Posted on December 30, 2011 by annie

December 2011 Newsletter
Visit our web page www.EastBayWILPF.org
Meetings are 2nd Saturday of the Month 10am-noon

Attention!!!  Special Location for our January Meeting

Join us for our planning meeting Saturday, January 14th
Email  wilpf@wilpfeastbay.org for address

June Brumer was invited to come to our January meeting to talk about the Grandmothers Against the War Truth in Recruiting team, which goes onto high school campuses to counter the message of military recruiters.

For a great holiday message with your time link to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ws0WSNRpy3g/

Free Democracy from Corporate Control

Elections are right around the corner  and we all are more aware of the $$$$ that is flowing into political campaigns, much of it undisclosed. This is the result of the ridiculous ruling of the Supreme Court that corporations have the same rights as natural People.   East Bay WILPF is planning to join other organizations requesting the  Oakland City Council to join other progressive California cities in adopting a resolution to support a federal constitutional amendment that corporations are not natural persons. We will be planning this activity at our January planning meeting, come join us.
It was noted that most of this money that buys influence and power  goes to TV news .  Occupy the influence of corporations on elections by turning off the TV during election season.  Pick up the public radio habit, KPFA especially Democracy Now.  Internet news is an alternative.    Check out www.Truthout.org , fearless, independent news and opinion.

The National Defense Authorization Act:

Members voted to write or call the President and our senators protesting against the provision requiring  military custody for terrorist suspects allegedly linked to al-Qaida or its affiliates. (This Act passed since our meeting. In a last minute change the attorney general would decide whether to try an individual in federal court or by military tribunal. The president could waive the entire requirement based on national security.)
The second provision would deny suspected terrorists, including U.S. citizens seized within this nation’s borders, the right to trial and subject them to indefinite detention. It reaffirms the post-Sept. 11 authorization for the use of military force that allows indefinite detention of enemy combatants. The provision includes a Senate-passed compromise that says nothing in the legislation may be “construed to affect existing law or authorities relating to the detention of United States citizens, lawful resident aliens of the United States, or any other persons who are captured or arrested in the United States.” Senator Dianne Feinstein, who has fought to separate this from the appropriation bill.  Incredibly, she and Boxer did vote for this final version. Those concerned about civil rights groups have warned that the provision would allow the government to hold U.S. citizens indefinitely. Such incarceration is forbidden by the U.S. Constitution.
“If these provisions deny American citizens their due process rights under a new, nebulous set of directives, it not only would make us less safe, but it will serve as an unprecedented threat to our constitutional liberties,” said Democratic Sen. Mark Udall.
Senate Intelligence Committee Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein, said she and several other lawmakers would introduce legislation to ensure that no U.S. citizen is held indefinitely without trial. *Summarized from Dec 15 AP news
Action: Still important to protest: call the president and congress representatives protesting this unprecedented threat to our civil liberties.

For a women’s prospective on international news link to and subscribe to www.peacewmomen.org./   It is an in-depth WILPF sponsored  international  e- newsletter and organization.  This month it reports on “What does security mean to you?”

Look for our article about Barbara Lee, “Barbara Lee Speaks for Me” in the latest issue of Peace and Freedom.  If you haven’t gotten Peace and Freedom (a monthly magazine from WILPF US)  It could mean you are not currently a dues paying member. Link to www.wilpf.org to join.

East Bay WILPF  and  WILPF US support the goals of the Occupy Wall Street Movement. East Bay WILPF deplores the military style actions of the police against demonstrators.
We join with those speaking out against war, economic disparity, unfair profits and bloated military budgets across the U.S. in Occupy Wall Street! As stated in the WILPF Constitution “the League sees as its ultimate goal the establishment of an international economic order founded on meeting the needs of all people and not on profit and privilege.”

Reports  on the WILPF California Cluster meeting in Santa Cruz. Our branch endorsed all 7 campaigns (see below for update). Strategies were discussed including  planning for a state congressional visit at our January meeting. Follow progress on the State initiatives at Deborah Bowen, Secretary of State site: http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_j.htm.
On line petitions indicate support but official paper forms are required to get initiatives on the ballot.  Ballot measures are placed by 2/3 of the legislature or by the initiative process of signature gathering.

1. Rescue Education California (oil extraction tax) Tax on California     Oil and Natural Gas. Revenues to Education. There are two     competing bills one 10% tax and we are endorsing the 15% tax( note error in previous newsletter) Rescue Education are collecting     signatures now.  Replay to this email if you wish to gather signatures.      Deadline is April 15. For more info go to:     http://www.rescueeducationcalifornia.org/

2.  California Disclose Act  AB1148 requires top 5 contributors to be disclosed on the ballot and on ads.  It is a two-year bill that will come up for its first hearing next year.  The language of AB 1148 are being drafted, based on the federal DISCLOSE Act (H.R. 5175). Needs 2/3 vote of legislature.

3.  Paid Sick Days, AB400 requiring firms with fewer than 10 employees to give seven paid sick days a year and larger companies nine days a year. Not passed out of appropriations committee .  For detailed discussion see Institute Women’s Policy Research link to http://iwpr.org

4.California One Care SB810: for more information on a newer version of Health Care for All: http://californiaonecare.org/ Needs legislative lobbying

5.Safe California Act (death penalty repeal) gathering signatures for 2012 ballot. Ballot initiative circulating now. We are an endorsing organization.  Respond to this email if you want to help collect signatures

6. AB 685 Human Right to Water: Needs legislative lobbying

7. AB591 – Oil and Gas Production: Hydraulic Fracturing.  For more information see the movie “Gasland” In committee

Discussed Suggested Strategies
1. We have submitted  a branch endorsement of the Rescue Education California initiative and Safe California. Plan to endorse other initiatives.
2. Help collect signatures on the petitions being circulated for each and submit them to the campaigns.
3.  Communicate with campaign contacts to coordinate activities.
3. Secure district legislator’s endorsements.
4.  Secure endorsements from local officials.
5.  Members secure endorsements and signatures from other organizations.
6.  Organize teach-in or event to promote the campaign.
7. Travel to Sacramento to lobby the Assembly.

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Challenge Militariam and End Violence Against Women

Posted on December 2, 2011 by annie

From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Let’s Challenge Militarism and End Violence Against Women!
Women and girls are the major victims of war since 1990, according to the  United Nations, the International Red Cross and other International Aid  Agencies www.voanews.com/english/news/a-13-2009-03-08-voa9-68678402.html /

In addition to death and injury from weapons of war, displacement, starvation and lack of medical care, they suffer from rape – often used as a weapon of war.
It’s time to blow the whistle on militarism & violence against women everywhere.

1.Women in areas of conflict and post-conflict face systematic sexual and gender-based violence including rape

2. live in refugee and internally displaced persons camps.

3. are often excluded from the peace and reconstruction process.

4.  Endure a “peacekeeping environment” and military power structure.Women whose countries engage in conflicts elsewhere

5. live in a militarized society that fosters a culture of violence in homes and in the community.
6.  are encouraged by their governments to do military service or to support combatants rather than participate in peace building
7. see their tax dollars go to military spending instead of education, housing, health care, and other human needs basic to human rights and human security.
8.  watch natural resources get damaged or destroyed through weapons manufacturing and testing; they suffer from military toxics and disproportionately  from nuclear radiation..

