The Film, The Last Mountain, Premiers in L.A. Today!

From www.grist.org

In the heart of Appalachia, a battle rages over the fate of the last great mountain: A mining giant wants to obliterate Coal River Mountain for the coal that lies inside. Meanwhile local families fight to defend their community, their heritage, and their futures.

The mining and burning of coal is at the epicenter of America’s struggle to balance its energy needs with environmental and public health concerns, so the daring solution proposed by this small Appalachian community quickly takes on national significance. And when Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. joins Appalachian families and activists, harnessing the power of citizen democracy to fend off the extraordinary and insidious power of Big Coal, the conflict flares.

The film The Last Mountain follows waitresses, college students and former marines taking extraordinary risks to stave off the Coal Industries lobbyists and politicians, sparking a revolutionary fight to save Appalachia — and our collective future.

Watch the film's trailer here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8WpxjwxGns

Thoughts and questions for the weekend...

The Supreme Court has ordered the release of more than 33,000 California inmates. This ruling comes in response to incredibly overcrowded prisons across the state that have only gown more inhumane through the past 20 years of critique. Will this action help unravel the atrocities of the prison-industrial complex, and pave a greater path for ideas revolving around therapeutic treatment of prisoners to treat them and educate them rather than tax people to continue frivolous and racially based incarcerations? Especially those with minor infractions?

http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/retroactive?akid=1989.484908.N6idfB&rd=1&t=4


A hate filled ruling came down for the state of Arizona recently that once again proclaims economy and corporate business interests are more important than the people who help keep this country running. Read this ridiculously toned piece and imagine what ripples certain (small) businesses will face in light of this ruling.

http://blog.heritage.org/2011/05/26/us-chamber-v-arizona

Then click on this link to regain your sanity, http://altopolimigra.com

What will it take for Israel and Palestine to recognize each other's right to be?

What lessons can be drawn and are still forming in regards to the continued uprisings in Syria, Yemen, and the greater Middle East?

What Are The Root Causes of "Terrorism"?

In the wake of the killing of Osama bin Laden we must ask ourselves this question. We must also ask where is justice when one rejoices a "job well done and served" by killing another. Why are there still troops in Afghanistan? What shift must take place in order for humans to stop fostering war as a way to "control" life?

We're the most evolved species on the planet. Even though we know things like war, racism, destruction of the environment, homophobia, and the like are created by humans unnecessarily, they still persist. When will an evolution take place where leaders rise above the past to create the possible future? When we look at some views in the media rejoicing the death of bin Laden, proclaiming it as a victory for the U.S., patriotism, and the war on terrorism, we must recognize that offing this leader of extremism is not a battle won in the "war" for peace.

Several thought provoking pieces to further question the mentality of victory in this case as well as ponder the future steps needed to move toward actualized Holistic Sustainability.

http://www.democracynow.org/tags/osama_bin_laden

A Clear Case of Environmental Racism

Join the Rally in Tauranga to support Elvis and the stand he made to protect our waters from deep sea oil drilling.


Fri 29 April - 12 noon - Herries Park, Tauranga
ON Saturday one of the vessels in the deep sea oil protest flotilla was boarded by police and the skipper - Elvis Teddy - arrested.

Aboard the San Pietro, Elvis and his crew including te Whanau a Apanui tribal leader Rikirangi Gage were stationary and fishing in their customary fishing grounds as they have done for generations. Yet the police, with navy support, chose to ignore their right to defend their waters and fish, and instead acted on behalf of the foreign oil interests. (You can hear their last radio broadcast here -http://www.stopdeepseaoil.org.nz/audio.html -it's powerful stuff).


Elvis will appear in court at 8.30am tomorrow (Friday 28 April) in Tauranga. The other flotilla boats have entered Tauranga harbour to support their fellow skipper for his appearance in court. We are inviting all our supporters in the Bay of Plenty and elsewhere to stand beside Elvis Teddy and show appreciation of his bravery in defence of our treasured oceans from the dangers of deep sea oil drilling.

