Monday, August 30, 2010

Resistance Against Deployment of 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment to Iraq

Five peace activists successfully blockaded six buses carrying Fort Hood Soldiers deploying to Iraq outside Fort Hood's Clarke gate this morning at around 4 a.m. While the activists took the width of Clarke Rd. and slowed the buses to a halt, police made no arrests, but instead beat the activists out of the streets using automatic weapons and police dogs so the deploying Soldiers could proceed.

Among those blockading were three veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and one military spouse. (See attached bios) The action, organized by a group calling themselves "Fort Hood Disobeys," was aimed at preventing the deployment of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment Soldiers to what the veterans termed an illegal and immoral occupation.

While standing in the street, the activists held banners reading "Occupation is a Crime" and "Please Don't Make the Same Mistake We Did. RESIST NOW." From the TX HW-190 overpass, additional supporters attempted to hang larger banners that read, "Tell the Brass: 'KISS MY ASS' Your family needs you more" "Sick of Fighting Your Wars" and "Col. Allen [3 ACR Commander]: Do not deploy wounded Soldiers."

This latest deployment comes less than two weeks after President Obama announced the second end to combat operations in Iraq. FHD organizers denounced this as a lie, and pointed to the deployment of the 3rd ACR, a combat regiment, to Iraq as clear proof. They have stated they will continue to organize direct action in the Fort Hood community to oppose the wars as long as troops continue to deploy.

The action organizers have established a website at: http://forthooddisobeys.blogspot.com

All live broadcasts from the day are archived at: http://bit.ly/b1WEyv

For more information or to arrange coverage of today's events, call 347-613-8964 or write to forthooddisobeys@hushmail.com

To learn more please visit: http://www.underthehoodcafe.org

Article by Matthis Chiroux
Aug. 23, 2010 (KILLEEN, TX)

Special thanks to Malachi Muncy for extra video footage!

This is a ZGraphix production.
Produced by Jeff Zavala.
http://zgraphix.org

Behind the Scenes Look at Resistance Against Deployment of 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment to Iraq

Five peace activists successfully blockaded six buses carrying Fort Hood Soldiers deploying to Iraq outside Fort Hood's Clarke gate this morning at around 4 a.m. While the activists took the width of Clarke Rd. and slowed the buses to a halt, police made no arrests, but instead beat the activists out of the streets using automatic weapons and police dogs so the deploying Soldiers could proceed.

Among those blockading were three veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and one military spouse. (See attached bios) The action, organized by a group calling themselves "Fort Hood Disobeys," was aimed at preventing the deployment of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment Soldiers to what the veterans termed an illegal and immoral occupation.

While standing in the street, the activists held banners reading "Occupation is a Crime" and "Please Don't Make the Same Mistake We Did. RESIST NOW." From the TX HW-190 overpass, additional supporters attempted to hang larger banners that read, "Tell the Brass: 'KISS MY ASS' Your family needs you more" "Sick of Fighting Your Wars" and "Col. Allen [3 ACR Commander]: Do not deploy wounded Soldiers."

This latest deployment comes less than two weeks after President Obama announced the second end to combat operations in Iraq. FHD organizers denounced this as a lie, and pointed to the deployment of the 3rd ACR, a combat regiment, to Iraq as clear proof. They have stated they will continue to organize direct action in the Fort Hood community to oppose the wars as long as troops continue to deploy.

The action organizers have established a website at: http://forthooddisobeys.blogspot.com

All live broadcasts from the day are archived at: http://bit.ly/b1WEyv

For more information or to arrange coverage of today's events, call 347-613-8964 or write to forthooddisobeys@hushmail.com

To learn more please visit: http://www.underthehoodcafe.org

Article by Matthis Chiroux
Aug. 23, 2010 (KILLEEN, TX)

Special thanks to Malachi Muncy for extra video footage!

This is a ZGraphix production.
Produced by Jeff Zavala.
http://zgraphix.org

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Direct Action at Fort Hood & Resistance Against Deployment of 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment to Iraq

Five peace activists successfully blockaded six buses carrying Fort Hood Soldiers deploying to Iraq outside Fort Hood's Clarke gate this morning at around 4 a.m. While the activists took the width of Clarke Rd. and slowed the buses to a halt, police made no arrests, but instead beat the activists out of the streets using automatic weapons and police dogs so the deploying Soldiers could proceed.

