Veterans on Ending the War Against Iraq

September 17th, 2007

http://www.youtube.com/TraprockPeaceTVIraq Veterans Against the War members Kelly Dougherty, Garett Reppenhagen, Camilo Mejía, Chanan Suárez Diaz and Martin Smith spoke on IVAW’s strategy to end the war against Iraq at the Socialism 2007 conference in Chicago on June 16. These talks started off a 2-part, 3 hour Roundtable - Iraq: the Soldiers’ Rebellion - by IVAW veterans.All recounted their personal stories of their military experience and how they became part of the veterans’ antiwar movement.Kelly Dougherty, Executive Director of IVAW and a co-founder, gave a slide presentation on IVAW’s strategy to end the war, based on IVAW’s “Consent Theory of Power.” This video clearly shows IVAW’s theory and practice for ending this tragic war by weakening support by the military, as well as other pillars of support, such as the public, Congress and the media.We’ve started with 5 videos of the main speakers, and will follow with videos of the commentators, including Carlos Arredondo (who lost his son in Iraq), Juan Torres (who lost his son in Afghanistan), war resister Agustin Aguayo (just released from 8 months military confinement), Patty McCann (IVAW), Ashley Smith (International Socialist Organization), and, from the Warrior Writers Project, Drew Cameron and Aaron Hughes, plus wrap up comments from the 5 main speakers.All websites are invited to embed these and following videos on their sites. We’d appreciate it if sites would simply let us know that they are embedding the videos. If any sites have difficulty embedding the code, we’d be happy to help you trouble shoot problems. Contact: charles@traprockpeace.orgKelly Dougherty (20:42 minutes)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nv6vnxdpp7A

Garett Reppenhagen (11:42 minutes)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keKbzz2JKDUCamilo Mejia (17:53 minutes)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2q290evMczwChanan Suárez Diaz (17:37)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uR_WPHrTDFIMartin Smith (13:17 minutes)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdlOUSd_PUsLearn more about the Socialism 2007 conference athttp://www.socialismconference.organd see conference coverage atwith coverage of the Confronting Empire plenary session.The conference was sponsored by:International Socialist Reviewhttp://www.isreview.orgHaymarket Bookshttp://www.haymarketbooks.orgSocialist Workerhttp://www.socialistworker.orgObrero Socialistahttp://www.socialistworker.org/Obrero.shtmlInternational Socialist Organizationhttp://www.internationalsocialist.orgCenter for Economic Research and Social Changehttp://www.cersc.orgVideo recorded and edited by Charles JenksVideo © 2007 Charles Jenks; all rights reserved

No Honor for Andrew Card

May 26th, 2007

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On May 25, 2007 Andrew Card faced hundreds of boos and catcalls as he was given an honorary degree during the graduate school commencement at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.Before the commencement, over a hundred protesters staged a rally and press conference outside the Mullin Center on the UMass campus. Hundreds more students and faculty who opposed the honorary degree would later protest inside the hall.Card, former Bush Administration Chief of Staff and chief salesman for the invasion of Iraq as head of the White House Iraq Group, faced signs calling him a war criminal. People are now calling on UMass to rescind the honorary degree. Read the rest of this entry »

Excited About Socialism 2007: Socialism for the 21st Century

May 26th, 2007

Students and activists from UMass/Amherst and Western Massachusetts say why they’re excited about the upcoming conference: “SOCIALISM 2007: Socialism for the 21st Century,” being held at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O’Hare, June 14-17, 2007. See http://www.socialismconference.org for more details.

SOCIALISM 2007 will bring together socialists and activists who are involved in struggles across the country–from opposing the war to organizing against the death penalty–and share a vision of rebuilding the left.

Join John Pilger, Amy Goodman, Dahr Jamail, Dave Zirin, Anthony Arnove, Sharon Smith, Laura Flanders, Dr. John Carlos, Jeff St. Clair, IVAW’s Kelly Dougherty, and a host of other speakers at Socialism 2007, and participate in the discussion over the future of radical and socialist politics in the 21st Century.

Last summer, some 1,500 people turned out for Socialism 2006 in New York City.

Student comments were videotaped on May 17, 2007 at the Campus Center, University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Many thanks to Mike, Rachel, Tony, Sarah, Gary, Dustin and Tristan for their comments, and to Jason for helping to organize the video.

