Thursday, 11/5: Join the ISO in supporting Palestinian rights at Columbia!

This Thursday, 11/5 at 6:30pm, join the ISO and other supporters of Palestine…

At an important debate on campus discussing the international Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel.

Last semester, after Israel’s invasion and siege of Gaza, the ISO and other Palestine solidarity activists joined together to start a movement on campus to pressure Columbia University to divest from companies who profit off Israel’s ongoing occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement began a few years ago with a call from Palestinian civil society groups to place international pressure on the state of Israel. The aim is to challenge the apartheid conditions Israel has imposed on Palestinians both inside Israel’s borders and in the occupied territories. The campaign seeks to use the same successful tactics of international solidarity that helped to bring an end to apartheid in South Africa.

The ISO has always stood for the right of Palestinians demand equal rights, to resist the Israeli occupation, and to return to the homes from which they have been expelled since the 1948 formation of Israel. Israel is the largest recipient of US government military aid in the world. Challenging the US government and US corportations’ complicity in the destruction of Palestinian lives is an important part of challenging other US occupations in the region, from Iraq to Afghanistan and Pakistan.

This Thursday Palestinian activist Omar Barghouti will debate Columbia Law professor George Fletcher over the following question:

Is Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel counterproductive to the pursuit of a just peace in the Middle East?

Instead of our regular ISO meeting in Kent Hall, we’ll be going to this meeting to support Omar Barghouti and the BDS campaign! Come along!

Omar Barghouti

When: Thursday, November 5th at 6:30 PM

Where:  Meet other ISO members and allies in front of Altschul Auditorium, Room 417 in the  SIPA/International Affairs Building, Columbia University (enter on Amsterdam between 116th and 117th st)

RSVP to the event on Facebook here.

The event will be moderated by GRITtv host Laura Flanders (grittv.org), and is sponsored by the Middle East Institute, and hosted by the Arab Students Association at SIPA

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Articles to read for more information on the BDS campaign:

1) “A New Movement Against Israel’s Apartheid” by Eric Ruder

Gives some background on how the BDS movement came about in response to the invasion of GAZA. Also introduces some of the basic arguments in defense of BDS.

2) “The other apartheid state” by Ronnie Kasrils

Ronnie Kasrils is a Jewish South African leader of the African National Congress. Here, he compares the ‘Jewish-only’ state of Israel to the apartheid regime in South Africa.

3) “A Slander on our Movement” by Lichi D’Amelio

Challenges the incorrect charge that supporters of BDS supporters are being “anti-Semitic.”

4) “Israeli’s and Palestinians: Conflict & Resolution” by Moshe Machover

Longer article by an Israeli Socialist/anti-Zionist that goes through more of the history of the Israeli occupation of Palestine.

Saturday: DEFEND ABORTION RIGHTS!

{Tomorrow the last day of the right-wingers “40 Days for Life” demonstrations at Dr. Emily’s. Over the past few weekends, they have been outnumbering us early in the morning. Let’s make sure we send them home knowing that this is a pro-choice city!}

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The Barnard/Columbia branch of the ISO is mobilizing to join the New York Coalition for Abortion Clinic Defense (NYCACD) at Dr. Emily’s Women’s Health Center to support women’s rights!

We are asking students and allies to mobilize Saturday, October 31st at the gates (116th and Broadway), 7am.

For More info, contact Edna: 305-457-6332

Dr. Emily’s clinic in the South Bronx has been the target of anti-abortion protesters. These protesters offer free sonograms (administered by unqualified people outside the medical field) and anti-abortion pamphlets and display plastic fetuses in order to try to convince women seeking abortions to change their minds. Worse, the protesters have started a 40-day vigil (see www.40daysforlife.com). Since June the NYCACD, in collaboration with the staff of the clinic, has launched a weekly clinic defense, effectively preventing these anti-choice protesters from intimidating and harassing people seeking services there.

