Police Violence in Chicago

On January 1, people in Chicago will be protesting incidents of police violence here and in other cities. The event is sponsored by Occupy Chicago, Occupy the Southside, and Occupy El Barrio. The event begins at 2 p.m. at the 95th Street Red Line terminal.


The event on January 1 protests the shooting of Michael Pleasance, and is in solidarity with Occupy Oakland and its protest of the Oscar Grant shooting.


I wrote about police violence in a blog post several months ago: "Chicago Justice: Connecting the Dots".

Chicago has a notorious history of police violence and police torture. There will be hearings on a Chicago City Council resolution to make Chicago a torture-free city on Thursday, January 12, 2012.

Police violence and persecution by the police is not just a Chicago issue. Under new legislation, EVERY American can be subjected to the same lawless indefinite detention and torture that has been used on countless people in the so-called "war on terror," initiated under the Bush administration but continued and expanded under the Obama administration.

We can no longer look the other way while members of our community are subjected to police violence. See you at 95th Street.

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Photo 1: john-conroy.com
Photo 2: Revolutionary Frontlines blog
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Scarry Signs

This past fall, a friend said to me, "It's good that you came to the demonstration; it would be even better if you brought a sign!"

That was the start of something I've enjoyed a lot. And a lot of those signs have found their way into my blog posts.

Below are some of my signs - "Scarry signs" -- linked to some of the blog posts that relate to them!

2011: Scarry Thoughts That (Maybe) Made A Difference

Looking back over my blog posts for the past year, it's interesting to discover that some definitely had a bigger impact than others. Is it because they were on subjects people care a great deal about? Or because they were well-written? Or simply because they were well-promoted? Food for thought ....

Here are the blog posts that got a lot of traffic and/or on which people spent a lot of time:

#NoIranWar
I'm A Tuesdayista!
#AfghanistanTuesday
Afghanistan Protests
Chicago: All Signs Point to Revolution
Oldies but Goodies
My Personal Favorites


(1) #NoIranWar - Published just a few weeks ago, this blog post about seven big reasons people should be wary of the growing talk of war with Iran has been the sixth most viewed post over the past four months. The high level of traffic may have to do with active promotion on Twitter, and with links from Antiwar.com.

More interestingly, the average time spent reading the post is over 6 minutes. Clearly, people are deeply interested in the threat of U.S. military action against Iran.

This blog post has become closely associated with the #NoIranWar tag on Twitter, and I hope it continues to be an important part of the movement to resist war with Iran.


(2) I'm A Tuesdayista! - This page -- about being one of the dedicated participants in #AfghanistanTuesday -- was viewed more than any other page over the past four months. I think this is mainly because many people were invited individually via Twitter messages.

Considering the large number of views that seem to be attributed to direct invitations, it is somewhat surprising that people spent an average of over 3 minutes reading the Tuesdayista blog post. I think it is because people understand how important it is to not just participate in tweeting about ending the war in Afghanistan, but also to attract additional people to do so, too. That's what being a "Tuesdayista" is all about.


(3) Making an Impact on #AfghanistanTuesday - This was the page that launched a thousand tweets -- or, anyway, became the explanation for #AfghanistanTuesday back when it was a new idea. Since this page was first published in August, I've published dozens of other #AfghanistanTuesday pages. But this is still one of the most viewed -- and, if the length of time people spend on the page is any indication, most thought about -- guides to the topic.

Here are two other posts about #AfghanistanTuesday that people have viewed a lot:

#AfghanistanTuesday - Top Tweets List - Understandably, this gets viewed a lot, because it is a growing list of the top tweets for each list, AND a list of the top tweeps, AND a list of important #AfghanistanTuesday hash tags.

#Occupy Tuesday! #UNoccupy Afghanistan! - This is one of the newest posts, and is taking #AfghanistanTuesday to the next level: how do we go beyond Twitter?


(4) The Hour is Approaching: Make a Commitment! - This was one of many posts that dealt with protests marking the 10th Anniversary of the war in Afghanistan. It asked, "What can YOU do to be an active participant in driving toward COMMITMENT on the part of millions of people to end our wars?"

Many people clearly have been -- and continue to be -- asking themselves, "What am I prepared to do?" Other big traffic pages involved the actual October 8 protests themselves, and other similar protests:

Chicago Antiwar March: October 8, 2011 - This post included links to information about all the speakers on October 8, plus press coverage and follow-up activities.

Chicago - Dec 10 Human Rights Day Protest - This post talked about the main protest on December 10, plus film screenings and talks taking place later the same weekend.


(5) Chicago: All Signs Point to Revolution - Ever since October, the Occupy movement has been a growing subject of blog posts. This one got an especially large amount of attention, and it seems to have made people think (judging by the fact that they spent an average of more than five minutes on the page!).

This was one in a series of blog posts associated with hand-drawn "Scarry Signs" that I made for protests in Chicago.


(6) Oldies But Goodies - Several posts continued to get views long after they were published. They deal with issues that people continue to be curious about, and frequently search on Google.

Holocaust Museum: "Those Nazi Bastards!" - This is a heavily-viewed piece, with a lot of organic traffic generated by the search terms "Nazi" + "dog".

Drones, 1984, and Foucault's Panopticon - This continues to get a surprising number of hits. Apparently, a lot of people search on the terms "Foucault" + "panopticon"! (Who knew?)

Flag Symbolism in Hong Kong - This was one of a series of posts about protest images from Hong Kong that I wrote about in early 2010, and they continue to get traffic!


(7) My Personal Favorites - My favorite posts aren't always the ones that are viewed most heavily. These five are very close to my heart:

Why Weren't People Talking About It? - What I learned from my mom. (I need to write a lot more posts about Mom!)

Never Try to Silence a Tuesdayista - A rare opportunity to combine two of my greatest loves: activism and botany!

