Protest on 8-31-13 in Asheville

“To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men.” ~ Abraham Lincoln

“Who can protest an injustice but does not is an accomplice to the act.” ~ The Talmud 

“The dissent we witness is a reaffirmation of faith in man; it is protest against living under rules and prejudices and attitudes that produce the extremes of wealth and poverty and that make us dedicated to the destruction of people through arms, bombs, and gases, and that prepare us to think alike and be submissive objects for the regime of the computer.”  ~  William Orville Douglas

“A time will come when a politician who has willfully made war and promoted international dissension will be as sure of the dock and much surer of the noose than a private homicide. It is not reasonable that those who gamble with men's lives should not stake their own.”  ~  H.G. Wells

“Protest that endures...is moved by a hope far more modest than that of public success: namely, the hope of preserving qualities in one's own heart and spirit that would be destroyed by acquiescence.”  ~ Wendell Berry

“Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence.” - Leonardo da Vinci

 

“If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet deprecate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground, they want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters.” - Frederick Douglass

“Though force can protect in emergency, only justice, fairness, consideration and cooperation can finally lead men to the dawn of eternal peace.”  ~ Dwight David Eisenhower, 34th president of the United States

War is not the answer!

The Syrian Crisis

NO WAR ON SYRIA!!!  

 

RALLY AT PACK SQUARE IN ASHEVILLE AT NOON ON SATURDAY!!!

See you there.

On Mon, Aug 26, 2013 at 2:05 PM, David McReynolds wrote:

> A few of you may get this twice - I'm going to send it also to my Edgeleftlist.
>
> These are brief comments, since not much analysis is needed.
>
> First, "we" - the broad radical democratic left and the forces of the
> nonviolent movement - must not become apologists for any regime, in this
> case neither the Assad regime nor that of the disorganized Islamist
> opposition.
>
> If we are honest (and if we don't make that effort, we are of little
> value) we know that there are conflicts where, while pacifists would not
> take up arms, we can't pretend there are no moral differences. In World War
> I there were none of importance - it was a mad, indefensible war.
>
> In World War II, while, by the end, with the massive Allied bombing of
> German and Japanese civilians, and the use of nuclear weapons in Japan, the
> moral differences had been largely erased, one cannot equate the
> systematic, industrialized murder of Jews, Roma, Slavs, and others by the
> Nazis with the Allied side.
>
> In the Spanish Civil War, while there were atrocities on both sides, only
> the blind would have equated Franco's side with that of the Republic.
>
> In Vietnam it was obvious from very early in the  tragedy that if there
> was a "good war" it was that of the Vietnamese Communists against the US.
> That was then, and remains, hard for many of us to concede, since the
> nature of Stalinism had erased what might have been the "moral edge" of
> the international Communist movement.
>
> Those of us who are pacifists - and I am firmly in that camp - look for
> alternatives, refuse take up arms, and pledge, with Camus, "to be neither
> victims nor executioners".
>
> In Syria I can find no significant difference between the sides. (Nor
> could I find such a difference in the case of Libya where I felt the
> Western actions were indefensible).
>
> Now there is a sudden rush to some military strike on Syria. I am truly
> appalled at the duplicity of the British, French, and US forces pressing
> for an attack. I am particularly struck by the casual dishonesty of Hague
> of the British government.
>
> Let us leave aside the fact we simply do not know whether poison gas was
> used. The Syrian government has opened the way for inspectors, but the
> Western governments have already determined it is too late to be sure of
> the facts. Too late to be sure - but nonetheless there is pressure for
> military action?
>
> To what end? Any compassionate person is horrified by the shambles of what
> is left of Syria, by the estimated hundred thousand dead, by the hundreds
> of thousands fleeing Syria for their lives.
> And what will a military strike achieve?
>
> But what primarily drives me nuts, and leaves me in almost incoherent rage
> at the Western states, is the fact that the military dictatorship in Egypt
> has murdered at least a thousand civilians, almost all of them unarmed, but
> the US still cannot bring itself to utter the word "coup" in reference to
> the military takeover - and, more criminal, cannot end US military aid to
> the regime there.
>
> Rarely have we have so clear a chance to see the duplicity of those states
> which claim to hold the high moral ground. Rarely have we been so painfully
> reminded that nation states seek, first of all, to defend their own
> interests, and that those interests are largely indifferent to great moral
> issues to which they would lay claim.
>
> The last time this was laid so painfully bare was more than fifty years
> ago when, as the workers and peasants of Hungary sought to establish a
> democratic government, replacing the Stalinist dictatorship that had been
> imposed by the Soviet Union, Israel, France, and Britain jointly launched
> an invasion of Egypt to try to stop Nasser from taking control of the Suez
> Canal. If ever there had been a moment when world attention should have
> been focused on a single event, it was that October Revolution in Hungary,
> which had suddenly opened the door to the possible dissolution of the
> Warsaw/NATO military alliances (the Warsaw Pact clearly was useless if the
> troops were going to be used to suppress people within the Warsaw Pact, and
> NATO clearly wasn't need to protect the West from a military threat from
> the East, if the East was unable to maintain iron control over its own
> territory).
>
> That is now long in the past, but the lesson remains - there are no calls
> from the British Tories or the French Socialists for military intervention
> in Egypt, and no move by the US to at least cut its military aid.
>
> Instead, even without waiting for solid proof, the old amalgam of imperial
> forces seek to punish the Syrian government - with or without any solid
> proof.
>
> These governments do not speak for us. Nor do they speak for the human
> interests of either side in Syria, where what is most urgently needed is
> humanitarian aid  in terms of food, medicine, shelter.
>
> David McReynolds

Stop the impending war on Syria

Americans Need To Self-Organize To Stop Military Attack On Syria

We have the power to stop the war in Syria, but must act immediately to do so.

There is still time to stop the Syrian War.  Americans need to self-organize rapidly to represent the views of nearly all Americans — only 9 percent of Americans support a military attack on Syria. Opposition to war on Syria is something that will unite American across the political spectrum.

Call the White House comment line now at 202-456-1111 or call 202-456-1414 to talk to an operator and say:
“I oppose military intervention in Syria.  Do not illegally attack Syria, illegal because Congress and the UN have not authorized it. War is not a solution.”
(It is hard to get through, but I finally did.)

Other ways to contact at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/write-or-call#call

Sign petitions, e.g. petition saying no to military intervention in Syria,  petition calling on Congress to act.

Demand Congress get involved with a full debate on whether a military attack on Syria is right. Congress is the branch of government that declares war, not the president.  Without congressional action, President Obama is violating the constitution and committing an impeachable offense.  Rep. Barbara Lee is right to call for a full debate in Congress before an attack takes place.

We hear a chorus from the White House that there is no doubt that Assad used chemical weapons.  While there may be no doubt chemical weapons were used, they offer no proof it came from Assad and commonsense shows an attack by Assad makes no sense and that the US, UK and rebels they support are more likely the source of the attack.  The administration is refusing to wait for a UN inspection, even though they are on the ground in Syria.  The last UN inspection of a chemical weapons attack showed it was US allies, the rebel forces, who used them not Assad.  The US needs to wait for the UN report, go to the UN Security Council for approval before attacking Syria.  Such an attack without UN or Congressional approval would violate international and domestic law.

And, most importantly, get some friends together and get out in the streets.  Many organizations are calling for protests, but we need to self-organize, locally, across the country to prevent this impending disaster that will result in the death of thousands and increased hatred of the United States.  Some are planning to go to the Obama speech on the anniversary of the I Have A Dream speech to protest his move toward war tomorrow.

