[Onthebarricades] On the Barricades - FORTHCOMING EVENTS, AND FINALLY...

Mon Apr 4 04:31:14 PDT 2005

FORTHCOMING EVENT:  TRAVELLERS' MARCH, LONDON
http://www.workersliberty.org/node/view/3809

4/15-17 Washington DC: Spring Mobilization against the World Bank and IMF

CAUTION!
A Better World is Under  Construction!

Spring Mobilization against the World Bank and  IMF
Update #2

1. Scenario:  April 15-17
2. Money, supplies, copies o my!
3. Outreach
4.  Volunteers
5. Next working group/general meetings

The  April 16, 2005 meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and
World  Bank will represent the five year anniversary of the first  major
demonstrations against these institutions in the United States. Again  we
will gather in the streets of Washington D.C. on A16 to show that  our
resistance to these institutions and their greed only grows stronger.  A16
will once more be the day we show that our dreams for a better world  are
not only possible, but under construction at this moment, in all  corners
of the globe- and the IMF and World Bank, with all their efforts  to
demolish these dreams and actions, can never stop us. The Mobilization  for
Global Justice, a Washington DC based activist group is calling on  all
working to construct a better world to come out to condemn the World  Bank
and IMF seeing that they are structurally unsound and of no use to  the
community.

1. Scenario:

April  15th:  Gather at the G-7 Finance Ministers meeting, location TBA  at
Noon. Come wearing hard hats, with tools and banners.

The G-7 is  the group of wealthiest governments (US, UK, Italy, France,
Germany, Japan,  and Canada) The G-7 controls the IMF and World Bank. At
the meeting on the  15th they will set the agenda and discuss which
decision they will  make.

Playing on the contraction theme of the whole mobilization join MGJ  as
well as other groups in town like 50 Years in Enough and Jubilee USA as  we
go to the G-7 to inspect there foundation and condemn the system for  its
structural unsoundness with a expert team of inspectors working  on
education, debt cancellation, environmental justice and more.

April  16th:  Converge at the World Bank and IMF, 18th and H Sts. NW  at
Noon.  The people have served notice to the World Bank, IMF and  wealthy
elite.  Their greed and destruction will not do.  24 hours  since first
notice we will dismantle the institutions (symbolically of  course).  Come
wearing and bearing the symbols of construction, build  props, paint
banners makes signs.

*March to Dupont Circle with the  music and puppets. Once in Dupont four
construction zones will be set up in  four themes, peace and true security,
health care/housing/education, a clean  environment, and direct democracy. 
Here participants can help in the  construction of what represents these
themes. All of this will be followed by  a great benefit show with Riot
Folk!

April 17th:  More info  coming but try your best to stay in town for
Sunday. It´s going to be  great!

2. Money, Supplies, Copies O  My!

MGJ need support to pull of this year´s mobilization  off. The dedication
of wonderful volunteers can only get us so  far!

Please consider giving to MGJ via the internet. Go to our web site  at
www.globalizethis.org and click on the "donate now" icon. We also  need
in-kind contributions of paper, copies and supplies of wheatpaste  and
rollers. Contact mgj at riseup.net with any contributions you  have.

3. Outreach:

To  build for the mobilization MGJ has been busy outreaching to folks to
come and  take part in the events. But we can only do so much. If you would
like to  become a local contact and help MGJ reach out to folks around the
country  please e-mail mgj at riseup.net . We can get you some posters, fliers
either in  the mail or by e-mail. If you have access to copies we ask that
you help us  out and make copies of the fliers.

Also, there is a good chance that we  know someone in your area who could
speak at an event or do a teach-in. If  this is something you think would
be helpful or fun for your community then  let us know that too!

4.  Volunteers

What we mean by this is MGJ won´t work without  the dedication of
volunteers. If you have some time, if you have some  passion, if you have
some curiosity, if you have a talent for pulling off the  impossible then
please come out to a meeting and get plugged  in!

5. Next Working Group Meetings and  General Meeting

Outreach:
Monday February 28th 6:30pm at the 50  Years is Enough office
3628 12th St NE (12th and Otis)
Metro:  Brookland/CUA, red line.  From metro take right exit and walk down
Otis  to 12th St. Contact: hope, hope at 50years dot org

Scenario:
Tuesday March 1st 6:30pm at the  Jubilee USA office
212 East Capitol St. NE (2nd and East Capitol St.  NE)
Metro: Capitol South, orange and blue lines.  From metro walk up  1st
street cross Independence Ave. and keep walking to past the Library  of
Congress on 1st to East Capitol. Turn right and walk to 2nd. Cross  second.
The offices are in the Lutheran church of the Reformation. Enter on  the
right side of the building.
Busses: The 30´s and the 96 drop off right  by the office.

