Coleen Rowley at St Scholastica 3/22

UPDATE 3/22: Coleen Rowley's lecture has been POSTPONED on account of the blizzard. It has been rescheduled to TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 7:30pm

Tuesday, March 22  April 12

7:30 pm

College of St Scholastica - Mitchell Auditorium

"Obama's Response to Terrorism"

         with Coleen Rowley

Free and open to the public

Sponsored by the Alworth Center 

         for the Study of Peace and Justice

 

Our friend Coleen Rowley is returning to Duluth to give the closing lecture of the Terrorism and Human Rights series at the College of St Scholastica. A retired, 23-year veteran of the FBI, Rowley was honored by TIME Magazine as a Person of the Year in 2002 for blowing the whistle on pre-9/11 intelligence lapses. We don't want to give away her talk, but it's safe to say she'll tear U.S. war policy and intelligence gathering to shreds as anti-democratic and counter-productive. Don't miss her... we're sure you'll learn something new from our favorite agent-turned-activist.

While you're at it, check out these other fine speakers coming to our area:

Thursday, March 17

7:30 pm

College of St Scholastica - Mitchell Auditorium

"Dying to Drive the Foreigners Out"

      with Robert Pape

Dr. Pape is the director of the University of Chicago Project on Security and Terrorism and a leading international authority on the psychology of suicide terrorism. Check out his article "It's the Occupation, Stupid" for Foreign Policy here.

Saturday, March 26

7:00 pm

College of St Scholastica - Burns Wellness Center 249

"The Perils of Military Presence in Our Urban Communities"

      with Art Laffin

Art Laffin is an author, longtime peace activist and member of the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker Community in Washington, DC. He has participated in numerous nonviolent actions for disarmament and upholding the rights of the homeless, prisoners, immigrants and victims of torture. Sponsored by the Duluth chapter of Pax Christi - the international Catholic peace movement. Free and open to the public.

Report-back from the SOA protest

by Twin Ports SOA Watch

(see earlier post for photos from the protest) 

10,000 people took part in this year's SOA protest

Bringing the Vigil Home:

Report from the School of the Americas protest

Thursday, January 27
7 PM
Holy Assumption Church
5601 Tower Ave, Superior
(past the fairgrounds)

Since 1946, the US Army's School of the Americas has trained Latin American troops to torture and make war on their own people. And for more than two decades, Twin Ports-area activists and legislators have been at the forefront of efforts to close it.

Please join us for a report from the most recent protest and learn how you can get involved in the movement to close the SOA and transform US policy in the Americas.

Featuring:

• - Music with Rachael Kilgour
• - Report and photos from the SOA protest at Ft Benning, GA
• - Eyewitness account of US military violence in Colombia from Linda Riddle
• - Student organizer Flo Matamoros on coming of age as an activist in post-war El Salvador
• - Former prisoner of conscience Rev. Brooks Anderson on the local SOA Watch movement
• - Petition forms, handouts and other action tools to help put pressure on our new Congressmen

All are welcome. Spanish interpretation available upon request.
For more information or rides from Duluth,
contact soawtwinports(at)riseup(dot)net or call Joel at 218-340-4356 

MLK Jr weekend events in Duluth

(click to enlarge)

Terrorism and Human Rights at CSS

Tonight, the Alworth Center for Peace and Justice at the College of St Scholastica launches its 2010-2011 lecture series. The theme is "Terrorism and Human Rights" and features an incredible lineup of intelligence experts, journalists and authors, including Good Muslim, Bad Muslim author Mahmood Mamdani. NAWC is working with the Center to co-host the final event of the lecture series on March 21 with FBI whistle-blower Coleen Rowley.

	Combating Terror with Intelligence with Michael Sheehan Tuesday, October 5, 2010, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. Mitchell Auditorium Free admission
	The Roots of Mideast Terror with Mahmood Mamdani Thursday, October 28, 2010, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. Mitchell Auditorium Free admission
	Dying to Drive Foreigners Out with Robert Pape Wednesday, February 2, 2011, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. Mitchell Auditorium Free admission
	The War on American Ideals with Jane Mayer Tuesday, February 22, 2011, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. Mitchell Auditorium Free admission
	Obama’s Response to Terrorism with Coleen Rowley Tuesday, March 22, 2011, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. Mitchell Auditorium Free admission

Duluth Antiwar Protest - OCTOBER 11

PROTEST THE ONGOING WARS! Bring the Troops & War Dollars Home NOW! Money for Jobs & Education - Not War & Occupation!

MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 5-7PM

-Part 1: A "Books Not Bombs" picket from 5-6pm in front of the Old Duluth Central High School at Lake Ave. & 2nd Street. After which we'll march to City Hall.

-Part 2: From 6:15 - 7pm we'll hold a rally on the steps of City Hall. There'll be an antiwar poetry reading, and a skit titled "War Pigs" which will feature war profiteers & Uncle Sam attempting to auction off City Hall and gut social programs to pay for their unjust wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

You're invited to join us in a protest against the ongoing wars, and the costs that our local communities are paying for it. While so many are loosing their homes and jobs, and government programs are being cut to the bone, Wall Street and Washington continue to wage these bloody, unjust and unjustified wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. We are holding this protest on the steps of City Hall on the same evening as a City Council meeting to highlight just how much our communities are paying for this war - in terms of lives and dollars. Enough is enough! Join us in raising our voices for peace! Everyone is welcome, and encouraged to attend!

> Sponsored by the Northland Anti-War Coalition and endorsed by UMD Students for Peace, CSS Center for Just Living, Lake Superior Greens, Socialist Action, Grandmothers for Peace and others TBA.

Training for Change is coming to Duluth!

Training for Change, one of the world's foremost activist training programs, is bringing its Training for Social Action Trainers (TSAT) to Duluth this November.

TSAT is an intensive weekend training designed to build and hone the skills of movement facilitators, educators, and activist trainers -- all within an anti-oppression framework. TSAT open to experienced organizers, up-and-coming activists, teachers, community leaders and anyone else who wants to take their skills to a new level.

The training will take place from Friday, November 12, at 6PM until Sunday, November 14th, 6PM. Food and lodging (for folks coming from out of town) is included and registration is limited. Cost of the workshop is on a sliding scale and scholarships are available. Visit www.trainingforchange.org to register, or keep reading for more details on the training.

Why This Workshop?

Training and facilitation skills are a key element to successful organizing and movement building. People who have these skills support the groups they work with by developing new leaders, transferring skills and knowledge between generations, creating more participation within their
groups, introducing new and transformative concepts, supporting meetings and decision making, resolving conflict and providing training for successful, creative and disciplined actions.

Yet, few people who play the role of educator, trainer or facilitator in their work are offered an opportunity to learn a framework for training that supports their experience or a chance to hone their skills among other trainers. Few organizations commit the time to helping their leaders
learn the craft of training.

With this in mind, The Training for Social Action Trainers (TSAT) is designed to give people the opportunity to develop a stronger sense of the training tools, approaches and choices that will work for them to be most powerful and useful in their role.

As a participant you will:

• --Gain greater awareness about yourself and your strengths as a facilitator;
• --Get a chance to take risks, experiment and refine skills in a safe and supportive environment;
• --Get the stimulation of fresh approaches and increased options;
• --Receive personal guidance from experienced trainers in a small group setting ;
• --Learn new tools that are easily adapted, principles of workshop design, skills for working with diversity and a better understanding of how to use experiential education methods effectively.

Registration:

You can register online for this workshop at www.trainingforchange.org or if you're having difficulty registering online, just contact us at nico@trainingforchange.org and we will email you a registration form.

Delegation from Rania, Iraq visits Duluth

by the Duluth-Rania Friendship Exchange Project

The Duluth-Rania Friendship Exchange Project is pleased to announce the arrival of a delegation to Duluth from the Kurdish north or Iraq.

Five delegates from the city of Rania will arrive in Duluth on September 25. They will tour our city, meet with local politicians, visit a variety of schools, learn about our medical system, human services, waste management and local construction projects.

There are two public events planned to which all are invited to meet our new friends. Please join us and spread the word:

Nicaragua report-back 9/19

by Witness for Peace-Upper Midwest

"Another World IS Possible: Fair Trade and Sustainability"
Sunday, September 19th
12 noon
Peace Church Fellowship Hall
(1111 N 11th Ave E, Duluth)

Eight people from Duluth traveled to Nicaragua last June on a Witness for Peace delegation, "Another World IS Possible: Fair Trade and Sustainability."

They will share their experiences on September 19th in the Fellowship Hall, at noon, following the worship service, with a light lunch and slide presentation.

Hear what we learned about the impact of globalization on families and their communities, and how they have responded with cooperative projects and sustainable development.

Pastors for Peace Caravan Comes to Duluth!

by the Cuba Solidarity Committee

On July 6 the annual Pastors for Peace arrived in Duluth to kick off the Midwest arm of their 21st aid caravan and blockade challenge to Cuba.