See coverage of previous years’ conferences at http://www.traprockpeace.org/ with video on this channel - http://www.youtube.com/TraprockPeace?TV

video © 2007 Charles Jenks; all rights reserved. Websites may embed the video. Other uses require permission; charles@traprockpeace.org

UMass Protests Honoring Andy Card

May 19th, 2007

Newsflash: Members of the UMass faculty senate voted 31-0 to oppose an honorary degree for Andrew Card. The vote was not ‘official’ as it missed a quorum by 1 member.Action Announcements at UMass - May 21, 23, 25thOn May 15, 2007, hundreds of students, faculty and staff protested the decision by the University of Massachusetts to give an honorary degree to Andy Card, and former head of the Bush Administration’s White House Iraq Group. Students held a rally outside the Whitmore administration building. When they went to enter the building, they found that the university had closed it. They then marched to the graduate school administration building and held a sit-in. They marched across campus back to the Whitmore building, and heard from a university spokesperson - standing outside - who said that the university had not changed its mind. Students then marched around the administration building, symbolically knocked on the locked doors, and held a rally, with students taking turns speaking out.Please call and tell Chancellor John Lombardi what you think - 413-545-2211.Previously, on May 10th, more than 300 faculty, graduate and undergraduate students marched to Chancellor Lombardi’s office and demanded that University of Massachusetts administrators revoke the offer of the honorary degree.Students are planning followup protests. See an article by UMass student Charles Peterson that gives background and covers the May 10th protest at http://www.socialistworker.org/2007-1/632/632_15_NewsAndReports.shtmlThis video was edited into two parts for YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/TraprockPeaceTVVideo recorded and edited by Charles Jenks. © 2007 Charles Jenks; all rights reserved.

Protesting Honorary Degree for Andy Card - Part 1

May 16th, 2007

Petition to Revoke Offer of Honorary Degree to Andrew H. Card, Jr.

Please see Part 2 below.On May 15, 2007, hundreds of students, faculty and staff protested the decision by the University of Massachusetts to give an honorary degree to Andy Card, and former head of the Bush Administration’s White House Iraq Group. Students held a rally outside the Whitmore administration building. When they went to enter the building, they found that the university had closed it. They then marched to the graduate school administration building and held a sit-in. They marched across campus to the Whitmore building, and heard from a university spokesperson - standing outside - who said that the university had not changed its mind. Students then marched around the administration building, symbolically knocked on the locked doors, and held a rally, with students taking turns speaking out.Please call and tell Chancellor John Lombardi what you think - 413-545-2211.This is Part 1 of the video coverage, up to, but not including, the statement of the university spokesperson to the end rally. Due to storms, we had difficulty uploading this part. See Part 2 - already uploaded to YouTube - for the university statement and the rest of this protest. We will also upload a higher quality single video of the protest to Google.Previously, on May 10th, more than 300 faculty, graduate and undergraduate students marched to Chancellor Lombardi’s office and demanded that University of Massachusetts administrators revoke the offer of the honorary degree.Students are planning followup protests.Parts 1 and 2 (many other videos) are available at http://www.youtube.com/TraprockPeaceTVVideo recorded and edited by Charles Jenks. © 2007 Charles Jenks; all rights reserved.

Protesting Honorary Degree for Andy Card - Part 2

May 16th, 2007

Petition to Revoke Offer of Honorary Degree to Andrew H. Card, Jr.

On May 15, 2007, students, faculty and staff protested the decision by the University of Massachusetts to give an honorary degree to Andy Card, and former head of the Bush Administration’s White House Iraq Group. Students held a rally outside the Whitmore administration building. When they went to enter the building, they found that the university had closed it. They then marched to the graduate school administration building and held a sit-in. They marched across campus to the Whitmore building, and heard from a university spokesperson - standing outside - that the university had not changed its mind. Students then marched around the administration building, symbolically knocked on the locked doors, and held a rally, with students taking turns speaking out.Please call and tell Chancellor John Lombardi what you think - 413-545-2211.This is Part 2 of the video coverage, from the statement of the university spokesperson to the end rally. Due to storms, we had difficulty uploading the longer Part 1 (which we were able to accomplish on May 16th.) We are also uploading a higher quality single video of the protest to Google.Previously, on May 10th, more than 300 faculty, graduate and undergraduate students marched to Chancellor Lombardi’s office and demanded that University of Massachusetts administrators revoke the offer of the honorary degree.Students are planning followup protests.Video recorded and edited by Charles Jenks. © 2007 Charles Jenks; all rights reserved.