Now is the time for action, self-organization and unity against war.  We can stop this war.  The American people do not want it and President Obama needs to be convinced he will be violating the law if he goes to war with Syria unilaterally.

+++++++++
The above come from this website.

Upcoming events for the week of August 25, 2013

UPCOMING EVENTS

08/26/13 ASHEVILLE EARTH SABBATH CELEBRATION

Time is 7 PM to 8 PM. Location is St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Asheville. Free and open to the public. Contact Jean at 828-683-5548 for more information.

08/27/13 WNC ALLIANCE FUNDRAISER

WNC Alliance welcomes Steve Earle to the Orange Peel for a “Save the French Broad” concert and fundraiser”. They are raising money to clean up and protect the river. Doors will open at 8 p.m. and the show is at 9. (Open to ages 18 and up.) Tickets are $24 in advance and $26 the day of show.

08/27/13 US REP. MARK MEADOWS TOWN HALL MEETING

This will be at 6 PM at T.C. Roberson High School at 250 Overlook Road in south Asheville.

08/28/13 TAKING THE DREAM HOME!

Forward Together Movement Rally, as part of Moral Mondays. On the 50th Anniversary of March on Washington, in every Congressional district in NC, there will be a rally sponsored by the NAACP. The 11th Congressional District rally will be in Sylva, NC at Bridge Park at 5:30 PM. The 10th Congressional district will be in Lincolnton, NC at 5:30 PM and location is 1 Court Square. MORE INFORMATION AT THE END OF THIS EMAIL, INCLUDING BUSES GOING FROM ASHEVILLE TO THESE EVENTS.

08/28/13 LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS KICKOFF

The Asheville-Buncombe League of Women Voters will hold its fall kickoff event, featuring the documentary ‘Wonder Women! The Untold Story of American Superheroines’ in Carolina Cinemas lounge at 1640 Hendersonville Road. $5 suggested donation. Time is 6:30 PM.

08/28/13 SOUTHERN ALLIANCE FOR CLEAN ENERGY

Please join us for a discussion about the importance of addressing climate change though clean energy solutions led by the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy in partnership with the Climate Action Campaign. Earlier this summer, the ‘I Will Act on Climate’ tour bus came through Asheville rallying people to speak out in favor of reducing climate pollution. This month, SACE released an exciting report demonstrating the economic benefits coastal wind energy could provide to North Carolina during periods of peak energy use while reducing harmful carbon pollution. We hope you will join us at the Green Sage for this presentation and discussion and to get involved in this campaign! Program is at 6 PM. Location is The Green Sage Café in downtown Asheville.

08/29/13 MEDEA BENJAMIN READING & SIGNING

Global Exchange and CODEPINK: Women for Peace co-founder presents her book, Drone Warfare: Killing by Remote Control. Benjamin provides an extensive analysis of who is producing the drones, where they are being used, who controls these unmanned planes, and what are the legal and moral implications of their use. In vivid, readable style, this book also looks at what activists, lawyers, and scientists across the globe are doing to ground these weapons. Time is 7 PM and location is Malaprops Bookstore in Asheville.

08/29/13 ACTIVISTS DISCUSSION AFTER MEDEA BENJAMIN TALK

This will be directly after Medea finishes the book signing and talk at Malaprops, and the location is Sante’s Wine bar, corner of Battle Square and Paige Avenue in the Grove Arcade.

08/29/13 HEARTSPEAK – LISTENING AND SPEAKING FROM THE HEART

Want to move from conflict to connection? Free introductory class at 7 PM at Kenilworth Presbyterian Church. Please call 828-545-9681 to pre-register.

08/29/13 ‘CAPITALISM, A LOVE STORY’

The First Congregational UCC will host a free showing of ‘Capitalism, A Love Story’ at 7 PM. Discussion to follow. Church is at 20 Oak Street in Asheville.

08/30/13 MEDEA BENJAMIN PRESENTATION IN ASHEVILLE

“Drone Warfare: Killing by Remote Control” will be presented by Medea Benjamin. She will talk about the growing menace of robotic warfare, with extensive analysis of who is producing the drones, where they are being used, who pilots them, and who are the victims of drone bombings. This is sponsored by Veterans for Peace and New South Network of War Resisters. Time is 1 PM to 3 PM and the location is Firestorm Cafe & Books.

08/30/13 MEDEA BENJAMIN PRESENTATION IN BLACK MOUNTAIN

Medea Benjamin is the co-founder of Code Pink and Global Exchange. She has been an activist for human rights and peace for many years, and has recently authored a book called “Drone Warfare: Killing by Remote Control”. She will present on who controls these drones, where they are being used and the legal and moral implications of drone warfare by the US government. Her presentation will also cover what activists are doing to stop the killing by remote control. This will be from 7:30 PM to 9 PM and location is Common Light Meeting House at 137 Center Avenue in Black Mountain.

08/31/13 OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY

This event will recognize the growing epidemic of drug overdoses in the USA, share stories, and honor those who have passed away. Time is 7:30 PM and location is Firestorm Café and Books.

08/30/13 BURTON STREET AGRICULTURAL FAIR

This starts at 6 PM and is located in west Asheville at Burton Street Community Center.

08/31/13 BURTON STREET AGRICULTURAL FAIR

This runs from noon to 8 PM and is located in west Asheville at Burton Street Community Center.

08/31/13 WILD THINGS WEEKEND WITH WILD SOUTH

Come for a day of fun and learning with Wild South in Downtown Asheville! Live animals and wildlife demonstrations. Live music from local musicians. Exhibits from outdoor businesses, environmental educators, and conservation groups from across the region. Wall Street in Downtown Asheville. August 31. 10AM - 5PM. Free. Contact ben.colvin@wildsouth.org or 828.258.2667

09/02/13 DINNER WITH PROGRESSIVES

Dinner with Progressives is a social outlet for thoughtful people in Asheville NC. The gathering includes time to eat together and then enjoy presentations which focus on solutions for a brighter future. This happens on the first Monday of the month. Dinner is at 6 PM and the speaker is at 7 PM. Location is Firestorm Café and Books.

09/03/13 BLACK MOUNTAIN ROTARY CLUB ON FRACKING

Black Mountain Rotary Club: How could fracking impact North Carolina? Lunch provided for $8.00. Contact katie@cwfnc.org for more information or to order lunch. Time is 12 PM.

09/03/13 PEACE DAY ORGANIZING PARTY

Free art supplies plus three $50 cash prizes will be awarded to promote Peace Day. Peace Day organizing party will be held on September 3 at 7 PM to 9 PM at Firestorm Cafe & Books in downtown Asheville. Art and poster-making supplies provided by Asheville's own Dog Tag Art (dogtagart.com) and free gourmet hummus from Asheville's Roots Food. We will be organizing in what ways we might make #PeaceDay a trending topic on Twitter, and other ways we might celebrate awareness of Peace Day activities in Asheville, North Carolina and around the world. Three $50 cash prizes, provided by Dog Tag Art, will be awarded to Ashevillains ready to promote Peace Day. At 8:30 we are asking what you will do to promote Peace Day for $50. Peace Day is on September 21, 2013, which is the UN International Day of Peace. FMI, contact Russ at 855-364-8242. Join the event on Facebook at http://PeaceOn.Us.

09/03/13 TRANSIT COMMITTEE MEETING

Location is the First Floor Conference Room at City Hall (Asheville) and time is 3:30 to 5:30 PM.

