ACTION ALERT * UNITED FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE www.unitedforpeace.org Click to subscribe | 212-868-5545 |
United for Peace and Justice (UFPJ) calls for the immediate release of the four members of the Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) being held in Iraq. Tom Fox, Harmeet Sooden, James Loney, and Norman Kember were taken captive in Baghdad, Iraq on November 26, 2005. The Christian Peacemaker Teams are well-known for their work seeking an end to war and occupation in Iraq, Palestine, and other countries through nonviolent means. They have clearly and publicly opposed the invasion and occupation of Iraq. They helped alert the world to the torture of Iraqis in U.S.-run prisons and detention centers, such as Abu Ghraib, by interviewing Iraqi detainees and widely disseminating their stories. The members of the CPT are neither spies nor military contractors, nor do they work in the service of any government. They are people of faith, but they are not missionaries. They have deep respect for the Islamic faith and for the right of Iraqis to self-determination. For more information on the Christian Peacemaker Teams and the four members being held, visit http://www.cpt.org/ Holding or harming innocent people out of anger against the US occupation--be they Iraqi or American--will achieve nothing. We appeal to those holding these activists to release them unharmed so that they may continue their vital work as witnesses and peaceworkers. TAKE ACTION We encourage all supporters of an end to the occupation of Iraq to sign a petition calling for the release of the four captive CPT members. To do so, visit http://electroniciraq.net/news/index.shtml or http://www.freethecaptivesnow.org/ People of faith are encouraged to sign the Clergy and Laity Concerned About Iraq appeal at http://www.unitedforpeace.org/faith . http://www.freethecaptivesnow.org/ has other good action ideas, from holding vigils to writing letters to Arabic language newspapers. www.unitedforpeace.org | 212-868-5545 To subscribe, visit www.unitedforpeace.org/email To unsubscribe, visit www.demaction.org/ufpj/unsubscribe.jsp *** http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/02/international/middleeast/02insurgency.html?pagewanted=1&th&adxnnl=0&emc=th&adxnnlx=1133526395-2DpILcLvGbqecYhf8ir1iw Profusion of Rebel Groups Helps Them Survive in Iraq By DEXTER FILKINS NY Times Lead Story: December 2, 2005 BAGHDAD, Iraq, Dec. 1 - Here is a small sampling of the insurgent groups that have claimed responsibility for attacks on Americans and Iraqis in the last few months: Supporters of the Sunni People. The Men's Faith Brigade. The Islamic Anger. Al Baraa bin Malik Suicide Brigade. The Tawid Lions of Abdullah ibn al Zobeir. While some of them, like the Suicide Brigade, claim an affiliation with Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia and Al Qaeda claims them, others say they have acted alone or under the guidance of another group. While on Wednesday President Bush promised nothing less than "complete victory" over the Iraqi insurgency, the apparent proliferation of militant groups offers perhaps the best explanation as to why the insurgency has been so hard to destroy. The Bush administration has long maintained, and Mr. Bush reiterated in his speech Wednesday, that the insurgency comprises three elements: disaffected Sunni Arabs, or "rejectionists"; former Hussein government loyalists; and foreign-born terrorists affiliated with Al Qaeda. Iraqi and American officials in Iraq say the single most important fact about the insurgency is that it consists not of a few groups but of dozens, possibly as many as 100. And it is not, as often depicted, a coherent organization whose members dutifully carry out orders from above but a far-flung collection of smaller groups that often act on their own or come together for a single attack, the officials say. Each is believed to have its own leader and is free to act on its own. "There is no center of gravity, no leadership, no hierarchy; they are more a constellation than an organization," said Bruce Hoffman, a terrorism expert at the Rand Corporation. "They have adopted a structure that assures their longevity." The insurgency's survivability presents perhaps the most difficult long-term challenge for the Iraqi government and American commanders. The primary military goal of groups like Al Qaeda and Ansar al Sunna is not to win but simply not to lose; to hang on until the United States runs out of will and departs. Even killing or capturing the leader of Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, many Iraqi and American officials say, will not end the