“40 days for life” has launched a massive 40-day “prayer and fasting” vigil outside the clinic starting SEPTEMBER 23. It ends tomorrow, October31st. Two years ago, with a similar campaign, they thronged the sidewalk and were able to physically block staff and clients from entering the clinic. This year, we have confronted the bigots every Saturday. At the start, we outnumbered the bigots. But their numbers continue to grow, and we have not been able to sustain ours week to week. Our goal is to OUT-NUMBER THEM tomorrow; to provide safe escort for staff and patients into the clinic, and to let the anti-choice bigots know THEY CANNOT GET AWAY WITH THIS. If they had their way, not only would abortion be illegal, so would homosexuality and non-procreative sex.

We are inviting pro-choice and pro-abortion individuals and organizations to join in.

IT IS TIME WE STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH THOSE WOMEN WANTING TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHT TO CHOOSE AND TO CONTROL THEIR BODIES!

Saturday, October 31st

8 am to Noon

Dr. Emily’s Women’s Health Center

560 Southern Blvd

Bronx, New York

Stop the Execution of Reginald Blanton!

Reginald Blanton, a member of the DRIVE movement and innocent man on Death Row, is set to be executed tomorrow, Tuesday 10/27, in Texas. This is the last day to call Governor Rick Perry to get him to stop the execution.

PLEASE TAKE A FEW MOMENTS TO MAKE A CALL TO VOICE YOUR OPPOSITION TO THE EXECUTION.

Governor Rick Perry: (512) 463 2000

The office is now closed, but you can leave a message!

A great article on Reginald’s case from Socialist Worker can be found here.

More details of Reginald’s case can be found here:

http://www.myspace. com/freereggieb

Tomorrow morning, 10/27:

Tune in to Pacifica’s Democracy Now! (99.5 FM) tomorrow morning at 9 AM: the first segment will feature the case of Reginald Blanton, scheduled to be executed in Texas tomorrow.

Reggie’s brother and Carter Pagel — author of the Socialist Worker article on Reggie will be the guests.

This Sunday, 10/11: Come to the National LGBT Equality March

Want to go to the National Equality March in Washington, DC this Sunday, October 11th?!

Still need to get on a bus from Columbia?

The National Equality march will be the first national grassroots march for LGBT rights since 1993. There are going to be around 40 buses of activists going to the march just from New York City!

This weekend’s march has one simple demand:
Equal protection for all LGBT people in all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states. Free and equal people do not bargain for or prioritize our rights. Full equality necessarily includes all members of the LGBT community and encompasses, but is not limited to:

• The right to work our jobs and go to school free of harassment and discrimination.
• The right to safety in our daily lives, and protection from hate crimes.
• The right to equitable healthcare, and the right to donate blood.
• The right to equitable immigration policies.
• The right to marry.
• The right to serve in the military openly.

BUS INFORMATION:

If you still need transportation to the march, there will be a bus departing from 116th and Broadway on Sunday morning at 6am and returning Sunday night after the march. The cost is $35 and you can buy your tickets here:

http://nycgomarch.eventbrite.com/
(Register for the Columbia University/Upper West Side bus)
Please note that tickets need to be purchased by wednesday 10/7 to confirm a spot on the bus.

If you’d like to go to DC for the march, but absolutely cannot afford to pay the $35 cost, please email mattswagler@gmail.com immediately!

For more information on the march, check out:
nationalequalitymarch.org
nemstudents.org

Statement of solidarity with the UCSC occupation

Columbia University Statement of Solidarity with UCSC Occupation and UC Walk-Outs

Click above to read the joint statement of solidarity sent by Columbia student groups, including the ISO, to U of California students who walked-out of classes to protest budget cuts, and the UC Santa Cruz students who occupied a building on their campus!