09/04/13 SIERRA CLUB MEETING

"Our Forests Aren't Fuel" by Danna Smith of Dogwood Alliance, and "Stop Genetic Engineering of Trees" by Tom Lewellyn & Emma Hutchens. This program discusses why renewable energy should not include "biomass" which is essentially burning whole trees, our Southeastern forest! Social is at 7 PM and program starts at 7:15 PM.  Location is Unitarian Universalist Church at the corner of Edwin Place and Charlotte Street in Asheville. For more information, contact Judy at 828-683-2176.

09/05/13 FUNDRAISER FOR FEMCARE

“Labor by Choice” is an educational fundraising event for FemCare, with Patsy Keever, Howard Hanger, Dr. Lori Horvitz, and Dr. Alice Weldon as speakers. On July 31st FEMCARE, the abortion clinic in Asheville, NC, received a temporary license suspension. The clinic has served the community providing compassionate high quality care for patients since 1985. This will be held at the Millroom located at 66 Asheland Avenue in Asheville. Doors open at 6:00 PM. This event will include a silent auction, speakers, some short film screenings regarding abortion issues, music, cash bar, and a good time for a good cause. Suggested Donation is $15.

09/06/13 MOVE TO AMEND REGIONAL CONFERENCE

Move to Amend Grassroots Regional Democracy Convergence will be held in Charlotte, NC. This conference is from September 6 to September 8. For more information go to https://movetoamend.org/.

09/08/13 LECTURE ON ‘CARING FOR CREATION AND YOUR SOUL’

Lecture by Dr. Matthew Sleeth, and is followed by conversation with Dr. Matthew Sleeth, Dr. Guy Sayles, Pastor, First Baptist Church, and Anna Jane Joyner, WNC Green Congregations. Event hosted by The Center for Faith and Life of First Baptist Church of Asheville, Blessed Earth, and The Western North Carolina Green Congregations. Time is 6 to 8 PM and location is First Baptist Church of Asheville at 5 Oak Street. Free and open to the public.

09/09/13 MOVE TO AMEND BUNCOMBE COUNTY MEETING

Monday, September 9, 2013 we're meeting at 7 pm in the conference room of the North Asheville Library, 1030 Merrimon Ave., Asheville. All persons interested in a democratic government accountable to the people are invited to attend.  Members will set goals and select tactics to create public demands for passage of a Constitutional Amendment to overturn “Citizens United”. For more information, contact ruthachristie@gmail.com.

09/09/13 KATUAH EARTH FIRST GREEN SCREEN

KEF Green Screen - Every second Monday of the month, Katuah Earth First shows videos on relevant environmental struggles. Time is 6 PM and location is Firestorm Café & Books.

09/10/13 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/

09/10/12 BUILDING BRIDGES SESSION #42

This program is an introduction to the dynamics of racism and is an opportunity to explore how race has impacted our relationships, communities and institutions. The next session of Building Bridges is every Tuesday evenings from September 10 to November 5, 2013. Past participants are welcome. Time is 7 to 9 PM and cost is $30. Location is First Congregational UCC at 20 Oak Street in Asheville. To register go to http://www.buildingbridges-ashevillenc.org/#!register. For more information, call 828-777-4585.

09/11/13 MARCH AGAINST DRONES IN DC

09/13/13 ASHEVILLE RESILIENCY CELEBRATION

Celebration and potluck in west Asheville park– to share stories about your resilience and efforts to move our area past dependency on fossil fuels during the past year. Bring a dish and utensils. RSVP to transitionasheville.org. Time is 4 to 7:30 PM.

09/13/13 SOCIAL JUSTICE FILM AT UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH

Honeybees have been mysteriously disappearing across the planet, literally vanishing from their hives. Known as Colony Collapse Disorder, this phenomenon has brought beekeepers to crisis. On September 13th, we are screening a very timely and important environmental documentary, "Vanishing of the Bees". The film is at 7 PM. Location is Unitarian Universalist Church in Asheville on Charlotte Street.No charge, donations accepted.

09/20/13 FRACK FREE BENEFIT

Marc Black concert series/Frack Free NC benefit in the Asheville area. More details soon!

09/20/13 WNC PHYSICIANS FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY MEETING

The next WNC PSR monthly meeting will be at a private home near the VA Hospital. Brown Bag lunch at noon with meeting from 12:30 to 2 PM. Physicians, health personnel and everyone; all are welcomed at our monthly meetings! Please go to www.wncpsr.org for more information, which includes how to get there and other details.

09/21/13 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE

09/21/13 PEACE DAY

Peace Day rally will begin at 11:30 AM both on-line and in-person. Online via PeaceOn.Us, and in-person event stations will include Asheville Art Museum, Black Mountain College Museum, and Firestorm Cafe. Peace Day activities in Asheville, North Carolina will be announced with details at the organizing party on 9/03/13. Three locations have volunteered to have specials to attract live Peace Day celebration participation: Free admission to Asheville Art Museum for Peace Day celebrators, Free admission to Black Mountain College Museum for Peace Day celebrators, Free cup-of-coffee at Firestorm Cafe for Peace Day celebrators

09/21/13 350.ORG ACTION AGAINST TAR SANDS PIPELINE

This will be in communities across our nation.

09/28/13 to 09/29/13 DEMOCRACY NC MEETING

This will be in Waynesville NC, no further information at this time.

10/02/13 SIERRA CLUB MEETING

Presentation on Community Action on Energy Production and Efficiency. Social is at 7 PM and program starts at 7:15 PM. Location is Unitarian Universalist Church at the corner of Edwin Place and Charlotte Street in Asheville.

10/10/13 to 10/12/13 NC NAACP STATE CONFERENCE IN ROCKY MOUNT NC

10/12/13 HARD TO RECYCLE EVENT

Time is 10 AM to 2 PM. Site TBA, but will be in the southern part of Buncombe County. Asheville GreenWorks has a webpage for H2R information. Questions – call 254-1776 or email info@ashevillegreenworks.org.

10/12/13 WORLD FOOD DAY – MARCH AGAINST MONSANTO

10 AM at Pack Square.

10/16/13 CORNEL WEST AT UNCA

Cornel West, author of Race Matters and Democracy Matters, reflects on the role of race, gender and class in American society. Professor at Union Theological Seminary and professor emeritus at Princeton University, West regularly appears on CNN and the Colbert Report and is co-host of the progressive radio show “Smiley & West”. Time is 7:30 PM and location is the Sherrill Center, Kimmel Arena. This is free and open to the public. Sponsored by UNC Asheville Office of the Associate Provost, Education Department, American Indian Outreach, Arts & Ideas Program, Humanities Program, NEH Distinguished Professor, Cultural Events & Special

10/22/13 TRAPPED BY POVERTY, TRAPPED BY ABUSE

Pisgah Legal Services will hold their Third Annual Poverty Forum featuring Kim Gandy, President and CEO of the National Network to End Domestic Violence. This forum will explore the link between domestic violence and poverty, and the importance of access to justice for victims. Cocktail reception is at 5:30 PM and forum starts at 7 PM. $50 for reception and forum and $15 for forum only. Location will be Diana Wortham Theatre in downtown Asheville. Contact Pisgah Legal Services for more information.

