UPCOMING EVENTS
01/21/13 PEACE MARCH AND RALLY FOR JUSTICE IN HONOR OF MLK
The Peace March and Rally begin at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 21 – the official King holiday – with a brief service at St. James AME Church on Hildebrand Street at Martin Luther King Boulevard downtown. Participants march to City-County Plaza at noon, where speakers and musicians join in a Rally for Justice. Occupy Asheville will participate and will meet at St. James AME Church (Martin Luther King and Hildebrand Streets) at 11:15 AM.
01/21/13 SUPPORT THE ARC OF JUSTICE RALLY AND PARADE IN DC
http://www.stopthesewars.org/support-the-arc-of-justice-rally-and-parade/
01/21/13 to 01/25/13 MLK WEEK AT UNCA
Check http://msp.unca.edu/mlk2013 in January for a full list of activities.
01/22/13 THE PARCHMAN HOUR
Remembering the Past: Freedom Writer Vignettes. In the fiery first months of America's Civil Rights movement, waves of college students rode buses into the heart of the Deep South. Many were brutally attacked, arrested and imprisoned in Mississippi's notorious Parchman Farm Penitentiary. To help them endure, they invented "The Parchman Hour," a live variety show inspired by radio and TV programs. The Parchman Hour, a Mike Wiley production, brings to the stage powerful oral histories and conversations from the Freedom Riders including Stokely Carmichael, Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy. Time is 8 PM and the location is Lipinsky Auditorium at UNCA. Free.
01/22/13 PUBLIC LECTURE AT UNCA
“How the World’s Poor Live on $2 a Day” with Jonathan Morduch, professor of public policy and economics at the NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. Held in the Sherill Center Mountain View Room. Time is 12:30 PM.
01/23/13 MLK WEEK KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT UNCA
“Looking to the Future” by Gwendolyn Boyd. Time is 7 PM and location is Lipinsky Auditorium. Free. Gwendolyn Boyd illustrates the relevance of Dr. King’s work today by combining science, education and service to create concrete change in her community and the world. She became the first African-American woman to earn an M.S. in mechanical engineering at Yale University. In the spirit of Dr. King, Boyd inspires change appropriate to our times. She is a prominent advocate for women’s equality and the recruitment of African Americans into science and engineering. Boyd has been recognized as one of the 100 Most Important Blacks in Technology by the Black Engineer of the Year Awards.
01/24/13 WNC ALLIANCE GLOBAL WARMING CHANGING COURSE CLASS
Register for WNCA’s new course! Global Warming: Changing Course is a six-session discussion course book exploring the history and science of global warming, personal values and habits as they relate to climate change, and personal actions to curb the effects of global warming. Introductory class on 1/24/13 followed by five more classes. Cost I $35 for members, $40 for non-members. This will happen at the Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar. To register please call course leader, Rachel Moore, at 828-258-8737 or email rachel@wnca.org by Jan. 18.
01/25/12 HOMELESS NETWORK PARADE IN ASHEVILLE
This event is in defense of the rights of our homeless brothers and sisters here in Asheville and a rejection of the criminalization of homelessness the City has overseen throughout the past three-four years. The Parade will begin at Pritchard Park at 2 PM and march to Vance Memorial where speakers from the homeless community will speak.
01/26/13 NC STATEWIDE DAY OF ACTION: OUR ENERGY FUTURE
There will be rallies held in Asheville, Raleigh, Charlotte, Greensboro, and Wilmington. In Asheville, meet at Pritchard Park at 1 PM. This rally is a response to the Progress/Duke Energy monopoly and their 20 year business plan. It's time to move beyond coal, away from risky nuclear power and time to block expansion of fracking in NC. We want more efficiency programs and more solar and wind. This rally will be family-friendly and have music, speakers and fun! Contact Laura at lsredoak@gmail.com for more information.
