Charges Dismissed for 11 Arrested for Good Friday Pentagon Witness
We learned Tuesday, and confirmed yesterday, that the government prosecutor is dismissing charges against the eleven of us who were arrested on Good Friday at the Pentagon, and that we don’t even have to appear in court tomorrow, May 18. It’s been a long time since the government has dismissed charges against nonviolent peacemakers and waived their court appearance. We can only speculate why. Thanks to each of you who have offered prayers and messages of support for our action and for our trial, which is now not taking place. Although we are being dismissed, our action isn’t forgotten. I and the others of us arrested will not forget the victims of our government’s warmaking crucified to a cross of warmaking and oppression. We will not forget the admonition of Jesus to “Put Away the Sword.” We will not forget the responsibility we have to nonviolently resist state-sanctioned killing and be peacemakers.. In response to the unrelenting violence of the Pentagon, and the glorification of war which will be on full display this weekend in Chicago at the NATO Summit, and at the annual Air Show at Andrews Air Force Base, let us pray that we can be channels of Jesus’ peace and reconciling love as we work to help create the Beloved Community.
Starvin’ for Justice Fast & Vigil and 13 Activists on Trial
Join us for the Annual Fast & Vigil in Washington, DC June 28th – July 2nd, 2012
The four-day Fast & Vigil takes place on the sidewalk in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, considered by many to be the heart of the legalized killing machines in this country. We hope you will consider joining the dozens of anti-death penalty activists who come regularly from across the U.S. and Canada – from Florida to Alaska and everywhere inbetween – to join together for public education and outreach at the steps of the Supreme Court. Click Here for more details for the schedule of events or more visit www.abolition.org
Support your friends in court June 27, 2012!
Trial begins for the 13 anti-death penalty protestors who unfurled a “STOP EXECUTIONS” banner on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court on January 17, 2012 – the 35th anniversary of the first modern-era execution in 1977. Come out to support the defendants as they make a stand against the death penalty and try for a win of the first amendment!
Location: Superior Court of the District of Columbia, 500 Indiana Ave, NW. We are scheduled to be in courtroom 220, but you should check the lobby monitors to confirm. Judge McKenna is the presiding Judge in the case. Click Here to learn more about the Jan 17th Action
Torture Survivor Week
Join TASSC International in June to Commemorate Survivor Week June 19th- 26th
BE PART OF THE SOLUTION: JOIN US FOR A WEEK OF ACTIVITIES IN JUNE
This June will mark the 15th anniversary of TASSC International’s June Survivor Week. We invite you to participate in our activities during the week, and to organize a local commemoration on June 26 in recognition of the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. During the week, survivors will participate in a three day human rights training, visit Congress, speak on different panels, and vigil in front of the White House. Go to www.tassc.org for more details.
Journey of Hope : June 22- July 2, 2012
Washington DC area Journey of Hope Tour
Journey of Hope speakers will be touring the DC area June 22-July 2, 2012. Speaking events are being planned for Northern Virginia, Washington, DC and Maryland. The Journey of Hope will culminate when we join with the Abolitionist Action Committee’s 19th annual Fast and Vigil June 29-July 2 at the US Supreme Court. The Journey of Hope has been a big part of the Fast and Vigil since it began in 1994.
If you are interested in hosting a speaking event for your church, school, college and/or community group during these dates, please contact the Journey at info@JourneyofHope.org.
The Journey of Hope…from Violence to Healing is led by murder victim family members who are opposed to the death penalty. We travel around the country and around the world sharing our stories of from Violence to Healing and talk about how the death penalty has nothing to do with the healing that murder victim family members need when a loved one has been killed, but how in fact it continues the cycle of violence and creates more victim family members. We say stop the killing. We have seen enough. Death row family members, exonerated and other abolition activists join our Journey speaking teams to help put the human face on the issue of the death penalty.
Speakers include Shujaa Graham, Terri Steinberg, Charity Lee, Randy Gardner, Scott Langley, Art Laffin, Bill Pelke and others. Speaking events are free, although love offerings or honorariums are welcomed. The Journey of Hope is a 501 c 3 non-profit organization. Events will be scheduled on a first come, first serve basis. For more info go to journeyofhope.org
The Risk of the Cross
Swords into Plowshares
JFK and the Unspeakable: Why He Died and Why It Matters
Democracy Now!
Common Dreams
Winter Soldier 2008
The Story of Stuff
Dorothy Day Catholic Worker Washington, D.C. 