Among those blockading were three veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and one military spouse. (See attached bios) The action, organized by a group calling themselves "Fort Hood Disobeys," was aimed at preventing the deployment of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment Soldiers to what the veterans termed an illegal and immoral occupation.

While standing in the street, the activists held banners reading "Occupation is a Crime" and "Please Don't Make the Same Mistake We Did. RESIST NOW." From the TX HW-190 overpass, additional supporters attempted to hang larger banners that read, "Tell the Brass: 'KISS MY ASS' Your family needs you more" "Sick of Fighting Your Wars" and "Col. Allen [3 ACR Commander]: Do not deploy wounded Soldiers."

This latest deployment comes less than two weeks after President Obama announced the second end to combat operations in Iraq. FHD organizers denounced this as a lie, and pointed to the deployment of the 3rd ACR, a combat regiment, to Iraq as clear proof. They have stated they will continue to organize direct action in the Fort Hood community to oppose the wars as long as troops continue to deploy.

The action organizers have established a website at http://forthooddisobeys.blogspot.com

All live broadcasts from the day are archived at http://bit.ly/b1WEyv

For more information or to arrange coverage of today's events, call 347-613-8964 or write to forthooddisobeys@hushmail.com

Article by Matthis Chiroux
Aug. 23, 2010 (KILLEEN, TX)

Special thanks to Malachi Muncy for extra video footage!

This is a ZGraphix production.
Produced by Jeff Zavala.
http://zgraphix.org

Direct Action at Fort Hood & Resistance Against Deployment of 3rd Battalion to Iraq

Five peace activists successfully blockaded six buses carrying Fort Hood Soldiers deploying to Iraq outside Fort Hood's Clarke gate this morning at around 4 a.m. While the activists took the width of Clarke Rd. and slowed the buses to a halt, police made no arrests, but instead beat the activists out of the streets using automatic weapons and police dogs so the deploying Soldiers could proceed.

Among those blockading were three veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and one military spouse. (See attached bios) The action, organized by a group calling themselves "Fort Hood Disobeys," was aimed at preventing the deployment of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment Soldiers to what the veterans termed an illegal and immoral occupation.

While standing in the street, the activists held banners reading "Occupation is a Crime" and "Please Don't Make the Same Mistake We Did. RESIST NOW." From the TX HW-190 overpass, additional supporters attempted to hang larger banners that read, "Tell the Brass: 'KISS MY ASS' Your family needs you more" "Sick of Fighting Your Wars" and "Col. Allen [3 ACR Commander]: Do not deploy wounded Soldiers."

This latest deployment comes less than two weeks after President Obama announced the second end to combat operations in Iraq. FHD organizers denounced this as a lie, and pointed to the deployment of the 3rd ACR, a combat regiment, to Iraq as clear proof. They have stated they will continue to organize direct action in the Fort Hood community to oppose the wars as long as troops continue to deploy.

The action organizers have established a website at http://forthooddisobeys.blogspot.com where they will be posting statements, photographs and video from the actions as they become available during the next 48 hours. As well, for the length of the day, FHD ran live webcasts updating their supporters and depicting portions of the direct action. All live broadcasts from the day are archived at http://bit.ly/b1WEyv.

For more information or to arrange coverage of today's events, call 347-613-8964 or write to forthooddisobeys@hushmail.com. See attached bios for more information on those who participated in today's action.

------------------Participant Bios:------------------------

I am Bobby Whittenberg-James, a Marine veteran of the war against the people of Iraq, a Purple Heart recipient and a third generation military service member. I joined the Marines in June of 2003, believing the lies about weapons of mass destruction and an imminent threat to our safety. I have since come to learn that these wars and occupations do not keep the people of the United States or the Middle East safe, but instead serve the interests of politicians, capitalists and corporations; the ruling elite.

These unjust wars and occupations rob the people of Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Yemen of their dignity and their right to self-determination and serve to make the people of both the Middle East and the United States less safe. They also serve to further destabilize a region that has suffered under the boot-heel of western colonialism for over a century. The US Empire also supports both financially and militarily the brutal apartheid regime that occupies Palestine. All of this is done in our name with our money, and I am here to say "Not in my name!"

The recent information leaks about the US Empire's wars lay bare their war crimes and crimes against humanity. We must face the truth, even if it makes us uncomfortable or shows us something about ourselves that we don't want to see. When we find the truth, we must respond accordingly. I will not be complicit in the killing of people. Since I do not believe that the government or the capitalists will end these wars, I will vote with my body.

