Events in Asheville This Week

I think this week in Asheville could be called "Voices of Conscience". There are several events going on that revolve around people speaking out, or people having spoken out in the past - some of them at a great price to themselves, and all of them enriching our world.

Thursday – The play “The White Rose” starts at NC Stage Company. From their website comes this description of the group called the “White Rose”.

In 1942, a group of students in Munich stood up against Hitler’s regime in six anonymous leaflets titled The White Rose. Hans Scholl, Sophie Scholl,Willi Graf, Christoph Probst, and Alexander Schmorell used these leaflets to wage a war of propaganda in the hearts of the German people in the closing months of World War II. The movement eventually spread across all of Germany, becoming a voice for its people who were against what was happening to their country. “Nothing is so unworthy of a civilized nation as allowing itself to be ‘governed’ without opposition by an irresponsible clique the has yielded to base instinct.” -The 1st Leaflet of the White Rose

Thursday – Winter Soldier on the Hill testimony at the US House of Representatives. These Iraq War veterans are speaking their truth to our Congress. This is difficult, very difficult. There was a diary written up about this on Daily Kos. Here is a bit of that diary:

Once again, mark Your Calendars, drop C-Span a line and tell them you want this televised, write about this on your sites, let your local papers know about this historic event and testimony to the Congessional Record, testimony on the Failed Policies of War and Occupation of this countries recent history and Failed Incompetent Leadership!

Here’s what I got in an email to Veterans for Peace:

Winter Soldier on the Hill

Congress has heard from politicians, pundits, and generals, but not, up to this point, from the average boots-on-the-ground soldier. On May 15th, Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) and the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) begin the process of righting this imbalance with Winter Soldier on the Hill. Nine members of IVAW will testify under oath before the CPC about rules of engagement, the killing and abuse of civilians, the use of drop weapons, and the true consequences of the "surge." Winter Soldier on the Hill will allow the US Congress to be more fully informed about the situation in iraq through soldiers' eyewitness accounts of the on-going military occupation, while they debate (more than likely for the last time during the Bush-Cheney administration) the funding for U.S. military operations in Iraq.

Who: Iraq Veterans Against the War & The Congressional Progressive Caucus
What: Winter Soldier on the Hill – An Open Forum
When: 15 May 2008 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Where: 2261 Rayburn House Office Building

THE POINT IS NOT TO PHYSICALLY COME TO DC. JUST CALL YOUR CONGRESSMAN AFTER YOU READ THIS!!

Friday – Two groups in town are showing the film “I Know I Am Not Alone” – Michael Franti risks his safety to go to the scenes of violence in the Middle East and show them another side of the USA. This trip also produced some great music to go with the film. Here is some information on the film:

In 2004 Michael Franti decided to ‘walk his talk’ and traveled to the war zones of Iraq, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. This wasn’t a USO green zone sponsored visit – Franti and his team organized a trip that would take him to the core of the red-zoned, war torn neighborhoods of Baghdad, the West Bank and Gaza Strip armed with only a guitar, video cameras and the intent to experience first hand the human cost of war. Throughout his journey he shares his music with families, doctors, musicians, soldiers and everyday people who in turn reveal to him the often overlooked human cost of war.

And the really big event: Next Sunday – Col. Ann Wright will read from her book “Dissent: Voices of Conscience” and speak at Firestorm Café & Books at 4 PM. Ann Wright gave up her job in the US Department of State to protest the Iraq invasion and she has been protesting ever since. She will be doing a “meet and greet” at Malaprop’s from noon to 2 PM the same day. Here is some information on her from her book promotion page:

During the run-up to war in Iraq, Army Colonel (Ret.) and diplomat Ann Wright resigned her State Department post. She was one among dozens of government insiders and active-duty military personnel who leaked documents, spoke out, resigned, or refused to deploy in protest of government actions they felt were illegal. In Dissent: Voices of Conscience, Ann Wright and Susan Dixon tell the stories of these men and women, who risked careers, reputations, and even freedom out of loyalty to the Constitution and the rule of law.

Col. (Ret.) Ann Wright has given up a lot to voice her conscience – her career, and even the ability to travel to Canada. She is on a FBI ‘watch list’ and was not allowed into Canada. Ann Wright will be traveling all week across North Carolina, and giving speeches along the way.

