It is with great sadness that we report the passing of our longtime friend Dick Wiesenhahn. Dick suffered emergency surgery and heart failure, and died on June 18. Dick founded the Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC) Cincinnati Support Committee, co-hosted the Boiling Point Labor Show on WAIF, added his talents and sense of humor to peace rallies, and social justice campaigns of every kind in Cincinnati. He will be sincerely missed. Memorials can be made to FLOC 1221 Broadway Street /Toledo, Ohio 43609.
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In Iraq Spc Eli Israel Pledges to Resist War
On June 19, 2007 Army Spc Eleon “Eli” Israel put himself at great personal risk by making the courageous decision to refuse further participation in the U.S. occupation of Iraq. The 26-year-old from Arlington, Virginia told his commanding officer and sergeants that he will no longer be a combatant in this illegal, unjustified war. Eli believes that the U.S. government used the attacks of September 11, 2001 as a pretense to invade Iraq and that “we are now violating the people of this country (Iraq) in ways that we would never accept on our own soil.”
Iraqi Lawmakers May Force End to Occupation
On June 5th, the Iraqi parliament passed a binding resolution that will guarantee lawmakers an opportunity to vote on the extension of the U.N. mandate under which coalition troops now remain in Iraq. The new law requires the parliament's approval of any future extensions of the mandate, which has previously been made by Iraq's prime minister. The mandate comes up for renewal in December.
Victory at Great American Ballpark
The Cincinnati Reds may not be winning but the workers who clean the Red’s stadium are faring much better. Last year’s victory by Day Laborers and the Cincinnati Day Labor Organizing Project (DLOP) won wage justice for these workers and it is continuing into this season. DLOP received a commitment by Reds' management to force the subcontractors, who hire Day Laborers to clean the Red's stadium, to pay the workers for all scheduled time. Avenue, deserve fair wages for all the hours spent at work.
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A Cold War and A Hot War |
The U.S. has nearly 10,000 nuclear warheads in its arsenal. This includes 5,000 that are ready to use and more than 4,000 in reserve. That is the destructive equivalent of 110,000 bombs of the type dropped on Hiroshima. Most of these nuclear warheads will last and be “reliable” for at least 100 years. Yet this year the U.S. took steps toward a $150 billion project to rebuild the nations nuclear arsenal.
Closer to home, the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant, near Piketon, OH already one of the most polluted areas in the country may well be being readied to become part of the U.S. nuclear expansion program. The site is being used as a storage site for radioactive waste. Plans call for expanding this program to bring in nuclear waste “temporarily” from across the country and world.
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Death Penalty / Execution Alerts |
James Filiaggi was executed on April 24, 2007 by the State of Ohio. James grew up in Ohio and received two degrees from Ohio University. He was convicted of and sentenced to death for the murder of his ex-wife, Lisa Huff Filiaggi. He spent the last days surrounded by many supportive family and friends. In his last letter to friends at IJPC, James wrote: “Please forgive my stationery, but I'm using up my legal work and doing my part to recycle! Still upset that I can't even donate some organs before the state poisons me and nothing can be used. Guess people think that once you become a convicted/condemned murderer you are good for nothing.”
Christopher Newton, born on November 13, 1969, was executed by the State of Ohio on May 24th, 2007. Another “botched” execution, Christopher Newton not declared dead until one hour and 53 minutes after the scheduled time of the death procedure. The execution team experienced difficulty locating a vein for over an hour.
So how many botched executions will it take for Ohio to stop this insanity? TWO HOURS ~~ TWO HOURS to die. Could you even imagine what you would be thinking for those TWO long hours? This has to traumatize EVERYONE involved ~~ waiting and watching for the death: the victim’s family, the government officials and the Newton family. With two botched executions and a legal suit pending, it is now time to stop executions.
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GOOD NEWS ... GOOD NEWS ... GOOD NEWS ... GOOD NEWS ...