Obama Nobel Peace Prize - REVOKED! - People seemed to have no trouble believing that the King of Norway made a special trip to Chicago to revoke the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Barack Obama in 2009.

Seven Little Words in Kuwait I've been involved with the film, "The Response," for several years now. This piece described the most exciting development yet.

WWJD? Occupy! - The last shall be first? Expect to be hearing a lot more on this subject in 2012!

Can Chicago Walk Like an Egyptian?

Description below of December 23 action in support of Egyptian protesters. The Global Day of Support for the Egyptian Revolution on January 21 will be EVEN BETTER!

* * * * *

Yesterday, people in Chicago marched in solidarity with protesters in Egypt and other countries that are part of the Arab Spring - including Syria, Yemen, Bahrain, and Palestine.


It was a day for sharing the message of solidarity with the Arab Spring with people up and down Michigan Avenue.


It was a day for interrupting the flow of Miracle Mile shopping with a rally in front of the Egyptian Consulate.


It was a day for delivering a message to the representatives of the current government in Egypt.


It was a day to hear the latest updates from Tahrir Square.


It was a day to express respect.


On the day that Chicago was standing in solidarity with Egypt, Egypt was once again standing up for its rights.


By coincidence, the day before had seen a press conference about threats to civil liberties in Chicago. Mayor Rahm Emanual has introduced changes in local law to sharply limit the rights of Chicagoans and others to express dissent.

In Chicago, we talk a good game. We talk as if we're not going to let anyone push us around. But when push comes to shove, will we insist on our right to free speech and free expression, or will we cower in our our homes and apartments?


Chicago can talk the talk. Now it's time to find out: can we walk the walk?

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Photos courtesy FJJ. (Tahrir Square dailycaller.com)

Check out more Scarry signs!
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Chicago Protests Guantanamo Detention

Chicago was the site of major protests against U.S. detention practices in Guantanamo, as well as in Bagram, other prisons throughout Afghanistan, and elsewhere in the world, on and around January 11, 2012. We called for an end to indefinite detention, unfair trials, and torture.

Rally and action in Federal Plaza (Wed Jan 11)
Teach-in and related activities (Sat/Sun Jan 7/8)
Daily vigils (Jan 2-11)
Andy Worthington - film screening & talk (Sat Jan 14)
January 11 in D.C. & the rest of the world
"The Response" - a film about Guantanamo
See also actions in OTHER MIDWEST CITIES


RALLY & ACTION - JAN 11
On January 11, 2012 -- the 10th anniversary of Guantanamo -- we met at 3 pm in Federal Plaza (Dearborn and Adams) for a rally, march and human chain.

VIDEO: January 11 rally - Federal Plaza, Chicago
See full description and photos of the January 11 Chicago demonstration!

The January 11 action in Chicago was sponsored by Chicago World Can't Wait, Witness against Torture, 8th Day Center for Justice, the Midwest Anti-War Mobilization, Christian Peacemaker Teams, and Amnesty International.



TEACH-IN: Saturday
A teach-in was held on Saturday, January 7 2012, at Grace Place (637 S. Dearborn) in Chicago. Topics included:

* Torture in U.S. and Illinois Prisons, with ICAT and Gregory Koger
*Torture laws and State of Guantanamo, with a viewing of the film “The Response” and lawyers representing Guantanamo detainees.
* Stories from Victims and Survivors of Torture
*Political repression and Prosecuting war criminals, with Chicago World Can’t Wait.

View the full report about the January 7 teach-in.

Gregory and Mario shared some of their reflections and experiences as survivors of torture. Melinda and Eldon gave us a history, update and opportunity to sign the petition for a Torture Free Chicago Resolution (info for the hearing is below). We had a viewing of the Reponse with a discussion led by Joe and two Guantanamo detainee lawyers: Len and Candace. We got to hear in detail how the Habeus Corpus hearings work and what conditions are like for prisoners interacting with their lawyers. After a vigil on Michigan Ave and meal of soup, we reconvened through songs, led by Chris Inserra and Jim Manzardo. Matilde then shared her heartbreaking/hopegiving journey of healing and activism. To end our day, Jay, Gregory and Bill engaged us in a conversation about the prosecution of war criminals and it's historical precedents, an update on the grand jury subpenoas and raids that happened last year in Chicago and Minnesota, and the NDAA. It was an amazing day of learning and sharing information and confirming our urgency to gather on Jan 11.

CHURCH SERVICE & TEACH-IN: Sunday
Date & Time: Sunday, January 8, 2012 - 10:30 am-8 pm
Location: Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ, 615 W Wellington

Activities:
10:30am-noon: Special worship service on the theme of torture, followed by coffee hour
1:00-4:00pm: Nonviolence training for social movements with Pace e Bene and the White Rose Catholic Worker
5:00-8:00pm: Planning for the January 11 National Day of Action with Christian Peacemaker Teams and 8th Day Center for Justice

Read more about Sunday worship service on the theme of torture followed by non-violence training.

We gathered for an moving worship service at UCC Wellington. We sang a White Rose favorite (Woke up this morning with my mind stayed on Justice) to start off. Susan and Dan took it from there, incorporating poems from the men in Guantanamo, a reading from Matthew about the massacre Herod ordered, and a history of Wellington's activism around ending torture. After a great meal, prepared by Gerald, Ken and John led us in a nonviolence training, asking us to explore our motivations, fears and hopes in direct action, but also teaching us about the stages of a social movement and the different roles we must play in our movements. After diner, we got down to planning our action on Wednesday with our Christian Peacemaker Team friends, which Kryss and Julia facilitated. We came up with some creative and awesome ideas so please join us on Wednesday for the rally to witness them!