01/28/13 to 03/15/13 BUILDING BRIDGES SEMINAR SERIES
The Mission of Building Bridges is to enable our community to confront and overcome racism through a continuing process of changing attitudes and hearts through education, consciousness-raising, nurturing, and ongoing support. Our goal is to be intentional in respecting diversity within our community. This seminar is an introduction to the dynamics of racism and is an opportunity to explore how race has impacted our relationships, communities and institutions. Past participants are welcome. Time is 7 PM to 9 PM on Monday evenings, and location is MAHEC at 121 Hendersonville Road in Asheville. Cost is $30. Registration is limited, please call 828-777-4585 for an application form.
01/28/13 PUBLIC SAFETY MEETING
Public Safety meeting regarding Asheville City Council member Cecil Bothwell’s civil liberties resolution Monday Jan 28th at 3PM. This is at Asheville Fire Station (downtown) on the 2nd floor. This resolution states that Asheville police will not comply with federal statutes regarding targeting and arrest of undocumented workers.
01/28/13 ASHEVILLE EARTH SABBATH
A monthly interfaith celebration of the Earth with words and music to nourish your soul coordinated by NC Interfaith Power & Light. This month lead by Maureen Linneman and Chas Jansen. This is at St. Mary's Episcopal Church on Charlotte Street from 7 to 8 pm. All welcome. For more information, contact Jean at larson_jean@hotmail.com.
02/01/13 ASHEVILLE-BUNCOMBE FOOD POLICY COUNCIL MEETING
The Asheville-Buncombe Food Policy Council (A/B FPC) collaborated with the Sustainability Advisory Committee on Energy and the Environment (SACEE) to create the first City of Asheville Food Action Plan. To find out more about this, or to help them with their goal of improving the city’s food security, please come to the meeting at the Mountain View Room at the UNCA Sherrill Center. Meeting is from 4 to 6 PM.
02/04/13 GREEN PARTY MEETING
The Buncombe County GREEN Party's business meeting is open to the public. It is held on the first Monday of the Month. It will be held at 6 PM in the Fortune Building (upstairs), at 729 Haywood Rd., West Asheville. Parking in back and on the street. Contact Ronald @ 828-LUCK-180 or Larry @ 828-225-4347 for more information.
02/06/13 SIERRA CLUB MEETING
“Beyond Coal,” transitioning from coal to clean energy, will be presented by Kelly Martin of the NC Beyond Coal Campaign. Kris Cunningham of Sierra Club will answer questions on why nuclear power is not suitable for replacing coal. Time is 7 pm by Sierra Club and location is the Unitarian Church, 1 Edwin Pl, Asheville (corner of Charlotte & Edwin). Contact: judymattox@sbcglobal.net or 828-683-2176 for more information.
01/21/13 PEACE MARCH AND RALLY FOR JUSTICE IN HONOR OF MLK
The Peace March and Rally begin at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 21 – the official King holiday – with a brief service at St. James AME Church on Hildebrand Street at Martin Luther King Boulevard downtown. Participants march to City-County Plaza at noon, where speakers and musicians join in a Rally for Justice. Occupy Asheville will participate and will meet at St. James AME Church (Martin Luther King and Hildebrand Streets) at 11:15 AM.
01/21/13 SUPPORT THE ARC OF JUSTICE RALLY AND PARADE IN DC
http://www.stopthesewars.org/support-the-arc-of-justice-rally-and-parade/
01/21/13 to 01/25/13 MLK WEEK AT UNCA
Check http://msp.unca.edu/mlk2013 in January for a full list of activities.
01/22/13 THE PARCHMAN HOUR
Remembering the Past: Freedom Writer Vignettes. In the fiery first months of America's Civil Rights movement, waves of college students rode buses into the heart of the Deep South. Many were brutally attacked, arrested and imprisoned in Mississippi's notorious Parchman Farm Penitentiary. To help them endure, they invented "The Parchman Hour," a live variety show inspired by radio and TV programs. The Parchman Hour, a Mike Wiley production, brings to the stage powerful oral histories and conversations from the Freedom Riders including Stokely Carmichael, Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy. Time is 8 PM and the location is Lipinsky Auditorium at UNCA. Free.