Frances Crowe - Blow up Balloons Not Bombs

May 16th, 2007

On Mother’s Day - May 13, 2007 - Frances Crowe tells story from a previous Mother’s Day protest of 25 years ago. She was speaking with Sunny Miller, Executive Director of Traprock Peace Center.Frances Crowe is a prominent peace organizer and pacifist. She was a co-founder of Traprock Peace Center. She urges Traprock to “carry on” as it faces of challenge of having to relocate after 27 years.Video © 2007 Charles Jenks; all rights reserved.

Andy Jacobs exposes bi-partisan sellout of US

May 12th, 2007

Andy Jacobs, former Indiana Congressperson, decried the unconstitutional and illegal war against Iraq and exposed the bi-partisan sellout of the US to foreign investors. Foreign investment - and US budget deficits - have financed US wars, including the war against Iraq. This sellout - started during the Reagan administration - rescinded tax withholding from foreign investments. This reduced interest rates, but also led to a skyrocketing of foreign debt. Most media - such as Washington Post and the Today Show - chose to remain silent on this sell-out. See Time article.Jacobs further examined the unconstitutional abdication of war powers authority by Congress in October, 2002. Unilateral war making by rulers is the most oppressive of the kingly oppressions, said Jacobs.Jacobs, a Koren War veteran, spoke on April 18, 2007 on “US Policy in the Middle East: Diplomacy, Foreigh Debt and War Powers.” He spoke in the General Pershing Room of the War Memorial, Indianapolis, Indiana. He shared the podium with Scott Ritter, former Major of the US Mariens and former UN Chief UNSCOM Weapons Inspector in Iraq. See Ritter’s talks at http://www.youtube.com/TraprockPeaceTVThe program was sponsored by Veterans for Peace, Indiana Chapter #49, Indianapolis Peace House & Plowshares, Indianapolis Peace and Justice Center, and Traprock Peace Center.Moderator: Pierre AtlasPolitical Science Professor and Director of Franciscan Center for Global Studies at Marian CollegeVideo recorded and edited by Charles Jenks; © 2007 Charles Jenks; all rights reserved. Contact: charles@traprockpeace.org

Students Excited about Socialism 2007

May 7th, 2007

Student activists from the University of Wisconsin, Madison say why they’re excited about the upcoming conference: “SOCIALISM 2007: Socialism for the 21st Century.” being held at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O’Hare, June 14-17, 2007. See http://www.socialismconference.org for more details.

SOCIALISM 2007 will bring together socialists and activists who are involved in struggles across the country–from opposing the war to organizing against the death penalty–and share a vision of rebuilding the left.

Join John Pilger, Amy Goodman, Dahr Jamail, Dave Zirin, Anthony Arnove, Sharon Smith, Laura Flanders, Dr. John Carlos, Jeff St. Clair, IVAW’s Kelly Dougherty, and a host of other speakers at Socialism 2007, and participate in the discussion over the future of radical and socialist politics in the 21st Century.

Last summer, some 1,500 people turned out for Socialism 2006 in New York City.

Student comments were videotaped on May 4, 2007 at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Many thanks to Chris Dols and Elizabeth Wrigley-Field for their organizing (and for their comments), and to all the students who participated.

See coverage of last year’s conference.with videos on TraprockPeaceTV

video © 2007 Charles Jenks; all rights reserved. Websites may embed the video. Other uses require permission; contact charles@traprockpeace.org

Ann Wright speaks at Brown University

April 26th, 2007

Ann Wright speaking at Brown University on April 16, 2007 about the war with Iraq and the possibility of war with Iran. Filmed by Paul Hubbard.

Thank you Ann and Paul for sending this to us!

Scott Ritter - Target Iran - Part 1

April 20th, 2007

“War will not solve any problem we face with Iran.”

