liz McAllister, Bertha Oliva, the coordinator of the Committee of Relatives of the Disappeared in Honduras and others who are active in the resistance against the SOA graduate-led military coup.
Anti-Militarization Convergence: Panels, Workshops, Film Screening and Benefit Concerts
Throughout the weekend of the vigil, the Columbus Convention Center, the Howard Johnson Inn and the Days Inn will once again be transformed by passionate social justice energy as thousands gather to attend dozens of workshops and gatherings! Traditional workshops, films, media presentations, theatrical performances, concerts and art displays will all take place.
Here's a sneak peak at what this year's schedule has to offer:
Feature continued on newswire >>
Because of your special drive and commitment
Because of your special drive and commitment
You started before the first shots were fired in Iraq. You were planting a garden, moving stones and you opened the Crawford Peace House in order to support and offer a venue for activists who came to Crawford, and to voice an alternative point of view to the White House Peace Corps. You filled the streets of Crawford, were arrested, convicted, exonerated on appeal and initiated a suit, which made it easier for later demonstrators in Crawford.
You converged on Cindy Sheehan's Prairie Chapel Road camp, from around the country and from around the world. At some point in that August full of scorching heat and earth shaking thunder, you awoke the conscience of America and reinvigorated a movement. When you were told you couldn't camp in the bar ditches, you refused to move, were again taken to jail, were convicted and then exonerated, making it easier for future protesters to approach the Bush Ranch.
You went to Washington, showed the blood on the hands of members of the administration, and hurled shoes on the White House lawn.
You were one of the four who were the first to go to Bush's Preston Hollow neighborhood in Dallas, to demand that he be held accountable.
You have done so much to point out the misdeeds of George W. Bush, always doing it with conviction, passion and courage.
Once again, your conviction, passion and courage are needed. The University Park, Texas Planning and Zoning Commission has scheduled an open forum to discuss rezoning for the Bush Presidential Center. The presidential center will include a policy institute, whose stated mission is to promote the policies of the Bush administration. Once again, we need you, who have done so much to stand up and say NO WAR CRIMINAL ! NO POLICY INSTITUTE!
The rally will be outside (and inside) the University Park City Hall, 3800 University, University Park, Texas, at 3:45, this Tuesday, November 10.
Who else is going to do it, if not you who have already done so much!
Feature continued on newswire >>
This October and November, David Irving, a British neo-fascist and fraudulent historian, goes on the road in the United States, planning to hold dozens of speaking engagements over the course of two months. As militant anti-racists and anti-fascists, we are making a public call for resistance at each stop along the way of this tour.
In his earlier tour of July--focusing on western states--Irving encountered protest at approximately one quarter of his tour dates. Irving’s current tour contains dates on the East Coast, in the Midwest and the South. We urge all communities in which the tour passes through to send a clear message that fascist organizing is not welcome!
Who is David Irving?
David Irving is a British writer who has been involved with the fascist political scene since the 1960s. Always known for the pro-Hitler bias of his books, approximately two decades ago Irving made the transition to being a fully-fledged Holocaust-denier, when he testified at the trial of neo-Nazi Ernst Zündel in Canada, and also arranged the publication of Fred Leuchter’s widely-refuted report on gas chambers at Auschwitz. In addition to spreading blatant historical lies, Irving has publicly stated that “The Jews are the architects of their own misfortune.” Unsurprisingly, Irving was a popular speaker at neo-Nazi rallies in Germany (until he was banned from the country.)
In the British libel case Irving v. Penguin Books and Lipstadt, the final ruling in favor of the defendants confirmed that Irving “is an active Holocaust denier” and that “he is anti-Semitic and racist and that he associates with right-wing extremists who promote neo-Nazism.” In 2006, Irving was jailed in Austria after pleading guilty to a charge of “trivializing the Holocaust,” which is a crime in that county. Since his release, Irving has been marketing himself as a former “political prisoner.”
Why Oppose These Events?
