Colombian Peace Talks and Trade Unions: A presentation by Colombian agricultural union leader Nidia Quintero

FENSUAGRO (agricultural workers union) General Secretary Nidia Quintero will discuss the aspirations and fears of workers in Colombia. This event is part of a national tour hosted by Alliance for Global Justice, and Colombian Action Network.

The world is hopeful about new peace accords that will end more than 50 years of civil war. But despite the progress that has been made, Colombia is still the most dangerous place in the world to be a unionist, and assaults against human rights defenders have spiked in recent years. Fifteen of Nidia’s fellow organizers were assassinated for their activities between 2000 and 2004. These included both her husband, a union leader who was killed in 2002 and, ten days later, her 19 year old son who was also active in the union.

Rural workers and their families are especially vulnerable and no labor organization is more targeted than FENSUAGRO. They represent the population most affected by forced displacement; many of their leaders have been jailed for political reasons; and since FENSUAGRO’s founding in 1976, more than 1,500 of their members have been murdered.

Popular movements in Colombia have said international awareness is key if this peace is going to be just and durable.

Milwaukee event hosted by United Workers Organization, and Latin America Solidarity Committee.

6pm Sunday April 3rd at the Machinists Lodge
2609 W Oklahoma Ave Milwaukee WI

http://www.herald.co.zw/somalia-attacks-expose-us-hunger-to-dominate-africa/

http://panafricannews.blogspot.com/

This same article by Abayomi Azikiwe, editor of the Pan-African News Wire, on the recent Pentagon bombing and commando raids in Somalia which killed over 170 people, was reprinted by the state-run Zimbabwe Herald in Harare. The report examines the evolution of United States foreign and military policy towards the Horn of Africa over the last decade.

You are invited to Madison’s annual Rachel Corrie commemoration:

Dessert and an Eye-Witness Report

Featuring a local activist just returned from volunteering with Operation Dove in the South Hebron Hills, Palestine

Sunday, April 3, 7 pm

Christ Presbyterian Church

944 East Gorham Street, Madison WI

Free and open to the public; beverages and desserts including baklawa will be served. Donations will help build a playground at the Qurtuba School in Tel Rumeida, Hebron.

March 16, 2016 marks 13 years since an Israeli soldier bulldozed 23-year-old American peace activist Rachel Corrie to death as she protested the demolition of a family home in Rafah, Gaza Strip, Palestine. Each year at this time, the Madison-Rafah Sister City Project (MRSCP) honors Rachel’s memory with an event that benefits Palestinian children.

This year, we feature an eye-witness report with slides & video about the non-violent people’s resistance in the South Hebron Hills, including the role of the international protective presence for shepherds, who graze Palestinian land near violent settler outposts, and children, who must travel a harrowing gauntlet of settler intimidation to reach their schools. Join us to hear these stories, and to learn about the Tel Rumeida playground and help us make it a reality.

The event is also scheduled to feature a BRAND NEW shipment of gorgeous many-colored kufiyahs from Hirbawi Textiles and beautiful earrings from the Hebron Women’s Co-op. AND we’ll have olive oil and zaatar tasting; Holy Land Olive Oil will be on sale.

Note: If possible, please RSVP to Donna Wallbaum at dwallbaum@gmail.com by Friday, April 1 so that we will be sure to have enough food.  Co-sponsored by: MRSCP; Playgrounds for Palestine-Madison; Mary House of Hospitality; and American Friends Service Committee of the Madison Friends Meeting

Like to contribute to the playground but can’t come to the event? You can send a check made out to MRSCP marked “playground” to:

MRSCP

P.O. Box 5214

Madison, WI 53705

Or donate directly to Playgrounds for Palestine at this link:  http://www.playgroundsforpalestine.org/support-pfp.php. You can use pay pal or send a check as instructed.  In the “I want to volunteer” section there is a blank field at the bottom; please indicate that your contribution is for Madison’s campaign for the Qurtuba School playground.

Thank you for your support!

MRSCP

Website: http://www.madisonrafah.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madisonrafah

E-mail: rafahsistercity@yahoo.com

AND

Playgrounds for Palestine – Madison Chapter, http://pfpmadison.blogspot.com
3902 Birch Ave., Madison

MUMIA NEEDS US AGAIN! PLEASE CALL, FAX, AND E-MAIL NOW! Medical Malfeasance and Deliberate Indifference at SCI-Mahanoy are Killing Mumia Abu-Jamal

We are concerned about Mumia’s deteriorating health, as has been witnessed in recent weeks by his visiting doctor, clergy, counselors, teachers, family and friends. Evidence of intensifying Hepatitis C symptoms and possible development of the diabetes that nearly killed him a year ago calls for immediate and appropriate treatment. We, therefore, urge you to,

DEMAND

1. Immediate provision to Mumia of anti-viral treatment to cure his Hepatitis C condition that is, as his doctor testified in court, the persistent cause of worsening skin disease, almost certain liver damage, now extreme weight-gain and hunger, and other diabetic-like conditions.

2. Immediate release of all recent blood test results to Mumia’s attorneys.

3. Vigilant monitoring of Mumia for signs of diabetes, especially of his blood sugar level, since a diabetes attack nearly killed Mumia last Spring of 2015.

PHONE, FAX, AND E-MAIL THESE DEMANDS TO:

PA GOVERNOR, TOM WOLF
Phone: 717-787-2500
Fax: 717-772-8284
E-mail: governor@pa.gov

PA Department of Corrections, Secretary, John Wetzel
Phone: 717-728-2573, 717 787 2500
E-mail: ra-contactdoc@pa.gov

MAHANOY PRISON, SUPERINTENDENT, Theresa DelBalso
Phone: 570-773-2158
(You have to be transferred to her secretary, and she refuses to give out the fax number or e-mail for the Superintendent. Not surprising, given that this new superintendent has a very heavy military background)

Sponsored by: International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal, MOVE, Educators for Mumia, Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Coalition (NYC), Campaign to Bring Mumia Home, International Action Center.

#FreeMumia #FreeThemAll #SaveThe10000 #HepCForMumia

Message from: Voces de la Frontera

Congratulations to all for your great victory over ab450. Next steps: Call Scott Walker 608-266-1212 to demand that he not sign sb533 into law, become a member of Voces and prepare for a boycott of the corporations that donate to walker.  ‪#‎Altosb533‬ ‪#‎Sisepuede‬