DAILY VIGILS
Dates: January 2 through January 10
Daily Times & Locations:
Monday, Jan 2: We had our opening vigil at State St. and though only a small group of us, had some good interactions with passersby there by DePaul. We also had the opening of our exhibit at Mess Hall: "A Movement to End Torture". Come make your own art project, or write a letter to a detainee. It's all set up, and we hope you come check it out this week (every day from 3-5pm, Friday until 8pm). We also survived our first day fasting! We are mindful of those who have been on hunger strike while detained.
Tuesday, Jan 3: We enjoyed joining 8th day and some Occupiers on a frigid morning in front of the Board of Trade to say no to war and terror, as people were rushing to work. It felt good to be with other folks, and who have been doing a weekly vigil for more than 10 years (since 9/11)! Afterwards we gathered at 8th day for a refreshing discussion, where we got to learn about the history of this sustained vigil from some who have been there since the beginning, and shared reflections and encouraging words on the importance of faithfulness not effectiveness, the karma of small numbers, persistence, and how, because of these things, the Tuesday vigil has been able to reach out to folks in a personal way, and connect with them and even get to know them in a way that is not possible in a larger one-time rally. People come to expect them to be there.
Wednesday, Jan 4: noon - Boeing Headquarters (100 North Riverside Plaza) Profound apologies for the mix-up of Wednesday's vigil. I know several of you came to 400 S. LaSalle and we missed each other! We were confused trying to find the Boeing sign-- turns out there isn't one because it has moved, which we weren't able to put together until later. They are now located at 100 N. Riverside, at Washington + Canal (on the river). Don't know if we can blame that one on the fasting. Sorry for the inconvenience. Nonetheless, when we were finally settled into the wrong place, we made a good witness I think. Some good conversations with security guards and police- one said "I do not trust the government" when hearing about rendition flights. Another passerby said, "what the hell are rendition flights?" and then continued a 20 minute conversation with John and was very supportive of what we were doing. Lots of people asked what rendition flights were, in response to our sign that said "Boeing: Stop Rendition Flights".
Thursday, Jan 5: noon - Metropolitan Corrections Center (Clark & Van Buren) Several people joined us in handing out leaflets and holding signs calling for an end to torture, islamaphobia and the closing of Guantanamo. In the evening, a dozen of us gathered with John Neafsey and Meg Marshall who are therapists at Kovler (Center for victims of torture), for some time to reflect on the crucified Christ and our 10 days of fasting and vigiling. "Why is this issue so important to us as citizens, as human beings, and also as Christians?" and "How does it move us to witness?" were some of the questions we sat with during our time.
Friday, Jan 6: 7:15 a.m. Broadview Detention Center We then joined UCC Wellington for a conversation about the history of this vigil and the work they have done to create laws that provide for some sort of human dignity and push for their implementation in Chicago. In the evening, 8 of us participated in a dramatization of a play relaying the stories of 3 men in Guantanamo, as well as their family members, lawyers, and other policy makers. It was followed by a powerful discussion on the existence of Guantanamo Bay and the NDAA.
Monday, Jan 9: noon - Illinois Building (Randolph & Clark) We had a great vigil at the Illinois State Building where Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office is. It was probably one of our most interactive vigils- lots of people who had never heard of the Jon Burge torture cases, others who were very supportive, many with questions- one woman asked if we were here to end torture by police in their homes- John said we are against that- it turns out she was married to a police and abused for 20 years- and said it ruined her. A telling remembrance that all suffer when torture happens. Tuesdaywe joined 8th day and friends at the Occupy site, it was great be in the presence and be there to say 'good morning' to people rushing to work and their days, hopefully putting a little pause in their step or at least their mind.

See also the transcript of the wrap-up roundtable.


ANDY WORTHINGTON
Chicago World Can't Wait was excited to bring to Chicago for the first time independent journalist and renowned expert on American detention practices and issues relating to Guantanamo Bay Detention Center, Andy Worthington, on January 14, 2012. He screened his film, "Outside the Law: Stories from Guantánamo".

Read the full description for the Chicago Andy Worthington event.


JANUARY 11 IN D.C. & ELSEWHERE
See the Witness Against Torture January 11 page for complete information about the D.C. actions and others across the country and around the world.


"THE RESPONSE"
"The Response" is a courtroom drama based on the actual transcripts of the Guantanamo Bay military tribunals [officially known as Combatant Status Review Tribunals, or CSRTs]. In the film, three military officers must decide the fate of a suspected enemy combatant. Is he guilty of providing material support to Al Qaeda and responsible for the deaths of several American soldiers? Or is he an innocent victim of circumstances as he claims?

For complete information -- including official movie trailer and DVD purchase info -- see the official website for "The Response".

You can also read my blog post about how I became affiliated with "The Response" -- and how we all need to get involved in rectifying the abuses represented by Guantanamo and U.S. practices of indefinite detention!

Welcome to Chicago! You're Under Arrest.

It's hard to imagine someone aspiring to rerun Mayor Richard J. Daley's 1968 playbook, when he unleashed police repression on antiwar protesters and others. Daley's actions made "Chicago" synonymous with "brutality" for a generation. And yet that seems to be exactly what Rahm Emanual is doing.

The mayor has arranged for NATO and G8 to hold their summits in Chicago in May, 2012.

Emanual has now introduced changes in local law to sharply limit the rights of Chicagoans and others to express dissent. (See list below of specific measures being taken to limit free speech in Chicago.)


There is a silver lining. Emanuel's obvious disdain for civil liberties is obvious to everyone, and it is bringing out the best in the activist community. Watch this tremendous performance at yesterday's press conference at City Hall, in which Ron Schupp updated "A Christmas Carol" to show what a modern day Jacob Marley would be telling "Rahmenezer" Scrooge.

Watch for more updates on the plans for free expression in Chicago during the May, 2012, NATO/G8 summits in Chicago at the website of the Coalition Against NATO/G8 War & Poverty Agenda.

The more they try to shut us up, the louder we're going to get!