Tues 9/29: Why We Refuse

Why We Refuse: Israelis say No to the Occupation of Palestine

Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Room 405, IAB
4:30 – 6:00pm

RSVP: http://www.facebook.com/photo_search.php?oid=143608407343&view=user#/event.php?eid=143608407343

The Jewish Voice for Peace, CODEPINK, and the Arab Student Association
at SIPA invite you to a conversation with two Refuseniks, Maya and
Netta, who refuse to serve in the Israeli army and participate in the
occupation of Palestine.  Maya and Netta illuminate the realities of
growing up in Israel and becoming conscientious objectors, and present
viable ways Americans can become more informed and proactive against
the occupation.

“At first, like many other Israeli citizens, I too could not bring
myself to confront or criticize the Israeli military’s immoral
actions. I realize that this difficulty originated from my sense of
identification with soldiers my own age, to whom I could relate. Today
it is precisely this realization that leads me to refuse to serve. I
cannot recognize the humanity of Israelis but not that of
Palestinians. It is because of my deep sense of commitment and
responsibility to the community in which I grew up that I am refusing
to contribute to this cycle of bloodshed.” ~ Maya Wind

The two speakers are part of a group called the Shministim, Israeli
high-school seniors –and prospective conscripts into the mandatory
Israeli military- who have been imprisoned for their principled
refusal to serve the Occupation of Palestinian territories.  What
these young conscientious objectors have to say about the occupation
and their personal accounts of militarization in Israeli society is of
critical importance for US audiences.

The new movement of Refuseniks is gaining worldwide attention and is
one way Israelis are objecting the policies of their government and
standing up for the rights of Palestinians.  Maya and Netta have
signed the current 2008 Shministim letter which articulates their
reasons for refusal.  Because of their principled refusal to serve in
an occupying army, youth who sign the letter face jail terms in
Israeli military prisons.

In the 2008 letter that the Shministim sent to the Israeli government,
they wrote: “…we object to Israeli ‘defense’ methods: checkpoints,
‘targeted’ killing, roads for Jews only, sieges and more, which serve
the land seizing policy, annex more occupied territories into Israel
and trample on Palestinian human rights.  These actions are perhaps a
temporary fix, but it is clear that in the long run only exacerbate
the conflict…it is impossible to harm and imprison in the name of
freedom, and thus it is impossible to be moral and serve the
occupation.”

This national tour is organized by:

CODEPINK: CODEPINK is a women-initiated grassroots peace and social
justice movement working to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, stop
new wars, and redirect our resources into healthcare, education, green
jobs and other life-affirming activities. CODEPINK rejects foreign
policies based on domination and aggression, and instead calls for
policies based on diplomacy, compassion and a commitment to
international law. With an emphasis on joy and humor, CODEPINK women
and men seek to activate, amplify and inspire a community of
peacemakers through creative campaigns and a commitment to
non-violence. www.codepinkalert.org

Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP): Jewish Voice for Peace is a diverse and
democratic community of activists inspired by Jewish tradition to work
together for peace, social justice, and human rights. We support the
aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians for security and
self-determination. Jewish Voice for Peace has worked with the
Shministim in the past by organizing thousands of activists to demand
their release from prison.  www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNjggLhQo6w

This event is co-sponsored by: Progressive Jewish Alliance, TURATH,
Common Ground, Columbia Coalition against the War (CCAW), Students for
a Democratic Society (SDS), International Socialist Organization
(ISO), the Columbia Palestine Forum.

DEFEND ABORTION RIGHTS in NYC!

TOMORROW MORNING, SATURDAY 9/26

The Barnard/Columbia branch of the ISO is mobilizing to join the New York Coalition for Abortion Clinic Defense (NYCACD) at Dr. Emily’s Women’s Health Center to support women’s rights!