Irving’s current tour focuses on “"Re-writing history, using the decoded Nazi messages" (Focal Point Publications website). The re-writing of Third Reich history--especially in relation to the Nazi “Final Solution” for Europe’s Jewish population--is a major item on the agenda of modern neo-Nazis and neo-fascists, who correctly believe that memory of the Holocaust is a significant barrier to the mainstreaming of their beliefs. The Holocaust is denied so that, paradoxically, it can be repeated. Wherever Irving appears, he is backed and promoted by virulent anti-Semites and fascist organizers.
Irving’s bogus history is both blatantly offensive and incorrect. However, we oppose Irving not for what he thinks, but rather for what he does. As the name of his own publishing project suggests, Irving serves as a “focal point” to bring Jew-haters and goose-steppers together. He is part of a political tendency that is actively organizing to tear apart communities, and in particular to persecute Jewish people. James von Brunn’s murder of a security guard at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is one example of where this anti-Semitic and neo-Nazi tendency can lead. Von Brunn moved within many of the same circles that promote Irving’s work.
We believe that fascist activism and movement-building should meet with organized resistance. As the Anti-Racist Action Network puts it in their Points of Unity:
“Whenever fascists are organizing or active in public, we're there. We don't believe in ignoring them or staying away from them. Never let the nazis have the street!”
We invite you to help this effort along, by organizing in your own community.
When and Where?
related link: http://news.infoshop.org/article.php?story=20091004133710408 Feature continued on newswire >>
Oct 2nd, 2009 by Will Potter
Green Is the New Red .com
An environmental activist has been arrested in connection with the 2006 attempted arson of homes under construction in Pasadena, California. The government says the action is connected to the Earth Liberation Front.
The FBI alleges that DNA found on cigarettes left at the scene (as part of the incendiary device) matched the DNA of Stephen James Murphy, 43. The FBI says Murphy’s DNA was in a state database for a previous arrest.
The Sept. 19, 2006, incident was unsuccessful, the incendiary device failed to ignite, but the next day “workers at the site could not start a tractor, where a note had been written in permanent marker that read ‘ANOTHER TRACTOR DECOMMISSIONED BY THE E.L.F.’”
I just talked to Murphy’s girlfriend, who said, “Steve is one of the kindest and gentlest souls I have ever met. He would never harm a fly let alone jeapordize harming people, animals, or the environment. Not only was he an animal rights activist but he also did humanitarian aid and human rights work. Steve was a friend to everyone in need. Always.”
I’ll keep you posted as more comes out about this case and Stephen Murphy. But here’s something to think about: this is a three-year-old crime that wasn’t successful, didn’t harm anyone, and only involved some vandalism to a tractor. One tractor. And this guy has been extradicted from Texas, and the FBI and prosecutors are moving forward with charges against him (of course it’s too early to say, but given the history of similar ELF cases, a terrorism enhancement penalty could come into play).
Meanwhile, prosecutors don’t have money for DNA testing in death penalty cases. But they can do it for a tractor.
Support Steve Murphy
More info on the non-violent ELF
More links are not provided at this time due to suspicions of law enforcement false fronts. For a moderately-secure search-scraper, go to
Scroogle.org related link: http://www.greenisthenewred.com/blog/earth-liberation-front-arrest-california/2255/ Comment on this feature >>
The Phoenix Project is a new DYI space in Dallas.
It will house the IWW, Food Not Bombs, a bike collective and many other organizations.
The opening will be Saturday July 25 at 4:00 pm. There will be many bands, free vegan BBQ (unless you bring your own dead animal). $12 to get in or $10 with a book donation for the library.
OUR MISSION: To provide a safe convergence space & community available & open to all individuals pursuing radical, progressive change in our Dallas community. We welcome persons of any age, color, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, gender preference, or lifestyle. To provide local musicians, film-makers, artists, etc. with opportunities to share their talents with the community at regular events. We will also host and encourage a variety of progressive meet-ups to address and resolve local concerns & injustices.
related link: http://www.myspace.com/sea_wench Comment on this feature >>
In July of 2006, Cindy Sheehan called for a fast, demanding that the troops be brought home. As a kickoff for the Troops Home Fast, a group of Texas activists picketed outside the East Gate of Fort Hood in Killeen. There were some soldiers who helped the demonstrators, such as a sergeant who gave some of the demonstrators a place to spend the night, and 2 or 3 who helped the demonstrators prepare for the action, by setting up signs and making runs to the store. But Killeen is mainly an Army town, and the main reaction shown to the demonstrators was hostility, including one soldier, who got into the face of a demonstrator who was carrying an inverted American Flag (an internationally recognized symbol of distress). The soldier got so heated, that it looked as if he might attack the woman who was holding the flag, until the media's cameras came.