11/11/13 ARMISTICE DAY

11/22/13 to 11/24/13 SCHOOL OF THE AMERICAS WATCH CONVERGENCE ON FORT BENNING

*******************************************

ONGOING EVENTS

*******************************************

TUESDAY

Veterans for Peace have a weekly vigil at 5 PM at Pack Square, Vance Monument

WEDNESDAY

Haywood Peace Vigilers have a weekly vigil at 4 PM at Haywood County Courthouse in Waynesville

THURSDAY

Asheville Homeless Network meeting at 2 PM at Firestorm Cafe

FRIDAY

Women in Black have a weekly vigil at noon at the City Hall in Hendersonville

SATURDAY

Transylvanians for Peace and WNC Physicians for Social Responsibility have a weekly vigil at noon in front of the courthouse in Brevard

Third Saturdays – Asheville’s Green Grannies invites the public to “sing for the climate” at Vance Monument.

*******************************************

ACTIONS AND READINGS

*******************************************

Rev. Barber announced (along with NAACP attorney Jamie Phillips) that the NAACP had established a new toll-free hotline that North Carolinians can call with concerns about voting and voting rights. The number is 1-855-664-3487 (i.e. 1-855-NO ID 4 US). Phillips said the number would be staffed with live NAACP members who would connect callers and/or relay their concerns to voting rights experts.

******************

“Take the Dream Home” Rallies – Wednesday, August 28

On Wednesday, August 28, the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington,

North Carolina will heed Dr. King’s call at the end of his “I Have a Dream” speech to go home and organize!  There will be 13 simultaneous rallies in each of the US Congressional districts in NC.

Since our Asheville/Buncombe community is divided into two Congressional Districts - 10th and 11th - we will have buses leaving from Asheville to both District locations. Cost is $15 round trip – and no one will be turned away for lack of funds ... pay what you can / if you can. For details about departure location and bus schedule, and to reserve your seat via Paypal go to www.mountainmoralmonday.com.

Or send a check payable to Mountain Voices Alliance, PO Box 8052, Asheville, NC 28814. Please be sure to tell us which event you plan to attend so you will be added to the appropriate bus list.

10th Congressional District - represented by Patrick McHenry

Wed. Aug 28, 5:30 pm – Lincolnton Court House – 1 Court Sq., Lincolnton, NC

"Taking the Dream Home to Lincolnton" Forward Together Movement Rally

on the 50th Anniversary of March on Washington

11th Congressional District - represented by Mark Meadows

Wed. Aug 28, 5:30 pm – Bridge Park – 76 Railroad Ave. downtown Sylva, NC

"Taking the Dream Home to Sylva" Forward Together Movement Rally

on the 50th Anniversary of March on Washington

At both rallies, we will demand that our US Congressional representatives renew Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act after right-wing forces won out in the recent US Supreme Court Shelby v. Holder to repeal the heart of the VRA.

Inspired by the Forward Together Movement and Moral Mondays, “Take the Dream Home” rallies will make sure that the extremists who passed the devastating legislation in the NC General Assembly will have to face an educated citizenry, who will not allow them to lie and say they governed for the good of the whole.

Questions?  Need more info? Call 255-8537

******************

In memory of that march, 50 years ago

“Kids who die” by Langston Hughes

This is for the kids who die,
Black and white,
For kids will die certainly.
The old and rich will live on awhile,
As always,
Eating blood and gold,
Letting kids die.

Kids will die in the swamps of Mississippi
Organizing sharecroppers
Kids will die in the streets of Chicago
Organizing workers
Kids will die in the orange groves of California
Telling others to get together
Whites and Filipinos,
Negroes and Mexicans,
All kinds of kids will die
Who don’t believe in lies, and bribes, and contentment
And a lousy peace.

Of course, the wise and the learned
Who pen editorials in the papers,
And the gentlemen with Dr. in front of their names
White and black,
Who make surveys and write books
Will live on weaving words to smother the kids who die,
And the sleazy courts,
And the bribe-reaching police,
And the blood-loving generals,
And the money-loving preachers
Will all raise their hands against the kids who die,
Beating them with laws and clubs and bayonets and bullets
To frighten the people—
For the kids who die are like iron in the blood of the people—
And the old and rich don’t want the people
To taste the iron of the kids who die,
Don’t want the people to get wise to their own power,
To believe an Angelo Herndon, or even get together

Listen, kids who die—
Maybe, now, there will be no monument for you
Except in our hearts
Maybe your bodies’ll be lost in a swamp
Or a prison grave, or the potter’s field,
Or the rivers where you’re drowned like Leibknecht
But the day will come—
You are sure yourselves that it is coming—
When the marching feet of the masses
Will raise for you a living monument of love,
And joy, and laughter,
And black hands and white hands clasped as one,
And a song that reaches the sky—
The song of the life triumphant
Through the kids who die.

A rally for our future

This will be tomorrow at Pack Square at 2 PM. See you there!

From the Center for Constitutional Rights

In response to the sentencing of Pfc. Bradley Manning, the Center for Constitutional Rights issued the following statement. Manning was sentenced to 35 years in prison.

We are outraged that a whistleblower and a patriot has been sentenced on a conviction under the Espionage Act. The government has stretched this archaic and discredited law to send an unmistakable warning to potential whistleblowers and journalists willing to publish their information. We can only hope that Manning’s courage will continue to inspire others who witness state crimes to speak up.

This show trial was a frontal assault on the First Amendment, from the way the prosecution twisted Manning’s actions to blur the distinction between whistle-blowing and spying to the government’s tireless efforts to obstruct media coverage of the proceedings. It is a travesty of justice that Manning, who helped bring to light the criminality of U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, is being punished while the alleged perpetrators of the crimes he exposed are not even investigated. Every aspect of this case sets a dangerous precedent for future prosecutions of whistleblowers – who play an essential role in democratic government by telling us the truth about government wrongdoing – and we fear for the future of our country in the wake of this case.

We must channel our outrage and continue building political pressure for Manning’s freedom. President Obama should pardon Bradley Manning, and if he refuses, a presidential pardon must be an election issue in 2016.

"Same Love" by Macklemore & Lewis

‘Sometimes You Have to Pay a Heavy Price to Live in a Free Society’

Statement by Bradley Manning

The following is a transcript of the statement made by Pfc. Bradley Manning as read by David Coombs at a press conference on Wednesday:

The decisions that I made in 2010 were made out of a concern for my country and the world that we live in. Since the tragic events of 9/11, our country has been at war. We’ve been at war with an enemy that chooses not to meet us on any traditional battlefield, and due to this fact we’ve had to alter our methods of combating the risks posed to us and our way of life.

I initially agreed with these methods and chose to volunteer to help defend my country. It was not until I was in Iraq and reading secret military reports on a daily basis that I started to question the morality of what we were doing. It was at this time I realized in our efforts to meet this risk posed to us by the enemy, we have forgotten our humanity. We consciously elected to devalue human life both in Iraq and Afghanistan. When we engaged those that we perceived were the enemy, we sometimes killed innocent civilians. Whenever we killed innocent civilians, instead of accepting responsibility for our conduct, we elected to hide behind the veil of national security and classified information in order to avoid any public accountability.

In our zeal to kill the enemy, we internally debated the definition of torture. We held individuals at Guantanamo for years without due process. We inexplicably turned a blind eye to torture and executions by the Iraqi government. And we stomached countless other acts in the name of our war on terror.

Patriotism is often the cry extolled when morally questionable acts are advocated by those in power. When these cries of patriotism drown our any logically based intentions [unclear], it is usually an American soldier that is ordered to carry out some ill-conceived mission.