Fundraising:
Wednesday March 2nd 6:15 at St.  Stephens Church (before the general
meeting) 16th and Newton Sts.  NW
Metro: Columbia Heights on the green line. From the metro take the  north
bound 14th street exit. Walk north on 14th three blocks. Turn left  on
Newton (you can only take a left). Walk all the way to 16th. The church  is
on the corner.

General  Meeting:
Wednesday March 2nd 7:00pm at St. Stephens Church  (see directions above)

Christy Pardew
Communications  Coordinator
School of the Americas Watch
phone 202.234.3440
fax  202.636.4505
cpardew at soaw.org - www.SOAW.org

Putting pressure on U.S. oil corporation profiting
from Moroccan occupation of Western Sahara

 International campaign puts pressure on U.S. oil
corporation profiting from Moroccan occupation of
Western Sahara.

Kerr-McGee new focus of Western Sahara Resource Watch

March 3, 2005

By Friends of the Western Sahara
(friendsofthewesternsahara.org)

This week activists from twenty countries opened up a
campaign against the U.S. energy corporation
Kerr-McGee, which is colluding with the Moroccan
government to exploit the occupied Western Sahara.

The aim of the campaign is to pressure Kerr-McGee's
shareholders into forcing the Oklahoma City-based
corporation out of its dealings with the Moroccan
government.

In 2001, the Moroccan government entered into an
agreement with Kerr-McGee (NYSE: KMG) and France's
Total to explore the possible offshore Western Saharan
oil reserves. Total later abandoned its stake.

In 1975, Morocco invaded the Western Sahara. At that
time, the Western Sahara was a Spanish colony. Spain,
under pressure from the US, handed its colony over to
Morocco before the indigenous population could vote on
its own future. Although the International Court of
Justice and several UN security council and general
assembly resolution have called on Morocco to allow
the Western Saharans their right to self
determination, the monarchical and authoritarian
regime in Morocco has refused to allow a vote.

So long as the population is not allowed to vote, the
Western Sahara is officially Africa's last colony. It
is widely believed that the Western Saharans -- often
called "Sahrawis" -- would overwhelmingly vote for
independence if given the chance.

No country in the world recognized Moroccan
sovereignty over the Western Sahara, although over 70
countries have recognized the Western Sahara's
government-in-exile.

Despite Moroccan intransigence, the Western Saharan
independence movement, known as the Polisario Front,
has participated in a UN-organized peace process since
1991. Before then, the Polisario, with strong backing
from neighboring Algeria, waged a successful guerilla
war against the Moroccan occupation. The Polisario
operates from refugee camps near Tindouf, Algeria,
where a majority of Sahrawis fled in 1976 following
the brutal Moroccan seizure of their homeland.

Richard Knight, a member of the Association of
Concerned Africa Scholars and spokesperson of Western
Sahara Resource Watch, noted that "It is remarkable
that Kerr-McGee does still not understand the
political, legal and humanitarian dimensions of the
catastrophe they are inflicting to the Sahrawi people.
For three years, the company has refused to listen to
our arguments. Now we hope to get some assistance from
their shareholders."

Since Kerr-McGee signed the reconnaissance contract in
2001, Morocco has blocked the UN-supported peace
process. Morocco has even rejected a generous plan put
forward by former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker
and endorsed by the U.S. in the UN security council.
Kerr-McGee's activities have already stalled peace
efforts and contributed to rising tension between
Algeria and Morocco.

One major investor has already divested from
Kerr-McGee -- the Norwegian fund administrator
Skagenfondene has sold its 100.000 shares, taking a
two million dollar loss. Due to the massive negative
attention on Kerr-McGee's activities in the occupied
territories, they regarded the shares as too risky.
Now the government-owned Norwegian Petroleum Fund is
considering if it should sell its shares, estimated to
be worth over $7 million.

The campaign requests the shareholders to play a role
as active investors, influencing KMG not to renew its
contract with Morocco on May 1st. If the constructive
shareholder pressure does not succeed in changing the
KMG policy, the campaign demands the investors to
divest.

COMING SOON ON THE BARRICADES:  EU SUMMIT IN LUXEMBOURG

It seems the government has decided to hold the official european council for the heads-of-state in Brussels (Belgium), probably because of logistical and security reasons. All other councils and meetings will take place in Luxembourg-City. Where will the countersummit and the protests take place? In Luxembourg. Mainly in Luxembourg-City and in Esch/A. Where will the official Council be?  Why then not protest in Brussels? First, because there is already be a demonstration in Brussels on March 19th. But mainly, because it is not the heads-of-state who are the main problem for us, but the whole capitalist machinery in the background! We don't want to depend on some big-men to choose when and where to protest - we set our own agenda. It's Luxembourg who got this presidency after all, and we don't want to let it get away unchallenged. And finally, there has never been such a protest in Luxembourg, so let's just take the chance!
What kind of protest will there be?