Washington's cold war with Cuba has been going on for 50 years, causing material shortages in Cuba and an information black out in both of our countries. It's time for a change, and Pastors for Peace are on the forefront of the movement for peace between our countries.

UPDATE JULY 7: To mark the occasion, the Northland Anti-War Coalition held a rally and press conference at the Duluth Civic Center that evening. Among the speakers were Duluth's mayor Don Ness, a spokesperson from Rep. Jim Oberstar, and Rev. Tom Smith of Pastors for Peace.

Later that evening NAWC hosted a fundraising concert at Carmody's Irish Pub that featured Latin and hip hop music.

All told NAWC was able to collect a substantial amount of building and other supplies for the caravan, as well as over $1000. Thanks to everyone who helped make the day a huge success!

Support the Pastors for Peace Aid Caravan to Cuba

by the Cuba Solidarity Committee

As world attention focuses on the devastating blockade of Gaza, it's a good time to remember another economic war closer to home.

For 50 years, the US government has banned travel, trade and donations to Cuba. The policy has caused massive shortages of medicine and other goods across the island and an information black-out for people of both countries.

This summer, volunteers with the NY-based Pastors for Peace will defy the blockade by openly and nonviolently delivering material aid to Cuba.

First they'll travel across North America to collect donations and educate folks about the human cost of this conflict. Making a gift of material aid is a great way to be part of this historic campaign, even if you can't travel to Cuba. As luck has it, the Midwest arm of the caravan is launching from right here in the Twin Ports on July 6th.

NAWC's Cuba Solidarity Committee has already reserved space for donations from our community -- now we need your help to fill it! We're especially looking for materials to help rebuild some 500,000 Cuban homes damaged by hurricanes in 2008. You can make an individual donation, or consider reaching out to your faith community, co-workers or social club. People like to help, and an aid drive is a great way to grow the movement. Several local people have been to Cuba and would be happy to speak to interested groups.

Donations must be NEW or IN EXCELLENT CONDITION and are due by July 4th (so we have time to properly pack and label the boxes). You can either call Joel (218-340-4356) to arrange a pick up or leave donations at Peace Church (1111 N 11th Ave E, Duluth) or the Duluth Labor Temple (2002 London Rd, avenue entrance). Below is a list of some of the items the caravan needs (a longer list can be found here).

We're also looking for financial contributions to cover shipping costs (about $20 per computer-size box -- NAWC has fronted $200 so far) Make checks out to NAWC with "Cuba" in the memo and mail them to:

Northland Anti-War Coalition
PO Box 16853
Duluth, MN 55816

If everyone pitches in a little, we can make a meaningful gift to the people of Cuba and send a strong message to our members of Congress that it's time to make peace with our neighbor.

We're particularly looking for the following building supplies:

--PLUMBING: nuts, bolts, washers and all thread, plastic pipe fittings, toilets, sinks, faucets, PVC plastic fittings, copper fittings and valves, drains and stoppers, pipes, shower fixtures
--CARPENTRY: nails, hammers, screws, drills, flashing, wall anchors, saws and saw blades, banding tools, door hanging tools, ladders, jacks, plaster, sandpaper
--ELECTRICAL: any electrical wiring, fasteners, electrical boxes and covers, electrician tools, solar panels, energy efficient lighting and bulbs, extension cords and adapters, generators, electric line testers, electrical tape, solar panels and equipment
--MASONRY: grouts, sealants, horizontal reinforcing, masonry admixtures, masonry hand tools (floats, trowels), chisels (wood and masonry)
--PAINTING: brushes, rollers, lead-free paint, brush extenders, paint plates
--PROTECTIVE GEAR: dust masks, work gloves, protective eyeglasses

Who gets the donations?
A non-governmental Ecumenical Distribution Committee made up of Cuban religious leaders will receive and distribute the aid to a variety of Cuban organizations and institutions serving the Cuban people on the basis of need.

Is delivery guaranteed?
No. The US government strictly prohibits trade, travel and donations to Cuba. There is always a chance that US authorities will confiscate the aid before it reaches Cuba. But they seem to realize that Pastors for Peace is on the right side of history, because almost all of the aid from 20 previous caravans has made it through to Cuba!

Protest Israeli attack on aid convoy

At least 10 international activists were killed and dozens injured yesterday by Israeli commandos who violently intercepted an aid convoy to Gaza in international waters. The Israeli government has detained nearly 700 members of the convoy and cut them off from all outside communication. Both the BBC and al-Jazeera are running live blogs with what little information is getting through.