To learn more, visit the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom www.wilpf.org/  and the 16 Days campaign  http://16dayscwgl.rutgers.edu/

Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, US Section
For more information, or to become a member, visit www.wilpf.org
Women Must Have Equal Participation In Decision Making At All Stages of Peacemaking and Conflict Resolution

Ratify CEDAW, the UN Convention on Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women – the U.S. is one of only seven nations in the world that has not ratified this treaty

Implement UN Security Resolution 1325 – which calls for women to become 50% of peace negotiators, and of decision makers in government. The U.S. government speaks in support of this resolution – we want real implementation.

Start shrinking the military and engage women as peace makers in the world.   Actively support cuts to military spending proposed by the Barney Frank Commission www.25percentsolution.com /. The Progressive Caucus Budget can also be accessed from here.  – Some places to start  cutting:
 End the war in Afghanistan as we close down the war and occupation in Iraq;
 Begin reducing the over 700 of overseas U.S. military bases around the world.
 Eliminate programs that are obsolete and/or especially wasteful like the F -35 Joint Strike Fighter program, the Raptor, V-22-Osprey, and the Marine Corps Expeditionary Vehicle. Cut back army and marine personnel in the Middle East and Europe.
 Use allocation for dismantling nuclear weapons instead of modernizing nuclear bomb facilities.
 Begin cutting the entire missile defense program which is for offensive war, and after billions spent  still doesn’t work and is destabilizing the world.  Say No to drones and robotic warfare!

End War profiteering. Comply with existing disarmament treaties and enter negotiations on new ones. Enable women to partner with men to achieve that better world we know is possible. End violence against women and let their children and families live.
Do you know that the U.S. now has a military budget roughly equal to those of all other nations combined?
 It is by far the largest exporter of military equipment and arms in the world. Indeed, weapons of war are our country’s largest export. The 2010 value was over $800 billion in corporate profits.
 Supports over 4,000 military bases in the USA and over 700 abroad.  World War II is long over but in 2010 the Pentagon reported 218 US bases in Germany and 115 in Japan.
 In 2012 the requested  military expenditures – including costs of the Pentagon, CIA, NASA, Homeland Security and the DOE nuclear weapons program – total $1.6 trillion. The new debt  in 2012 is also estimated at 1.6 trillion.
 The cumulative debt reached $15 trillion in November, 2011. Politicians threaten drastic cuts to education, health care and other human services that lead to human security.
 War investments hurt women, who are already the major caregivers for their families and communities. To cut housing, education, infrastructure, child care services, Medicare and Social Security for grandparents and all those programs that  build families and communities is violence, not only against women, but against their children, families and the  whole society.

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Eastbay WILPF Newletter

Posted on November 28, 2011 by annie

WILPF NEWS
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom
East Bay Branch
November/December 2011 Newsletter
Visit our web page www.EastBayWILPF.org
Meetings are 2nd Saturday of the Month 10am-noon

Attention!!!  Special Location for our December Meeting
at  a members home
Join us for our planning meeting Saturday, December 10th
Contact us at wilpf@wilpfeastbay.org or 510 339-1395 for address

East Bay WILPF  and  WILPF US support the goals of the Occupy Wall Street Movement.

East Bay WILPF deplores the military style actions of the police against demonstrators.
We join with those speaking out against war, economic disparity, unfair profits and bloated military budgets across the U.S. in Occupy Wall Street! As stated in the WILPF Constitution “the League sees as its ultimate goal the establishment of an international economic order founded on meeting the needs of all people and not on profit and privilege.”

Write a letter to Oakland, University of California and your county officials and Sheriff, condemning the violence against nonviolent occupiers.  Here is a sample letter:
“I am a resident and a member of East Bay WILPF  (Women International League for Peace and Freedom).  I expect the city to keep a space for peaceful protest which is our right as citizens.  I support the goals of the Occupy folks. I do not want to pay overtime for police using excessive force against legal and nonviolent protestors.
There is so much to protest about.  Home foreclosures are increasing;  women and people of color are disproportionately hurt by current economic practices; big money needs to start paying a fair share; corporations are not people; 70% of the federal budget is getting sucked up by wars; proposition 13 has hamstrung California democracy and local funding for schools and local services.  Enough is enough!
It’s time for government officials to address these issues and the many others affecting Oakland citizens rather than organize another police action against peaceful protest.”

Report: California WILPF Cluster Meeting  in Santa Cruz Nov 12th

The participants at the Cluster recommended that all the California branches support and work on the following bills/initiatives, especially the first two.

1. Rescue Education California (oil extraction tax) Tax on California Oil and Natural Gas. Revenues to Education.
“Imposes 10 percent tax on value of oil and natural gas extracted in California to supplement funding for education. Allocates 10 percent of tax revenues to grants for college and vocational students, and remainder to classroom education funding as follows: 10 percent to University of California; 20 percent to California State University; 20 percent to community colleges; and 40 percent to K-12. Prohibits reduction of existing education-funding levels based on these additional tax revenues. Prohibits passing tax through to consumers by way of higher fuel prices.”
“Increased state revenues from a new oil and gas severance tax of $1.5 billion to $2.5 billion per year. These revenues would be allocated to education and would likely result in increased state funding of various education programs.”

2. California Disclose Act  AB1148 Requires the top  financiers to be disclosed.  AB 1148 applies to all ads supporting or opposing ballot measures, or ads supporting or opposing candidates paid for by independent expenditures. AB 1148 can either be put into effect by a 2/3 vote of the legislature or by a majority vote placing a measure on the ballot for the voters to decide.

3. Paid Sick Days, AB400 requiring firms with fewer than 10 employees to give seven paid sick days a year and larger companies nine days a year.  Not passed out of appropriations committee .  For detailed discussion see Institute Women’s Policy Research link to http://iwpr.org
Online petition link to http://www.caclean.org/petition/

4.California One Care SB810: for more information and to sign the petition for a newer version of Health Care for All:  http://www.healthcareforall.org/action-center/email-signup-or-sign-the-petition

5.Safe California Act (death penalty repeal) gathering signatures for 2012 ballot. The original  bill has been withdrawn by its author, Sen. Loni Hancock, because there were not enough votes for it to get out of committee.

6. AB 685 Human Right to Water: Long supported by WILPF Majority
Existing law establishes various state water policies, including the policy that the use of water for domestic purposes is the highest use of water. This bill would declare that it is the policy of the state that every human being has the right to clean, affordable, and accessible water for human consumption, cooking, and sanitary purposes, that is adequate for the health and well-being of the individual and family.

7. AB591 – Oil and Gas Production: Hydraulic Fracturing.  For more information see the movie “Gasland”

Suggested Strategies
1. Submit a branch endorsement of the Rescue Education California initiative and the CA Disclose Act
2. Collect members’ signatures on the petitions being circulated for each and submit them to the campaigns.
3.  Communicate with campaign contacts to coordinate activities.
4.  Actively collect signatures while tabling or at meetings and events.
5.  Secure district legislator’s endorsements of the Rescue Education   California initiative and the CA Disclose Act AB1148.
6.  Secure endorsements from local officials.
7.  Secure endorsements and signatures from other organizations.
8.  Organize teach-in or event to promote the campaign.
9.  Travel to Sacramento in January to lobby the Assembly.