Our nation has had similar dark moments for the virtues of democracy—the Trail of Tears, the Dred Scott decision, McCarthyism, the Japanese-American internment camps—to name a few. I am confident that many of our actions since 9/11 will one day be viewed in a similar light.

As the late Howard Zinn once said, “There is not a flag large enough to cover the shame of killing innocent people.”

I understand that my actions violated the law, and I regret if my actions hurt anyone or harmed the United States. It was never my intention to hurt anyone. I only wanted to help people. When I chose to disclose classified information, I did so out of a love for my country and a sense of duty to others.

If you deny my request for a pardon, I will serve my time knowing that sometimes you have to pay a heavy price to live in a free society. I will gladly pay that price if it means we could have country that is truly conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all women and men are created equal.

"I see my life come shining" by various artists

Some random quotes - and a sign - that I like

This is a photo I like from the Support Bradley Manning rally in June 2013.

“Wanton killing of innocent civilians is terrorism, not a war against terrorism.”  ~ Noam Chomsky

“Blood cannot wash away blood. Hate cannot wash away hate. War cannot wash away war.” ~Afghan Proverb

“It is only a matter of time until we are all able to recognize each other's full humanity, and thereby reclaim our own.” ~ Cecilie Surasky, Jewish Voice for Peace

As long as the world shall last there will be wrongs, and if no man objected and no man rebelled, those wrongs would last forever. ~ Clarence Darrow

Bradley Manning did his best to object to the many wrongs by the US government, and is paying a heavy price. I support him totally.

Upcoming events for the week of August 18, 2013

Sunset in Virginia, June 2013

UPCOMING EVENTS

08/19/13 BETTER CHOICES FOR NC TOWN HALL MEETING

This will be held at Diana Wortham Theatre at Pack Square. Time is 5:30 to 7:30 PM, and this is sponsored by the WNC Alliance, AAUW, Asheville City Schools Foundation, Children First, Just Economics WNC, United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County, WNC AIDS Project and Women for Women. “Better Choices for North Carolina” will look at the issues around the past session of the State Legislature. There will be a legislative review by the NC Justice Center.

08/19/13 MORAL MONDAY IN CHARLOTTE NC AND BURNSVILLE NC AT 5:30 PM

08/19/13 RALLY TO SUPPORT SHOGUN AND HIBACHI WORKERS

This will be at 8 AM at the Buncombe County Courthouse. It is a rally to support the Shogun workers who are victims of wage theft on their day in court! After the failure of court-mandated mediation earlier this year, four former employees of Shogun Buffet and Hibachi Grill will take their case to Buncombe County Superior Court this Monday, August 19, in their continued effort to recover stolen wages and expose workplace abuses by their former employer. In anticipation of their hearing, workers will rally with supporters in front of the Buncombe County Courthouse at 8:00am to speak out against labor abuses by the Asheville restaurant.

08/20/13 TRANSITION ASHEVILLE PERMACULTURE POTLUCK SERIES

Each Month in 2013, YOU are invited to share food, community connection, and explore new/old ways of thinking about land and community. On the 3rd Tuesday of each month, we will gather over potluck meal, and a different local permaculture teacher will present one of David Holmgren's 12 Principles of Permaculture. The August Potluck will feature Keri Evjy of Living Roots Design and Janell Kapoor of Ashevillage Institute and Kleiwerks International. They will co-present the principle of "Integrate Rather than Segregate". Make sure you bring something yummy to share (local/organic if possible), dishes and silverware. Location is Community Action Opportunities at 25 Gaston Street, and time is 5:30 PM.

08/20/13 WNC ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS MEETING

The Western North Carolina Alliance for Retired Americans meets on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at the Kenilworth Presbyterian Fellowship Hall, 123 Kenilworth Rd.  Time is 10 AM. The ARA is a state wide organization of retired union members and their friends and families. We are non-partisan and open to everyone who is concerned about the need for jobs which pay a living wage, as well as those issues which affect all of us. FMI contact Dick at dick@dickandnorma.com.

08/21/13 GREEN DRINKS AT HICKORY NUT FARM

Time is 6 PM. Come and enjoy a sustainable foods potluck, connect with members of the Asheville Buncombe Food Policy Council, hear an update of the ABFPC’s programs, and collaborate with others on actions we can engage in to work towards the council’s vision of a sustainable food future for the city of Asheville. All are welcome to join, bring a local food dish to share, and green drinks will be provided.  See you there! Join us Wednesday August 21st for a special edition of Asheville Green Drinks in collaboration with the Asheville-Buncombe Food Policy Council on Hickory Nut Gap Farm!

08/22/13 CELEBRATING THE YMI CULTURAL CENTER

“A history of the YMI Cultural Center” will be presented at the YMI Cultural Center at South Market Street in Asheville. Presentation by Dr. Darin Waters, Assistant Professor of History at UNCA. Time is 7 PM.

08/23/13 ANNIVERSARY OF THE YMI CULTURAL CENTER

This celebration will be a block party at the corner of Eagle & Market Streets at 6 PM. There are other events planned this weekend to mark this occasion, please see www.ymicuturalcenter.org for more information.

08/24/13 RALLY FOR OUR FUTURE - BEYOND COAL RALLY

Let's move Asheville beyond coal! Come take action and call on Duke Energy to retire the Asheville power plant and lead our state in renewable energy. Come out on August 24th from 2-4 PM at Pack Square. There will be music, kids activities, and speakers, and much more! Location is Pack Square. Sponsored by Sierra Club, WNC Alliance, French Broad Riverkeeper, 350 Asheville, Transition Asheville, Southwings.

08/25/13 WORD ASHEVILLE: WOMEN’S EQUALITY DAY RALLY

Join WORD Asheville on for a demonstration on August 25, part of nationwide actions to defend all of our rights against right-wing attacks. We will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the historic March on Washington, an important turning point in the struggle for Civil Rights and National Women’s Equality Day, a holiday that commemorates the ratification of the 19th Amendment that granted women the right to vote, a right fought for and won by the heroic suffragettes. What better way to commemorate these important holidays than by staying in the streets to defend the very rights for which our forebearers fought? Time is 5 PM and location is Vance Monument.

08/26/13 ASHEVILLE EARTH SABBATH CELEBRATION

Time is 7 PM to 8 PM. Location is St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Asheville. Free and open to the public. Contact Jean at 828-683-5548 for more information.

08/27/13 WNC ALLIANCE FUNDRAISER

WNC Alliance welcomes Steve Earle to the Orange Peel for a “Save the French Broad” concert and fundraiser”. They are raising money to clean up and protect the river. Doors will open at 8 p.m. and the show is at 9. (Open to ages 18 and up.) Tickets are $24 in advance and $26 the day of show.

08/27/13 MARK MEADOWS TOWN HALL MEETING

Time is 6 PM and location is TC Roberson High School in Asheville.

08/28/13 TAKING THE DREAM HOME!

Forward Together Movement Rally, as part of Moral Mondays. On the 50th Anniversary of March on Washington, in every Congressional district in NC, there will be a rally sponsored by the NAACP. The 11th Congressional District rally will be in Sylva, NC at Bridge Park at 5:30 PM. The 10th Congressional district will be in Lincolnton, NC at 5:30 PM and location is 1 Court Square.

08/29/13 MEDEA BENJAMIN READING & SIGNING

Global Exchange and CODEPINK: Women for Peace co-founder presents her book, Drone Warfare: Killing by Remote Control. Benjamin provides an extensive analysis of who is producing the drones, where they are being used, who controls these unmanned planes, and what are the legal and moral implications of their use. In vivid, readable style, this book also looks at what activists, lawyers, and scientists across the globe are doing to ground these weapons. Time is 7 PM and location is Malaprops Bookstore in Asheville.