01/22/13 PUBLIC LECTURE AT UNCA
“How the World’s Poor Live on $2 a Day” with Jonathan Morduch, professor of public policy and economics at the NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. Held in the Sherill Center Mountain View Room. Time is 12:30 PM.
01/23/13 MLK WEEK KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT UNCA
“Looking to the Future” by Gwendolyn Boyd. Time is 7 PM and location is Lipinsky Auditorium. Free. Gwendolyn Boyd illustrates the relevance of Dr. King’s work today by combining science, education and service to create concrete change in her community and the world. She became the first African-American woman to earn an M.S. in mechanical engineering at Yale University. In the spirit of Dr. King, Boyd inspires change appropriate to our times. She is a prominent advocate for women’s equality and the recruitment of African Americans into science and engineering. Boyd has been recognized as one of the 100 Most Important Blacks in Technology by the Black Engineer of the Year Awards.
01/24/13 WNC ALLIANCE GLOBAL WARMING CHANGING COURSE CLASS
Register for WNCA’s new course! Global Warming: Changing Course is a six-session discussion course book exploring the history and science of global warming, personal values and habits as they relate to climate change, and personal actions to curb the effects of global warming. Introductory class on 1/24/13 followed by five more classes. Cost I $35 for members, $40 for non-members. This will happen at the Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar. To register please call course leader, Rachel Moore, at 828-258-8737 or email rachel@wnca.org by Jan. 18.
01/25/12 HOMELESS NETWORK PARADE IN ASHEVILLE
This event is in defense of the rights of our homeless brothers and sisters here in Asheville and a rejection of the criminalization of homelessness the City has overseen throughout the past three-four years. The Parade will begin at Pritchard Park at 2 PM and march to Vance Memorial where speakers from the homeless community will speak.
01/26/13 NC STATEWIDE DAY OF ACTION: OUR ENERGY FUTURE
There will be rallies held in Asheville, Raleigh, Charlotte, Greensboro, and Wilmington. In Asheville, meet at Pritchard Park at 1 PM. This rally is a response to the Progress/Duke Energy monopoly and their 20 year business plan. It's time to move beyond coal, away from risky nuclear power and time to block expansion of fracking in NC. We want more efficiency programs and more solar and wind. This rally will be family-friendly and have music, speakers and fun! Contact Laura at lsredoak@gmail.com for more information.
01/28/13 to 03/15/13 BUILDING BRIDGES SEMINAR SERIES
The Mission of Building Bridges is to enable our community to confront and overcome racism through a continuing process of changing attitudes and hearts through education, consciousness-raising, nurturing, and ongoing support. Our goal is to be intentional in respecting diversity within our community. This seminar is an introduction to the dynamics of racism and is an opportunity to explore how race has impacted our relationships, communities and institutions. Past participants are welcome. Time is 7 PM to 9 PM on Monday evenings, and location is MAHEC at 121 Hendersonville Road in Asheville. Cost is $30. Registration is limited, please call 828-777-4585 for an application form.
01/28/13 PUBLIC SAFETY MEETING
Public Safety meeting regarding Asheville City Council member Cecil Bothwell’s civil liberties resolution Monday Jan 28th at 3PM. This is at Asheville Fire Station (downtown) on the 2nd floor. This resolution states that Asheville police will not comply with federal statutes regarding targeting and arrest of undocumented workers.
01/28/13 ASHEVILLE EARTH SABBATH
A monthly interfaith celebration of the Earth with words and music to nourish your soul coordinated by NC Interfaith Power & Light. This month lead by Maureen Linneman and Chas Jansen. This is at St. Mary's Episcopal Church on Charlotte Street from 7 to 8 pm. All welcome. For more information, contact Jean at larson_jean@hotmail.com.