First, there will be a camp to sleep, eat, discuss etc. Then, Action days with direct actions all around Luxembourg. Third, a central Demonstration and a Reclaim-the-streets-Party. And of course, everyone is free to organize something by himself. So there will be various possibilities to join the protest, whatever you prefer!
Who organizes the protests?
All actions you can read about on this webpage are organized by RISE. RISE assembles various anarchist, autonomous, antifascist and ecological groups from Luxembourg, Germany and Belgium 
How to get there?
Luxembourg is situated between Germany, Belgium and France, very easy to reach by train or car. It's about 360 km from Paris or Amsterdam, 210 km from Brussels, and 750 km from Berlin. There are direct train-connections from Brussels, Paris, Frankfurt etc. 

Where to sleep?
There will be a camp, serving as convergence center, sleeping-place etc. The location is not yet fixed.
Where can i get Flyers, Posters and Stuff?
Mobilization Stuff like Stickers, Posters etc. are available in the Infoshops in Esch/A and Trier, and most other well-informed Infoshops around. 

Will there be a preparation meeting in my town?
Look here to see if something is planned in you city. We will be touring through Germany, Luxembourg & Belgium for the months to come. If we don't show up in your town, feel free to organize something yourself . You can mail us and maybe we can help you - or just get all the information you need from this webpage (more will be available
soon)

Fight Governance - Create Alternatives
Together against the EU-Summit 2005!
On the 1st of january 2005 Luxembourg has the Presidency of the EU.
Apart from Brussels and Strasbourg, Luxembourg is the third european capitol and residence of numerous EU-institutions, among them such an unknown as the EURODAC, the central registration file of all applicants for political asylum.  In the tradition of the protests against the EU-summits of Nice, Göteborg, Bruxelles, Thessaloniki, etc, we want to take the summit as a chance to communicate our protest against the ruling politics to the public our protest in an effective way.  RISE is a network of undogmatic organisations, groups and individuals from Luxembourg over and above that. Apart of the usual forms of protests we want to further develop theory and action, initiating new discussions and elaborating self-organised means of protest. In doing so we want to emphasize the following three basics:
1)Anticapitalism: The actual capitalistic economy, which represents the ruling paradigm of the EU, creates constantly more inequality, poverty and ecological destruction. We don't believe in capitalism with a "human face", we want to fight for an alternative economical system, which replaces wage labour&profit by solidarity and free evolvement.
2)Self-Determination and Emancipation: Instead of the existing repressive state we want a society based on solidarity and a self-determined cooperation. We want to pack up with patriarchal, racist, antisemitic, and all other all manifestations of discrimination. Let's get back our lives!
3)Anti-Nationalism: We don't challenge the EU because it is a supranational organization which caves our so-called "national sovereignty" or destroys imagined "national identities". For us the nation state is no alternative to the capitalist globalization. We refuse to identify ourserlves with nationstates as we fightfortress europe The battles for liberty must aim the destruction of frontiers and not their reconstruction!
The EU as a political structure of governance is a consequence of the modern capitalist development. It forms a block, which satisfies the increasing requirements of capitalism, in an economical, military political aspect. The logic of the EU is the logic of neoliberalism. Human beings which are no longer usefull in an economical way are deported, social rights are attacked and civil-rights abolished. In the domain of international politics, the EU follows a strategy of militarisation and hegemony as well.  Our protests don't intend to picture the EU as the only root of all evil. The EU is just one of many institutions in the net of governance, but we want to use the increased attention and opportunity of mobilisation evoked by the EU-summit, to communicate our conviction on the streets.

Which form for which protest?
With our actions we want to break up with deadlocked protest rituals and create new ways of actions. We want to unify a colored mulltitude of resistance on a common base. For us such a base is:
- the refusal to delegate our right of self-determination to parties and governmental institutions
- anti-authoritarian based self-organization and autonomy of the movement
- direct action, civil and social desobedience.
... we don't aim at a logic of military escalation or those orgies of violence conjured and stage-managed in many cases by media and police. We don't want an atmosphere of violence, but an atmosphere of liberation, and we will demonstrate unmistakeably, that neither our heads nor the streets will ever be under control.
It is particularly important to create - beyond pure street-protests - a space for meeting, discussion, reflexion and self-determined planning. Facing the increasing repression by the state on the occasion of classical demonstrations we need to fight for own alternatives to the existing system. A first step in this direction is the idea of a self-organized, alternative and anticapitalist campaign-camp. In this context we figure the following project:
1) A self-determined circle for reflexion and action, which makes it possible to express our political opinion and especially to point out our alternatives. That means: grassroots democracy, selforganisation, civil disobedience etc. We want that such a space provides at least rudimentaly the oportunity to exercise social and politic experiments beyond the capitalist society.
2) A space of meeting and coming together for the multitude of diversest social and political fights with the oportunity of exchange and networking of the diversest strategies of resistance, nets and perspectives.
3) A space of disussion and evolution, in which also 'critical' topics are discussed, which are handled to often peripherally, like antisemitism and antizionism as well as disussions about gender or animal 'rights' and others. As groups and individuals on this plattform we want to bundle powers and unify perspectives of resistance to express sustainably our protest concerning the EU-summit 2005.
http://www.eurotop.tk/

FORTHCOMING EVENT

April 15-17 World BANK/IMF MOBILIZATION UPDATE!!!

