Archive for November, 2009

Join Dolores Huerta in the Fight for the Public Option!

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

Attention all LA-based folks in support of health care reform! Dolores Huerta, co-founder of United Farm Workers of America, life long social justice activist and president of the Dolores Huerta Foundation, is headlining a Health Care Reform open forum this Thursday, November 12 at 12 noon at Our Lady Queen of Angels Church.

Community organizers, religious leaders and politicians, including California Senator Barbara Boxer, will be joining Huerta at this incredibly important event. In addition to mobilizing for the next health care battle in the Senate, community members will be able to voice their feelings about many issues, including the recent devastating EXCLUSION of undocumented peoples from health care reform. The event will also serve as an opportunity to strategize for health care and immigration reform and to discuss the needs of the diverse communities of Los Angeles and the country as a whole.

For more information, email hcan.california@yahoo.com.

Take Action with Amnesty International on Detention Centers and Women’s Rights

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

This week, hundreds of activists from Amnesty International are visiting their Congress people in their hometowns to speak out about Guantanamo Bay and Immigrant and Women’s Rights.

Back them up with emails and calls of your own to your Representatives and Senators:

We must remind ourselves and our legislators that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

Fort Hood Tragedy

Friday, November 6th, 2009

When I heard about the Fort Hood shooting yesterday, I was deeply saddened for the victims and their families. When I heard that the shooter has a “Muslim-sounding” name, I was fearful for the safety of Muslim and Arab communities who are already experiencing backlash from bigots who associate this horrible situation with stereotypes of “Muslim extremist violence.”

I’ve been searching all day for the words to express my feelings about this, but Seth Wessler of Race Wire says it best:

As we respond, we must categorically resist voices of suspicion and reaction so that this tragedy does not bring more tragedy. That the shooter’s name sounds Muslim will offer those who thrive on fear an opportunity to pounce. We reject the impulse to assume that the shooter’s name means anything about his motivations, that being Muslim or being perceived as such makes someone dangerous. A hideous crime was committed. Let’s make the attacks end there.