Scott Ritter, former Major of the US Marines and Chief UNSCOM Weapons Inspector in Iraq, spoke on the folly of war with Iran in the General Pershing Room of the War Memorial, Indianapolis, IN on April 18, 2007.This is Part 1 - his presentation in the program “US Policy in the Middle East; Target Iran and the role of Congress.”Clips from the Q and A will follow. He spoke on a two person panel with the Honorable Andy Jacobs, former Congressperson from Indiana.The program was sponsored by Veterans for Peace, Indiana Chapter #49, Indianapolis Peace House & Plowshares, Indianapolis Peace and Justice Center, and Traprock Peace Center.Moderator: Pierre AtlasPolitical Science Professor and Director of Franciscan Center for Global Studies at Marian CollegeVideo recorded and edited by Charles Jenks; © 2007 Charles Jenks; all rights reserved. Contact: charles@traprockpeace.org

Cindy Sheehan - They Can’t Kill Love

April 17th, 2007

“They can kill somebody’s body, but they can’t kill love.” - Cindy Sheehan.Cindy Sheehan calls for nonviolent revolution, encourages activists and shares her emotions about the senseless killings of Iraqis and US soldiers due to this war. This is a must watch question and answer session, after her talk at the 3rd Annual Midwest Peace and Justice Summit held at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, on April 13, 2007.”They want us to live in fear….It’s time that we’re willing to sacrifice and put our bodies on the line for peace and justice.”Sponsoring organizations were IUPUI Students Advocates for Global Equality, Plowshares Consortium of Peace Studies, Indiana Peace and Justice Network, IUPUI Center for Service and Learning, Indianapolis Peace and Justice Center, and IUPUI Office of Campus and Community Life.Organizations throughout the Midwest participated. See more on the conference at http://www.mpjs.orgVideo © 2007 Charles Jenks; all rights reserved. Recorded and edited by Charles Jenks.

Cindy Sheehan at Purdue

April 17th, 2007

Cindy Sheehan spoke at Purdue University on April 12, 2007. Propo

Cindy Sheehan spoke at Purdue University on April 12, 2007. Proponents of war with Iraq tried to prevent her coming, by smearing her in the Lafayette newspaper and trying to discourage the university for bringing her to speak. The Peace Studies Committee at Purdue University sponsored her appearance (without using university funds). Protestors in the hall were vastly outnumbered by those against the war and continuing occupation of Iraq. About 600 people heard her speak, live or in the overflow room.

This is the Q and A session. While we taped the main talk, it is available in its entirety via the student newspaper site. We defer to the students, and offer the Q and A as it is not otherwise available.

Many thanks to Professor Harry Targ - one of the ‘most dangerous 100 professors’ according to David Horowitz (oh, to be on that list!) and Sheila Rosenthal - an organizer supreme - of the Lafayette Area Peace Coalition.

Recorded by Charles Jenks; © 2007 Charles Jenks; all rights reserved.

James Yee - Guantanamo and his solitary confinement

April 17th, 2007

This is Part 2 of a 2 part video (split due to YouTube size limitations). It features Chaplain James Yee, former US Army Muslim Chaplain at Guantanamo. In this Part 2, he discusses Guantanamo, including shocking interrogation technigues (such as sexual taunting from naked female interrogators), physical and psychological abuse, and desecration of the Koran. He also discusses his own arrest, solitary confinement with sensory deprivation, and eventual total exoneration. All charges were dropped again him. He was returned to duty and given a commendation. He resigned his commission and received an honorable discharge.In Part I, he went into detail about why he became a Muslim.

Chaplain Yee spoke on April 14, 2007 at the 3rd Annual Midwest Peace and Justice Summit held on the IUPUI campus in Indianapolis, IN. For more information, see http://www.mpjs.orgConference sponsors were: IUPUI Student Advocates for Global Equality; Indiana Peace & Justice Network; Plowshares Consortium of Peace Studies Programs; IUPUI Center for Service and Learning; Indianapolis Peace and Justice Center; and IUPUI Office of Campus and Community Life.Video recorded and edited by Charles Jenks; © 2007 Charles Jenks; all rights reserved.