We are asking students and allies to meetup Saturday, September 26th at the gates (116th and Broadway), 7am. (We can take the bus and train together)

Dr. Emily’s clinic in the South Bronx has been the target of anti-abortion protesters. These protesters offer free sonograms (administered by unqualified people outside the medical field) and anti-abortion pamphlets and display plastic fetuses in order to try to convince women seeking abortions to change their minds. Worse, the protesters have started a 40-day vigil (see www.40daysforlife.com). Since June the NYCACD, in collaboration with the staff of the clinic, has launched a weekly clinic defense, effectively preventing these anti-choice protesters from intimidating and harassing people seeking services there.

“40 days for life” has launched a massive 40-day “prayer and fasting” vigil outside the clinic starting SEPTEMBER 23. Two years ago, with a similar campaign, they thronged the sidewalk and were able to physically block staff and clients from entering the clinic. This year, our goal is to OUT-NUMBER THEM; to provide safe escort for staff and patients into the clinic, and to let the anti-choice bigots know THEY CANNOT GET AWAY WITH THIS. If they had their way, not only would abortion be illegal, so would homosexuality and non-procreative sex.

We are inviting pro-choice and pro-abortion individuals and organizations to join in. The Clinic Defense Coalition is asking people to RSVP via: nycacd@gmail.com.

IT IS TIME WE STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH THOSE WOMEN WANTING TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHT TO CHOOSE AND TO CONTROL THEIR BODIES!

Saturday, Sept 26th (and Every Saturday thru October 31)
8 am to Noon
Dr. Emily’s Women’s Health Center
560 Southern Blvd
Bronx, New York

Wed, 9/2: The Truth About Charter Schools

The Truth About Charter Schools: Are They Really the Solution to the Crisis in Public Education?

Charter schools continue to expand into the Harlem community and communities throughout NYC and the entire country. They purport to stand for more parent choice and power and for an opportunity for quality education for students who have been historically denied that opportunity. But what is the reality?

• Do Charter Schools actually represent a genuine movement to establish parent choice and equitable education for ALL students?
• Do charter schools provide adequate channels for the democratic input of staff and parents?
• At this forum, we invite parents, students teachers and community members to consider the role that charter schools play in the larger national agenda to privatize education in the United States.
• Charter schools are opening while public schools are closing or being placed in smaller spaces that hinder their growth. Charter schools also have stricter admission policies. With all these “at-risk” or “failing schools” closing, where are their students going to go? Who will accept them?
Join a discussion on these important topics and more!

Wednesday, September 2
6:00 – 8:00 pm
Adam Clayton Powell State Office Building
Art Gallery- 2nd floor
125th Street & Adam Clayton Powell Blvd.
Manhattan

— ID needed to enter the building, and children are welcome —

Contact: (212) 744-1538 or email gemnyc@gmail.com

Sponsored by the Office of Senator Bill Perkins, the Grassroots Education Movement (GEM), the Coalition for Public Education (CPE), the Center for Immigrant Families (CIF), Black New Yorkers for Educational Excellence (BNYEE), and parents and teachers from NYC schools, including P.S. 123, 30, 197, 241, and 368 (list in formation)

Saturday: Abortion Clinic Defense at Dr. Emily’s Women’s Health Center

Clinic Defense at Dr. Emily’s Women’s Health Center!

Please join New York Coalition for Abortion Clinic Defense (NYCACD) at Dr. Emily’s Women’s Health Center to support Women’s rights!

Dr. Emily’s clinic has been the target of anti-abortion protesters. These protesters offer free sonograms, (administered by unqualified people outside the medical field) anti-abortion pamphlets and display plastic fetuses in order to try to convince women seeking abortions to change their minds. Worse, the protesters plan to begin a 40-day vigil in late September, see www.40daysforlife.com. This is the time to defend a woman’s right to choose abortions, and right now that means defending women’s physical access to the clinic. Join us to escort women into the clinic safely and protest those who try to coerce them away.
We have had a summer of successful defenses, but we need to keep building up the number of people involved so that we are ready for September. We would like to invite pro-choice and pro-abortion organizations to join our cause, and if possible to sponsor a shift.

