The Wonderful Weekly!
Community Action and Social Justice Coalition
Don’t let Rick Perry's presence go unprotested.
Be there, in front of Katzen, from 5:45-730, or anytime in between. Bring signs, or at least your body and your voice.
This is NOT a partisan issue. This is about standing up against Rick Perry's disgraceful beliefs and track record.
Join Eco-Sense for a week of events all about water!
Monday-
Water bottle demonstration - Quad
Tuesday-
Water bottle demonstration and water taste test - Quad
World Water Crisis Panel - 5:30 - 7pm in MGC 1
http://www.facebook.com/events/384427991582424/
Wednesday-
Tapped Screening - 1-4pm in Kay Lounge
http://www.facebook.com/events/187619248017674/
Discussion of Fracking - 5-6pm in MGC 6
http://www.facebook.com/events/390416374303495/
Thursday-
Defending the Gulf Screening - 7-9pm in MGC 247
Screening of Not In Our Town: Class Actions
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
6:30 p.m.
Where:
Center for American Progress
1333 H Street NW, 10th Floor
Washington, DC 20005
Join Campus Progress for a screening of Not in Our Town: Class Actions, a film featuring stories of students and their communities standing together to stop hate and bullying. The panel discussion following the screening will feature activists and policy analysts, including:
· Artair Rogers, Ole Miss Activist featured in Not In Our Town: Class Action
· Julie Ajinkya, Policy Analyst, Progress 2050, Center for American Progress
· Melissa Cole, Ole Miss Activist featured in Not In Our Town: Class Actions
· Libby McInerny, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Campaign Development, Not In Our Town
· Moderator: Eduardo Garcia, Immigration Advocacy Associate, Campus Progress
Center for Community Engagement and Service
On March 24th the Roosevelt Institute will host the 2012 Millennial Voice Conference at American University in MGC 4-5. Hear from students and young professionals from across the country discuss and frame the Millennial's perspectives on issues facing this Generation including citizenship, foreign policy, the economy and entrepreneurship, and education. For more information and to save your spot, register here: http://millennialvoiceconference.eventbrite.com/.
On Tuesday, March 27th in Kay Spiritual Center at 3:00pm the Center for Latin American and Latino Studies will host a panel discussion, "Churches in Latin America: Dealing with Violence". This is a conversation on the role of the church in past and present human rights concerns. For more information please contact Meredith Glueck at megl...@american.edu or 202-885-6178. If you need special accommodations to fully participate in this event, please contact 202-885-3321 or ks...@american.edu
Come celebrate the life and legacy of Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero on the 32nd Anniversary of his Martyrdom in El Salvador. The event will be held on Thursday, March 29th at 11:00 a.m. Kay Center Chapel American University and is followed by lunch. Contact Christine Gettings at 202-885-3321 for more information.
Center for Peace Building and Development
Reclaiming the Power of Nonviolence: Successes, Strategies, and Sustainability of Nonviolent Movements in the Arab Spring is proud to release the schedule for the upcoming two-day symposium on March 29 and 30. Below, please see the completed schedule with information on the various panels and panelists involved. The panel topics range from Nonviolent Organization and Strategies for Success to Marginalized Groups in Nonviolent Political and Social Movements. The symposium will bring together activists who were involved in the epochal movements of 2011 from the Middle East and North Africa and international theoreticians to promote a dialogue about nonviolent activism.
This two day symposium will also feature a keynote address from Jawdat Said, a leader in the study of Islam and nonviolence movements for over 40 years.
Food will be provided. Please RSVP by sending the attached form to c...@american.edu or call 202-885-2112.
Ten Days for Tibet
Hello All!
My name is Kaeley Jo Majewski and I am apart of AU’s Students for Tibet organization run by Professor Susan McDonic. I am writing to you all to let you know about all the wonderful things American University Students for Tibet and the Department of Sociology have planned for the 10 Days for Tibet during March 31- April 9, we have wonderful plans but not the full financial means to make them all come to fruition. So I am asking if you would be willing tocollaborate with us, and be included as co-sponsors for the events. I know this is a long email, but I am hoping that you might have an extra moment for a great cause and a wonderful series of events!