PENDING ORDINANCE CHANGES TO RESTRICT FREE SPEECH IN CHICAGO

* Raise fines for resisting police or aiding someone escaping arrest, minimum fine from $25 to $200 and double the maximum fine to $1,000;
* Close parks, playgrounds and beaches from 11:00 pm to 6:00 am, from the current 4:00 am opening;
*Empower Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy to “deputize law enforcement personnel,” including members of private security companies;
*Empower McCarthy to make cooperative agreements with a host of state, federal and local law enforcement agencies;


*Empower McCarthy to forge agreements with “public or private entities concerning placement, installation, maintenance or use of video, audio telecommunications, or other similar equipment.” Participating agencies and their personnel would be “held harmless.”
*Empower the mayor or his designees to purchase “goods, work or services” needed to host the event without City Council approval, so long as there’s no existing city contract that could be used;
*Loud noise, amplified sound and music at parades, athletic events and public assemblies would be allowed only between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. Rules on the use of sidewalks and streets also would be tightened.

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Photos 2 & 3 courtesy FJJ

Check out more Scarry signs!
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Mobilizing #AfghanistanTuesday to #closeGITMO

We've been talking about how to have an even bigger impact on #AfghanistanTuesday.

What if we could get everyone who was ever involved with #AfghanistanTuesday to help us build a huge wave of support for the January 11 national (and international) mobilization to stop American detention practices at places like Guantanamo, Bagram, and many other prisons? What if we could turn the holiday hibernation into midwinter mobilization??


Now is the time for all of us to become modern day Paul Reveres. There are already hundreds of people planning to converge on Washington, D.C., on January 11, 2012, and to participate in solidarity protests in other cities. Let's use the power of Twitter to turn that into thousands and tens of thousands (or more)!

We already have widespread recognition of the #AfghanistanTuesday tag, and growing awareness of the #closeGITMO tag. Now we just have to generate a tsunami of activity!

Here is how we are going to do it:

(1) Top tweeps have to become recruiters. The people who are putting in a huge amount of effort, week in, week out, to do lots of great tweets on #AfghanistanTuesday need to take it to the next level and help pull other people into the process.

If each of our several dozen "top tweeps" could figure out a way to really pull in more of their followers, think about how much greater our reach would be!

(I've started to organize some of the people who have been at least somewhat active in #AfghanistanTuesday in the past onto lists - and if we all work at it we can get the people on all these lists to be much more active!)

(2) Casual tweeps have to become top tweeps. There are many people who do a single tweet every #AfghanistanTuesday. Imagine how much more impact they would have if they committed to doing two, or three, or five really thoughtful tweets! What would the cumulative impact of that be?

(3) Retweeters have to become full-fledged tweeps. There are lots of folks who retweet #AfghanistanTuesday tweets -- and that's great! -- but imagine how much more exciting Tuesdays would be if all of those people committed to writing an original tweet of their own! And what if they actually took the opportunity to engage in conversation with some of the other #AfghanistanTuesday tweeps? (After all, look at how many tweets are posed as questions, and invite true conversation!)

(4) Lurkers have to become retweeters. We have no real way of knowing how many people read #AfghanistanTuesday tweets without interacting with them in some way - e.g. retweeting. Imagine how word would spread if just a fraction of the people who notice those tweets made the tiny extra effort to retweet and share them with friends!

(5) Have we left anybody out? Certainly there are people who are not yet even aware of #AfghanistanTuesday. But if we start doing the things above, there will be MANY fewer people who will be able to say, "#AfghanistanTuesday? What's that?"

January 11 is just around the corner. Let's get to work!

Chicago Says "Free Bradley!"

On Saturday, December 17, 2011, Occupy Chicago and Midwest Antiwar Mobilization held a rally and march to support Bradley Manning and call for justice for him.

Members of Chicago World Can't Wait, Voices for Creative Nonviolence, Campaign to End the Death Penalty, Chicago Gay Liberation Network (GLN), and others came out in support.


(See the expanded report of the Chicago rally to save Bradley Manning on the Chicago World Can't Wait website. Photos courtesy FJJ.)


This is just one of many demonstrations held in support of Bradley Manning. For instance, see this album of Bradley Manning demonstrations held at locations in Iowa and Kansas, including at the gates of Fort Leavenworth , where Bradley Manning was held until recently.


PS - If you haven't seen this amazing short film by Kyle Broom - "Prevention of Injury (POI)" - stop what you're doing right now and take 20 minutes to watch it and think about what is being done to Bradley Manning.

Bradley Manning is an American hero. As one of the speakers said at the International Human Rights Day protest in Chicago, "Would there have been an Arab Spring without Bradley? Would there have been an Occupy movement? We should be giving him the Congressional Medal of Honor! We should give HIM the Nobel Peace Prize!"

What are people doing in YOUR community to demand, "Free Bradley!" ??

What if the U.S. Attacks Iran or Syria?

Below is an advance posting of the resolution that was adopted by the Midwest Antiwar Mobilization yesterday (Sunday, December 18, 2011).

[See also the #NoIranWar blog post - seven things to think about when the U.S. talks about an attack on Iran.]

1. MWAM commits to an Emergency Response demonstration at Federal Plaza in the event of a military attack by land, sea, or air by the U.S. or its proxy Israel or NATO on Syria or Iran. If news of the attack comes in the morning, before noon Central time, assemble the same day at 5 p.m. at Federal Plaza. If news of an attack comes after noon Central time, assemble the following day at 5 p.m. at Federal Plaza.

2. MWAM commits to mobilizing in advance maximum other groups and individuals to endorse and participate in this Emergency response. [See alert below.]

3. MWAM commits to an educational campaign about the importance of opposing U.S. attacks on Syria and Iran since the efforts of the U.S. government to lie about and demonize the leadership, government, system, and culture of these two countries make a lot of people unclear about what stand to take in case of a U.S. attack.