Bobby Whittenberg-James
Disobedient

------------------------------

I am Crystal Colon. I was a sergeant in the Army for five years, stationed at Fort Hood the entire time, save two deployments to Iraq totaling 26 months. I was a Signal Support Systems Noncommissioned Officer, coordinating communications for various commands. I was honorably discharged in Jan., 2010, and have been organizing in the veterans peace movement ever since.

I first began to question the war in Iraq during my first deployment in '05-'06. After my friend Robbie was killed, I was very deeply affected. I started questioning why we were in Iraq. It felt like he had died for nothing. After returning from Iraq, I planned to leave the military. I was stop-lossed and forced to return to Iraq for 15 months, in total held beyond the length of my enlistment more than 450 days. Since leaving the military, I have been active with the veterans peace movement, speaking out about my experiences and supporting troops who refuse to fight.

I am doing this today because I can't allow this war in which I have fought to continue. I can't allow other Soldiers to make the same mistake I did, deploying in support of a war crime. As a veteran of Iraq, how could I not do this today? For the people I helped occupy, for the friends I lost and stilI have over there, for the Soldiers on those buses. How could I not do this today? I should have disobeyed. I should have never boarded those buses to Iraq. I wish someone had tried to stop me.

Crystal Colon
Disobedient

----------------------

I am Matthis Chiroux, former Army sergeant and War Resister. I was press-ganged into the Army by the Alabama Juvenile "Justice" System in 2002. While in the military, I occupied the nations of Japan and Germany for more than four years, with shorter tours in the Philippines and Afghanistan. I was a Public Affairs Noncommissioned Officer specializing in strategic communications. In reality, I was a propaganda artist. I was discharged honorably to the Individual Ready Reserve in 2007.

While I have always been against the war in Iraq, I began resisting it actively in 2008, after I received mobilization orders for a year-long deployment to Iraq. I refused those orders in Congress in May of 2008, calling my orders illegal and unconstitutional. I believed appealing to Congress would end the war. When 13 Members signed a letter of support for my decision and sent it to Bush, I thought we had won a victory for peace. This was more than two years ago. The president has changed, and the wars and destruction drag on.

Today, I am blocking the deployment of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment with my fellow vets and military family members because the wars will continue to victimize our communities until we halt this bloody machine from within. I am putting my body on the line in solidarity with the people of the Middle East, whose bodies have been shot, burned, tortured, raped and violated by our men and women in and out of uniform. I cannot willfully allow Americans in uniform to put their lives and the lives of Iraqis in jeopardy for a crime. We are here because we have a responsibility to ourselves as veterans and as humans of the world. I will not rest until my people, ALL PEOPLE, are free.

In Struggle and Solidarity,
Matthis Chiroux
Disobedient

------------------------------

I am Cynthia Thomas, and I have been an Army Wife for 18 years. My husband has been deployed three times since the wars began. During his second deployment, he was severley wounded and medevaced to Walter Reed Army Hospital on Life Support. Even though he had Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, suffered three fractures in his back, three fractures on his pelvis and countless other injuries, the Army deployed him a third time. This was devastating to our two daughters, our step-son and to me.

Three months after my husband deployed for the third time, our step-son called to inform me he was joining the Marines. That was the exact moment I realized that our children would be fighting these endless wars. I decided that I needed to start resisting.

The reason I am doing this today is because for the past 3 years that I have been speaking out and advocating for Soldiers, things have only gotten worse. I have heard countless stories from Vets and Active Duty Soldiers that give people nightmares. I have heard stories from family members that would shock people awake if they would just listen! Our military community is being destroyed!

If these wars are destroying our Soldiers and military families with 12 to 15-month, often repeat deployments, how do you think the Iraqi and Afghan people doing? They have been living these wars 24/7, 365 days a year for nearly a decade! My youngest daughter is an Operation Iraqi Freedom baby. She was less than one-year-old when her father left to invade Iraq. I look at her, and I see an Iraqi or Afghan child having to live in constant fear with no end in sight! I am doing this for our community, for my girls, for my husband and our Marine. I am doing this for the Iraqi and Afghan People. Enough is enough. If Soldiers really want to go fight, they'll have to go through me.

Cynthia Thomas
Disobedient

Article by Matthis Chiroux
Aug. 23, 2010 (KILLEEN, TX)

This is a ZGraphix production.
Produced by Jeff Zavala.
http://zgraphix.org

Special thanks to Malachi Muncy for extra video footage!