02/01/13 ASHEVILLE-BUNCOMBE FOOD POLICY COUNCIL MEETING
The Asheville-Buncombe Food Policy Council (A/B FPC) collaborated with the Sustainability Advisory Committee on Energy and the Environment (SACEE) to create the first City of Asheville Food Action Plan. To find out more about this, or to help them with their goal of improving the city’s food security, please come to the meeting at the Mountain View Room at the UNCA Sherrill Center. Meeting is from 4 to 6 PM.
02/04/13 GREEN PARTY MEETING
The Buncombe County GREEN Party's business meeting is open to the public. It is held on the first Monday of the Month. It will be held at 6 PM in the Fortune Building (upstairs), at 729 Haywood Rd., West Asheville. Parking in back and on the street. Contact Ronald @ 828-LUCK-180 or Larry @ 828-225-4347 for more information.
02/06/13 SIERRA CLUB MEETING
“Beyond Coal,” transitioning from coal to clean energy, will be presented by Kelly Martin of the NC Beyond Coal Campaign. Kris Cunningham of Sierra Club will answer questions on why nuclear power is not suitable for replacing coal. Time is 7 pm by Sierra Club and location is the Unitarian Church, 1 Edwin Pl, Asheville (corner of Charlotte & Edwin). Contact: judymattox@sbcglobal.net or 828-683-2176 for more information.
02/07/13 VETERANS FOR PEACE MEETING
Time is 6:30 PM and location is VFP HQ at the Phil Mechanic Studios: 109 Roberts Street in Asheville. VFP Chapter 099: http://vfpchapter099wnc.blogspot.com/
02/12/13 JUSTICE FRIENDS NIGHT
An inclusive monthly gathering to explore social and environmental justice through presentations, films and performance art. A discussion group and social event for locals with an activist mindset. Bring your causes and local issues to the roundtable! Share, listen, learn, network. Location is Firestorm Café and Books and time is 7 PM.
02/14/13 ONE BILLION RISING IN ASHEVILLE
On V-Day’s 15th Anniversary, 2/14/13, we are inviting ONE BILLION women and those who love them to WALK OUT, DANCE, RISE UP, and DEMAND an end to violence against women. ONE BILLION RISING will move the earth, activating women and men across every country. V-Day wants the world to see our collective strength, our numbers, our solidarity across borders. This event will take place from 7 to 10 PM and location will be the YWCA on South French Broad Avenue in Asheville.
02/17/13 CLIMATE RALLY IN DC
http://action.sierraclub.org/site/PageServer?pagename=nat_signup_feb17
02/19/13 TRANSITION ASHEVILLE PERMACULTURE POTLUCK SERIES
Each month in 2013 a different local teacher will present a new permaculture principle explaining how that principle can be applied to the redesign of our lives, homes, and communities to create a more resilient and sustainable human culture. We invite you to join us for these “Potlucks with a Purpose” on the third Tuesday of each month at Community Action Opportunities (25 Gaston Street) to share ideas, connection, and great food! Time is 5:30 PM.
03/05/13 PUBLIC HEARING ON DUKE RATE HIKES
The Asheville Public Hearing by the NC Utilities Commission will be held at the Buncombe County Court House in the basement in District Courtroom 1. The time is 7 PM. Progress Energy/Duke is proposing a 14% rate hike. And their business plan does not include wind, solar or expansion of energy efficiency.
*******************************************
ONGOING EVENTS
*******************************************
MONDAY
Occupy Asheville Weekly Meeting at 6:30 PM at First Congregational Church of Christ.
TUESDAY
Veterans for Peace have a weekly vigil at 4:30 PM at Pack Square, Vance Monument
WEDNESDAY
Haywood Peace Vigilers have a weekly vigil at 4 PM at Haywood Country Courthouse in Waynesville.
THURSDAY
Asheville Homeless Network meeting at 2 PM at Firestorm Cafe.
Anti-racism Group Discussion at 5:30 PM on the third Thursday of the month at Firestorm Cafe.