4. MWAM also commits to opposing threats of U.S. aggression on any other sovereign countries around the world.


The following alert was adopted by the Midwest Antiwar Mobilization yesterday (Sunday, December 18, 2011).

ALERT--
BE PREPARED FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO LAUNCH ATTACKS ON IRAN OR SYRIA!

The government has been escalating its threats against both Iran and Syria--and has imposed more and more sanctions, tried to destabilize both of them, and more.

We need to protest this and also prepare for a big demonstration of outrage if the U.S. government or one of its proxies (such as Israel or NATO) openly launches a military attack. We should be ready to come out for an emergency protest.

It is the responsibility of Americans to try to stop U.S. aggression against any sovereign nation that has not attacked the U.S.

The U.S. claims to uphold democracy and the rule of law, but in fact international law in the UN Charter and elsewhere condemns such aggression as a crime. Regardless of what excuse the U.S. gives for attacking another people, we must firmly oppose such U.S. slaughter of human beings.

The U.S. has no right to prowl around the world, looking for opportunities to gain control of more countries. We know from long experience of unending U.S. wars that they are only for the benefit of the super-rich who want to expand the U.S. empire and get control over other peoples’ resources, markets, labor power and strategic locations, while blocking their rivals.

The corporate media is constantly used to demonize those the U.S. government targets and to promote hysteria in a buildup to war. Meanwhile, they omit or downplay what the government really wants in its reckless military assaults. Regardless of what anyone thinks of the heads of other governments or their systems and culture, it is our duty to try to hold back the bloody hands of the U.S. government. This is how we fight for peace and justice--against the world’s greatest terrorist.

If an attack begins in the morning, before noon our time, everyone should assemble that day at 5 p.m. at the Federal Plaza. If the attack comes later, we will protest at 5 p.m. the next day.

THE CALL TO COME OUT WILL BE GIVEN ON LINE. BUT THE LATEST NEWS WILL TELL YOU WHEN TO COME OUT TO FEDERAL PLAZA. SEE YOU THERE. ORGANIZE YOUR TELEPHONE TREES NOW.

#AfghanistanTuesday - Top Tweets - Dec 13

Weekly tweeting about Afghanistan continues to go strong, even at the height of the U.S. holiday season. On December 13, a lot of people were focusing on the pending National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) - especially its provision for military detention of U.S. civilians.

(And remember: tweeting about the upcoming Guantanamo mobilization in January is now happening in a big way every Wednesday: see #closeGITMO!)

These are some of the #AfghanistanTuesday tweets from Tuesday, December 13, 2011, that were most highly retweeted:


War: The American Way
From @Scarry: #SomebodyLetMeKnowWhen the US gets done invading every country in the #Mideast / #AfghanistanTuesday #NoIranWar

From @Jesssica_Rabbit: US trained binLaden/AlQueida & put Saddam Hussein in power Great results huh? Time 2 bring everyone home & stop meddling #AfghanistanTuesday

NDAA: Guantanamo for Americans, War for Everyone Else!
From @lg0021: Stop the U.S legacy of detention, rendition, torture. Shame on us. CLOSE GITMO #AfghanistanTuesday PEACE

From @JanetRWeil: #AfghanistanTuesday. So many reasons to oppose the #NDAA. Like, 662 BILLION... dollars for killing, spying & hurting. And oh yeah, detention

From @angelsavant: RT @codepink: About $2 BILLION/week for US/NATO war in Afghanistan in #NDAA! #AfghanistanTuesday

From @volksmenner: What's the wars in Afghanistan cost us? What've we purchased w/ blood our soldiers, of Afghan civilians? A police state! #AfghanistanTuesday

End U.S. Wars!
From @wardollarshome: #AfghanistanTuesday Read and use this great tool - 10 Facts about US Withdrawal from Afghanistan: j.mp/sTg8Ug #endwar

Costs of War
From @outpostof: I'm sick of Afghanistan occupation. But not as sick as those that have lost family, loved ones in phoney war on terror..#AfghanistanTuesday

PLUS . . . Check out the master list of #AfghanistanTuesday blog posts!

Yueyang Pavilion and Permanent Resistance

Back in the days when I traveled frequently to China, I had an opportunity to visit a historic site called Yueyang Pavilion, on the banks of Lake Dongting.

Yueyang Pavilion is famous for inspiring one of the most famous essays in Chinese history, about the obligations of leaders. The key line in the essay is: “Before anyone else thinks to worry, you are worrying; only after everyone else is enjoying joy, do you experience joy."

I thought of it yesterday when people who have been working hard as part of the resistance to U.S. wars and aggression met up in Chicago's Federal Plaza to address the winding down of the war in Iraq.

One group of people saw a need to celebrate. They saw the need to focus on the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq as a reminder that Barack Obama rose to prominence on a promise to reverse the Bush march to war in Iraq, and that Obama was elected with the support of many antiwar activists.


This was billed as a celebration, but do these people look like they're having a good time?

When I look at the picture of the "celebrators," it makes me realize: it's just not possible to look back on war and turn it into a "feel good" moment -- especially not for anyone who is still involved in the resistance to continuing U.S. wars.

Another group of people saw the need to use the occasion to emphasize the need for continued resistance. Yes, a lot of U.S. troops are coming out of Iraq, but what about the ones who are staying? And the contractors? And the ones staying in the region? And what about continued U.S. occupation in Afghanistan? And drone attacks there and in Pakistan, and Yemen, and other countries? What about what the U.S. did in Libya? And is threatening to do in Iran? And what about the extension of the possibility of indefinite detention by the military (a la Guantanamo) to all U.S. citizens?


These people look, well, kinda scraggly. They don't look particularly joyful, either. However, they weren't making any claims of joy for the day.

All in all, this occasion made me realize that celebrating the success of politicians in ending wars is not likely to be something we are going to have the opportunity to do, at least not with a clear conscience. Instead, those of us who see the need for permanent resistance are going to stay focused on the work that remains to be done.