The attack has been met with outrage from governments and civil society around the world, but at the time of writing, the US White House has only mustered "regrets" for the "tragic loss of life."

TAKE ACTION!

Emergency Protest Against
Israeli Attack on Gaza Freedom Convoy
Tuesday, June 1 -- 5pm
Duluth Federal Building
Called by Twin Ports Break the Bonds and NAWC

Call the White House and your members of Congress!

The US is Israel's best ally and donor, and the greatest obstacle to international efforts to hold Israel to account for its violations of international law. Please call the White House and your members of Congress. Tell them that you are outraged by Israel's unprovoked and illegal attack, and ask them to work for:

1. the unconditional release of Free Gaza participants;
2. an immediate end to the devastating Israeli economic blockade of Gaza, which has created a humanitarian crisis affecting 1.5 million people;
3. a halt to all US military cooperation with and aid to Israel.

WHITE HOUSE
202-456-1111

STATE DEPARTMENT
202-647-4000

MINNESOTA
Representative James Oberstar (CD8)
218-727-7474

Senator Al Franken
218-722-2390

Senator Amy Klobuchar
202-224-3244

WISCONSIN
Representative Dave Obey (CD7)
715-398-4426

Senator Herb Kohl
202-224-5653

Senator Russ Feingold
202-224-5323

Send off for Witness for Peace -- June 6

Delegates from Witness for Peace -- Upper Midwest will soon travel to Nicaragua on a mission of people-to-people diplomacy and fact-finding. In addition to investigating the effects of US and international economic policies on the Nicaraguan people, the delegation will look into the possibilities and practice of sustainable development and fair trade.

Please come and show your support for Witness for Peace! Proceeds will benefit the WfP scholarship fund, enabling more people to take part in this and future WfP delegations.

Celebration Send Off for Witness for Peace!
Sunday, June 6 -- 5:30 to8:30 pm
Peace Church Fellowship Hall
1111 N 11th Ave E, Duluth

--Beans and Rice Dinner--
--Nicaragua Slide Show--
--Music by the Biochemical Characters--
--Multicultural Silent Auction--

Suggested donation: $10/adult, $5/student. $20/family

Conflict Resolution workshop June 25-27

Founded in 1975 as a collaboration between inmates at a maximum security prison in New York and members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) sought to reduce the level of violence in prison by teaching Gandhian techniques for non-violent conflict resolution. The original project was wildly successful and quickly spread to other prisons, community groups, schools and war zones. AVP International describes its purpose today as "enabling participants to deal with potentially violent situations in new and creative ways."

This summer, the Duluth-Superior Friends Meeting is sponsoring a Basic Community Workshop in Conflict Resolution facilitated by the Friends for a Non-Violent World. The 21-hour hands-on workshop focuses on "new skills to cope with violence, our own and others’, and build and deepen community. AVP workshops emphasize developing peace-building tools for use in homes, the workplace, and the broader community."

The workshop runs from Friday June 25 through Sunday June 27th at the Friends Meeting House (1802 E 1st St, Duluth). Pre-registration is required. For more information, visit the FNVW website (click on events) or contact Bonnie Ambrosi at 218 728-9942 or grihastashrami{at}gmail{dot}com.

Fundraiser for Loaves & Fishes May 7/8

Faces of the Displaced in Colombia

by Witness for Peace--Upper Midwest

A Witness for Peace delegation, "Living with Hope in the Context of Violence," traveled to Colombia in February. We will share what we learned about the impact of the internal conflict on the people. We met with rural people - campesinos, indigenous people and Afro-Colombians - civic leaders and human rights defenders, who told us of their nonviolent resistance to displacement and their efforts to build sustainable communities. They also asked us to be in solidarity with them and to advocate for US economic and military policies that are just and peaceful. Come hear their testimony and join us in actions on their behalf.

1. Sunday, April 25th, 9:30 - 10:30 am, Adult Forum, Peace Church (1111 N 11th Ave E)
2. Thursday, April 29th, noon - 1 pm, UMD, Kirby Student Center, #268.

Minnesota Peace Project CD8 organizing meeting

by Minnesota Peace Project-CD8

Would you like to influence US foreign policy for the better? Are you ready to see your member of Congress listen to the anti-war majority for a change?

The Minnesota Peace Project (MPP) is a statewide network of citizen activists in every Congressional District who are trying to influence US policy through our Congressional Representatives. In its short life, the MPP has had remarkable success at building relationships with the Minnesota delegation to Congress. Among other victories, the MPP has convinced both Minnesota Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken to co-author a bill to ban cluster munitions -- a ban that is opposed by the Obama Administration.