08/29/13 ACTIVISTS DISCUSSION AFTER MEDEA BENJAMIN TALK

This will be directly after Medea finishes the book signing and talk at Malaprops, and the location is Sante’s Wine bar, corner of Battle Square and Paige Avenue in the Grove Arcade.

08/29/13 HEARTSPEAK – LISTENING AND SPEAKING FROM THE HEART

Want to move from conflict to connection? Free introductory class at 7 PM at Kenilworth Presbyterian Church. Please call 828-545-9681 to pre-register.

08/30/13 MEDEA BENJAMIN PRESENTATION IN ASHEVILLE

“Drone Warfare: Killing by Remote Control” will be presented by Medea Benjamin. She will talk about the growing menace of robotic warfare, with extensive analysis of who is producing the drones, where they are being used, who pilots them, and who are the victims of drone bombings. This is sponsored by Veterans for Peace and New South Network of War Resisters. Time is 1 PM to 3 PM and the location is Firestorm Cafe & Books.

08/30/13 MEDEA BENJAMIN PRESENTATION IN BLACK MOUNTAIN

Medea Benjamin is the co-founder of CODE PINK and Global Exchange. She has been an activist for human rights and peace for many years, and has recently authored a book called “Drone Warfare: Killing by Remote Control”. She will present on who controls these drones, where they are being used and the legal and moral implications of drone warfare by the US government. Her presentation will also cover what activists are doing to stop the killing by remote control. This will be from 7:30 PM to 9 PM and location is Common Light Meeting House at 137 Center Avenue in Black Mountain.

08/31/13 OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY

This will be a event to recognize the growing epidemic of drug overdoses in the USA, share stories, and honor those who have passed away. Time is 7:30 PM and location is Firestorm Café and Books.

09/04/13 SIERRA CLUB MEETING

Presentation on Stop GE Trees and Our Forests Aren’t Fuel. Social is at 7 PM and program starts at 7:15 PM.  Location is Unitarian Universalist Church at the corner of Edwin Place and Charlotte Street in Asheville.

09/06/13 MOVE TO AMEND REGIONAL CONFERENCE

Move to Amend Grassroots Regional Democracy Convergence will be held in Charlotte, NC. This conference is from September 6 to September 8. For more information go to https://movetoamend.org/.

09/08/13 LECTURE ON ‘CARING FOR CREATION AND YOUR SOUL’

Lecture by Dr. Matthew Sleeth, and is followed by conversation with Dr. Matthew Sleeth, Dr. Guy Sayles, Pastor, First Baptist Church, and Anna Jane Joyner, WNC Green Congregations. Event hosted by The Center for Faith and Life of First Baptist Church of Asheville, Blessed Earth, and The Western North Carolina Green Congregations. Time is 6 to 8 PM and location is First Baptist Church of Asheville at 5 Oak Street. Free and open to the public.

09/09/13 MOVE TO AMEND BUNCOMBE COUNTY MEETING

Monday, September 9, 2013 we're meeting at 7 pm in the conference room of the North Asheville Library, 1030 Merrimon Ave., Asheville. All persons interested in a democratic government accountable to the people are invited to attend.  Members will set goals and select tactics to create public demands for passage of a Constitutional Amendment to overturn “Citizens United”. FMI ruthachristie@gmail.com

09/10/12 BUILDING BRIDGES SESSION #42

This program is an introduction to the dynamics of racism and is an opportunity to explore how race has impacted our relationships, communities and institutions. The next session of Building Bridges is every Tuesday evenings from September 10 to November 5, 2013. Past participants are welcome. Time is 7 to 9 PM and cost is $30. Location is First Congregational UCC at 20 Oak Street in Asheville. To register go to http://www.buildingbridges-ashevillenc.org/#!register. For more information, call 828-777-4585.

09/11/13 MARCH AGAINST DRONES IN DC

09/13/13 ASHEVILLE RESILIENCY CELEBRATION

Celebration and potluck in west Asheville park– to share stories about your resilience and efforts to move our area past dependency on fossil fuels during the past year. Bring a dish and utensils. RSVP to ransitionasheville.org. Time is 4 to 7:30 PM.

09/13/13 SOCIAL JUSTICE FILM AT UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH

Honeybees have been mysteriously disappearing across the planet, literally vanishing from their hives. Known as Colony Collapse Disorder, this phenomenon has brought beekeepers to crisis. On September 13th, we are screening a very timely and important environmental documentary, "Vanishing of the Bees". The film is at 7 PM. Location is Unitarian Universalist Church in Asheville on Charlotte Street.No charge, donations accepted.

09/20/13 FRACK FREE BENEFIT

Marc Black concert series/Frack Free NC benefit in the Asheville area. More details soon!

09/21/13 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE

09/28/13 to 09/29/13 DEMOCRACY NC MEETING

This will be in Waynesville NC, no further information at this time.

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ONGOING EVENTS

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TUESDAY

Veterans for Peace have a weekly vigil at 5 PM at Pack Square, Vance Monument

WEDNESDAY

Haywood Peace Vigilers have a weekly vigil at 4 PM at Haywood County Courthouse in Waynesville

THURSDAY

Asheville Homeless Network meeting at 2 PM at Firestorm Cafe

FRIDAY

Women in Black have a weekly vigil at noon at the City Hall in Hendersonville

SATURDAY

Transylvanians for Peace and WNC Physicians for Social Responsibility have a weekly vigil at noon in front of the courthouse in Brevard

Third Saturdays – Asheville’s Green Grannies invites the public to “sing for the climate” at Vance Monument.

The crimes of my government

I feel my first responsibility is to oppose the crimes of my own government, not to oppose the crimes of foreign governments. And my own government has shown an astounding disregard for innocent human life in other countries around the world during my lifetime. I have watched the corporate media in the USA ignore, cover up, and excuse the multitude of crimes that the US government has committed. I have watched the vast majority of my fellow citizens also ignore, cover up, or excuse the multitude of crimes that the US government has committed, when they are aware of them at all. 

And I believe what the US government has done – and is doing – is pure evil.

The disregard for the lives of innocent foreigners is astounding in its evilness. It shows a government that is free of constraint and free of morality and free of concern about international opinion or regard. It shows a government that is more of a danger to all life on this planet than any other government on the planet at this time. It shows a government that is lawless. It shows a government that should never be trusted. It shows an evil in the souls of American people that will have a significant impact on our planet and on our country – because they are the ones who allow this to continue.

AMERICA:
You have plowed wickedness, you have reaped iniquity; you have eaten the fruit of lies. ~ Hosea 10:13

Thank you Edward, for exposing the violations of our Constitution!

A crack in the sky

Ring the bells that still can ring

Forget your perfect offering

There is a crack in everything

That’s how the light gets in. ~ Leonard Cohen

A recap of my experience with B of A assholes....

Event on Thursday evening

Poem

Once to every man and nation
Comes the moment to decide,
In the strife of truth and falsehood,
For the good or evil side;
Some great cause, God's new Messiah,
Off'ring each the bloom or blight,
And the choice goes by forever
Twixt that darkness and that light.

Though the cause of evil prosper,
Yet 'tis truth alone is strong;
Though her portion be the scaffold,
And upon the throne be wrong:
Yet that scaffold sways the future,
And behind the dim unknown,
Standeth God within the shadow
Keeping watch above his own.