When I watched the ABC coverage of the event, I got the distinct impression that they thought the questions of the permanent resisters were very important. They dwelled for a long time on this sign, and I don't think any viewer could miss the message:


We're not done yet, not by a long shot. The resistance must be permanent.

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Photos: ABC coverage of Chicago event marking U.S. troop withdrawals from Iraq, December 16, 2011.
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Obama Nobel Peace Prize - REVOKED!

More agitation at: Obama? NO! Activism? YES!
Taking the NO DRONES! Message to the Masses at Chicago's Air & Water Show

The following is a transcript of remarks by King Harald V of Norway, delivered during his visit to Chicago on Saturday, December 10, 2011, at the invitation of Chicago World Can't Wait. The day marked both the global celebration of International Human Rights Day, as well as the second anniversary of the day on which the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize was presented to Barack Obama in Oslo, Norway. Read the full account of the International Human Rights Day 2011 protest in Chicago.

In awarding the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize to President Barack Obama, we cited his words:

"Now is the time for all of us to take our share of responsibility for a global response to global challenges."


Our award to Barack Obama was filled with hope:

"Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world's attention and given its people hope for a better future. His diplomacy is founded in the concept that those who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world's population."

And in speaking of values and attitudes, we pointed especially to:

> Using "Dialogue and negotiations [as the] preferred instruments for resolving even the most difficult international conflicts."
> "strengthening international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples."
> "Democracy and human rights [are to be strengthened.]"

Now with the deepest regret I must note the recipient's actions:

> failure to close Guantanamo
> expansion of indefinite detention at Bagram and other detention centers throughout Afghanistan
> assassinations, including assassinations of U.S. citizens, among other violations of due process
> virtually unlimited use of drone technology & drone warfare to remove the last vestiges of democratic involvement in the implementation of foreign affairs and conduct of war
> widening of the war of terror into Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia
> arrogation of war power to himself in the NATO attack on Libya
> threats of war against Iran

SADLY, we must conclude that under Obama:

> Dialogue and negotiations have been abandoned in favor of pre-emptive attack
> Diplomacy and cooperation have been discarded, as the United States resorts again and again to its weaponry
> Democracy and human rights are nowhere in sight as the United States fills a bigger and bigger pipeline with detainees and prisoners


NOW THEREFORE, by the power vested in me, and on account of the actions on the part of the recipient today described, as well as others, I hereby declare the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize award to Barack H. Obama officially revoked.

Let this unprecedented action, taken only with the most profound regret, stand as an example to ALL who abandon the values and attitudes of PEACEMAKING under the allure of POWER and VIOLENCE.

Thank you.



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Photos courtesy FJJ

Check out more Scarry signs!
[This turned out to be one of my favorite blog posts of 2011. Check out my other 2011 favorite "Scarry Thoughts" blog posts here!]
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Compose #AfghanistanTuesday Super-Tweets!

Want to compose #AfghanistanTuesday tweets that people read, retweet, reply to, think about, emulate ...? Want to really start something with your #AfghanistanTuesday tweets?

I looked through the week-by-week list of #AfghanistanTuesday top tweets and came up with a few observations about the tweets that really seem to grab people's attention.


(1) Where's our moral courage?
More striking to me than anything else has been the degree to which #AfghanistanTuesday is not so much about what's happening in Afghanistan as it is about what's failing to happen here in the United States. When you see how many people retweet the tweets that call out the utter failure of the moral courage of of people here in the U.S., you realize how deep the yearning is to turn this trend around.

For instance, check out these tweets from @volksmenner and @MidwestAntiwar.

What's also surprising is the relative lack of interest in engaging with politicians and candidates, and the 2012 election. There seems to be a pretty strong feeling that politicians are not going to be the ones to get us out of this.

I think it's a good thing that people are seeing the need for every individual to step forward and actively oppose war. How can we do even more to tap this deep desire to reclaim our moral courage?


(2) It's all about the conversation ....
We often think of Twitter as a place to push out information -- news links, for instance -- but based on the retweet rate we can see that people are even more interested in it as a place to invite conversation.

Check out what happens, for instance, when @codepink poses a question for discussion.

What are the conversations that you would like to stimulate?


(3) People REALLY see the "Occupy" connection
People see that the U.S. military occupation of Afghanistan (and other countries) is in sharp contrast to the activity of progressive people occupying cities across the United States and elsewhere around the world

Check out how @EvanTKelly, @amadorlicea, and @Antiwarcom put it!

And people also really respond to the truth about US non-withdrawal from Afghanistan - the "Afghanistan Forever" problem. Check out this tweet from @Antiwar2.

The exploration of this Occupy-UNoccupy coupling is a good thing for #OWS and a good thing for #AfghanistanTuesday.


(4) People are angry about the human costs of war
By and large, the fact that the Afghanistan War -- and war in general -- is expensive does not seem to grab most people's attention. But people get really worked up about the human cost -- particularly among the civilian victims -- of war.

See what @USDayofRageIN and @Zwicky3 tweeted.

This is a topic that many, many people respond to. Perhaps that's why people also tend to respond to calls for war crimes prosecution; see, for instance this tweet from @futureup2us.

Another sign of concern about the human costs of war is the anger about the scandal of military recruiting in the United States. See, for instance, this tweet from @khaake.


(5) "It's the military-industrial complex, stupid!"
People may not see the high cost per se as the most important thing about the Afghanistan War, but they do seem to be waking up to the enormity of the problem of the military-industrial complex, war profiteering, and the degree to which our government is subverted by the war economy.

See, for instance, this tweet from @MoralOutrage1.

Again, this is closely tied to the #OWS conversation.


(6) Conversation about the conversation
Finally, I can't help observing that people truly sense the importance of spreading the news about all the conversation itself! People want to be part of a robust conversation, and they seem to respond to requests to help pull as many people as possible into the discussion.