Washington DC
Date:3/24/2005 
From:mgj at riseup.net

Caution a Better World is Under Construction!
Protest the Spring Meetings of the World Bank and IMF
April 15-17, 2005 Washington DC
www.globalizethis.org - mgj at riseup.net

FLASH BULLETIN! It's true: Paul Wolfowitz, the mastermind of the Iraq war, looks
set to be the next President of the World Bank! How much clearer can it be that
the aggressive military policy of the Bush Administration is part of the same
system as the economic policies of the World Bank and IMF? After bombing Iraq
and occupying it with soldiers, Wolfowitz is now entrusted with the task of
dropping economic bombs on the rest of the Global South, and occupying their
governments with economic "advisers."

If you've ever protested against the Administration's Iraq war policy - or the
World Bank and IMF - you need to be in Washington in April. Show that we
understand the next step in the process of brutalizing and dominating the
Global South (and beyond).  The World Bank and IMF's economic policy is war by
different means!

Show that we demand, and are already building, a better world! The April 16,
2005 meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank will
represent the five year anniversary of the first major demonstrations against
these institutions in the United States. Again we will gather in the streets of
D.C. on A16 to show that our resistance to these institutions and their greed
only grows stronger. A16 will once more be the day we show that our dreams for
a better world are not only possible, but under construction at this moment, in
all corners of the globe- and the IMF and World Bank, with all their efforts to
demolish these dreams and actions, can never stop us.

IN THIS WEEK'S UPDATE::

1)    What has MGJ been up to?
2)    Put the "scene" in scenario,
3)    And the "act" in action!!
If that sounds like fun wait till you hear about:
4)    Housing for you & your friends!!
5)    Legal training for anyone and everyone who wants to protest!!
6)    Upcoming Meetings and Events

========================================================

1. In case you were wondering.

MGJ has been up to some really neat-o stuff.On Saturday we all gathered and made
props for A15-17 - huge hammers, silly screwdrivers, big bulldozers (well.you
get the idea).We got busy with a bunch of cardboard and have some pretty
awesome props to show for it.  We're planning on handing `em out at the demos,
but you know the saying "the more the merrier".feel free to make as many props
as possible and bring `em along!!!
In other MGJ news.we've been a'wheatpasting (yes, again) and would love to get
some materials to ya!  We would be happy to send you an outreach packet with
fliers both large and small as well as some information about the mobilization,
maps, literature, whatever you need.  E-mail mgj at riseup.net and let us know what
we can do!!

If prop making and wheatpasting aren't your style, perhaps a little game of Red
Rover would interest you!  Gather some friends, line up on the sidewalk, and
chant "Red Rover bring economic injustice over" (or something of that ilk) and
then the side of inequity (with IMF/World Bank impersonators) can send over one
of their horde.only to be summarily rejected and trounced by the side of justice
and solidarity which can reply "Will we accept 'em? NO we reject 'em!!"  Its
fun, fun, fun - we tried it at our AFTA protest and won over the crowds.

Speaking of Red Rover, why don't we move on to.

========================================================
2. Putting the "scene" in scenario.

As many of you may already know our theme for this year's demonstrations is::
A BETTER WORLD IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION!!
Our scenario has been shaping up nicely, so here's a little re-cap.

April 15th: Gather at the Treasury at Pennsylvania Ave. and 15th St. NW @ 12
noon where the G-7 Finance Ministers will be meeting.

Come wearing hard hats, with tools, banner, lots of energy, and ready to call
for a people's inspection of the G-7, the foundation upon which the Bank and
Fund stand.  Is it structurally sound?? We have our debts OOPS, I mean doubts!

April 16th: Turn your back on the Bank and Fund and Build a Better World!!!

Converge at the World Bank and IMF, 18th and H Sts. NW at Noon.  The people have
inspected the G-7, the foundation of the Bank and Fund and now will declare them
structurally UNsound.  Their greed and destruction will not do.  They cannot
stand on such shaky ground for long - come and help bring them down
(symbolically of course)!  Come wearing and bearing the symbols of construction
and re-building; build props, paint banners makes signs.  MGJ will demolish the
symbols of empire and raise up representations of the world we ARE
constructing!