Recently, the Under the Hood coffee shop was opened, to offer haven to those soldiers who wished to get away from the Army culture, or oppose our wars. Cynthia Thomas, a soldier's wife runs Under the Hood, and she organized an antiwar march for this Memorial Day. Around 75 people showed up from Austin, Killeen and the Metroplex. Most exciting was the fact that there were a number of vets and active duty personnel from the fort.
Among these was Victor Agosto. I first became acquainted with Victor thanks to the Dallas Peace Center's communications director, Trish Major. She asked if I would consent to do an interview with Victor Agosto. I wasn't acquainted with the name, but when she told me that he was a soldier at Fort Hood who had refused deployment to Afghanistan, I said that I would be honored. I interviewed him while he was enroute to Austin. The interview can be read in the latest Dallas Peace Times.
The socialistworker.org reported that while in Iraq, he thought about what he was doing as a communications technician. He said "Combat soldiers are only responsible for the people they kill. It's difficult to quantify the effects of my actions, how much suffering I've helped make possible.
Victor refused conscienrtious objector status because "I am not a pacifist.... I just won't take part in another imperialist war." On April 30, Victor informed his company commander that he would not go to Afghanistan. On May 1, he wrote on his Army counseling statement, which soldiers are given after refusing to follow an order "There is no way I will deploy to Afghanistan. The occupation is immoral and unjust. It does not make the American peopla any safer. It has the opposite effect." On May 14, Victor refused to do maintenance on trucks headed to Afghanistan. On May 19, he refused his first sergeant's order to report for medical treatment and prepare his paperwork, both necessary for deployment to Afghanistan. On May 15, Victor was charged under Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice with disobeying and disrespecting a non commissioned officer. He denies disrespecting the sergeant. He has not yet decided whether to accept the Article 15, which could mean a reduction in rank and pay, or have a court martial, which could mean jail time.
Victor refuses to go AWOL, although he has been advised by his first sergeant to "Take the easy way out". Refusing any orders to do any duty conmtributing to the war effort, he has been doing such jobs as sweeping and pulling weeds.
When I met Victor on Memorial Day, I found him to be a quiet and amiable man with unshakeable convictions. He took time to find and introduce me to Sergeant Travis Bishop. Travis is a country music performer, who has opened for the likes of Toby Keith. he went AWOL, when his unit deployed to Afghanistan. He told Common Dreams that the occupation is immoral and it would be immoral for him to go. "I love my country, but I believe this particular war is unjust and unconstitutional...In the next few days, I will be talking to my lawyer and taking actions that will more than likely result in my dismissal from the military and possible jail time...My father said 'Do only what you can live with, because every morning you have to look at your face in the mirror when you shave...' If I had deployed to Afghanistan, I don't think I would have been able to look into another mirror again."
The marchers left Under the Hood at around noon. Without a permit, the city limits the number of people who can march down the street to 25, so we divided into three groups, and marched to the East Gate of the fort. We went to the same deserted gas station that we stood at in 2006. And what a difference! As we marched, I heard two negative comments. The number of honks, waves and positive comments, I couldn't begin to report accurately. As we marched, we chanted "Get up! Get down! There's an antiwar movement in this town!" And, it's true. Soldoers marched with us; soldiers and townspeople shouted encouragement at us.
When the war in Iraq began, activists were in a very small minority, being cursed by passers by and having to dodge firecrackers, half full pop cans thrown at them, and cars which actually came up on the curb trying to hit them. After Camp Casey, things changed. We were in the majority, at least about Iraq. But though opinions had changed, the wars continued. Victor wrote "Politicians aren't going to stop this war...Soldiers are going to have to be the ones to end it. But, community support is crucial. It's difficult to make a stand in solitude..." A platoon sergeant warned Victor to stay away from his soldiers. "If the higher ups at Fort Hood seem nervous, it's for good reason. People have been supportive."