Veterans for Peace Discussion group on the third Thursday of the month at the Phil Mechanic Studio on Roberts Street, Asheville. Time is 6:30 PM.
FRIDAY
Women in Black have a vigil at 5 PM at Pack Square (Asheville) on the first Friday of the month.
Women in Black have a weekly vigil at noon at the City Hall in Hendersonville
Homeless Network Parade on the last Friday of the month at 2 PM at Pritchard Park.
SATURDAY
Transylvanians for Peace and WNC Physicians for Social Responsibility have a weekly vigil at noon in front of the courthouse in Brevard.
Occupy Asheville General Assembly on the first Saturday of the month. 3 PM at Pritchard Park.
Really, Really Free Market on the last Saturday of the month from 11 to 3 PM at Aston Park.
*******************************************
ACTIONS AND READINGS
*******************************************
Protect Children, Not Guns
Please consider signing a petition that asks our politicians to protect children, not guns. Every name that is added builds momentum around the campaign and makes it more likely for us to get the change we want to see.
Will you join me by taking action on this campaign?
http://action.groundswell-movement.org/petitions/marian-wright-edelman-s-letter-to-the-president-and-congress-on-gun-violence
After you've signed the petition please also take a moment to share it with others. Thank you!
******************
FROM DEMAND PROGRESS:
You've surely heard of Aaron Swartz's tragic passing. Demand Progress sent out this statement today, and is encouraging those who'd like to help forward Aaron's fight against injustice to sign up here:
http://act.demandprogress.org/sign/updates?referring_akid=1966.610434.65fdeU&source=mailto
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Demand Progress’s Aaron Swartz. Friends and family have issued a statement and created a memorial page, here.
http://rememberaaronsw.tumblr.com/
Aaron was a dear friend, and an ideological brother in arms. As others have spoken to at great length, he was indeed a passionate advocate for access to information and for a free and open Internet. He believed in these things for their own sakes, but moreover as means towards the even deeper end of building a world defined by social and economic justice.
He resisted the impulse to presume that he alone was responsible for his brilliance or should benefit therefrom, and he wasn’t a techno-utopian: He was a communitarian, somebody who was deeply aware of our world’s injustices and who understood the constant struggle that is necessary to even begin to remedy them. That’s why this organization exists.
We’ve worked closely with Aaron over the last two or three years, but have not known him for as long as have some others who’ve written profoundly moving tributes to him and his life’s work. We met him as a genius, but not as the boy-genius that Larry and Cory and many others knew, and we would suggest reading their pieces for deeper insight into his personal and professional evolution.
We first encountered Aaron through our executive director’s unsuccessful run for Congress in 2010. Aaron became a fixture in the campaign office, rigging up cheap ways to do polling and robo-calls and helping give the uphill effort a fighting chance. But it was never about just one campaign: He was honing skills and tools he wanted to use to build capacity for much broader social movements that would create fundamental, structural change. He’d taken to calling himself an “applied sociologist.” He was trying to hack the world, and we were happy to help in what small ways we could.
That campaign work quickly transitioned into Demand Progress and Aaron’s conception of the initial petition in opposition to the Combating Online Infringements and Counterfeits Act, and then the ensuing 18 months of activism that helped bring down SOPA and PIPA. There are so many stories to tell about that effort: trudging around the halls of the Capitol, getting under the skin of intransigent senators, generally scrapping away as we struggled to build a movement against all odds. Many of them are best told by Aaron himself, here. But Aaron’s legal troubles began approximately commensurate with the launch of that anti-COICA petition, and it was clear that his persecution by an institutionally corrupted criminal justice system weighed heavily on him throughout the last two years, and certainly more so of late.
We are working with Aaron’s friends, family, and colleagues to determine how best to pay tribute to him — it will surely entail engaging in political activism in service of making this world a more just one. We will be in touch with our members and the general public in the near future to offer suggestions about ways to move forward. Tragically, we’ll have to continue to stifle the visceral impulse to run our half-formed ideas by Aaron, to help us make them better ones.