As you know this is a critical moment in terms of Tibet, we are seeing a massive upsurge of political resistance and protest within Tibet and a massive crackdown on the part of the Chinese government. This marks a major shift in Sino-Tibetan relations and a sign that things are changing rapidly. The shape of the conflict is changing and this will have large ripple effects from Asia around the world. What happens in Tibet now will have a profound effect on Asia overall and certainly for all minority groups within China. We want to seize the moment to raise awareness about an issue that simply gets an appallingly small amount of press coverage.
Below is a rough draft of what we plan to do, most have confirmed their interest and willingness to be involved. But how much of it comes to fruition depends, at least in part, upon you. We need to raise funds for advertising, small token gifts for the speakers, water for the speakers and performers and most significantly for the rights to one of the films and an honorarium for the filmmaker. We are looking to raise $2,000- 2,500.00 in total from all different student groups departments and local organizations. If you think you can help and want to be involved please contact Susan McDonic at 202-885-2490 or at mcd...@american.edu . Every little bit helps. Seriously. Every little bit helps. Nearly all of the people listed below will be donating their time and energy, and in some cases paying their own travel. I hope that we can work together to make a great and important event on campus, hopefully one that can happen each year with new speakers and events.
All week, we will have a photo exhibit up in the Atrium of SOC that will be photos taken by Woeser's family (Woeser is a famous critical blogger under house arrest in Beijing) during the Cultural Revolution in Lhasa. This will complement the book talk on Tues. April 3. We will have prayer flags on the quad, will be walking each afternoon in a mock "Walk to Exile". We will have a photo project by current AU student Ellie Ezzell and if possible an altar set up in the library. We are working with Chef Mary at TDR to serve Tibetan food in the cafeteria and we will be selling a specialty drink (Chai) in the Davenport to raise funds for events such as these in the future.
(Below is still in the works, do not send out as advertising yet, I will follow up with the final schedule).
On March 31st, Bhante Guranatana is co-sponsoring with Guhyasamaja the teachings of the Gaden Jangtse monks at the Kay Spiritual Life Center.
World Peace Through Inner Peace
• • •
Saturday, March 31, 10 am – 12:30 pm Geshe Dorji Wangchuk discusses how inner peace and satisfaction arise from the cultivation of ethics — the foundation of Buddha’s teachings (in Tibetan with translation). After the talk, the monks will chant the mantra of Chenrezig.
In line with this we are trying to arrange for a children's group to perform traditional dances and musicians to come and perform on the quad from 1-2:30.
Monday April 2
Speaking Truth to Power in China
We will be screening the film "Leaving Fear Behind" This film was made just prior to the 2008 Beijing Olympics when filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen travelled around Tibet asking ordinary Tibetans what they thought of the Olympics. He managed to smuggle the film out of the country just before he was arrested and thrown in jail. This film was just shown March 9th in Times Square, here is an article about that event. http://www.filmingfortibet.org/2012/03/09/lhamo-tso-demands-release-of-her-husband-dhondup-wangchen/ We hope to have speakers from the International Campaign for Tibet, speak after the screening.
Tues April 3
Life Under Chinese Rule
We will be bringing Thubten Khetsun the author of the book:
to campus. He lived in Lhasa (the Tibetan capital) through the cultural revolution and is able to give a good sense of the history of the Chinese occupation. He will have copies of his book for sale and signing.
Wed. April 4
The Politics of Culture
We will screen the film "Tibet in Song" and bring in the filmmaker for a question and answer and discussion afterwards. This film has won 10 significant awards including the Jury award at Sundance.
Thurs April 5
Self Immolations and Changing Political Protest in Tibet
We will have a high profile panel discussion on the self-immolations in Tibet (as of today there have been 28 immolations) at least 25 in the last year. We will be bringing in Jigme Ugen, the vice President of the Tibetan Youth Congress from Minnesota. He has emerged as a leading voice in the struggle to raise awareness about Tibet and has met with President Obama, spoke in Times Square on March 9th, and has spoken at almost all the Ivy League universities on this issue. We are trying to arrange for two other speakers to speak with him in an exciting panel discussion.