On the day after Memorial Day, Travis wrote on his Facebook page "Today's the day I turn myself in... Pray for me."
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We have been lied to by leaders—mostly the self appointed type--for generations and the time before that.
To Cynicism and the Circular Firing Squad that is Us
A reflection on the Common Ground Collective, leadership, myths and noble animals.
I am the son of my mother, and from the wrong side of the tracks.
I am not who you think I am, nor who you think I think I am. Did I just say that?
A riddle with meaning or meaningless riddles? I am just a person with hopes, ideas, shortcomings and insecurity and all the rest that shapes us. I say this all as a means of introduction to a part of who I am—to keep the conversation honest. I know you didn’t ask, but I thought I could interject if you didn’t mind, you know to help avoiding the continued confusion and awkwardness.
Sometimes I refer to myself as a jackass—with many apologies to the fine and beautiful creatures that are donkeys. I can be obstinate, I can kick up dust and
run from ‘the masters’—those who assume Power-- of my own will. Like donkeys I am able to carry many things—real and imagined burdens and loads. I may follow when told or I may walk away if the mood hits.
I am not the one dimensional myth or really the caricature that you want to make me. My motivations for actions were not script written to be understood for television by a professional team of writers in a dumbed-down fashion for all to understand. I know this about myself, as many of you also know about yourselves. But for some reason—training maybe?—we want to reduce complex concepts into simplistic forms of our own makings. Why is that?
We have been lied to by leaders—mostly the self appointed type--for generations and the time before that. We have seen the most ‘virtuous’ reduced to flaming ashes under the microscope. Even pillars like Emma Goldman and Martin Luther King have been toppled for being, well, human. Our society and history taught by Power reduced them to unrealistic one dimensional shadows of themselves—and we held them to it—no matter how improbable.
Now I am in no way comparing myself to the real or imagined people mentioned above, but I have seen a similar phenomenon arise. One where people tell you who you are that have never met you or asked you about yourself. A myth.
It can be flattering, disturbing and surreal.
We on the left and in radical circles in particular love—I mean love—to tear down leadership. It has almost become second nature. ‘They’ are the ‘leaders’—we must topple them. They need a good kicking to the shin—and maybe they do, especially when they claim a place on high that no one put them into. But what if the leaders are ourselves? I am speaking of the We, from the grassroots, in our various communities, who were empowered by our own people. Then do we kick our own shins until we fall?
We want transparency, we want democratic inclusion, we want our voices heard.
These are beautiful and noble ideals for us to live. But who amongst us decides that time and place for that? My small voice would say we need leadership not leaders. If we promote leadership with accountability from ourselves we won’t end up with self appointed leaders who don’t represent us.
I came to New Orleans in the fall of 2005 not to be a hero, but for survival of a good friend. It was part stupidity, part naivety—even at my age, and part willingness to do the right thing based on my political and social beliefs. And something happened. It was the right mix, right time and from that an organization grew.
But often stories change, evolve, and distort. We all like good stories don’t we?
When I say I co-founded the Common Ground Collective, really what I want to say is I synthesized ideas, concepts and work that existed even before I was on the planet. I wasn’t beamed from a distant galaxy on a white horse with profound
information and skills. Quite the contrary, I am a high school dropout who believes in collective liberation because I believe there are many people much smarter than I about solving problems—and I am glad for that. It gives my aching brain a rest and my soul assurances that we can all do it together.
Oh yes back to stories, so if we have been taught that leaders are assholes, not to trust anyone—not even ourselves, our voices have been diminished over and over, and that people who came before us did things we could never do because they were beyond human. Were Che or Mother Theresa even from this planet?
Because of these things we have formed in our circles of comrades, networks and affinity groups our own circular firing squads. If we cannot take down the enemy then let’s take down each other. “Oh that is too harsh or your skin is too thin” I hear you say. Upon looking at my skin closer it could be transparent, I will have to look in better light when the sun comes up.