ABA Report To Be Released This Summer! The American Bar Association has been conducting individual studies of the capital punishment system in nine different states. Ohio is the next scheduled to be released, due out sometime this summer. The aim of the study is to asses the extent to which these jurisdictions are achieving fairness and due process. Where flaws are identified, the study intends for states to reform their system, impose moratoriums, and conduct its own investigation of death penalty laws and processes.
Update ~ Clarence Carter Case - July 10th ~ Execution Date Stayed
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Three Stories of Immigrants and Immigration Authorities |
Juanita
In June of 2007 Juana (pseud.), a Guatemalan woman, was arrested by police in Dayton, Ohio after a traffic accident from which she fled because she had no papers. Her husband had been deported several weeks before, and since she had a small child in her home, then being taken care of by her brother-in-law and his family, ICE released her within a day from the ICE facility on her own recognizance. She was emotionally distraught, frightened, and concerned about her child. Because of having told ICE agents that she had crossed the border illegally she will probably be offered a voluntary deportation or if she refuses that be ordered to be deported.
Wilfredo
In 2006 Wilfredo [pseudo.] was deported to Guatemala and the mother, who was also undocumented, remained in Cincinnati living with the two daughters, ages 3 and 5. She refused to send them to school or to accept assistance form the community for fear that at any moment she might be picked up by the police or the immigration authorities. She lives in great fear that her children, though they were born in the U.S. and are U.S. citizens, will also suffer.
Carlos
In 2006 Carlos [pseudo.] was detained by the immigration authorities during a raid in the apartment complex where he lived in Butler County. At his hearing the judge offered him voluntary deportation. Carlos had no alternative but to accept the decision of deportation to Guatemala where his wife and two small children live. The deportation is to take place next month. Carlos says that poverty and the lack of opportunity for a decent life in his own country led him to come to the United State to work in order to be able to offer his family a different life. Now Carlos is worried that when he return to his country he will not be able to help his family get ahead.
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Before You Enlist
The Before You Enlist/ Truth in Recruiting committee at IJPC is very concerned by the extent of access military recruiters have to high school students, the extent of misinformation being shared by recruiters, and the limited access students have to more balanced information. We have begun a focused, extensive campaign to develop a school policy to limit military recruiter access and provide balanced information to students at Hughes. We hope to develop a model that can then be replicated in other area schools and be utilized to get a district wide policy passed limiting recruiting and ensuring access to balanced information. Do you know teachers, students, or parents of Hughes High School Students who might like to get involved in some way? If so, let Kristen know at 513.579.8547.513-579-8547 to get involved.
Day of Dialogue
Mission Statement for Day of Dialogue Project: To create, offer & facilitate ongoing experiences of learning how to really listen to others whose opinions differ on significant social issues. • to promote civil discourse • to stimulate critical thinking • to create an opportunity where people can talk with people who differ, feel safe & comfortable doing so & learn from them.
Upcoming Events:
August 25th—Facilitator Training—9am-12:30 pm
Interested in helping to facilitate dialogue, peace, and understanding in Cincinnati? We could use more trained dialogue facilitators. Join us for an exceptional training at Peaslee designed to improve active listening, constructive inquiry, and facilitation skills. RSVP to Kristen at 513.579.8547.
September 9th—Day of Dialogue on the Influence of Religion on Politics - 2-5 pm—Church of the Nazarene
A diverse planning committee that includes Christians of varying perspectives, Jews, and Muslims has been hard at work planning this Day of Dialogue that will be focusing on the questions: “Religion/State Separation –Where do we draw the line? Where do we cross the line? How do we live out our faith personally and within public institutions within a democracy?” It is sure to spark lively conversation among a diverse crowd. Join us in West Chester at 7951 Tylersville Road. Just off I-75 at exit #22) Call 513-579-8547 for more info!
Dialogues ‘08— Focus: Impact of Corporate America on our Lives. The core dialogue planning team is interested in exploring the impact of Corporate America on our lives. Specific topics may be the Impact of Corporate America on healthcare, economic development, education, or other areas still being considered. Interested in helping to plan? Please join us! Call Kristen at 513-579-8547 to get involved.
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