Check out, for instance, tweets from @thereisawayjose about expanding the #AfghanistanTuesday conversation and @codepink about getting a big turnout for the #NDAA conversation.

So there's some food for thought about how to compose "super-tweets" on #AfghanistanTuesday! Don't just take my word for it. Check out the list of #AfghanistanTuesday top tweets for yourself. What do you think will grab people's attention?

#AfghanistanTuesday - Top Tweets - Dec 6

Our weekly tweet-a-thon is on an upswing! We had an especially busy day on #AfghanistanTuesday on December 6, and I'm tickled "pink" to see the heavy participation by folks from Code Pink!

(And remember: tweeting about the upcoming Guantanamo mobilization in January is now happening in a big way every Wednesday: see #closeGITMO!)

These are some of the #AfghanistanTuesday tweets from Tuesday, December 6, 2011, that were most highly retweeted:

War: The American Way
From @codepink : Why is there always plenty of $ for war, never enough $ for diplomacy? #NDAA #AfghanistanTuesday


From @info_from_vcnv : Suicide bombing did not exist in #Afghanistan before US/NATO invasion http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2011/12/201112674650869183.html #AfghanistanTuesday #StopWar

From @ATMLincolnNE : Militarism is a cancer inflicting our society. We must fight it. #AfghanistanTuesday

Our Moral Failure
From @Human___Rights : How can our president receive the nobel peace prize but continue to fight wars? Raise awareness, inform someone #afghanistantuesday

From @sethfreytag : #bombs don't care if you're a child #AfghanistanTuesday

From @UnifiedLeft : Wars in Afghanistan & Iraq, drones in Pakistan, Yemen, & Iran need to end now! #NotInMyName http://bit.ly/vq4p38 #afghanistantuesday

From @JanetRWeil : Can't wait for #AfghanistanTuesday to say this: National "Defense" Authorization Act pours our $$ to kill wound & spy on Afghans. Shame!

NDAA: Guantanamo for Americans, War for Everyone Else!
From @codepink : About $2 BILLION/week for US/NATO war in Afghanistan in #NDAA! #AfghanistanTuesday

From @codepink : #peopleneedtoknow how they will be affected by #NDAA, join conversation this Thursday at 10 AM/PST #AfghanistanTuesday

From @codepink : Join us this Thursday at 10 AM/PST to jam the twitter waves with #NDAA facts: #peopleneedtoknow #AfghanistanTuesday

From @codepink : Truth about #NDAA: war profiteers continue to make out big, Afghans continue to suffer, your rights gone! #AfghanistanTuesday

From @codepink : Help us trend #NDAA conversation this Thursday at 10 AM/EST: #peopleneedtoknow #AfghanistanTuesday

End U.S. Wars!
From @SmoochArt : Heres the plan: Leave Afghanistan and keep the hands off Iran. #afghanistantuesday #horriblerhymes

Spread the Message!
From @UnifiedLeft : if the message has a high reproduction rate can it go viral and effect real change. http://bit.ly/vq4p38 #afghanistantuesday #OWS #oO

War Profiteers
From @codepink : War Is a Force That Pays the 1 Percent: Occupying American Foreign Policy http://ow.ly/7QFke #AfghanistanTuesday #NDAA #ows

From @codepink : US domestic economy has been ravaged by a decade of war in Afghanistan: #enoughisenough! #AfghanistanTuesday #NDAA

From @AlliMcCrack : War Is a Force That Pays the 1 Percent: Occupying American Foreign Policy http://ow.ly/7QFke #AfghanistanTuesday via @codepink #occupydc

#Prosecute #WarCrimes
From @volksmenner : Bush cancels visit to Switzerland over fears he could be arrested on torture charges http://bit.ly/tPGHcN #AfghanistanTuesday #warcrimes

#RESIST!
From @info_from_vcnv : In Iowa, occupiers picket a #drone factory http://shar.es/ozWup #StopWar #OWS #OccupyChicago #AfghanistanTuesday

From @sethfreytag : Its #AfghanistanTuesday and I cant think of a creative tweet this week so here: We need to end the war. Its a waste of human lives and money

Costs of War
From @outpostof : Cost of war #Afghanistan 2,823 International Troops killed; $482,018,200,000 cost, so far, so bad @costofwar #afghanistantuesday @Antiwar2

PLUS . . . Check out the master list of #AfghanistanTuesday blog posts!

Chicago: A Torture-Free City?

NOTE: Chicago City Council voted UNANIMOUSLY on January 18, 2012, to make Chicago a torture-free city.]

What might we be able to accomplish if we could hold the unanimous passage of this resolution up as an example to people in other cities, to encourage them to take similar action? Can we start a movement for a torture-free WORLD?

* * * * *

On January 18, 2012, Chicago City Council will vote on a resolution to make Chicago a torture-free city. This vote will be a CRITICAL MILESTONE in the movement in Chicago and throughout the Midwest to resist the abuses of our government (including the national mobilization for the closure of Guantanamo, Bagram, and other sites, and the end of illegitimate detention practices, January 11, 2012). YOUR SUPPORT of UNANIMOUS PASSAGE at the January 18 Chicago City Council meeting can make the difference in getting the resolution passed!

Action Steps
The Resolution
Contact Your Alderman on Twitter!
Key Background

ACTION STEPS
We are on our way to making Chicago the first city in the United States to publicly oppose torture. This is great and it could not have happened without your work and support! Now we need you to stick with it to get the resolution passed!


(1) Review the notes on the January 12 hearing on the resolution. Note that the resolution's sponsor, Alderman Joe Moore, has stated that he expects the UNANIMOUS passage of this resolution.

(2) Lobby your alderman. Call or write your alderman to tell him/her how important this resolution is to you. (Want to make some noise? Most aldermen are now on Twitter, so you can tell them in public!)