~ James Russell Lowell

I object to the massively evil plans being made and executed by the Obama administration. 

Reflection on war

...If in some smothering dreams you too could pace
    Behind the wagon that we flung him in,
    And watch the white eyes writhing in his face,
    His hanging face, like a devil's sick of sin;
    If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood
    Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs,
    Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud
    Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,
    My friend, you would not tell with such high zest
    To children ardent for some desperate glory,
    The old Lie; Dulce et Decorum est
    Pro patria mori.

From "Dulce et Decorum est" (It is Sweet and Right to Die for Your Country) by British Army Lt. Wilfred Owen, killed a week before the 1918 Armistice.

Upcoming events for the week of August 11, 2013

UPCOMING EVENTS

08/12/13 KATUAH EARTH FIRST GREEN SCREEN

KEF Green Screen - Every second Monday of the month, Katuah Earth First shows videos on relevant environmental struggles. Time is 6 PM and location is Firestorm Café & Books.

08/12/13 TEACHER WORKSHOPS ON SLAVE DEEDS FOR THE CLASSROOM

This will be held from 1 to 4 PM at Lord Auditorium at Pack Memorial Library. The Center for Diversity Education presents a workshop for local educators on making use of the Buncombe County slave deeds for primary document study in the classroom. The workshop will include a lecture by Dr. Darin Waters whose scholarship focuses on the African American Community during slavery in Buncombe County, a review of documents and strategies for classroom use, and a walking tour of sites that are significant to the African American community prior to 1865. To register call 250-2376.

08/12/13 MOVE TO AMEND BUNCOMBE COUNTY MEETING

Monday, August 12, 2013 we're meeting at 7 pm in the conference room of the North Asheville Library, 1030 Merrimon Ave., Asheville. All persons interested in a democratic government accountable to the people are invited to attend.  Members will set goals and select tactics to create public demands for passage of a Constitutional Amendment to overturn “Citizens United”. FMI ruthachristie@gmail.com.

08/13/13 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/

08/14/13 GREEN DRINKS AT THIRSTY MONK

Time is 6 PM and topic is wood. Wood is a primary material used in our buildings, and exploring its sustainable use in Green Building is worthy of community discussion. How can we ensure that our forests are protected while supplying quality wood products to consumers? The WNC Green Building Council is pleased to moderate a panel discussion exploring these questions with Alyx Perry, who will speak about finding sources of sustainably produced wood, Lang Hornthal of Appalachian Designs, sharing the mission of the Root Cause Initiative, and Hans Doelgast of Jade Mountain Builders, speaking to his experience in incorporating sustainable wood in green building projects. A Q & A dialogue will follow their presentations, and your participation is welcome!

08/15/13 AFTER TRAYVON MARTIN – EMPOWERMENT PROJECT

This is sponsored by United Community for Justice. Join in this kickoff and enlighten yourself with the knowledge for the community conversation that will follow. Learn about the law and how it affects you. There will be presentations by Buncombe County Sheriff, Asheville Police Department Chief, and civil rights attorney Frank Goldsmith. Time is 6:30 PM to 8 PM and location is St. James AME Church at the corner of Hilderbrand and MLK Jr. Blvd. For more information email twice@bellsouth.net.

08/15/13 ASHEVILLE GREENWORKS ROOT BALL

Join Asheville Greenworks as we partner with the Asheville Affiliates to host the first annual “Root Ball”, a fundraising event to allow us to continue working to clean and green across Buncombe County. The party will be held Thursday August 15, 2013, from 6:30-9:30pm at the new GreenWorks offices located at 318 Riverside Drive. The event will be a summer ball with a nod to GreenWorks’ passion for getting dirty for a good cause, so sundress with comfortable shoes is encouraged (but not required).  Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. The entry includes unlimited food and drink: beer from Catawba Brewing, wine provided by Skyland Distributing, and food from Mark Rosenstein and GO Kitchen Ready graduates. Live music will be performed by Lyric. In addition, there will be a raffle of fantastic items to raise additional money for Greenworks. For more information, please contact Rachel at 254-1776 or Rachel@ashevillegreenworks.org.

08/15/13 EDUCATION RALLY IN ASHEVILLE

Time is noon, and location is City-County Plaza. Progress NC will join the NCAE and Public Schools First NC as we rally in support of our public schools. Wear red in solidarity with NC's amazing public school teachers! We need to set the record straight and hold lawmakers accountable for what they did to public education this year. Don't let them get away with deliberately misleading talking points designed to fool the public. They have set our public schools on a path to destruction. Let your fellow North Carolinians know the truth!

08/15/13 ASHEVILLE BEYOND COAL POSTER MAKING PARTY

Come mingle with kind souls and make posters for the upcoming BEYOND COAL RALLY on 8-24-13. Art supplies provided, or bring your own. All are welcome. Time is 5:30 PM and location is Wedge Brewery at 125 Roberts Street, Asheville.

08/16/13 WNC PHYSICIANS FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY MEETING

The next WNC PSR monthly meeting will be at a private home near the VA Hospital. Brown Bag lunch at noon with meeting from 12:30 to 2 PM. Everyone is welcome. Please go to www.wncpsr.org  for more information, which includes how to get there and other details.

08/17/13 GREEN GRANNIES SING FOR THE CLIMATE

Saturday, August 17, 5 PM, Green Grannies Sing for the Climate at Vance Monument. Google "Singfortheclimate" and come out and sing with us!

08/17/13 FLOAT FOR A CAUSE

A community float down the French Broad River in support of WNC Alliance. Time is noon, and meeting location is under the bridge across from the Wedge Brewery. Float will depart at 12:30 PM. Asheville Adventure Rentals, just down the road from the Bywater is offering parking and a discounted raft rental & shuttle for just $10 a person. Take out at the Bywater around 1:30pm where we'll be met with a full day of music. Float is free, there is a $5 donation to WNC Alliance at  Bywater.

08/18/13 EARTH FIRST CONTRA DANCE

Fundraiser for Earth First! Location is Warren Wilson College at Bryson Gym. $5 -10 donation at the door. Time is 6:30 PM.

08/19/13 BETTER CHOICES FOR NC TOWN HALL MEETING

This will be held at Diana Wortham Theatre at Pack Square. Time is 5:30 to 7:30 PM, and this is sponsored by the WNC Alliance, AAUW, Asheville City Schools Foundation, Children First, Just Economics WNC, United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County, WNC AIDS Project and Women for Women. “Better Choices for North Carolina” will look at the issues around the past session of the State Legislature. There will be a legislative review by the NC Justice Center.

08/19/13 MORAL MONDAY IN CHARLOTTE NC

08/20/13 TRANSITION ASHEVILLE PERMACULTURE POTLUCK SERIES

Each Month in 2013, YOU are invited to share food, community connection, and explore new/old ways of thinking about land and community. On the 3rd Tuesday of each month, we will gather over potluck meal, and a different local permaculture teacher will present one of David Holmgren's 12 Principles of Permaculture. The August Potluck will feature Keri Evjy of Living Roots Design and Janell Kapoor of Ashevillage Institute and Kleiwerks International. They will co-present the principle of "Integrate Rather than Segregate". Make sure you bring something yummy to share (local/organic if possible), dishes and silverware. Location is Community Action Opportunities at 25 Gaston Street, and time is 5:30 PM.