Blow the Whistle on Militarism and Violence against Women!

WILPF International and WILPF US support the 16 days of Activism Against Gender Violence–Nov. 25th to Dec. 10th called the “Blow the Whistle (Whistleblower) Campaign”  U.S.WILPF members have been encouraged by the national office to organize whistle blowing demonstrations at their local municipal buildings or Occupy movements to draw attention to the dangers of militarism and war culture that perpetuates violence against women.  Participants are also encouraged to record short videos of themselves and other attendees answering the question “What does security mean to you?”  Finally, participants are being encouraged to complete WILPF’s online Call to Action survey.

http://www.peacewomen.org/publications_initiative_document.php?id=59

For  a wonderful explanation and actions, see www.http://16dayscwgl.rutgers.edu/
“Cost of War Calculator” is especially helpful. It gives the cost to produce various weapons (most of them U.S. specialties) and indicates how that same money could be better spent on human needs. See http://www.stwr.org/special-features/cost-of-war-calculator.html

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Posted on October 26, 2011 by annie

WILPF NEWS
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, East Bay Branch
October/November 2011 Newsletter
Meetings are usually 2nd Saturday of the Month 10am-noon
Gray Panther’s Office, 1403 Addison, Berkeley, 94702
but not this November, 2011
Save Saturday, November 12th, 9am-3pm
California WILPF Cluster meeting in Santa Cruz
De Anza Mobil Home Park
2395 Delaware Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
This is an exciting way to meet other WILPF activists, share ideas and get energized.  potluck lunch, for more  information email wilpf@wilpfeastbay.org
We would love to have you join us! There will be no East Bay WILPF meeting in November because members will be attending the Cluster Meeting in Santa Cruz.

East Bay WILPF  and  WILPF US supports the goals of the Occupy Wall Street Movement.  East Bay Wilpf deplores the military style actions of the police against demonstrators.
We join with those speaking out against war, economic disparity, unfair profits and bloated military budgets across the U.S. in Occupy Wall Street!
As stated in the WILPF Constitution “the League sees as its ultimate goal the establishment of an international economic order founded on meeting the needs of all people and not on profit and privilege.”
Americans are no longer accepting the status quo but are challenging the way our country does business on all fronts! Thousands gathered for non-violent protests on the 10th Anniversary of US’s invasion of Afghanistan. There is a strong voice emerging to take back control of our country and find sustainable solutions to the crisis we face.     It may have been the reason President Obama formally announced the end of the war in Iraq, as the remaining 48,000 American troops in Iraq will be brought home by year’s end. After almost nine years, the loss of more than 4,400 American troops and countless Iraqi civilian lives, and a cost of $800 billion that was badly needed at home.
The Occupy Wall Street movement has expanded to include laborers, unions, teachers, nurses, and folks of all of all races, ages, backgrounds, political and religious beliefs, who represent the 99% of America people suffering from the greed and corruption of the wealthiest 1%. It has also spread around the country, to big cities and small towns.

In San Francisco, East Bay WILPF member Margot Smith  delivered sleeping bags and tents the day after gear was confiscated in the middle of the night by San Francisco police. In Oakland, East Bay WILPF members Madeline Krohn and Lusi Harmon carried the WILPF banner in the “Jobs not War” march on October 15th. They reported the crowd seemed bigger than expected and peaceful.  Danny Glover spoke and reminded them of the Martin Luther King speeches, “We have to look at the world and reevaluate the domination of corporations. They may be people but they are not human beings.”  “Banks were bailed out, we were sold out”.  Some of you may have seen them on Channel 2 news.  Surprisingly–or not–the Oakland Tribune did not report on the Oakland march.

120 women attend WILPF International Congress in Costa Rica
From July 30 until August 6, 2011, women from around the world gathered together for the WILPF International Congress in San José, Costa Rica. WILPF – the oldest women’s peace organization in the world – will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2015 when women peace activists will meet in The Hague again to honor and reaffirm the work and principles of their foremothers in promoting peace. This meeting in Costa Rica was the last official Congress – the highest decision making body of WILPF and the final authority – before the centennial event. Over 120 peace women traveled from twenty-four countries to discuss the theme “Women, Peace and Security – transforming the agenda” and the work of WILPF members, sections and international.

With great enthusiasm, the 2011 Congress formally endorsed five new WILPF sections – Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Spain, Mexico, and Pakistan – and recognized the innovative and strategic work which these groups have been doing on redefining security and advancing women as peacemakers. The Congress also adopted 11 resolutions, the international program of work 2011-2015 and several statements.

The new Executive Committee was elected with overwhelming support for the new International President, Adilia Caravaca (Costa Rica). Other elected officers include represenatives from Sweden, India, UK, and USA.
This was a special Congress with the dynamic new Secretary General, Madeleine Rees, at the helm who inspired, and challenged the meeting to be creative, focused and impactful. Madeleine articulated the integrated vision for WILPF 2011-2015 in an inspiring presentation that included personal anecdotes and her motivation for joining the WILPF movement. She described the integrated approach as a sort of “WILPF jigsaw”- where the many pieces of WILPF work fit together to form the whole. Directors of WILPF’s two Projects, Ray Acheson (Reaching Critical Will) and Maria Butler (PeaceWomen), presented their respective work, reports and objectives to the Congress and were enthusiastically received by the WILPF members gathered in Costa
Rica. For more info: link to www.wilpfinternational.org/

Can the Earth Afford More Nuclear Weapons?
Tri-Valley Cares (Nuclear weapons Livermore Lab watchdog group) www.trivalleycares.org calls for direct contact of the “Super Committee” who will decide the next 10 year budget cuts. (Congressional joint committee: half senators, representatives, Republicans, Democrats)  64 representatives, including Barbara Lee, wrote the super committee to save hundreds of billions of dollars by restructuring the nuclear weapons industry  “Freeze the Nikes, Fund the Future. ACTION you can have a voice contact the Super Committee at www.deficitreduction.gov/public/index.cfm/contact

Three Women win the Nobel Peace Prize
This month the global women’s movement celebrated three women awarded the
Nobel Peace Prize – Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Liberia’s first female President,
Leymah Gbowee, Liberia’s peace activist, and Tawakkul Karman Yemenese,
opposition activist. WILPF and the PeaceWomen Project congratulates the new
Laureates for their leadership and dedication to peace, human rights and equality; and for receiving the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize. To date, only 12 other women were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize including WILPF’s first International President Jane Addams. The Nobel Prize is an acknowledgment of their achievements and “nonviolent struggle… for women’s right to full participation in peace-building work”, and to all women who strive for peace, equality and security in their communities.
Also noteworthy, the chairman of the Nobel Peace Prize committee, Thorbjoern
Jagland, placed their achievements within the context of the United Nations
Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.
As we approach the 11th anniversary of Resolution 1325, WILPF calls for this
moment to be a turning point in the support for women peace activists and to see a real shift in political will to prioritize women’s rights and participation in peace resolution and peace building.