Leslie Cunningham Austin Reports Back from the US Social Forum

Were you at the U.S. Social Forum? Do you wish you had been?

In June, thousands of social justice activists met in Detroit at the USSF to discuss, plan, and organize the struggle for a more just, equitable, and sustainable world. It was the second of these vibrant, cross-issue social change gatherings.

In what we hope will be one of many USSF programs, members of the Texas State Employees Union, CWA Local 6186, will host a gathering to hear reports from Austinites who attended this important and inspiring event. We will tend toward a labor perspective. You will enjoy pictures and videos.

Those making reports include:

Anne Lewis, a TSEU activist, who will show clips from a presentation she made to the US Social Forum ( http://www.ussf2010.org/ ) about Anne Braden, a most dedicated fighter against racism and political repression.

Josefina Castillo and Judith Rosenberg of Austin Tan Cerca de la Frontera, ( http://afsc.org/resource/austin-tan-cerca-de-la-frontera-forging-relationships-across-borders ) which organizes solidarity and support for workers in Mexico organizing inside and outside of unions

Leslie Cunningham, a TSEU activist, who will report on the role of labor unions in the social justice movement

Maribel Falcon of Workers Defense Project/Proyecto Defensa Laboral ( http://www.workersdefense.org/ ), which is having great success on worker pay and safety issues in Austin as part of the labor movement which is larger than unions alone.

Carmen Llanes, with PODER ( http://www.poder-texas.org/ ) in East Austin, who will report on environmental justice organizing.

For more information, contact Will Rogers at 280-7549 or whroger@aol.com

This is a ZGraphix production.
Produced by Jeff Zavala.
http://zgraphix.org

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Austin Reports Back from the US Social Forum

Were you at the U.S. Social Forum? Do you wish you had been?

In June, thousands of social justice activists met in Detroit at the USSF to discuss, plan, and organize the struggle for a more just, equitable, and sustainable world. It was the second of these vibrant, cross-issue social change gatherings.

In what we hope will be one of many USSF programs, members of the Texas State Employees Union, CWA Local 6186, will host a gathering to hear reports from Austinites who attended this important and inspiring event. We will tend toward a labor perspective. You will enjoy pictures and videos.

Those making reports include:

Anne Lewis, a TSEU activist, who will show clips from a presentation she made to the US Social Forum ( http://www.ussf2010.org/ ) about Anne Braden, a most dedicated fighter against racism and political repression.

Josefina Castillo and Judith Rosenberg of Austin Tan Cerca de la Frontera, ( http://afsc.org/resource/austin-tan-cerca-de-la-frontera-forging-relationships-across-borders ) which organizes solidarity and support for workers in Mexico organizing inside and outside of unions

Leslie Cunningham, a TSEU activist, who will report on the role of labor unions in the social justice movement

Maribel Falcon of Workers Defense Project/Proyecto Defensa Laboral ( http://www.workersdefense.org/ ), which is having great success on worker pay and safety issues in Austin as part of the labor movement which is larger than unions alone.

Carmen Llanes, with PODER ( http://www.poder-texas.org/ ) in East Austin, who will report on environmental justice organizing.

For more information, contact Will Rogers at 280-7549 or whroger@aol.com

This is a ZGraphix production.
Produced by Jeff Zavala

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Under The Hood Cafe - Feat. Immortal Technique & Mumia Abu Jamal

In the spirit of the Oleo Strut, Under The Hood is a place for soldiers to gather, relax and speak freely about the wars and the military. Support services for soldiers include referrals for counseling, legal advice and information on GI rights.

The Under the Hood Cafe offers an oasis for members of the military to gather and talk of issues of importance. I welcome the opportunity to meet fellow military in an atmosphere of peace and ;justice.

Ann Wright, U.S. Army colonel (retired), official of the U.S. State Department (retired)

To learn more please visit:

http://www.underthehoodcafe.org/

Immortal Technique
The War Vs. Us All

The war against us all

This war in Iraq isn't the end; it's the beginning of Wars to come
all around the world at the whim of the Neo-Cons in the White House
This is the Bush Doctrine come to life; War, war and more war!
War brought to you by the big corporate-masters who run the show
This isn't just a War on Iraqis or Afghans or Arabs, or even Muslims
It is ultimately a War on us all!
That's because the billions and billions that are being spent on this War
the cost of tanks, rocketry, bullets and yes even salaries for the 125,000 plus troops, is money that will never be spent on; education, on healthcare, on the reconstruction of crumbling public housing or to train and place the millions of workers who have lost manufacturing jobs in the past three years alone. The War in Iraq is in reality; a war against the nations' workers and the poor who are getting less and less while the big Defense industries and making a killing literally!