March to Dupont Circle with the music and puppets. Once in Dupont construction
zones relating to peace and true security, health care/housing/education, a
clean environment, and direct democracy will be set up for exploration,
interaction, and inspiration.  Here participants can help in the construction
of what represents these themes.  Music, food, and play will follow.

April 17th: Let the Construction Begin!

Join with DC community organizers in a day of community service. Several special
projects are in the works and will be announced soon.  Let's show that a better
world is under construction right here in DC!!

Sounds like fun doesn't it?  Well, why don't you join in and,

=========================================================
3. Put the "act" in action?

MGJ supports autonomous direct action and knows its value in the struggle for
social and economic justice.  MGJ is here to help you realize your vision for
A15-A17!  Let us know what you need - contact mgj at riseup.net.

To spice up your actions, you could always bring a puppet!!  MGJ would like to
announce that we will have a puppet factory up and running from April 11th to
April 14th.  If you are interested in coming out and helping out (either for
your actions or for ours) please e-mail mgj at riseup.net!

In case you don't see what you need here, please let us know how we can help! 
MGJ is here to make sure you have access to the resources you need - we are
happy to help put your affinity group or organization in touch with legal and
medic support.  We are also happy to assist your group in acquiring resources
such as maps, calendars of official events (WB and IMF events) and supplies.
MGJ will also put your group in touch with local radicals working on media if
you want media to be aware of your action. E-mail mgj at riseup.net with any
questions.

If you're coming to town here's what you can expect::

========================================================
4. HOUSING::

We want you to come and stay with us!!  Mass housing is available from 5:30 pm
the night of Friday, A15 to 8 am the morning of Saturday A16, at St. Stephen's
Church, 1525 Newton St. NW (16th & Newton NW) (see below for parking and
directions).  St. Stephen's can accommodate several hundred folks - if you plan
on using it, please let us know how big your group is:: e-mail
a16dc at mutualaid.org.

DIRECTIONS to ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH:
DRIVING: http://www.saintstephensdc.org/directions.html
PARKING: Street Only!  The parking lot is for the residents of the neighboring
buildings.  You can also park at most suburban metro stations, many of which
are just off the beltway.  See::
http://www.wmata.com/metrorail/daily-parking.cfm for more info and
http://www.wmata.com/metrorail/systemmap.cfm for a map designating stations
with parking lots.
METRO: From the Columbia Heights (Green Line) station walk north on 14th St,
turn left on Newton St, and walk until you reach 16th.
Entrance in back.

Mass housing for Saturday A16 is still being worked out - if you think you're
going to need space please let us know at a16dc at mutualaid.org.

For those of you traveling in small groups please use the housing boards at
www.a16dc.org/boards

There are hostels in the area as well (some of them are really great too!).  A
list of hostels in the DC area is up under the "Coming to DC?" link at
www.globalizethis.org -- check it out if you feel like this is the option that
best suits your needs.

Everyone who wants to come to town should be able to so.if you are coming to DC
and have some extra room in your car/van/plane/train please, please, please
sign up to share on the rideboard at www.a16dc.org/boards.  If you need a ride
the rideboards are a great place to look!!

==========================================================
5. LEGAL LEGAL LEGAL::

***The legal hotline will be posted soon - keep on the lookout***

Alright everyone its training time!!  Legal training is an important component
of preparing to take our struggles to the street.  The Mobilization for Global
Justice and the Justice and Solidarity Collective are providing trainings so
that everyone, each individual or an appointed legal person from your affinity
group, can be prepared to take care of themselves and their loved ones while
out on April 16th.  There will be three separate training sessions, each
offering a know your rights component, a street legal component, and a jail and
court solidarity component.  MGJ encourages anyone and everyone to come to one
of these trainings.

For additional information on your rights and what you can expect if you/your
friends get arrested please feel free to e-mail mgj at riseup.net.  Also, as of
April 4th 2005, www.justiceandsolidarity.org will have updated informational
materials posted.  The dates, times, and locations of the trainings are listed
below.  If you have any questions feel free to e-mail mgj at riseup.net.  Hope to
see you there!

Legal Training:: Session 1::
April 11:: 6-9pm:: Flemming Center:: 1426 9th and P Sts. NW
Metro:: Mt. Vernon Square/Convention Center on the yellow and green lines and
Shaw Howard University on the green line.  The Flemming Center is wheelchair
accessible.

Legal Training:: Session 2::
April 14:: 6-8pm:: St. Stephens Church, 16th and Newton Sts. NW
Metro: Columbia Heights on the green line. From the metro take the north bound
14th street exit. Walk north on 14th three blocks. Turn left on Newton (you can
only take a left). Walk all the way to 16th. The church is on the corner.  There
is wheelchair access at the back of the building.