Whether you are coming as an individual or as part of an organization, please RSVP. If you have questions, do not hesitate to ask them with your RSVP.

Saturday, September 5
1st Shift: 8:00 AM to 10:00AM
2nd Shift: 10:00AM to 12:00PM

Dr. Emily’s Women’s Health Center
560 Southern Boulevard

Bronx, NY

Directions:
Take the 6 train to 149th St.

To RSVP:
nycacd@gmail.com

It is time we stand in solidarity with those women wanting to exercise their right to choose and to control their body!

Defend Abortion Rights at Dr. Emily’s Clinic!

Hope everyone is having a great summer. We’ve been trying to keep the flow of messages to a minimum, as we know everyone is going in and out of town a lot. However, we wanted to let everyone know about a new initiative that we are a part of, called the New York Coalition for Abortion Clinic Defense. The group came together two weeks ago to help protect the women trying to access care at Dr. Emily’s Women’s Health Center in the Bronx, but hopes to become a larger group that can defend abortion rights across the city. Currently, anti-choice right wingers (they are also anti-welfare, anti-birth control and oddly enough, anti-vegetarian), harass the women going into the clinic.

We have begun weekly escort and clinic defense at Dr. Emily’s every Saturday, in anticipation of a much larger group of right-wingers who will be coming in September for “40 Days of Life”. Last year they bussed in so many anti-choice bigots that Dr. Emily’s clinic nearly had to shut down. We don’t want to allow that to occur again this year and we’ll all be back in school at that time, so we can be part of a larger mobilization to help keep the clinic open. It is the only affordable women’s health clinic in the South Bronx which provides abortions.

Below is the information about this week’s clinic defense – and we will be out there every Saturday.

In addition, this summer, the uptown ISO has been organizing around LGBT equality, support for the protests in Iran, our ongoing criminal justice and anti-death penalty activism, support for the Stella D’Oro strike in the Bronx. This past week we’ve been central to the struggle of teachers and parents to stop charter school from taking over the buildings of PS 123 and PS 375 in Harlem.If you’d like to get involved in any of these struggles, we meet every Thursday at 7pm at St. Mary’s Church, 126th St between Amsterdam and Broadway.

Hope to see you soon!

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Please join New York Coalition for Abortion Clinic Defense (NYCACD) at Dr. Emily’s Women’s Health Center to support Women’s rights!

Dr. Emily’s clinic has been the target of anti-abortion protesters. These protesters offer free sonograms, (administered by unqualified people outside the medical field) anti-abortion pamphlets and display plastic fetuses in order to try to convince women seeking abortions to change their minds. Worse, the protesters plan to begin a 40-day vigil in late September, see www.40daysforlife.com. This is the time to defend a woman’s right to choose abortions, and right now that means defending women’s physical access to the clinic. Join us to escort women into the clinic safely and protest those who try to coerce them away.

Last Saturday, we attended our first clinic defense. While we were there, the anti-choice protesters couldn’t talk to any women entering the clinic. Since they know we’re planning to visit the clinic again, it would be substantial if we had more people come join and support us!  With all that said, we would like to invite pro-choice and pro-abortion organizations to help fight our cause. If participation is in high numbers for this upcoming clinic defense on Saturday the 25th, we would like to host two different shifts, one from 8:00 -10:00 AM and the other at 10:00AM to 12:00 PM.  If you think your organization can attend this clinic defense, please RSVP with the shift you are interested in hosting as soon as possible. Individuals should also RSVP.  If you have questions, do not hesitate to ask them with your RSVP.

When:         Saturday, July 25th
1st Shift: 8:00 AM to 10:00AM
2nd Shift: 10:00AM to 12:00PM

Where:        Dr. Emily’s Women’s Health Center
560 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY

Directions:   Take the 6 train to 149th St.

To RSVP:      nycacd@gmail.com

It is time we stand in solidarity with those women wanting to exercise their right to choose and to control their body!