Events
Join us for a Gray Panther meeting to hear Wilson Riles “What We Don’t Know About Money and the Money We Need” Wednesday Oct 26th at 1:30pm
North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave.

California WILPF Cluster meeting in Santa Cruz, Save Saturday, November 12th, 9am-3pm, De Anza Mobil Home Park
2395 Delaware Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
This is an exciting way to meet other WILPF activists, share ideas and get energized.  We provide rides, potluck lunch. Respond to this email for a ride and details or call
510-339-1395.  We would love to have you join us! There will be no East Bay WILPF meeting in November because members will be attending the Cluster Meeting in Santa Cruz.

“A Child’s View From Gaza” “The Art will not be Censored” on view until November 27th.  917 Washington Street, Oakland. Fridays 10am-3pm Saturday and Sunday 12pm-6pm    .  For more information:    www.mecaforpeace.org

Rally for Peace Friday, October 21st, 2-3pm at Acton & University, Berkeley
Monthly every  3rd Friday

“Sacred Sites Peace Walk for a Nuclear Free World” the Northern California segment of the Peace walk.  Meet the Peace Walkers for a Potluck Dinner and Speakout on Friday,  Nov. 4th at 6pm at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar St. Berkeley   www.canuclearwalk.com
For more events information, link to the Berkeley Fellowship:  www.bfuu.org

“Windows and Mirrors: Reflections on the War in Afghanistan.”  Sponsored by American Friends Service Committee at the beautiful Islamic Cultural  Center, 1433 Madison St. between 14 & 15St. Oakland 4-7p Tue-Sat. until Oct 29. Link to www.windowsandmirrors.org

Corporate Rule is the underlying problem that is wreaking havoc in all aspects of our society – from income disparity to illegal “wars”, from foreclosed homes to “bought” elections,  from a polluted environment to unsustainable and dangerous energy practices, from tax cuts and subsidies for the very rich to austerity for everyone else.
For Action guide link to the End Corporate Rule site at www.EndCorporateRule.us

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Eastbay WILPF co-sponsors International Day of Peace

Posted on September 15, 2011 by annie
Pathways to Peace:
a local program dedicated to the International Day of Peace
Join the United Nations Association-Eastbay, Graduate Theological Union
and United Religions Initiative
Saturday September 17, 1:30-5pm
Pacific School of Religion
1798 Scenic Ave, Berkeley
Refreshments, No fee
for more information www.UNAusaEastBay.org
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Wilpf News August-Sept 2011 newsletter

Posted on August 18, 2011 by annie

WILPF NEWS
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom
East Bay Branch
August-Sept 2011 Newsletter
Visit our web page www.EastBayWILPF.org
Meetings are 2nd Saturday of the Month 10am-noon

International WILPF meets in Costa Rica
“Social advance depends as much upon the process through which it is secured as upon the result itself.” – Jane Addams
From July 30 until August 6 2011, women from around the world gathered together for the WILPF International Congress in San José, Costa Rica. WILPF – the oldest women’s peace organization in the world – will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2015. Women peace activists will meet in The Hague again to honor and reaffirm the work and principles of their fore-mothers in promoting peace. This meeting in Costa Rica was the last official Congress – the highest decision making body of WILPF and the final authority – before the centennial event. Over 120 peace women traveled from twenty-four countries to discuss the theme “Women, Peace and Security – Transforming the Agenda” and the work of WILPF members, sections and international.

With great enthusiasm, the 2011 Congress formally endorsed five new WILPF sections – Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Spain, Mexico, and Pakistan – and recognized the innovative and strategic work which these groups have been doing on redefining security and advancing women as peacemakers. The Congress also adopted 11 resolutions, the international program of work 2011-2015 and several statements. In addition to officially reviewing the work of the organization and its future direction, operational issues were dealt with, including the election of the new executive committee and the formation of new standing committees and working groups.

The new Executive Committee was elected with overwhelming support for the new International President, Adilia Caravaca (Costa Rica). Other elected officers include: Kerstin Grebäck (Sweden), Dr. Ila Pathak (India), Neelima Sinha (India), Martha-Jean Baker (UK) (Vice Presidents), and Nancy Ramsden (USA) (Treasurer). The outgoing Executive Committee and the out-going Co-presidents, Annelise Ebbe and Kerstin Grebäck, were thanked for their work.

This was a special Congress with the dynamic new Secretary General, Madeleine Rees, at the helm who challenged the meeting to be creative, focused and impactful. Madeleine articulated the integrated vision for WILPF 2011-2015 in an inspiring presentation that included personal anecdotes and her motivation for joining the WILPF movement. She described the integrated approach as a sort of “WILPF jigsaw”- where the many pieces of WILPF work fit together to form the whole. Directors of WILPF’s two Projects, Ray Acheson (Reaching Critical Will) and Maria Butler (PeaceWomen), presented their respective work, reports and objectives to the Congress and were enthusiastically received by the WILPF members gathered in Costa Rica.

The Congress agenda was packed with discussions on WILPF themes and strategies for moving forward. Workshops and roundtables allowed for maximum participation and covered issues such as: Environment; Nuclear Power and Nuclear Weapons; Food sovereignty and security; Resolution 1325 – global indicators; and Armed violence against women. Young-WILPFers (known as Y-WILPFers) also played a significant role in this Congress and organized the Gertrud Baer Seminar and workshops.

The resolutions adopted reflected WILPF’s position on: the Arms Trade Treaty; Forced Migration; UN Women; Nuclear Weapons; SCR 1325 National Action Plans; the high-level meeting on the Durban Declaration; on the situations in the Middle East, in Nepal, and related to the Arab Spring; Palestinian Prisoners; and on Costa Rican Militarization.

Participants also had a private viewing of the “Whistleblower” – a movie in which Madeleine Rees, now WILPF General Secretary, then head of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Bosnia, is portrayed by Vanessa Redgrave. Following the screening of this horrific story, which takes place in the late 1990s when trafficking was at its height, Madeleine shared with WILPFers her experiences, the challenges and problems of human trafficking, sexual slavery, torture, and the role of UN, corporate contractors, and governments in these complex issues, and how WILPF can make a meaningful impact in this work. Adabted from “Peace Women”

Jane Addams Peace Association book Awards Announced
Many members purchase these children’s books each year to give as gifts to family members.  East Bay WILPF donates them to our libraries.  To order your copies or to see the 2011 awards  link to Jane Addams Peace Association at:

http://www.janeaddamspeace.org/jacba/2011ceremony.shtml.

The Truth About the Debt Ceiling Agreement
From the coverage in the mainstream media, you might believe the debt ceiling agreement’s budget cuts are an essential step toward righting the U.S. Economy.   The National Organization for Women ‘s view is that the agreement will primarily hurt women, seniors, poor families and children. http://www.now.org/issues/economic/080411debtdeal.html

“Under the deal, nearly $1 trillion will be cut from discretionary spending over the next 10 years, with another $1.5 trillion in deficit reduction through “tax reform” (a term that few believe will entail requiring the wealthiest to pay their fair share) and spending cuts to be proposed by a congressional super-committee in November.