Legal Training:: Session 3::
April 15:: 6-8pm:: St. Stephens Church, 16th and Newton Sts. NW
Metro: Columbia Heights on the green line. From the metro take the north bound
14th street exit. Walk north on 14th three blocks. Turn left on Newton (you can
only take a left). Walk all the way to 16th. The church is on the corner.  There
is wheelchair access at the back of the building.

**NOTE: As of Monday, April 4th the Justice and Solidarity Collective will have
updated informational documents at their website, www.justiceandsolidarity.org.

DISCLAIMER: Materials are for general informational purposes only and should not
be relied upon for legal advice.  MGJ and the Justice and Solidarity Collective,
as well as the distributors of this information, are not responsible for any
action taken after reading this sheet or attending these trainings.  If you
have a legal question you should consult an attorney in your jurisdiction
regarding your particular circumstances.

=========================================================
6. PLUG-IN OPPORTUNITIES::

MGJ would love it if you and your friends would like to come and plug-in with
us.  You can come to meetings to get involved and to get ideas.we look forward
to seeing you!!

Upcoming MGJ events::

FRIDAY, MARCH 25TH 7-9pm:: FUN(d)raiser @ the Blueroom, 2321 18th St. NW
Washington DC 20009.  Come out to support the mobilization while enjoying the
entertainment of the DC Guerilla Poetry Insurgency and other local artists! 
Suggested donation of $5.00 @ the door.
For more info e-mail mgj at riseup.net

THURSDAY, APRIL 14th time TBA:: Dead Prez w/ Head Roc @ Café Mowanaj, 624 T St
NW Washington DC.  Tickets $15.00 @ the door.
For more info e-mail mgj at riseup.net

Upcoming MGJ meetings::

Sunday, March 27, 11:00am - FUNDRAISING WORKING GROUP MEETING (AND
BRUNCH!)
The Asylum, 2471 18th Street.  In Adams Morgan, very close to the intersection
with Columbia, on the same side of the street as Madam's Organ.
For more info: catherinebenedict at earthlink dot net

Sunday, March 27, 2:00pm - MAILING PARTY
615 Kenyon Street NW (near Georgia Ave.)
For more info: catherinebenedict at earthlink dot net

Tuesday, March 29, 5:30-7:30pm - SCENARIO WORKING GROUP MEETING
                               7:30-9:00pm - OUTREACH WORKING GROUP MEETING
Jubilee USA office
Take the orange or blue line to Capitol South metro stop.
Walk straight up (north) 1st. St. until you get to East Capitol (about Two
Blocks) Turn right. Walk one block to 2nd St. Cross the street staying on East
Capitol. The address is 222 East Capitol St. NE in the Lutheran Church of the
Reformation on the left side of the street. Enter on the left side of the
building. Just ring the buzzer. You can also take the red line to Union
station. Out of the station get on Mass. Ave. Walk east to 2nd St. Turn right.
Walk 4 blocks to East Capitol St. Turn left.
For more info: mgj at riseup dot net

Tuesday, March 29, 8:00pm - HOUSING/LOGISTICS WORKING GROUP MEETING
Jubilee USA office (see directions above)
For more info: scolnik at gmail dot com

Wednesday, March 30, 7:00-9:00pm - MGJ GENERAL MEETING
St. Stephens Church, downstairs in the dining hall
(16th and Newton St. NW, Washington DC)
>From the Columbia Heights metro walk north on 14th, turn left on Newton and walk
until you reach 16th. Enter on the side closest to 16th Street.
For more info: mgj at riseup dot net

Sunday, April 3 - PROP MAKING PARTY
Time and location TBA

Friday, April 15, noon-1:00pm - ACTION AT THE MEETING OF THE G-7!
US Treasury, 15th and Pennsylvania NW
Join the inspection team as they issue a notice to the Group of 7
countries
that the system they control is structurally unsound.  Demand 100% debt
cancellation!

Friday, April 15, 6:30pm - LOCAL TO LOCAL CONNECTIONS: LINKING
COMMUNITY ISSUES GLOBALLY
St. Stephen's Church, 16th and Newton NW
Join activists working on community issues in Washington DC as well as activists
from the Global South for a night of sharing struggles, ideas, and solidarity!
For more info e-mail mgj at riseup dot net

***We can't wait to meet you and march with you!!  See you in April***

Americas Watch Alert!  

Mobilize for Coca-Cola's April 19th Annual  Shareholders' Meeting!
Campaign to Stop Killer Coke  Alert

From: _stopkillercoke at aol.com_ (mailto:stopkillercoke at aol.com) 
Web: _http://www.killercoke.org_ (http://www.killercoke.org/) 

We are calling on all our supporters to mobilize for Coca-Cola's  annual 
shareholders' meeting, which will be held on Tuesday, April 19th,  starting at 
10:30 a.m. The meeting is being held at the Hotel DuPont in  Wilmington, 
Delaware, the site of last year's annual meeting.  
The annual meeting is the only place one can challenge face-to-face  the 
chief policy-makers of the company - the top executives and board of  directors. 
By having a strong presence inside and outside the meeting, we also  serve a 
warning to the stockholders, creditors and other potential investors  that they 
will be held accountable for the irresponsible actions of this  company. 
Finally, the annual meeting can provide a platform to get our message  to the 
media. 