(More information is below on all the above events.)

AND YOU HAVE A VOICE TOO! Here are some ways you can exercise your voice without risking your safety, quitting your job, or suffering any discomfort:

*Write a letter to the editor of the Asheville Citizen Times or Mountain Express about the Iraq occupation, our heavily militaristic and violent country, about the need for impeachment, torture issues, US Constitution issues, whatever you think is important!

"ACT Letters" letters@citizen-times.com

"Letters Mtn Xpress" letters@mountainx.com

*Ask Rep. Shuler to vote NO for more funding for war. Also mention “Winter Soldier on the Hill” where a panel of Iraq War Vets will testify under oath to the US House of Representatives on May 15^th. Ask Shuler to attend this panel. Local number is 252-1651. A web form for emailing Rep. Shuler is here: http://capwiz.com/fconl/issues/alert/?alertid=11351496&type=CO

*Cluster Bomb Ban: May 12 is Call-in Day - When more than 100 governments gather to negotiate a global treaty banning cluster bombs on May 19 in Dublin, Ireland, the United States won't be there. Help counter the image that the United States does not care about protecting civilians by calling your Senators on May 12 and asking them to ban U.S. use and export of the deadly weapons. Senator Dole is 202-224-6342. Senator Burr is 202-224-3154.

*05/15/08 National call in day to the US Senate and US House of Representatives on Iran and Iranian policy in the US. This is organized by the Campaign for the New American Policy on Iran, in an effort to promote real diplomacy. Call Shuler, Dole and Burr. (Yes, this is a lot of calling!) Rep. Shuler at 252-1651, Senator Dole at 202-224-6342 and Senator Burr at 202-224-3154.

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EVENTS THIS WEEK IN ASHEVILLE

05/12/08 to 05/16/08 STRIVE NOT TO DRIVE WEEK

05/13/08 WNC Physicians for Social Responsibility will meet at Unitarian Universalist Church – Asheville in classroom 4. Contact Lew at patrie.wncpsr@main.nc.us for more information.

05/14/08 Veterans for Peace will hold a meeting at 6:30 at Atlanta Bread Company on Merrimon Avenue.

05/15/08 Winter Soldier on the Hill – at the US House of Representatives. Information above.

05/15/08 The play “The White Rose” starts today at North Carolina Stage Company. The White Rose by Lillian Groag at North Carolina Stage Company from May 15-25, Thurs–Sat at 7:30 (2:00 Matinee on Sunday the 25th). Admission $15, Student Rush Tickets $10. Call 828-350-9090 for more information.

05/16/08 Unitarian Universalist Congregation will show “I Know I Am Not Alone” at 7 PM. Discussion will follow. Free, donations accepted.

05/16/08 The WNC Student Peace Alliance will hold a film showing and silent auction fundraiser at the WC Reid Center for Creative Arts from 6 to 9 PM. This event is to raise funds to continue grassroots campaigning for a US Department of Peace and to raise funds to attend the Department of Peace’s 2009 national conference. The film will be “I know I am not alone” by Michael Franti. Suggested donation is $5. Call Daniel Pinelli at (828)-505-0973 for more information.

05/17/08 Service Day to support veterans at the new Veterans Residence & Inn from 3 to 7 PM. It is located on Tunnel Road, a mile from the VA Hospital and next to Zaxby’s Chicken. Contact Connie at newlease7@yahoo.com for more information and to RSVP.

05/17/08 Dinner & music night at the new Veteran’s Quarters & Inn at 1329 Tunnel Road from 5 to 7 PM. They are looking for volunteers and food donations. Call Connie to coordinate food or for more questions at 828-384-1501.

05/18/08 Ethical Culture Society will meet at 2 PM at the Botanical Gardens at UNCA.

05/18/08 Colonel Ann Wright will have a “Meet and Greet” at Malaprop’s Bookstore from Noon to 2 PM.

05/18/08 Colonel Ann Wright will read from her book “Voices of Dissent” at Firestorm Café & Books from 4 to 6 PM. This will be followed by a discussion. Free and open to the public. This is sponsored by Veterans for Peace.

Hope to see you all out at the events!