Because no new tax revenues are included in the first phase — the Tea Party faction in the House opposed that — all the burden of reducing the federal deficit falls on low- and middle-income families. Without increasing revenues by fairly taxing multi-millionaires, billionaires and large, highly profitable corporations, the federal government will be left with few resources to help grow the economy and put millions of the unemployed back to work. Cutting important government programs at a time when millions are out of work, state budgets are in crisis and economic recovery is stalling is a very bad solution, and the economic consequences to the country will be severe.

Assessing the exact damage that’s been done, and what could follow, is a big task. The mainstream media, for the most part, are clearly not up to the challenge — in fact, their continued promotion of discredited right-wing talking points suggests the media are acting on behalf of big business and not in the public interest. So, to best inform you about this massive injustice, NOW has collected informative analyses of the debt deal from our most authoritative allies and responsible commentators.
Link to “Unbalanced Debt Ceiling Deal Cuts Vital Programs; Critical Fights Ahead”
National Women’s Law Center:

http://www.nwlc.org/resource/unbalanced-debt-ceiling-deal-cuts-vital-programs-critical-fights-ahead

The Truth about Social Security
Social Security is a social insurance program that protects workers and their families when income is lost due to retirement, disability, or death. Social Security is especially important to women’s economic security: for nearly three in ten female beneficiaries 65 and older, Social Security is virtually the only source of income.

Social Security is not in the initial round of cuts and will not be subject to automatic cuts. However, though Social Security is a social insurance program with its own dedicated funding and $2.6 trillion in reserves, the super-committee can consider cuts to Social Security, such as reducing the annual cost-of-living adjustment and raising the retirement age, to meet its $1.5 trillion deficit reduction goal.  For more information link to Berkeley Gray panthers lies about social security http://berkeleygraypanthers.mysite.com/Truth_SS.html

East Bay WILPF supports “Tax on California Oil”
East Bay WILPF supports “Tax on California oil, revenues to education.” The initiative petition signatures are due by the end of September to qualify for the November ballot.  You can link to the following web page to download a petition to be signed, and send to “Rescue Education California.”

http://www.rescueeducationcalifornia.org/#!action/vstc3=petition

This initiative imposes 15% of value of each barrel of oil extracted from California.  The money raised would be allocated to education:   30% to K-12 schools, 48% to community colleges and 11% to California state and University of California.  The increased revenues would be expected to be $ 2-3 billion per year.

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July/August 2011 Newsletter

Posted on July 26, 2011 by annie

August is Nuclear Abolition Month

Support WILPF member Jackie Cabasso and the anti-nuclear work of the Western States Legal Foundation:
Saturday July 16th at 7pm
Berkeley Fellowship Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar St, Berkeley
Come meet Jackie and join in celebrating the work of Western States Legal Foundation.  This event is an opportunity to acknowledge Jackie Cabasso, a WILPF member and director of the Western States Legal Foundation (WSLF).
WSLF is a non-profit, public interest organization. It recognizes that nuclear weapons affect the environment, the economy, the role of violence in society, and democracy itself. Rather than enhancing our “national” security, nuclear weapons threaten our fundamental human security. WSLF seeks to abolish nuclear weapons, compel open public environmental review of nuclear technologies, and ensure appropriate management of nuclear waste. For comprehensive articles link to Western States Legal Foundation web page at http://www.wslfweb.org/

Japanese Peace Lantern Ceremony
Saturday, August 6 6:30-9:00pm.
North end of Aquatic Park, Berkeley
Save Saturday, August 6th and bring family, kids and friends to commemorate the 66th Anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and August 9, 1945.    For more info and to volunteer for this beautiful event link to:   http://www.progressiveportal.org/lanterns/

Tri-Valley CAREs Anti-Nuclear Events for August
Join Tri-Valley CAREs and other Bay Area peace groups for the annual gathering near Livermore nuclear weapons lab to remember those lost in the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan on August 6th 1945 and August 9th 1945.
On August 6th, 6-8pm there will be a gathering at Bill Payne Park, across the street from Livermore nuclear weapons laboratory. The rally will focus on confronting the “two-headed dragon” of nuclear weapons and nuclear power. Speakers will address the recent nuclear power disaster in Fukushima, Japan, the ongoing nuclear weapons related pollution in Livermore and the growing US nuclear weapons budget, and first hand accounts and lessons from a survivor of the bombing of Hiroshima.
On Tuesday, August 9th at 8am, there will be a rally and nonviolent direct action at Livermore Lab’s West Gate. Those who choose can risk arrest as a form of non-violent protest. For more information, http://www.trivalleycares.org/

Read the ” Livermore Lab-Perception Vs. Reality” Op-Ed in the San Francisco Chronicle by Marylia Kelley’s, Executive Director Tri-Valley CAREs.  She writes about our own local disaster waiting to happen, “Livermore Lab- Perception Vs. Reality”   http://www.sfgate.com/ op.ed on June 27 2011.
“When I first began monitoring Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, a working scientist there told me, ‘Follow the money if you want to know what is really going on.’ Look at the Department of Energy’s 2012 budget request for the Livermore Lab and it becomes apparent that PR has an inverse relationship to budget.”
“Some 89 percent of the funds are for nuclear weapons activities. Yet, more than 89 percent of the press releases showcase programs like renewable energy and science that receive less than 3 percent of the spending. This has caused many to believe that Livermore Lab is converting from nuclear weapons to civilian science.”

“China Syndrome”
Friday, August 19 , 7:30pm
Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists. 1924 Cedar Street (at Bonita Avenue), Berkeley
The China Syndrome is a 1979 American thriller film that tells the story of a reporter and cameraman who discover safety coverups at a nuclear power plant.  It stars Jane Fonda, Jack Lemmon, and Michael Douglas.  Activist Barbara George of Women’s Energy Matters will be there to discuss the film. www.womensenergymatters.org/

WILPF Cluster Meeting – Save the Date: Saturday, November 12th
Santa Cruz,  DETAILS IN NEXT NEWSLETTER

Resolution Honoring Barbara Lee at WILPF National Congress
WILPF-US honors California Congresswoman Barbara Lee for her courage in 2001 in being the only member of Congress to vote against giving President Bush unlimited power to attack any individual, organization or country without Congressional approval.  In the wake of the tragedy on of 9/11, Congresswoman Lee stood up for hope and for democracy.  Since then, she has worked tirelessly to end war and redirect our resources to peace, justice and equality.
Look for an article in the next Peace and Freedom about Congresswoman Lee.

Memorial for Geronimo Pratt
The history of the political prisoners, especially those from the Black Panther Party was discussed at our meeting.  There will be a memorial for Geronimo Ji Jara “Celebrating the Life of a Revolutionary” at Eastside Art Alliance, 2277 International Blvd., Oakland
For more details, see www.itsabouttimebpp.com/ or call 510-533-6629

AUGUST ACTION:  End the Death Penalty in California
Write letters to your State Legislator in support of California’s SB 490 – a California Senate Bill which if passed would place an initiative on the 2012 ballot to replace the death penalty with life imprisonment.  The bill, introduced by Loni Hancock (D-Oakland), passed the Assembly Public Safety Committee by a vote of 5-2.  The bill now goes to the Assembly Appropriations Committee where it is expected to be heard in mid-August. If it passes both houses of the Legislature, it will go to the Governor for his signature. The bill directs that the issue be placed on the ballot as a Legislature-sponsored initiative in the November 2012 election.