ALSO COMING SOON(ISH):  Protest against WTO in Hong Kong
http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=13&ItemID=7391

Protest the Forbes global CEO conference - Sydney, Australia

http://melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2005/03/89909.php

Stop Caterpillar - 13 April

http://www.catdestroyshomes.org/article.php?id=132

SILLY STORY

Graffifi it violent, say Scottish Parliament goons

http://news.scotsman.com/politics.cfm?id=270842005

http://www.dirtyjokes.com/jokes.php?joke_id=533&cat_id=7

Title: Bush Intelligence Test  

While visiting England, George W. Bush is invited to
tea with the Queen. He asks her what her leadership
philosophy is. She says that it is to surround herself
with intelligent people. He asks how she knows if
they\'re intelligent.

\"I do so by asking them the right questions,\" says
the Queen. \"Allow me to demonstrate.\"

She phones Tony Blair and says, \"Mr. Prime Minister.
Please answer this question: Your mother has a child,
and your father has a child, and this child is not
your brother or sister. Who is it?\"

Tony Blair responds, \"It\'s me, ma\'am.\"

\"Correct. Thank you and good-bye, sir,\" says the
Queen. She hangs up and says, \"Did you get that, Mr.
Bush?\"

\"Yes ma\'am. Thanks a lot. I\'ll definitely be using
that!\"

Upon returning to Washington, he decides he\'d better
put the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee to the test. He summons Jesse Helms to the
White House and says, \"Senator Helms, I wonder if you
can answer a question for me.\"

\"Why, of course, sir. What\'s on your mind?\"

\"Uh, your mother has a child, and your father has a
child, and this child is not your brother or your
sister. Who is it?\"

Helms hems and haws and finally asks, \"Can I think
about it and get back to you?\" Bush agrees, and Helms
leaves. He immediately calls a meeting of other senior
senators, and they puzzle over the question for
several hours, but nobody can come up with an answer.
Finally, in desperation, Helms calls Colin Powell at
the State Department and explains his problem.

\"Now look here Colin Powell, your mother has a child,
and your father has a child, and this child is not
your brother, or your sister. Who is it?\" Powell
answers immediately, \"It\'s me, of course, you dumb
ass.\"

Much relieved, Helms rushes back to the White House
and exclaims, \"I know the answer, sir! I know who it
is! It\'s Colin Powell!\" And Bush replies in disgust,
\"Wrong, you dumb ass, It\'s Tony Blair!\" 

> A sexy woman went up to the bar in a quiet rural
> pub... She gestured alluringly to the bartender who
> approached her immediately. She seductively signaled
> that he should bring his face closer to hers. As he
> did, she gently caressed his full beard. 
> 
> "Are you the manager?" she  asked, softly stroking
> his face with both hands. "Actually, no," he
> replied. "Can you get him for me? I need to speak to
> him," she said, running her hands beyond his beard
> and into his hair. "I'm afraid I can't," breathed
> the bartender. "Is there anything I can do?" 
> 
> "Yes. I need for you to give him a message," she
> continued, running her forefinger across the
> bartender's lips and slyly popping a couple of her
> fingers into his mouth and allowing him to suck them
> gently. "What should I tell him?" the bartender
> managed to say..
> 
> . "Tell him," she whispered............
>  
>  "There's no toilet paper, hand soap,  
>  or paper towels in the ladies room ! "

Is this the site of Robert Kilroy-Silk's new party?

http://www.vanitasparty.com/

Become a Republican

http://www.thefrown.com/things/becomerepublican/

"Born in the USA".

Bruce Springsteen

Born down in a dead man's town
The first kick I took was when I hit the ground
You end up like a dog that's been beat too much
Till you spend half your life just covering up

Born in the U.S.A.
I was born in the U.S.A.
I was born in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A.

Got in a little hometown jam
So they put a rifle in my hand
Sent me off to a foreign land
To go and kill the yellow man

Born in the U.S.A.
I was born in the U.S.A.
I was born in the U.S.A.
I was born in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A.

Come back home to the refinery
Hiring man says "Son if it was up to me"
Went down to see my V.A. man
He said "Son, don't you understand"

I had a brother at Khe Sahn fighting off the Viet Cong
They're still there, he's all gone
He had a woman he loved in Saigon
I got a picture of him in her arms now

Down in the shadow of the penitentiary
Out by the gas fires of the refinery
I'm ten years burning down the road
Nowhere to run ain't got nowhere to go

Born in the U.S.A. 

