[pjw] REPORT BACK: vetoed again: Friday rally #207 since stay-at-home orders

[Peace and Justice Works]

IAG supporters

Last night we had five people at the Friday Rally for Peace and Justice, 
including one regular we hadn't seen for almost 2 months. There were a lot 
of positive horn honks and people seeming to appreciate us. Maybe with the 
sun starting to come back come more warm greetings.

I tried out a special harness that allowed me to hold my signs up more 
upright than usual without poking myself in the hip to keep them steady. I 
can send a picture of the test-run in the office if you're curious. It's 
made to hold a flagpole in front of oneself so it's not exactly what it 
was made for, but I think it's useful.

We didn't really hand out any flyers for the March 22 Iraq event

https://pjw.info/iraq21yl.html

but one person grabbed a whole bag full of Guantanamo fact sheets. I think 
they thought they were individually wrapped? Just as well, we have plenty 
of extras.

And now in the spirit of the radio fund-raising drives that (I think?) 
just ended, remember that the Iraq Affinity Group is out there EVERY 
SINGLE WEEK putting the message of peace in front of the public, and 
sending back these (hopefully) informative reports. If you are able to 
send in a donation to Peace and Justice Works, we ask that you flag it for 
the IAG to help support our ongoing efforts. Thank you!!!!

OK, now here are the headlines we talked about:

--The US-backed Israeli military shot at people trying to access 
humanitarian aid, leading to 100 Palestinian deaths and many more wounded. 
The US vetoed condemnation of this horrific action at the UN Security 
Council, a 14-1 vote (but one vote matters when its a WWII winner).

  https://www.newarab.com/news/us-blocks-algeria-condemnation-gaza-aid-massacre-un

---Meanwhile, Israel has broken off talks about a ceasefire, demanding 
list of names of all the abductees first. (I like the use of the term 
"abductees" better than "hostage" since Israel still has hundreds of 
Palestinians in custody without charge, it's still not ideal.)

  https://www.axios.com/2024/03/01/gaza-hostage-israel-hamas-list-biden

---At least 10 children have now died of malnutrition in Gaza caused by 
the latest siege and lack of aid.

  https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2024/03/01/child-dies-gaza-malnutrition-aid-famine/3341709316287/

--Elsewhere, the US and UK launched more strikes in Yemen last weekend, 
resulting in the first reported civilian casualty of this undeclared war 
as caused by the western bombs.

  https://www.thedefensepost.com/2024/02/26/houthi-announce-civilian-death-us-uk-strikes/

---In the US Senate, they questioned where President Biden was seeing his 
authority to use the military this way. If they remain unconvinced this is 
"self defense" Biden has only about two more weeks under the War Powers 
Resolution to get US troops out of there.

  https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/us-officials-grilled-over-lack-congressional-approval-houthi-strikes

--And the world continues to spiral out of control with warfare that 
brings no consequences, as Turkish drones killed Christian militia members 
in Syria...

  https://apnews.com/article/syria-turkey-strikes-pkk-suturo-christian-2e9b581e3cc9053bb45e500dd42e4f5a

---... and NATO ok'd Ukraine attacking sites within Russia (which also 
doesn't seem like "self defense" but more like "setting fire to eastern 
Europe")

  https://archive.is/nqSNJ
  https://www.ft.com/content/175bd28f-1eb8-4f57-9cf4-110cca055747

In local news, that ballot initiative I wrote about last week where the 
Portland Police Association is trying to undo the strong police oversight 
board people voted for in 2020 now has an official title.

The original from the PPA was "Strengthening Recruitment, Retention, 
Training and Accountability for the Portland Police Bureau."

The City Attorney's is "Changes authority, membership and budget for 
community police oversight board" which is closer to accurate but doesn't 
say "removes authority to discipline officers and compel testimony, 
removes diversity requirements and adds police to membership, and cuts 
budget from about $12 million a year to unspecified amount."

There are people working on challenging the title, which has to happen by 
March 12.

  https://www.portland.gov/elections/documents/pdx24ol-03-city-attorney-drafted-ballot-title-0/download

Along the march route, I added to the above news on the "Middle East" by 
noting "nearly 300" (oops, really 229) buildings in Jerusalem and about 
900 (944 actually) in the West Bank were demolished by Israel in 2023 to 
aid them in building illegal settlements. European diplomats have raised 
concerns, but... nobody seems to be standing in front of the bulldozers.

  https://www.newarab.com/news/eu-diplomats-condemn-israeli-demolitions-jerusalem

Regarding money for human needs, not war, a Republican lawmaker is quoted 
in this article showing the true face of priorities: As congress has passed 
a temporary spending bill to avoid a shutdown, they said that to keep the 
military and veterans spending untouched, everyone else will face cuts. OR 
how about we cut the military and fund everyone else???

  https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/congress-set-to-approve-another-short-term-extension-to-avoid-shutdown-and-keep-agencies-running/ar-BB1j7Eox

The Ann Huntwork Peace Memorial Sign made it all the way across 
Morrison street but turned off right in front of the Gucci store again. I 
heard there were some serious sun flares going on...?

We hope you will come on down and join us sometime, even if it's just for 
a one-off. It really can lift your spirits to be with fellow activists and 
feel the support from the community.


thanks
--dan handelman
peace and justice works iraq affinity group