Social Security is still under threat. Reminder –last month East Bay WILPF supported The People’s Budget written by The Progressive Caucus.  See  http://cpc.grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=70.  There is a solution to budgets and the debt without cutting the funds to our most vulnerable.
Beyond cuts  Reperations are needed. Reparations for older women and others who were underpaid during their working years. Our Social Security system should guarantee that our elders live in dignity and be able to afford the necessities of life– housing, food and health care and a decent standard of living.  Women and people of color who were discriminated against and underpaid during their working years are especially affected. They worked all their lives for low wages as teachers, domestics, nurses, clerks, and secretaries and part time. They are now retired and living on low incomes because their Social Security pensions and pension plans are based on their earnings. That is, their current pension plans are continuing the injustice and discrimination that many received during their working years. They often live on basic Social Security of less than $1000 a month, and struggle for the basic necessities of life such as housing, food, and health care.
A recent report from the Department of U.S. Labor showed that women today are still paid only 72 cents for every dollar a man earns. “Even more troubling — the study found that at least one-third — or about 11 cents — of the pay gap is caused by pay discrimination against women — and this is 38 years after the Equal Pay Act became law.” said Senator Tom Harkins.

For inspiration, check out “The Girl who silenced the world for 6 minutes” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhaLMotfvqg

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June/July 2011 Newsletter

Posted on June 18, 2011 by annie

The People’s Budget:
There is a plan and hope in government funding …We Support the People’s Budget of the Congressional Progressive Caucus that was proposed by 79 members of congress.  It reflects the values of working families for peace, education, health care and a secure future, and eliminates the deficit by 2021.

The Peoples Budget Executive Summary follows:
“Budgets are more than collections of numbers; they are a statement of our values. The Congressional Progressive Caucus Budget is a reflection of the values and priorities of working families in this country. The “People’s Budget” charts a path that keeps America exceptional in the 21st century, while addressing the most pressing problems facing the nation today. Our Budget eliminates the deficit, puts Americans back to work, and restores our economic competitiveness.”  It protects the safety net, education and reinstates a fair and progressive taxes.”
For the fascinating and under-reported details of this proposed budget, link to:   http://cpc.grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=70

Corporate Media reaction to the People’s Budget ranged from indifferent to scornful. Link to: http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=4298/
“Not a single hard news story on the proposal ran in the New York Times, Washington Post or USA Today. The Post’s Milbank (4/14/11) covered the unveiling of the “far-left” budget only to mock it, spending much of his time making fun of the “starry-eyed” progressives’ press conference and attire. ”
Milbank treats these policies as self-evidently absurd—even though, unlike Ryan’s tax cuts for the rich and dismantling of Medicare, they’re actually quite popular with the public. Polls show large majorities favor taxing the wealthy to reduce the debt while strongly opposing cuts to Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security (ABC/Washington Post, 4/14–17/11; Pew Research Center, 3/8–14/11). Opinions on cutting the military budget are more evenly split, but when asked to choose between cutting “defense spending,” Medicare/Medicaid or Social Security (Reuters/Ipsos, 3/3–6/11), 51 percent of respondents chose military spending, while only 28 percent chose Medicare/Medicaid and 18 percent chose Social Security.”

Nuclear Abolition Day is June 25th.

For information and activities link to “International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons”:  http://www.icanw.org/files/Nuclear%20Abolition%20Day_final.pdf

Support WILPF member Jackie Cabasso and the Work of WSLF:
Saturday July 16 at 7pm Come meet Jackie and join in celebrating the work of Western States Legal Foundation at Berkeley Fellowship Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar St, Berkeley, CA 94709.
This event is an opportunity to acknowledge Jackie Cabasso, a WILPF member and director of the Western States Legal Foundation (WSLF).  WSLF is a non-profit, public interest organization. It recognizes that nuclear weapons affect the environment, the economy, the role of violence in society, and democracy itself. Rather than enhancing our “national” security, nuclear weapons threaten our fundamental human security. WSLF seeks to abolish nuclear weapons, compel open public environmental review of nuclear technologies, and ensure appropriate management of nuclear waste. For comprehensive articles link to Western States Legal Foundation web page at http://www.wslfweb.org/

Japanese Peace Lantern Ceremony
Save Saturday, August 6th and bring family, kids and friends to the Japanese Peace Lantern Ceremony, to commemorate the 66th Anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and August 9, 1945.  Come on Saturday, August 6, 2011, 6:30-9:00 p.m.  North end of Aquatic Park, Berkeley.  For more info and to volunteer for this beautiful event link to:   http://www.progressiveportal.org/lanterns/

The  New WILPF National Director, Tanya Henderson:
Tanya is a human rights attorney, specializing in gender, children’s rights and poverty law, with significant experience in program development, non-profit management, and peace advocacy. Tanya received her JD from Suffolk University Law School and her LL.M (Master’s of Law) in international law from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. She has also earned several certificates in mediation and conflict negotiation. Prior to joining WILPF, Tanya worked as a legal consultant in Ethiopia as part of a research team in conjunction with the Harvard Medical School, tasked with researching and drafting policy related to gender inequality, poverty and mental health law; and as a research consultant for Microfinance Opportunities in Washington D.C. She is also a mother of two teenage boys, who are very proud of her feminist work. Tanya is excited and honored to advance WILPF’s powerful history of peace activism and human rights, and to lead WILPF in a dynamic direction of global humanism, youth activism, and inclusively serving as a model for the creation and establishment of peace.

Women’s Peace Oral History Project (HELP NEEDED):

Back in the 80′s (and 90′s), Judy Adams of the Palo Alto branch of WILPF, worked with different WILPF branches to help train and advise them about how to do oral histories.  The Women’s Peace Oral History Project, started on the Palo Alto Peninsula, became a WILPF 70th anniversary project.  A book was published in 1991:  Peacework:  Oral Histories of Women Peace Activists, which was part of the Twayne Oral History series (div. of GK Hall).
Your help is now needed in finding materials relating to oral histories (some done by Alice Hamburg and a group of volunteers). Judy was in the process of re-inventorying the tapes and other materials stored at Stanford, and discovered that in the ’89 quake, due to water damage, many of the original releases no longer exist.  While she has copies of some, there are no copies for the names listed below.
She wanted to transfer them to Swarthmore Peace Collection, for the 100th anniversary of WILPF in 2015. Your help is needed in contacting any surviving interviewees, or their families, to see if they have copies of the original releases, or to have the family members sign releases for their deceased relative.
Here are the women we need to locate, or their family, with the date of the interview:

Leona Bayer (1980),  Anna Burke (1985), Pat Cody (1985), Madeline Duckles (1985 – in our book), Clara Gilbert (1985-86), Hazel Grossman (1986), Alice  Hamburg1979,1986), Erna Harris (1985 – in our book),  Margaret Calder Hayes (1985),  Mary Hulbert (1985) Rose Lucey (1989)  Frances Millhouser (1986) Marion Paxton (1985)  Viucky Plaisted (no tape, but a transcript),  Louise Robison (1988), Margaret Rowell (1975? – probably ’85),  Betty Segal (1985) ”Norma Stauffer (1985)  Anna Steuzel (1985) ”Augusta Trumpler (1985), Leonore Veltfort (1985),  Helma Waldeck (1985)

Please  contact Judy Adams if you can help in any way locating surviving women or their families, if they’ve passed away, so we don’t lose this important resource. Email:  judy@jbliss.com

WILPF US to Co-Sponsor the Global Room for Women‘s
“Let’s Stand with Women Shaping a New Middle East Campaign.”