OINK!  - Thanks for Class War for these:
Daft Cops
If They Had Brains, They Would be Dangerous!  Welcome to Class War's regular round up of buffoonery from the boys in blue. As usual, this column of the paper was the easiest to fill!

Diplomatic Protect Unit
Its nice to know that senior officers in this team are capable of taking the sort of hard decisions management is paid for. When PC Amoreena Adams was suffering from depression they temporarily suspended her firearms licence. However a stroke of genius from senior officers saw her later posted to the armoury at the Territorial Policing HQ on Victoria Embankment, where she shot herself. Bang on!

Northumbria - Bungling cops who kicked down a door in a 3.30am raid found
they were at the right address but the wrong town. Officers who went to Berwick Road Gateshead about a disturbance should have been five miles away in Wallsend, Newcastle. Northumbria police blamed confusing reports for getting the wrong town but later denied they had left the first house unsecured. Confused reports? Confused plod more like!

Royal Protection Unit
It could happen to anyone. There you are, standing on a chair to close a window, and you overbalance and fall. What can we say to the unnamed officer, in the elite Royal Protection squad, who stumbled into a painting, gashing its canvas, and leaving the royal picture collection a million pounds worse off. Perhaps he could pay it back out of his overtime?

Surrey Police
It was doubles all round at Guildford police station, when special constable
Anthony McArdle reported for duty. You've got to be pretty desperate to be a
special, but no one could accuse McArdle of letting the job get in the way
of his social life. When breathalysed at the station he was found to be a
whopping four times over the limit and sadly his career as a police offisher
is over. Never mind Anthony, you might find people start talking to you
again now, and you will certainly have a lot more time to spend down the
pub.

Greater Manchester Police
Its farewell also to PC Gary Hart, who resigned from GMP after being convicted of picking up a prostitute whilst on duty in his police car. Hart, who took the women to the unmanned Castle Street police station even failed to pay her the agreed £20. In his defence he claimed that he was not kerb-crawling but "gathering intelligence on drink-drivers". A long career as a security guard beckons Gary!

Avon and Somerset Special Branch
We know that Britain is safe from terrorist attack as long as we have men of this calibre to protect us. When the singer in Clash tribute band London Calling sent a text message suggesting some changes to the lyrics of "Tommy Gun" he did not expect to be pulled in by anti-terrorist police. After Mike Devine sent the message to the wrong number he was visited at work by police officers concerned that that he was plotting to hi-jack an airliner. The officers eventually left Mr Devine alone after he showed them the relevant lyrics on a Clash website. Al-Qaeda must be quaking in their boots!

Cambridgeshire
Look out for PC Scott Haston, who tried to clear his slate in the station canteen using a forged £20 note he had seized from a supermarket. Witty Haston then tried to pass it off as a joke, until he found himself laughing all the way to Peterborough Crown Court. Can a career in the Fraud Squad be far away?

Now this one impressed even hardened cop-watchers at Class War HQ. When a group of six officers from the Territorial Support Group were sent to calm crowds in Soho, they found themselves dealing with a mob leering and cheering in the direction of a large van, where a porn film was apparently being made. Always willing to put themselves into the firing line, two hardy officers entered the van, truncheons at the ready. As concerned officers made frantic calls to enquire if they needed assistance, it soon became clear that something had indeed popped up. All was quickly revealed when the film "Horny Policeman" appeared on the internet, at http://www.hornypoliceman.net/. The two officers concerned now have a great deal more time to pursue their acting careers, as they are suspended on full pay. As Class War's always said - their brains really are in their trousers!

Premier League Scum 

Kilmarnock Prison, run by Premier Prison Services Ltd, is Scotland's only private prison. Its officers though, are as big a set of bastards as any HMP in England or Scotland. In August David Allen, a 44 year old former supervisor at the jail was jailed for two years for planting heroin on an inmate during a cell search. A junior warder, John Robertson, who was with him during the search received 300 hours community service. Lets hope that whichever jail Allen is doing his time in, every prisoner knows precisely who he is.

An old Arab lives close to New York City for more than 40 years. He would love to plant potatoes in his garden, but he is alone, old and weak. His son is in college in Paris, so the old man sends him
an e-mail. He explains the problem: Beloved son, I am very sad, because I can't plant potatoes in my garden. I wish that you  were  here to help me dig up the garden. I love you, your father

The following day, the old man  receives a response e-mail from his  son: Beloved father, please don't  touch the garden. It's there that I have hidden 'the THING'. I love you too, Ahmed

At 4pm the US Army, the Marines, the FBI, the CIA and the Rangers  visit the house of the old man, take the whole garden apart, search every inch, but can't find anything. Disappointed they leave the house.

Another day later, the old man receives another e-mail from his son.
Beloved father, I hope the garden is dug up by now and you can plant 
your potatoes. That's all I could do for you from here. I love you, Ahmed

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