MPP will be holding a District 8 organizing meeting in Duluth on Wednesday, April 28 from 6-8pm in the basement meeting room of the Chester Creek Cafe. MPP co-organizer Mary Hinz will be on hand to speak about the project and its history, and then we will discuss ways to organize an MPP team here in Representative Oberstar's district. The meeting is open to anyone who wants to learn more about the MPP or is interested in volunteering with peace lobbying efforts in District 8.

Labor says Bring Our War Dollars Home

Knowing that out-of-control military spending bankrupts our communities and kills jobs, delegates to the Duluth AFL-CIO Central Labor Body voted unanimously yesterday to endorse NAWC's tax day march and rally.

DCLB president Dan O'Neill and delegates from across the trades will be marching with us on Thursday. Will you?

BRING OUR WAR DOLLARS HOME
Thursday, April 15, 4:30pm
Gather at the MN Power Plaza
(Lake Ave & Superior St, Duluth)
Featuring FBI whistleblower Coleen Rowley; Duluth Fathering Project's Brandon Clokey; singer-songwriter Rachael Kilgour and former WI State Assemblyman Frank Boyle

Join us and help NAWC and the DCLB bring a strong, progressive message to Congress and our neighbors on tax day:

YES to jobs, YES to education, YES to health care, NO to war.

TIME Person of the Year headlines tax day rally

NAWC is honored to host FBI whistleblower Coleen Rowley as the keynote speaker for our April 15 rally in Duluth.

Coleen Rowley worked with the FBI for more than two decades, assuming the position of Chief Division Counsel for the Minneapolis Division in 1990. In 2002, she blew the whistle on pre-9/11 intelligence lapses, sparking a 2-year Department of Justice investigation of the agency and propelling Rowley to the cover of TIME magazine. You might also remember her as the agent who rankled the Bush Administration in 2003 by repeatedly warning of the dangers of invading Iraq.

Rowley retired from the FBI in 2004, but continues to speak out for transparent and ethical government. On April 15, you'll have two chances to hear her in Duluth. She'll be the keynote speaker at our Bring our War Dollars Home rally, starting at 4:30 pm at the Minnesota Power Plaza in downtown Duluth. Later that evening, she'll give a more in-depth talk on Patriotism, Democracy, and Common Sense: Restoring America's Promise at Home and Abroad at 7:30 pm in room 120 of the UMD Solon Campus Center ("the Wedge"). The talk is sponsored by NAWC, UMD Students for Peace and the UMD Department of Sociology and Anthropology.

April 15 -- mark your calendars

$33 billion more for war? Don't let it happen!

On or around tax day, Congress will debate yet another "emergency" supplemental appropriation for the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. That's $33 billion in back-door funding on top of a record-breaking $708 billion general budget for the Department of Defense in 2011. If you include non-DoD military programs and interest on war debt, US military spending could hit $1.4 trillion next year -- half of the discretionary budget.

The consequences of endless war are all around us: bankrupt local governments, pared down public services, and decaying infrastructure. In the past decade, our national war addiction has cost more than Bush's tax cuts and corporate bailouts COMBINED.

Last year's war supplemental was nearly defeated in Congress -- that is, until the White House pressured Jim Oberstar and other anti-war Democrats to flip their votes. Let's make sure this doesn't happen again. Please contact your representative TODAY. Remind her that a bloated war budget takes money away from public infrastructure, health care, education and job creation. Ask her to go on record opposing any new war supplemental.

MINNESOTA
Representative James Oberstar (CD8)
(218) 727-7474

Senator Al Franken
(218) 722-2390

Senator Amy Klobuchar
202-224-3244

WISCONSIN
Representative Dave Obey (CD7)
(715) 398-4426

Senator Herb Kohl
202-224-5653

Senator Russ Feingold
202-224-5323

After you've made the call, hit the streets! NAWC will be holding weekly "Jobs not War" pickets at the Duluth Federal Building every Wednesday from now until tax day. Join us on March 24, March 31, April 7, or April 14 from noon to 1pm. Or, if you live in Wisconsin, join Peace North at a "Healthcare not Warfare" vigil in front of Congressman Obey's office (1401 Tower Ave, Superior) on April 21, 12 noon to 1pm.

And mark your calendars now for NAWC's Tax Day march and rally. It starts at 4:30pm on Thursday, April 15 at Lake Ave and Superior St in Duluth. The theme is "Bring Our War Dollars Home," and will feature FBI whistle-blower and 2002 Time magazine Person of the Year Coleen Rowley.