08/21/13 GREEN DRINKS AT HICKORY NUT FARM

Time is 6 PM. Come and enjoy a sustainable foods potluck, connect with members of the Asheville Buncombe Food Policy Council, hear an update of the ABFPC’s programs, and collaborate with others on actions we can engage in to work towards the council’s vision of a sustainable food future for the city of Asheville. All are welcome to join, bring a local food dish to share, and green drinks will be provided.  See you there! Join us Wednesday August 21st for a special edition of Asheville Green Drinks in collaboration with the Asheville-Buncombe Food Policy Council on Hickory Nut Gap Farm!

08/22/13 CELEBRATING THE YMI CULTURAL CENTER

“A history of the YMI Cultural Center” will be presented at the YMI Cultural Center at South Market Street in Asheville. Presentation will be by Dr. Darin Waters, Assistant Professor of History at UNCA. Time is 7 PM.

08/23/13 ANNIVERSARY OF THE YMI CULTURAL CENTER

This celebration will be a block party at the corner of Eagle & Market Streets at 6 PM. There are other events planned this weekend to mark this occasion, please see www.ymicuturalcenter.org for more information.

08/24/13 RALLY FOR OUR FUTURE - BEYOND COAL RALLY

Let's move Asheville beyond coal! Come take action and call on Duke Energy to retire the Asheville power plant and lead our state in renewable energy. Come out on August 24th from 2-4 PM at Pack Square. There will be music, kid’s activities, and speakers, and much more! Location is Pack Square.

08/26/13 ASHEVILLE EARTH SABBATH CELEBRATION

Time is 7 PM to 8 PM. Location is St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Asheville. Free and open to the public. Contact Jean at 828-683-5548 for more information.

08/27/13 SAVE THE FRENCH BROAD FUNDRAISER

WNC Alliance welcomes Steve Earle to The Orange Peel for the “Save the French Broad” concert and fundraiser. The fundraising is to increase awareness to clean up and protect the French Broad. Show is at 9 PM and tickets are $26 on the day of the show.

08/28/13 TAKING THE DREAM HOME!

Forward Together Movement Rally, as part of Moral Mondays. On the 50th Anniversary of March on Washington, in every Congressional district in NC, there will be a rally sponsored by the NAACP. The 11th Congressional District rally will be in Sylva, NC at 5:30 PM. The 10th Congressional district will be in Lincolnton, NC at 5:30 PM. No further information at this time.

08/29/13 MEDEA BENJAMIN READING & SIGNING

Global Exchange and CODEPINK: Women for Peace co-founder presents her book, Drone Warfare: Killing by Remote Control. Benjamin provides an extensive analysis of who is producing the drones, where they are being used, who controls these unmanned planes, and what are the legal and moral implications of their use. In vivid, readable style, this book also looks at what activists, lawyers, and scientists across the globe are doing to ground these weapons. Time is 7 PM and location is Malaprops Bookstore in Asheville.

08/30/13 MEDEA BENJAMIN PRESENTATION IN ASHEVILLE

“Drone Warfare: Killing by Remote Control” will be presented by Medea Benjamin. She will talk about the growing menace of robotic warfare, with extensive analysis of who is producing the drones, where they are being used, who pilots them, and who are the victims of drone bombings. This is sponsored by Veterans for Peace. Time is 1 PM to 3 PM and the location is Firestorm Cafe & Books.

08/30/13 MEDEA BENJAMIN PRESENTATION IN BLACK MOUNTAIN

Medea Benjamin is the co-founder of CODE PINK and Global Exchange. She has been an activist for human rights and peace for many years, and has recently authored a book called “Drone Warfare: Killing by Remote Control”. She will present on who controls these drones, where they are being used and the legal and moral implications of drone warfare by the US government. Her presentation will also cover what activists are doing to stop the killing by remote control. This will be from 7:30 PM to 9 PM and location is Common Light Meeting House at 137 Center Avenue in Black Mountain.

08/31/13 OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY

This will be a event to recognize the growing epidemic of drug overdoses in the USA, share stories, and honor those who have passed away. Time is 7:30 PM and location is Firestorm Café and Books.

09/04/13 SIERRA CLUB MEETING

Presentation on Stop GE Trees and Our Forests Aren’t Fuel. Social is at 7 PM and program starts at 7:15 PM.  Location is Unitarian Universalist Church at the corner of Edwin Place and Charlotte Street in Asheville.

09/06/13 MOVE TO AMEND REGIONAL CONFERENCE

Move to Amend Grassroots Regional Democracy Convergence will be held in Charlotte, NC. This conference is from September 6 to September 8. For more information go to https://movetoamend.org/.

09/08/13 LECTURE ON ‘CARING FOR CREATION AND YOUR SOUL’

Lecture by Dr. Matthew Sleeth, and is followed by conversation with Dr. Matthew Sleeth, Dr. Guy Sayles, Pastor, First Baptist Church, and Anna Jane Joyner, WNC Green Congregations. Event hosted by The Center for Faith and Life of First Baptist Church of Asheville, Blessed Earth, and The Western North Carolina Green Congregations. Time is 6 to 8 PM and location is First Baptist Church of Asheville at 5 Oak Street. Free and open to the public.

09/09/13 MOVE TO AMEND BUNCOMBE COUNTY MEETING

Monday, September 9, 2013 we're meeting at 7 pm in the conference room of the North Asheville Library, 1030 Merrimon Ave., Asheville. All persons interested in a democratic government accountable to the people are invited to attend.  Members will set goals and select tactics to create public demands for passage of a Constitutional Amendment to overturn “Citizens United”. FMI ruthachristie@gmail.com

09/10/12 BUILDING BRIDGES SESSION #42

This program is an introduction to the dynamics of racism and is an opportunity to explore how race has impacted our relationships, communities and institutions. The next session of Building Bridges is every Tuesday evenings from September 10 to November 5, 2013. Past participants are welcome. Time is 7 to 9 PM and cost is $30. Location is First Congregational UCC at 20 Oak Street in Asheville. To register go to http://www.buildingbridges-ashevillenc.org/#!register. For more information, call 828-777-4585.

09/13/13 ASHEVILLE RESILIENCY CELEBRATION

Celebration and potluck in west Asheville park– to share stories about your resilience and efforts to move our area past dependency on fossil fuels during the past year. Bring a dish and utensils. RSVP to ransitionasheville.org. Time is 4 to 7:30 PM.

09/21/13 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE

09/28/13 to 09/29/13 DEMOCRACY NC MEETING

This will be in Waynesville NC, no further information at this time.

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ONGOING EVENTS

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TUESDAY

Veterans for Peace have a weekly vigil at 5 PM at Pack Square, Vance Monument

WEDNESDAY

Haywood Peace Vigilers have a weekly vigil at 4 PM at Haywood County Courthouse in Waynesville

THURSDAY

Asheville Homeless Network meeting at 2 PM at Firestorm Cafe

FRIDAY

Women in Black have a weekly vigil at noon at the City Hall in Hendersonville

SATURDAY

Transylvanians for Peace and WNC Physicians for Social Responsibility have a weekly vigil at noon in front of the courthouse in Brevard

Third Saturdays – Asheville’s Green Grannies invites the public to “sing for the climate” at Vance Monument.

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ACTIONS AND READINGS

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FROM IRAQ VETERANS AGAINST THE WAR:

To mark the tenth anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq, Iraqis and U.S. military veterans came together to hold the U.S. government accountable for the lasting effects of war and the rights of veterans and civilians to heal. They requested a hearing on these issues with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, a body of the Organization of American States.

I added my name to a letter of support for their request, and I urge you to do the same. Please use this link: http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5966/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=13332

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