(3) Sign the petition. Thousands of people have already signed this ICAT petition to urge passage of this resolution (including hard copy and online versions). Please join them!

(4) Tell your friends! Email, Facebook, Twitter, you know the drill! (Just think about the impact if each person who supported this resolution told just ten friends!)

(5) Attend the January 18 vote! City Council meets at 10 a.m., January 18, 2012, to vote on the resolution. Come early to be assured a seat in Council chambers.



RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING CHICAGO TO BE A TORTURE FREE ZONE
WHEREAS, the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (Convention) defines torture as: “Any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity.”; and

WHEREAS, the United States signed the Convention in 1988 and the United States Congress ratified the Convention in 1994, thereby making it a law; and

WHEREAS, torture violates our nation’s and our city’s most cherished ideals and violates the rights of all individuals, in contravention of the Convention and provisions of the United States Constitution, including the Fifth Amendment ban on self-incrimination, the Eighth Amendment ban on cruel and unusual punishment, and the Fourteenth Amendment guarantee of equal protection under the law; and

WHEREAS, incidents of torture and degrading practices perpetrated by agents of or on behalf of the United States government have been documented in Abu Ghraib, Bagram, Guantanamo Bay and elsewhere abroad since the signing of the Convention; and

WHEREAS, many Chicagoans are being held in prolonged solitary confinement in Illinois prisons in conditions which often lead to physical and psychological breakdown and are a form of torture; and

WHEREAS, former Chicago Police Commander Jon Burge and Chicago police officers under his command tortured scores of African-American men, which resulted in false confessions leading to wrongful convictions and imprisonment; and

WHEREAS, the City of Chicago and its taxpayers have paid and continue to pay millions of dollars to defend lawsuits arising from those torturous acts; and

WHEREAS, torture survivors require comprehensive care and assistance, such as that provided by the Heartland Alliance Marjorie Kovler Center; and

WHEREAS, torture degrades everyone involved—perpetrators, survivors of torture, their families and communities, and officials and the public which turn a blind eye to such practices; and

WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Chicago in 2002 declared June 26th a day of support for torture survivors in accordance with the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Mayor and the City Council of the City of Chicago stand firm against all forms of torture and inhuman treatment, and hereby proclaim Chicago to be a torture free zone; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and the City Council of the City of Chicago voice their strong and unwavering support for all survivors of torture, and will hold all perpetrators accountable for their actions; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and the City Council of the City of Chicago support and will take all necessary steps to enact the following: 1. The City of Chicago declares that it will not tolerate, support or allow torture to be practiced by its employees or residents. 2. The City of Chicago affirms that all prisoners under city, state or federal governmental control are entitled to have their human rights respected, including their right to be free from torture. 3. The City of Chicago supports the observance of December 10th, International Human Rights Day, as a day to reaffirm that the human rights of all people must be respected and to publicly denounce the practice of torture, wherever it occurs.



CONTACT YOUR ALDERMAN ON TWITTER!
1st - Joe Moreno @Alderman_Moreno
2nd - Robert Fioretti @FiorettiChicago
3rd - Pat Dowell (not on Twitter)
4th - William Burns @Ald4_WillBurns
5th - Leslie Hairston (not on Twitter)
6th - Roderick Sawyer @RoderickTSawyer
7th - Sandi Jackson @SandiJackson1
8th - Michelle Harris (not on Twitter)
9th - Anthony Beale (not on Twitter)
10th - John Pope @AldermanPope
11th - James Balcer (not on Twitter)
12th - George A. Cardenas @ald12
13th - Marty Quinn (not on Twitter)
14th - Ed Burke (not on Twitter)
15th - Toni Foulkes (not on Twitter)
16th - JoAnn Thompson (not on Twitter)
17th - Latasha Thomas (not on Twitter)
18th - Lona Lane (not on Twitter)
19th - Matthew O’Shea @mattoshea19
20th - Willie Cochran @ALDERMANWBC
21st - Howard Brookins Jr.(not on Twitter)
22nd - Ricardo Munoz @AldermanMunoz22
23rd - Michael Zalewski (not on Twitter)
24th - Michael Chandler (not on Twitter)
25th - DanielSolis @AldermanSolis
26th - Roberto Maldonado (not on Twitter)
27th - Walter Burnett, Jr. @AldermanBurnett
28th - Jason Ervin @AldermanErvin
29th - DeborahGraham (not on Twitter)
30th - Ariel E. Reboyras @Ald_Reboyras
31st - Ray Suarez (not on Twitter)
32nd - Scott Waguespack (not on Twitter)
33rd - Richard F. Mell (not on Twitter)
34th - Carrie Austin (not on Twitter)
35th - Rey Colon (not on Twitter)
36th - Nicholas Sposato @AldermanSposato
37th - Emma Mitts @EmmaMittsAld37
38th - Timothy M. Cullerton (not on Twitter)
39th - Margaret Laurino (not on Twitter)
40th - Patrick J. O'Connor @40thWard
41st - Mary O’Connor @OCONNORfor41
42nd - Brendan Reilly (not on Twitter)
43rd - Michele Smith @MicheleSmith43
44th - Thomas M. Tunney @AldTomTunney
45th - John Arena @johnarena445
46th - James Cappleman @jamescappleman
47th - Ameya Pawar @alderman_pawar
48th - Harry Osterman (not on Twitter)
49th - Joseph A. Moore @joemoore49
50th - Debra Silverstein @Debra4Alderman


KEY BACKGROUND

Chicago Police Torture
Chicago Police Torture Archive
Chicago Police Torture Justice Memorials

Solitary Confinement as Torture
Atul Gawande, Hellholes, The New Yorker - "The United States holds tens of thousands of inmates in long-term solitary confinement. Is this torture?"

Chicago as a Haven for Survivors of Torture
Heartland Alliance Marjorie Kovler Center