Fri April 6th
Prayer Vigil for Self-Immolations in Tibet
We are collaborating with the International Campaign for Tibet to host the Gaden Jangtse monks to hold a prayer vigil for the self immolations and a candle light walk to the White House. This will be held at ICT
Sat April 7
Contemporary Tibetan Art and Poetry
We are putting together a panel of contemporary artists form the Mechak Center for Contemporary Tibetan artdiscussing their work and culture change in Tibet and exile. We will also have poetry readings from contemporary poets.
Mon April 10
Development and the Environment on the Tibetan Plateau
We will have a double presentation and discussion on the importance of working within Tibet to help change the material circumstances of Tibetans lives. It will begin with Losang Rabgey the founder of Machik (a development organization doing work inside Tibet) discussing their work and then move onto a presentation by Dekila Chungyalpa from the WWF to discuss the environment in Tibet.
I look forward to hearing from you and hope to have the schedule locked down by the middle of next week so that you can begin advertising the events. Please forward to any one, organizations, Departments or any student groups that you think might be interested and whose interests are covered here.
Yours sincerely,
Kaeley Majewski and Susan McDonic
AU Interfaith Council
Think Fast! and Interfaith Shabbat - This event will start with an Interfaith-friendly Shabbat service (6:00 pm Friday in Kay) followed by a $5 dinner (7:15 pm in McDowell Formal) where we will talk about the importance (or lack-thereof) of fasting in different faiths as well as our personal lives. The dinner will be vegetarian and Kosher.
Torah study starting up this week on Thursday from 4-6, come and go, outside of Hillel.
Trip to the Bahai Temple for an Interfaith Service this Sunday! Learn more about the Bahai faith!
The Institute on Religion and Public Policy
The Religious Freedom Project
invites you to:
Religious Freedom and Healthcare Reform
A DISCUSSION ON RELIGIOUS LIBERTY AND THE HHS MANDATE
with:
HELEN ALVARÉ, MARTIN LEDERMAN, MICHAEL MCCONNELL, AND MELISSA ROGERS
10AM - 12PM
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Fisher Colloquium
Hariri Building
Georgetown University
RSVP by Clicking Here
The Health and Human Services contraception mandate has revived the debate about the Obama administration's health care reform and its implications for religious freedom. The Berkley Center's Religious Freedom Project is convening several leading experts to explore the controversy from different legal, theological, and policy perspectives. Key questions to be addressed include: the role of religious freedom and conscience exemptions in American law, the US Catholic Bishops' criticisms of the health reform law and HHS mandate, and the prospects for a resolution of the controversy.
Participants:
HELEN M. ALVARÉ, Associate Professor of Law George Mason University School of Law
MARTIN LEDERMAN, Associate Professor of Law Georgetown University Law Center
MICHAEL MCCONNELL, Richard & Frances Mallery Professor of Law Stanford University Law School
MELISSA ROGERS, Director, Center for Religion & Public Affairs Wake Forest University School of Divinity
Moderator:
MICHAEL KESSLER, Associate Director, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs
Georgetown University
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AU STAND
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ORGANIZING MEETING TO SAY ENOUGH TO THE GOP's WAR ON WOMEN, WOMEN BASHING, SLUT SHAMING, AND CONTROL OF SEXUALITY AND REPRODUCTION
Dear Student Leaders,
My name is Amanda Sheldon and I am a second-year graduate student in the International Development Program at American University. I am writing to you as student leaders who are the heads of organizations at AU that care about the right of women to have control over their own bodies and sexuality. Some of your are close friends who I know care about these issues as well.
As I'm sure you are, I am sickened, outraged and have had enough of the Republicans legislative war on women's bodies, sexuality and life choices this election season. After reading about one of the latest legislative attacks which reeks of misogyny and state control - a bill which passed a policy committee in Arizona that would allow employers to fire women who cannot prove that they are taking birth control for non-sexual reasons - I have decided I simply cannot sit by any longer while this women-bashing continues.