WILPF US Middle East Committee joins other sister organizations, Code Pink, Women-to-Women, Women’s Peace Collection, Women in Black, and others to promote the Global Room for Women (GRW) series of “conversations” with guest women speakers from different countries in the Middle East.  Link to : https://www.globalroomforwomen.com/ for interesting transcripts of  past interviews.
Global Room for Women provides organized conference calls that enable women from different parts of the world to connect and share heart to
heart dialogue around a specific topic. When Linda Higdon, the founder of
the GRW said that following these calls, American women participants often feel at a loss (sometimes hopeless) because they want to take action to change the structures and systems that are causing the oppression and inequities that they learn about on the calls.
The next featured guest will be Aya Faissal from Egypt on June 16th   at 5:00pm Pacific Standard Time.
“Join us for a rare opportunity to hear the voice of young Cairo as we reveal the backstory of the Egyptian revolution from a woman’s perspective. Aya will share her ongoing adventure of joining with millions of youth who are organizing en masse to invoke reform in Egypt. As one of only a few veiled students studying in France prior to coming home to Egypt, Aya will impart her experiences of navigating the headscarf law while preserving her own customs and personal choice.”
To register so that you can join the conversation, link to:
https://www.globalroomforwomen.com/   There is a small fee for the calls.

WILPF International Congress will be in Costa Rica July 30-Aug 6.!
Link to:   http://wilpfcongress2011.wordpress.com/
Your Voice in International WILPF
If you are not attending, you can still have a voice in the proceedings that will take place there. The WILPF International Congress is “the highest decision-making body” in WILPF. In making decisions at the International Congress, the U.S. Section delegation (Laura Roskos, Joan Bazar, Catia Confortini, Mary Jane Schutzius, and Pat Schroeder) will act on your behalf. There is an on-line survey to solicit your input on the decisions our delegation will be asked to make with regard to the International Program of Work for 2011-15 and seven proposed resolutions. You can access the survey here; https://www.surveymonkey /   You will want do so by midnight Pacific Daylight Time June 25 if you want your voice to count.
Those of us privileged to hear WILPF International Secretary General Madeleine Rees speak at our National Congress in Chapel Hill know how urgently the International Secretariat needs financial support. Funding proposals are currently under review at several foundations and other institutions. However, the immediate needs are critical. If you wish to give a contribution or have other ideas of how to help, please contact WILPF Development Chair Robin Lloyd at robinlloyd@greenvalleymedia.org or call our WILPF national office at 617-266-0999.

Thoughts to consider

“It is because our lives are governed by powerful elites that [a] better life for the many eludes us. Instead, people’s lives are shaped by systems — economic, transportation, education, healthcare, agriculture, etc. — that make the most money for the people running them — to hell with what makes a better life for all.  The wants of the few continue to trump the needs of the many … for now.  It is precisely when we learn how to gain the power to govern ourselves — not just the power to fix the wrongs — that we will be able to reorder these systems to serve the common interest and create a better life. And not coincidentally, it is when we begin to take organizing seriously that we will begin this journey.”  Mike Ferner, Veterans for Peace and the Program on Corporations, Law and Democracy

WILPF East Bay June 11, 2011 meeting notes:
Attendance: Meeting Attendees Annie Boddum, Madeline Duckles, Leonore Veltfort, Sandy Thacker, Cynthia Johnson, and Beth Wilson.
Voted to support the Peoples Budget http://cpc.grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=70
Voted to ask members to write op-ed letters to local papers especially as there has been very little press on this progressive solution to the federal budget crisis.  We voted on the items for our bimonthly newsletter. Next meeting July 10. Come join us for lively discussion and positive planning.

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Wilpfeastbay news

Posted on May 24, 2011 by annie

California budget crisis:
There was a discussion about the need to review tax equality in state and federal taxes. Prop 13 has shifted the cost of schools to the state, which has not voted to tax itself enough for good schools.  Since prop 13 passed we have fallen from 2nd in the US to 48th in per pupil expenditures.
67% of the federal budget is going to the wars with much of the cost being borrowed causing the debt ceiling to rise. With years of increasing federal tax exemptions the rich and corporations have been paying diminishing percentage. California citizens pay state taxes as a percentage of federal taxes, so that federal tax loopholes are affecting our state and other states.
It also was noted that all governments at the state and local level are under attack. See Jim Hightower’s hard-hitting article on class war at: http://www.hightowerlowdown.org/node/2650  Here’s an excerpt:

“Ugly Number One is that theirs is a most uncivil war. It’s based on demonizing some of the best and most useful workers in our country, pitting these people’s very modest incomes and perfectly reasonable benefits against those who’ve been knocked down and have less. “Don’t look at us,” shout the corporatists who’ve been doing the downsizing and privatizing, outsourcing and offshoring–that have knocked down the middle class and held down the poor. “Instead, look at those just above you who are struggling to stay in the middle class. It’s unfair that they have health coverage and you don’t, so let’s pull them down, too.”

For a comprehensive look at the effects of the recession on the middle class http://newamerica.net/publications/policy/the_american_middle_class_under_stress

For a in depth discussion on taxes see Robert Reich:  http://robertreich.org/
Here’s an excerpt:    ”Forty years ago, wealthy Americans financed the U.S. government mainly through their tax payments. Today wealthy Americans finance the government mainly by lending it money. While foreigners own most of our national debt, over 40 percent is owned by Americans – mostly the very wealthy.
This great switch by the super rich – from paying the government taxes to lending the government money — has gone almost unnoticed. But it’s critical for understanding the budget predicament we’re now in. And for getting out of it.
Over that four decades, tax rates on the very rich have plummeted. Between the end of World War II and 1980, the top tax bracket remained over 70 percent — and even after deductions and credits were well over 50 percent. Now it’s 36 percent. As recently as the late 1980s, the capital gains rate was 35 percent. Now it’s 15 percent.
Not only are rates lower now, but loopholes are bigger. 18,000 households earning more than a half-million dollars last year paid no income taxes at all. In recent years, according to the IRS, the richest 400 Americans have paid only 18 percent of their total incomes in federal income taxes. Billionaire hedge-fund and private-equity managers are allowed to treat much of their incomes as capital gains (again, at 15 percent).
Meanwhile, more and more of the nation’s income and wealth have gone to the top. In the late 1970s, the top 1- percent took home 9 percent of total national income. Now the top 1 percent’s take is more than 20 percent. Over the same period, the top one-tenth of one percent has tripled its share.
Wealth is even more concentrated at the top — more concentrated than at any time since the Gilded Age of the late 19th century.”
It was voted to use the meeting time June 11 to compose a positive economic resolution on what government should provide and how it should be paid for and how best to promote the economics of a common good. The plan is to take this to California WILPF.