Click here if you’d like to receive updates from us.
http://act.demandprogress.org/sign/updates?referring_akid=a7532812.610434.Yg9ujL&source=auto-taf
******************
France has undertaken a major military campaign in Mali. U.S. officials are talking about the possibility of supporting the French military campaign with US drone strikes.
Congress hasn't authorized U.S. military intervention in Mali. In particular, Congress hasn't authorized US drone strikes in Mali.
Join me in urging your Representative and Senators to publicly insist that the Administration obtain explicit Congressional authorization before conducting drone strikes in Mali by following this link:
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/act/mali-drones
******************
Time is 6:30 PM and location is VFP HQ at the Phil Mechanic Studios: 109 Roberts Street in Asheville. VFP Chapter 099: http://vfpchapter099wnc.blogspot.com/
02/12/13 JUSTICE FRIENDS NIGHT
An inclusive monthly gathering to explore social and environmental justice through presentations, films and performance art. A discussion group and social event for locals with an activist mindset. Bring your causes and local issues to the roundtable! Share, listen, learn, network. Location is Firestorm Café and Books and time is 7 PM.
02/14/13 ONE BILLION RISING IN ASHEVILLE
On V-Day’s 15th Anniversary, 2/14/13, we are inviting ONE BILLION women and those who love them to WALK OUT, DANCE, RISE UP, and DEMAND an end to violence against women. ONE BILLION RISING will move the earth, activating women and men across every country. V-Day wants the world to see our collective strength, our numbers, our solidarity across borders. This event will take place from 7 to 10 PM and location will be the YWCA on South French Broad Avenue in Asheville.
02/17/13 CLIMATE RALLY IN DC
http://action.sierraclub.org/site/PageServer?pagename=nat_signup_feb17
02/19/13 TRANSITION ASHEVILLE PERMACULTURE POTLUCK SERIES
Each month in 2013 a different local teacher will present a new permaculture principle explaining how that principle can be applied to the redesign of our lives, homes, and communities to create a more resilient and sustainable human culture. We invite you to join us for these “Potlucks with a Purpose” on the third Tuesday of each month at Community Action Opportunities (25 Gaston Street) to share ideas, connection, and great food! Time is 5:30 PM.
03/05/13 PUBLIC HEARING ON DUKE RATE HIKES
The Asheville Public Hearing by the NC Utilities Commission will be held at the Buncombe County Court House in the basement in District Courtroom 1. The time is 7 PM. Progress Energy/Duke is proposing a 14% rate hike. And their business plan does not include wind, solar or expansion of energy efficiency.
*******************************************
ONGOING EVENTS
*******************************************
MONDAY
Occupy Asheville Weekly Meeting at 6:30 PM at First Congregational Church of Christ.
TUESDAY
Veterans for Peace have a weekly vigil at 4:30 PM at Pack Square, Vance Monument
WEDNESDAY
Haywood Peace Vigilers have a weekly vigil at 4 PM at Haywood Country Courthouse in Waynesville.
THURSDAY
Asheville Homeless Network meeting at 2 PM at Firestorm Cafe.
Anti-racism Group Discussion at 5:30 PM on the third Thursday of the month at Firestorm Cafe.
Veterans for Peace Discussion group on the third Thursday of the month at the Phil Mechanic Studio on Roberts Street, Asheville. Time is 6:30 PM.
FRIDAY
Women in Black have a vigil at 5 PM at Pack Square (Asheville) on the first Friday of the month.
Women in Black have a weekly vigil at noon at the City Hall in Hendersonville
Homeless Network Parade on the last Friday of the month at 2 PM at Pritchard Park.
SATURDAY
Transylvanians for Peace and WNC Physicians for Social Responsibility have a weekly vigil at noon in front of the courthouse in Brevard.
Occupy Asheville General Assembly on the first Saturday of the month. 3 PM at Pritchard Park.