Chaplain James Yee on becoming a Muslim

April 17th, 2007

This is Part 1 of a 2 part video (split due to YouTube size limitations). It features Chaplain James Yee, former US Army Muslim Chaplain at Guantanamo. In this Part I, he discusses how he became a Muslim. In Part II, he goes into detail about shocking abuses at Guantanamo and his arrest and threatened court martial while serving as chaplain. All charges were dropped again him. He was returned to duty and given a commendation. He resigned his commission and received an honorable discharge.Mr. Yee spoke on April 14, 2007 at the 3rd Annual Midwest Peace and Justice Summit held on the IUPUI campus in Indianapolis, IN. For more information, see http://www.mpjs.orgConference sponsors were: IUPUI Student Advocates for Global Equality; Indiana Peace & Justice Network; Plowshares Consortium of Peace Studies Programs; IUPUI Center for Service and Learning; Indianapolis Peace and Justice Center; and IUPUI Office of Campus and Community Life.Video recorded and edited by Charles Jenks; © 2007 Charles Jenks; all rights reserved.

Cindy Sheehan speaking peace to power

April 14th, 2007

Cindy Sheehan gave the Plowshare Keynote Address at the 3rd Annual Midwest Peace and Justice Summit on April 13, 2007 at the Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis campus.

See more on the conference at http://www.mpjs.org

Sponsoring organizations were IUPUI Students Advocates for Global Equality, Plowshares Consortium of Peace Studies, Indiana Peace and Justice Network, IUPUI Center for Service and Learning, Indianapolis Peace and Justice Center, and IUPUI Office of Campus and Community Life.

Organizations throughout the Midwest participated.

Video © 2007 Charles Jenks; all rights reserved. Recorded and edited by Charles Jenks.

Blackwater - rise of most powerful mercenary firm in world

April 12th, 2007

Jeremy Scahill - April 9, 2007

Blackwater: The Rise of the Most Powerful Mercenary Firm in the World

Recording 25.1 meg 43:57 - temp version

From event listing: Blackwater protects the top US officials in Iraq, yet the public knows almost nothing about their quasi-military operations, which range from the blood-soaked streets of Fallujah to rooftop firefights in Najaf to the hurricane-ravaged US gulf to Washington DC. “Jeremy Scahill’s exposé of the Blackwater mercenary firm forcefully demonstrates the grave dangers of outsourcing the government’s monopoly on the use of force.” – Joseph Wilson, former U.S. Ambassador to Iraq. Recorded at Odyssey Books, South Hadley, MA.

This recording is © 2007 Ed Russell, all rights reserved. You may broadcast recordings but please contact to let Ed Russell know you have done so. Please attribute; when excerpting give www.activeingredients.org so that others may download.

Remembering Wally Nelson - civil rights activist

March 30th, 2007

Wally Nelson would have been 98 on March 27th. He was a pioneer civil rights activist and is considered a parent - along with his partner Juanita Nelson - of the modern war tax resistance movement in the US.

See more on Wally (with links to other resources) at http://www.traprockpeace.org/wallynel…
and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wally_Ne…

This short video is a compilation of moments from 1999 to 2002. The final clip is Wally last birthday celebration.

Video © 1999, 2001 and 2002 Charles Jenks; all rights reserved.

Iraq Veterans Against War Speak

March 30th, 2007

Veterans Paul Abernathy and Matt Southworth, both member of Iraq Veterans Against the War, speak with Sunny Miller, Executive Director of Traprock Peace Center, after the antiwar/anti-occupation rally in Fayetteville, North Carolina on March 17, 2007.

For more information, see:
http://www.ivaw.org
http://www.traprockpeace.org
http://www.veteransforpeace.org

For videos of the Fayetteville peace events on March 17-18, 2007 (more coming), visit http://www.youtube.com/TraprockPeaceTV

video © 2007 Charles Jenks; all rights reserved.

Rally website: http://www.fayetteville-peace-rally.org

Iraq Vets - “I want my country back”

March 30th, 2007

Iraq War veterans leading march in Fayetteville, North Carolina - March 17, 2007. A short clip of the head of the march. The vets led the chanting for the march through Fayetteville, the home of Fort Bragg (82nd Airborne). See Veterans for Peace - http://www.veteransforpeace.org - and Iraq Veterans Against the War - http://www.ivaw.org.

For more on the march, see http://www.fayetteville-peace-rally.org

video © 2007 Charles Jenks; charles@traprockpeace.org

See more march and rally video at http://www.youtube.com/TraprockPeaceTV