On the other matter though, if we are reactionary to any perceived leadership and project our own distortions of the stories we hear and repeat then how do we avoid the circular firing squad pitfalls?
Common Ground was built upon anarchist ideals and actions mixed with old school top down organizing. It was like the sea and a river meeting in a brackish mix. Sometimes it was more salty, and other times much more fresh—but always changing. Our pasts and History are hard to overcome without practice, mistakes, practice, mistakes and practice.
And that was/is Common Ground. Like a drummers left hand arguing with its right to play the correct rhythm we always struggled to find the balance within.
But an amazing thing happened along the way we did some things we set out to do. Our rhythm although syncopated, found voice within the cacophony of the aftermath of the levee failures. Our work, our goals which seemed important to us became important to those who really mattered—the communities we served.
Not the predominantly white activist communities, not the government and not
anyone who assumed to know what was best. But to the long term residents in the communities we served from Houma to Algiers to the 7th, 9th Wards to East New Orleans. They told us day in and day out, from the churches to the homeless that pieces we did mattered in their lives and their communities.
And a strange thing happened—we became victims and inheritors of our own success. We grew too big too quickly. Our stories grew, they took on lives of their own. We didn’t have PR firms to controlling the message, we had the voices of people who participated and they often carried the myths within them too.
The brackish water churned more vigorously over who or what we were. And the stories became myths like simplistic daytime soap operas. As the waters churned a few became sea sick while others were thrown ashore. This left the taste of bitterness in their mouths, and they spread those words to people who didn’t know us or care.
And the larger the myths became the greater the divide between reality and hurt.
And in that divide it became harder to find the truth or any truth.
But things change, fruit ripens, sky’s shift colors and so has Common Ground—and it is ok. We opened a crack in history to stretch out ideas and our beliefs about how to make the world better. Not because our egos said to, but because our hearts said to do something. It is what it is.
Oh and myself I am who I am, a father, a worker, a neighbor, and an anarchist. Just because some want to believe things about me or the work I have been a part of doesn’t make it anymore true. I do take leadership but I also remember to wash the dishes, and take out the trash as part of that. When I put my life on the line sometimes I wish I was in bed, and sometimes when I am in bed and I hear of some injustice, I wish I was putting my body on the line with others to stop it.
I am as confused as the next person who is looking for answers and solutions
for a just world. I have ideas but I also have many questions.
Nothing is perfect and who would want it to be that way really. Even donkeys have good days. I can only represent those who I work with or share values and principles. The others are left to voice their own concerns. My voice as small or loud as it is has a place just as all of ours does. And the complexities that we are and the things we engage in will always challenge our voices. Could we let out some rope instead of pulling it tighter on each other?
Hopefully , someday we will as movements be healed of our reactionary nature to tear down the little good we have or build, we can cast aside cynicism—the tools of capitalism that separates us—and we will be able to believe and trust again;
in ourselves and in each other. I will continue to kick the dust in the face of those who assume to have power over and walk with my comrades on our paths with our own burdens.
Still Dreaming of Collective Liberation
scott crow
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Please forward this message around:
This is Noor Elashi, the daughter of a defendant in the Holy Land Foundation Retrial.
During the past three weeks, I have felt my heart shatter a few times as I witnessed prosecutors use vindictive approaches such as character assassination, fear-mongering and guilt by association as an attempt to convict my dad.
Sitting in the courtroom, I've felt my blood boil and freeze and boil again in a few seconds time. And as I looked behind me, my eyes scanning the room in search for faces of encouragement and moral support, I found that it was mostly empty with the majority of the benches unoccupied.
My dad and these men ran the largest American Muslim charity, saving hundreds of thousands of lives worldwide. We should be tremendously proud of them. They were honorable leaders in their communities. And now, they are paying a price for sponsoring orphans, assisting widows, equipping clinics, planting trees and wiping away tears.
I know you have your jobs and schoolwork and other priorities. But what if this was your dad, your uncle, your cousin, your husband or your best friend?
Gratitude from the bottom of my heart goes out to everyone who has attended so far. I sincerely hope to see the rest of you soon.