For this reason, I am writing to invite you all to an organizing meeting at 8pm on Monday March 19th in the SIS Atrium to plan a coordinated action at AU that makes public our disgust with this war on women. If you are interested in attending this meeting, please email me. Additionally, please invite other organizations, friends or organizers who might be interested in participating in this event.
This has to stop, and silently mumbling in our apartments or dorm rooms while we read stories of ever more shameless attacks on women from friends Facebook feeds doesn't help us.
Thank you for taking the time to read this email, and I look forward to hearing from you and meeting those I do not know.
In solidarity,
Amanda
Peace Brigade International
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special invitation from Peace Brigades International and Nonviolent Peaceforce to attend official briefings in Washington, DC |
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You're invited to attend two briefings in Washington, DC, where we'll be promoting the use of unarmed civilian protection and protective accompaniment to defend human rights and support peace building around the world. Unarmed Civilian Peacekeeping: Protecting Civilians and Preventing Violence in Areas of Violent Conflict with Peace Brigades International (PBI) U.S. House of Representatives March 22, 2011, 10:00 - 11:00 am and US Institute for Peace, USIP From South Sudan to the Philippines, Guatemala to Nepal, specially trained, unarmed civilians are protecting civilians under threat and preventing violence from escalating in areas of violent conflict. Working on the basis of strict non-partisanship and at the invitation of local civil society, these peacekeepers apply field-tested strategies that create space for local actors to transform conflicts, protect human rights defenders and others made vulnerable by the conflict and support local violence prevention mechanisms. They bring on-the-ground realities of violent conflicts to national, regional and international levels.Their proactive presence provides a bridge between peacekeeping and peacebuilding. |
Askia Muhammed Tribute Committee
Speaking Truth to Power
Friday, March 23
Tribute begins at 7 p.m.
Reception begins at 6 p.m.
(refreshments will be served)
Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ
5301 North Capitol Street NE
Washington, D.C. 20011
Featured guest speakers include:
Ramsey Clark, former U.S. attorney general
Akbar Muhammad, International Representative of the Nation of Islam
Rev. Graylan Hagler, Senior Pastor, Plymouth Congregational Church
Patricia Pego Guerra, First Secretary, Cuban Interests Section, Republic of Cuba
Katea Stitt, WPFW Music & Cultural Affairs Coordinator
Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, Executive Director of the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund
Eugene Puryear, student organizer against mass incarceration
Nisa Muhammad, journalist
Brian Becker, National Coordinator of the ANSWER Coalition
Sponsored by the Askia Muhammad Tribute Committee
Askia Muhammad, currently the news director of Pacifica’s WPFW, and host of Spectrum and the Tuesday Morning Jazz Show on WPFW, will be honored at a special tribute on Friday, March 23 in recognition of his life and work as an independent journalist.
Fiercely independent, Askia Muhammad has devoted his life to covering the stories and issues that are largely missed or misreported in the corporate-owned media. His objective and insightful coverage of war, racism, colonialism, poverty and inequality from a global perspective have provided an invaluable counterpoint for the people of Washington, D.C., and the country.
His work as an independent journalist spans more than four decades. Askia’s esteemed career in journalism includes editing and reporting for a host of media outlets, including WPFW, The Final Call, The Washington Informer, National Public Radio's "All Things Considered," Soundprint Radio, Chicago Defender, The Washington Post "Outlook" Section and The Baltimore Sun. The former editor of Muhammad Speaks newpaper and a Washington correspondent since 1977, his reports date back to Soledad Prison Brother George Jackson, the trial of Angela Davis and the second inauguration of Richard Nixon, and span the terms of eight U.S. presidents.
Join us in this special tribute and show your support for Brother Askia Muhammad and the critical contribution of independent journalism at WPFW. As we honor and pay tribute to one individual we do so in the recognition of all those at WPFW and other independent media.
Community Action & Social Justice Coalition
http://www.aucasj.org/
Kay Spiritual Life Center
4400 Mass. Ave, NW
WDC 20016
Phone: 202 885 3333
Fax: 202 885 3317
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