Really, Really Free Market on the last Saturday of the month from 11 to 3 PM at Aston Park.
*******************************************
ACTIONS AND READINGS
*******************************************
Protect Children, Not Guns
Please consider signing a petition that asks our politicians to protect children, not guns. Every name that is added builds momentum around the campaign and makes it more likely for us to get the change we want to see.
Will you join me by taking action on this campaign?
http://action.groundswell-movement.org/petitions/marian-wright-edelman-s-letter-to-the-president-and-congress-on-gun-violence
After you've signed the petition please also take a moment to share it with others. Thank you!
******************
FROM DEMAND PROGRESS:
You've surely heard of Aaron Swartz's tragic passing. Demand Progress sent out this statement today, and is encouraging those who'd like to help forward Aaron's fight against injustice to sign up here:
http://act.demandprogress.org/sign/updates?referring_akid=1966.610434.65fdeU&source=mailto
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Demand Progress’s Aaron Swartz. Friends and family have issued a statement and created a memorial page, here.
http://rememberaaronsw.tumblr.com/
Aaron was a dear friend, and an ideological brother in arms. As others have spoken to at great length, he was indeed a passionate advocate for access to information and for a free and open Internet. He believed in these things for their own sakes, but moreover as means towards the even deeper end of building a world defined by social and economic justice.
He resisted the impulse to presume that he alone was responsible for his brilliance or should benefit therefrom, and he wasn’t a techno-utopian: He was a communitarian, somebody who was deeply aware of our world’s injustices and who understood the constant struggle that is necessary to even begin to remedy them. That’s why this organization exists.
We’ve worked closely with Aaron over the last two or three years, but have not known him for as long as have some others who’ve written profoundly moving tributes to him and his life’s work. We met him as a genius, but not as the boy-genius that Larry and Cory and many others knew, and we would suggest reading their pieces for deeper insight into his personal and professional evolution.
We first encountered Aaron through our executive director’s unsuccessful run for Congress in 2010. Aaron became a fixture in the campaign office, rigging up cheap ways to do polling and robo-calls and helping give the uphill effort a fighting chance. But it was never about just one campaign: He was honing skills and tools he wanted to use to build capacity for much broader social movements that would create fundamental, structural change. He’d taken to calling himself an “applied sociologist.” He was trying to hack the world, and we were happy to help in what small ways we could.
That campaign work quickly transitioned into Demand Progress and Aaron’s conception of the initial petition in opposition to the Combating Online Infringements and Counterfeits Act, and then the ensuing 18 months of activism that helped bring down SOPA and PIPA. There are so many stories to tell about that effort: trudging around the halls of the Capitol, getting under the skin of intransigent senators, generally scrapping away as we struggled to build a movement against all odds. Many of them are best told by Aaron himself, here. But Aaron’s legal troubles began approximately commensurate with the launch of that anti-COICA petition, and it was clear that his persecution by an institutionally corrupted criminal justice system weighed heavily on him throughout the last two years, and certainly more so of late.
We are working with Aaron’s friends, family, and colleagues to determine how best to pay tribute to him — it will surely entail engaging in political activism in service of making this world a more just one. We will be in touch with our members and the general public in the near future to offer suggestions about ways to move forward. Tragically, we’ll have to continue to stifle the visceral impulse to run our half-formed ideas by Aaron, to help us make them better ones.
Click here if you’d like to receive updates from us.
http://act.demandprogress.org/sign/updates?referring_akid=a7532812.610434.Yg9ujL&source=auto-taf
******************
France has undertaken a major military campaign in Mali. U.S. officials are talking about the possibility of supporting the French military campaign with US drone strikes.
Congress hasn't authorized U.S. military intervention in Mali. In particular, Congress hasn't authorized US drone strikes in Mali.
Join me in urging your Representative and Senators to publicly insist that the Administration obtain explicit Congressional authorization before conducting drone strikes in Mali by following this link:
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/act/mali-drones
******************
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