What's next Iran, Syria, North Korea, Venezuela?
We've already seen the corporate media
play megaphone to the White House, to build and promote a War based on lies.

War is utilized by the imperialists first and foremost, to crush internal enemies.

We're seeing the truth of its insight
when we see the sad state of American education
the rush of seniors to buy affordable medications from the Canadians
because American drugs are just too expensive,
the threat of privatization of Social Security
and the wave of repression that comes with an increasing Militarized Police;
this is a War on all of us,
And the struggle against War is really a struggle for a better life
for the millions of folks who are in need here in this country!
The fight against the War is really to fight for your own interest
not the false interests of the Defense Industry
or the corporate media or the White House
Down with the Wars for empire!

From Death row this is Mumia Abu Jamal...

Please visit: http://freemumia.org

This is a ZGraphix production.
Produced by Jeff Zavala.
http://zgraphix.org

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

The Wedding of Kathryn and Elias

On a gorgeous sunny day Kathryn Powell and Elias Johnson joined their hands in union, sharing their special day with family and friends at the quaint hillside Chapel Dulcinea ( http://www.chapeldulcinea.org ). ; After a beautifully romantic wedding ceremony everyone headed over to Krause springs for a little fun in the sun.

This is a ZGraphix production.
Produced by Jeff Zavala.
http://zgraphix.org

Friday, August 13, 2010

Public Discussion About Obama & Austin Activist Interviews

A public discussion about Obama's policies was sparked by protesters and students while Barack Obama visited The University of Texas at Austin Gregory Gym on Aug. 9th 2010. The Campus Police designated a "Free Speech Zone" trying to squelch dissent.

Included are interviews with activists representing Gulf Action Now, ( http://gulfactionnow.com ) The Dream Act, ( http://dreamact.info/ ) LaRouche, ( http://www.larouchepac.com/ ) & Texans for Accountable Government (http://tagtexas.org/).

In complete violation of the Constitution, the executive director of Texans for Accountable Government, John Bush was arrested while exercising three of his First Amendment rights: Freedom to Peacefully Assemble, Freedom of Speech, and Freedom of the Press. John was officially booked and charged with Criminal Trespassing. To see John Bush getting arrested click here... http://blip.tv/file/3998011


This is a ZGraphix production.
Produced by Jeff Zavala.
http://zgraphix.org

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

John Bush vs. Barack Bush & UT Austin Fascists

John Bush Arrested Outside "Free Speech Zone" on UT Austin Campus Monday July 9th, 2010 - Barack Obama visited University of Texas Gregory Gym and the Campus Police designated a "Free Speech Zone". All of this happened outside of Obama's speech on UT campus.

In complete violation of the Constitution, John Bush is arrested while exercising three of his First Amendment rights: Freedom to Peacefully Assemble, Freedom of Speech, and Freedom of the Press. John was officially booked and charged with Criminal Trespassing.

Mission: The purpose of Texans for Accountable Government (TAG) is to promote liberty by means of non-partisan local activism.
Products: We are a REAL LIVE PAC. Membership dues are $20 a year to be a voting member. Our meetings are every LAST MONDAY at Bagpipes Bar & Grill on the corner of 183/Burnet Rd. 7-9pm. Please join us! You can become a member or donate for our cause at http://tagtexas.org/

This is a ZGraphix production.
Produced by Jeff Zavala.
http://zgraphix.org

Monday, August 2, 2010

Belly Dancing on the Nile

The University of California Santa Barbara Middle East Ensemble greeted to a warm, musical welcome upon arriving in Cairo, Egypt.

The University of California Santa Barbara Middle East Ensemble has been invited by the Egyptian Ministry of Culture to perform a series of concerts in Cairo and beyond this July 2010.

If you have been on the Nile Cruise or any of the dinner cruise boats on the Nile, one of the entertainment items is always the tanoura. The tanoura is a display by men wearing long, large skirts who twirl around performing some interesting formations.

This is a ZGraphix production.
Produced by Jeff Zavala.
http://zgraphix.org