rebellion. *** Dear Ed, I just finished my documentary, Back from Iraq, and would be delighted if you would spread the word to your list about the free Hollywood Premiere this Friday. Thanks. Warm Regards, Susie Shannon [EMAIL PROTECTED] (323) 939-5475 Please join Actors James Cromwell and Mimi Kennedy and a very special surprise guest for the Hollywood Premiere of the new documentary Back from Iraq: The U.S. Soldier Speaks A film by Nancy Fulton, Susie Shannon and James Metropole This powerful documentary chronicles the eyewitness accounts of four courageous U.S. Soldiers returned from their tour of duty in Iraq. A candid look at the war with stories you will not hear on CNN, FOX News or in the mainstream media. Joseph Mahfouz, an Army mechanic forced to fight on the front lines. Patrick Resta, a National Guardsman caught between military orders and the humanitarian rights of soldiers and civilians. Jimmy Massey, a Marine Staff Sargeant and former Parris Island trainer confronted with the deep dark reality of war and death. Jeff Key, Marine Lance Corporal guided by his down-home southern upbringing and deep religious conviction. Their stories from Iraq, perceptions of the war, insights into the media and concerns about US National Security will leave you at once horrified, entertained and informed about the U.S. involvement in Iraq. Friday December 9, 2005 8:00 pm Fine Arts Theater 8556 Wilshire Blvd. (1 Block West of La Cienega) Beverly Hills, CA 90211 Admission is Free. Seating is limited. Reserve your space today. RSVP to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or call (323) 939-5475. Please send your name, phone number and number of people attending. Special thanks to the Fine Arts Theater for providing a great, affordable venue: www.studioscreenings.com *** Dear Friend, the Southern California Library invites you to join us as we celebrate old and new relationships and how much we have achieved together at our End-of-the-Year Celebration and Fundraiser on Saturday, December 10, 1-4 p.m. It's our way of taking a moment to celebrate community and honor connections, and have a really fun time doing it. You definitely don't want to miss this party--poetry, jazz, tours, exhibits, gift opportunities, desserts, and much more. Please scroll for more information or go to our website: www.socallib.org/SCLWebSite/events/holiday05/index.html . With an unjust war abroad and increasing difficulties in our communities at home, let's take the time to celebrate our achievements. Michele Michele Welsing Communications Director Southern California Library [EMAIL PROTECTED] 323-759-6063 (ph) www.socallib.org Working for a world where all people have the ability, resources, and freedom to make their own histories Join us Saturday, December 10, as we celebrate old and new relationships and how much we have achieved together this year... Poets and musicians featuring jazz with Harish Raghavan, poets V. Kali, Lady Flow, and Antonieta Villamil, and singer Leonard J. Plick. Families welcome. Delicious refreshments and desserts. @ the Southern California Library Saturday, December 10, 2004, 1-4 p.m. DON'T MISS * Tours and exhibits * Silent Auction * Gift Table Get wonderful holiday gifts: hard-to-find books, including signed copies of The Next L.A., CDs, political and cultural art by local artists and others, including prints, photos, and ceramics; and tickets and services to museums, amusement parks, massage, horseback riding, restaurants, and more. Among the local artists whose work will be available for sale: * the Library's Development Director, Jenny Chynoweth * Vibiana Aparicio-Chamberlin, a painter, printmaker, mural artist, and an altarista * Photojournalist Greg Constantine * Photographer Devra Weber Go to www.socallib.org/SCLWebSite/events/holiday05/index.html to see selected images. FREE. EVERYONE WELCOME. @ The Southern California Library 6120 S. Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles (323) 759-6063 . www.socallib.org ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Help save the life of a child. Support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. http://us.click.yahoo.com/f4eSOB/lbOLAA/E2hLAA/7gSolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- LAAMN: Los Angeles Alternative Media Network --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Digest: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Help: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Archive1: <http://www.egroups.com/messages/laamn> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Archive2: <http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/laamn/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