Next week, the retrial will run from Tuesday, Oct. 14 to Friday, Oct. 17. For the following four weeks or so, the retrial will take place Mondays through Thursdays. You can come ANYTIME between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. (There is a lunch break between 12:30 and 1:30 p.m.)
To read about the case so far, visit http://www.freedomtogive.com
Thanks,
Noor Elashi
A Proud Daughter of Ghassan Elashi
related link: http://www.freedomtogive.com Feature continued on newswire >>
“A-bil-ene, A-bil-ene, meanest jail I ever seen!” says Diane Wilson, co-founder of Texas Jail Project
Join her and other volunteers from around the state at a Texas Jail Project rally in Abilene when Texans speak out about mistreatment of inmates in the Taylor County Jail.
When: Wednesday, October 15, at 1pm
Where: Taylor County Courthouse, 300 Oak Street, by the Veterans Memorial, Abilene, Texas
What: At this press conference, speakers will present information about abuse and neglect over the past several years and as recently as this July. We invite former inmates, family members of inmates and musicians to attend. We'll make music, chant and march. Bring your tambourine and your drum! Warm up your voice and tune up your guitar! We will raise a ruckus!
Why: In Taylor County Jail, medical treatment is poor and sometimes non-existent. Inmates with mental disorders often are not issued their medication, but are instead harassed. Punishment for in-jail infractions, which should be limited to institutionally approved sanctions, too often includes covert verbal and physical abuse. The employees’ refusal to recognize the civil rights of inmates, along with the generally inhumane and violent culture they accept and perpetuate, is evident in the reports filed at the Texas Commission on Jail Standards.
Read examples of abuse in this letter on the TJP website:
http://texasjailproject.org/news/chaplain_exposes_taylor_county_jail
For more info: Diana@texasjailproject.org
Sponsored by Texas Jail Project
texasjailproject.org
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The Bush Administration has systematically compromised the neutrality and independence of the U.S. Justice Department. For proof, look at Monica Goodling and Kyle Sampson. These aides of the last two U.S. Attorneys General, Alberto Gonzalez and John Ashcroft, recently admitted to have favored professed loyalists to President George W. Bush for high-level jobs in the Justice Department. To the aides, admiration for the president was more desirable than upholding justice.
Least surprised by these “new” revelations are American Muslims and their organizations, all victims of unrelenting persecution and harassment by the Bush Justice Department since the ill-fated day of Sept. 11, 2001. As proof of President Bush’s arrogant abuse of power, American Muslims point to the continuing saga of the Dallas-based Holy Land Foundation (HLF). In next month’s retrial, federal prosecutors will be desperately seeking the conviction of any one of the five defendants as a present for Bush before he leaves Washington for retirement in Dallas.
While the prosecution did not accuse the five defendants of committing any acts of terrorism, it argued that by providing humanitarian aid to Palestinian children, the HLF indirectly helped Hamas by freeing up its resources to attack Israel. The government admitted, however, that the Palestinian groups the HLF was accused of helping also received aid from US AID and several European Union countries at the same time.
So why is the HLF being singled out?
"It is a political witch hunt to appease an expansionist power in the Middle East. It is a sure sign we are living in Orwellian times when those who provide food, clothing, and shelter to the hungry and destitute are demonized as criminals as if Palestinian children are not worthy of what every child needs," said John Wolf, a Dallas-area human rights activist.
After lasting two months, the first HLF trial ended in a mistrial; the 14-year federal investigation into HLF conducted in concert with international intelligence agencies across three continents yielded no convictions out of more than 200 indictments. For the first time in American history, a national of a foreign country was allowed to "secretly" testify against American citizens in a U.S. court. The accused were not allowed to question their accuser.
related link: http://www.hungryforjustice.org Feature continued on newswire >>
As the dusk grew deeper, the block of Speer near Blake St. was a crazy melange of protesters, police, bystanders, vendors and evangelists. The general mood was one of confusion and elation. But across a small park, which is less than half a block wide, the mood was radically different; it was one of quiet intensity. There, a line of 70 to 100 Iraq Veterans Against War, in uniform and in formation began to march towards a waiting line of grim faced, black suited and jack booted police.
Feature continued on newswire >>
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