Fighting Corporate Personhood and Bring the War dollars home.
We discussed taking two resolutions to the Oakland City council in preparation for the Mayors conference June 17 in Baltimore. For more infkormation link to: http://www.reclaimdemocracy.org/personhood/resolution_template.php

Livermore Lab is in the news again. In order to get Conservatives in Congress to sign on to the START agreement, a deal was struck to allow  more nuclear testing.  This new testing is now planned for Livermore Lab. Reminder:   Lawrence Livermore Lab  is a top secret nuclear design site within 35 miles of our metropolitan area. With this new budget 19 new projects are planned. You can read the environmental statement on the Livermore Lab watchdog group TriValley Cares’ website: http://www.trivalleycares.org/
This new research and testing will mean an increase in radiation from a National Ignition Facility; there will also be an increase in radioactive waste trucks, which travel to Utah. Livermore houses a secret biological war lab.      There is a signing statement to congress to download on the Tri-Valley Cares’ website.

Information on the Pennies for Justice Campaign was discussed. See http://www.ciw-online.org/  It was suggested to write Dan Ban CEO for Trader Joes asking them to buy tomatoes and other produce from Unionized farm workers in Florida.

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Wilpf Eastbay news

Posted on April 19, 2011 by annie

NEW Nuclear Abolition Bill Needs Your Support Now – Take Action
Explosion and Meltdown at Japan Nuclear Plant could happen here

Washington DC Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton plans to re-introduce the “Nuclear Disarmament and Economic Conversion Act” for the TENTH time, but with some significant revisions to the bill which address nuclear energy and waste, re-directing the money from nuclear weapons to provide carbon-free, nuclear-free energy resources.

No nuclear power plant has been built in the U.S.A. since 1974, and the new nuclear power plant construction being planned is only possible because the U.S. taxpayer will have to provide what Wall Street won’t: 100% loan guarantees, and funding nuclear waste repositories on as yet unidentified sites. Nuclear power provides 20% of this country’s electric energy; we can easily follow Germany’s lead in committing to building no new plants, and replacing those still on-line with renewable and sustainable energy sources. We must all keep the memories of both Hiroshima and Fukushima alive wherever we go.

Let’s act now to turn popular opinion into public policy! This may be the last chance we get to turn to truly clean energy and away from war and destruction.  Take Action on Nuclear Abolition Legislation.  Ask your representative to support this legislation.  Link to www.wilpf.org or link to Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility website:  http://a4nr.org/

ACTIONS

For the past 5 years, the Alliance for Nuclear Accountability (ANA)  has been working with our California legislators and oversight agencies to make sure that the seismic threats at Diablo Canyon and San Onofre nuclear reactors are thoroughly evaluated and independently peer-reviewed. Our state has requested PG&E to do the latest, advanced 3-D studies on both old and new earthquake faults beneath Diablo Canyon BEFORE granting any ratepayer funding for license renewal applications. We even approved giving them money for the study!  And yet, for over a year, PG&E’s application has been sitting at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).

PG&E has opposed and fought the requirement to do the studies.
PG&E has not even applied for the permits required to begin the underwater studies.
Why the delays by PG&E?
Why the inaction by the CPUC??

PG&E and the CPUC are already under scrutiny for their failures that led to the devastating explosion in San Bruno. San Bruno was tragic. San Bruno PLUS radiation could be catastrophic.

TAKE ACTION–SEND A LETTER:
Action Letter to Governor Brown and CPUC opposing Relicensing  of California’s aging nuclear plants.
Please “copy” the following letter, add or modify with any of your own personal comments,  and then click on the link below to open the web site for email to Governor Jerry Brown.  At his web site, choose “energy issues/concerns” from the drop down menu, add your personal information and then paste the contents of the letter.
You can then click the second link below to email the Public Advisor at the California Public Utilities Commission.

http://gov.ca.gov/m_contact.php

public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov

RE: RELICENSING OF CALIFORNIA’S NUCLEAR PLANTS
CPUC Application. 10-01-022 (Diablo Canyon)

Dear Governor Brown and CPUC Commissioners:
In light of the tragic events unfolding in Japan due to the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdowns, we are gravely concerned about the seismic  threats at California’s nuclear power plants.  As the Japanese have sadly learned, despite assurances from their regulators, the seismic risks were greatly underestimated. After the discovery of a new fault only 1800 feet from Diablo Canyon, which has yet to be independently studied, analyzed, and peer reviewed, there is no reason to delay fully implementing the studies authorized under AB 1632 for both operating reactor sites.
We ask that you instruct the CPUC to rescind the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for both PG&E’s Diablo Canyon and SCE’s San Onofre nuclear power plants, and allow them to operate conditionally only under the agreement by the utilities to immediately begin to fully comply with completion of the state-directed AB 1632 studies.  These studies must be completed and independently peer reviewed by 2015, and any ability of the utilities to operate the facilities after that date will be contingent upon the results of the studies and analysis.
We cannot wait for a disaster like the one befalling Japan to strike before we act.
Yours truly

Events
BFUU Benefit Dinner to Honor 3 Women Peace Makers
Berkeley Fellowshop of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar St. Berkeley
Friday, April 29th,  6:30pm
Join us for a benefit dinner honoring three women of peace:  Cindy Sheehan, Karren Pickett and Susan Crane (disarmnow.org).

If you haven’t seen the movie “Gasland”it will be shown at BFUU Thursday April 21 and 28 at 7pm.  After seeing the movie “Gasland,” we voted to take a position that oil and gas drilling should be under the regulations rules of the Clan Air and Water Act.

Madeleine Rees’ story in the “The Whistleblower” will be featured at the San Francisco International Film Festival. http://fest11.sffs.org/films/film_details.php?id=100
Screenings:  Tuesday, Aprril 26, 9:15pm, & Thursday, April 28, 9:30p / Kabuki Theatre

Madeleine is now the Secretary General of WILPF International. Madeleine brought cases both to the European Court of Human Rights and The European Court in Luxembourg.   In 1998 she began working for the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights as the gender expert and Head of Office in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In that capacity, she worked extensively on the rule of law, gender and post conflict, transitional justice and the protection of social and economic rights. The Office in Bosnia was the first to take a case of rendition to Guantanamo before a court.

Wilpf Eastbay will  donate this year’s Jane Addams award to the West Oakland and Concord Public Libraries. To read about the books selected and order a set link to www.wilpf.org/JACBApeacekit

Save the Date: David Cobb on the Move to Amend May 19.

We support “Bring the War Dollars Home” sponsored by Code Pink. They are asking Mayors to sign on to: “BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The U.S. Conference of Mayors calls on the U.S. Congress to bring these war dollars home to meet vital human needs, promote job creation, rebuild our infrastructure, aid state and local governments, and develop a new economy based upon renewable energy.”

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