If you can make it to Tauranga please join us, bring a placard and bring a friend for a peaceful gathering at 12 noon, Herries Park, Central Tauranga [map]

If you can't make it, leave a message of support online here-http://www.stopdeepseaoil.org.nz/message.html .

The flotilla will also take on provisions before returning to the deep ocean of the Raukumara Basin to continue protesting deep sea oil exploration and drilling.

No Deep Sea Oil - Clean Energy Now!

- Nick and the crew


PS The Flotilla Needs More Boats!
If you've got a boat and capable crew and you want to join the flotilla email flotilla@greenpeace.org.nz

PPS There is already an Elvis Teddy Facebook page and talk of a t-shirt so watch this space!


http://www.stopdeepseaoil.org.nz/message.html

Solidarity with Australasia and beyond...

Believers in Movements for Peace, Justice, and Sustainability Unite!

Read On...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 


April 12, 2011


CONTACT:Food Not Bombs cofounder Keith McHenry

575-770-3377 menu@foodnotbombs.net

FEDERAL COURT RESTRICTS FOOD NOT BOMBS RIGHT TO CALL FOR REDUCTION IN MILITARY SPENDING AS THE GOVERNMENT CUTS VITAL SOCIAL SERVICES

The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta Rules City Of Orlando can restrict Food Not Bombs Free Speech to twice a year per public park. Volunteers to defy order and urge global resistance by sharing food and literature in public spaces. In an outrages decision during the debate on federal spending priorities the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the City of Orlando can restrict Food Not Bombs from seeking to build public support for the funding of social services using savings from reductions in the military. The need to have as much impact as possible on the issue of redirecting military spending towards healthcare, education, food and other social services has never been greater. To restrict Food Not Bombs to expressing their message to two days a year per city park not only deprives the cities hungry of desperately needed food and reduces the ability of the all volunteer group to communicate with the community. The Citizens United court ruling allows military contractors unlimited "free speech" while this ruling restricts the publics attempt to counter the devastating message of Citizen United to twice a year in each location. Food Not Bombs is an all volunteer project that shares free vegan meals and literature at regular times in high visibility public location to inspire community discussion about ending poverty and hunger. The impact of experiencing volunteers sharing food with the hungry under the banner Food Not Bombs with literature about changing our national priorities is very powerful. Restricting this powerful expressive message to twice a year and force the hungry and public to search for the meal and message is a violation of our basic right to free expression. Nearly half the federal budget is spent on the military while 17 percent of American's go hungry each month and teachers are being laid off. The United States is spending over $700 billion this year which is nearly half of the world's total military budget. Military contractors and their supporters are free to spend as much as they want to influence the public and Congress to increase their profits while Food Not Bombs is being restricted to sharing its message. The Obama administration and Congress just agreed to cut vital social programs, increase military spending at a time when millions of people are facing hunger, homelessness and extreme poverty. Food Not Bombs is likely to defy this ruling and urge the public to join them in increasing the groups visibility and distribution of food and information.

### Court upholds Orlando's homeless feeding rules

By GREG BLUESTEIN - Associated Press ATLANTA -- A federal appeals court on Tuesday tried to strike a balance in a debate over a Florida ordinance that restricts feeding the homeless at city parks, saying giving food to the needy in public spaces was protected by the First Amendment but efforts to regulate the gathering by Orlando lawmakers were reasonable.The decision by the full 11th Circuit Court of Appeal comes after lengthy litigation over the 2006 Orlando ordinance, which required groups to get a permit to feed 25 or more people in parks in a downtown district. The rules also restrict the groups to two permits per year for each park.Orlando Food Not Bombs, a group of political activists who believe food is a fundamental human right, claimed in a lawsuit that the restrictions violate freedom of speech and religion. The city countered that the restrictions were needed to protect parks and disburse large gatherings, as routine mass feedings would strain city resources and cause safety problems. A federal judge originally blocked the city from enforcing the ordinance, but a three-judge appeals panel partially reversed the ruling on a 2-1 vote. In a rare move, the full 11th Circuit decided to review the case and both sides offered oral arguments in February.The court's 10-0 decision - one judge abstained - said that the mass feedings were "expressive and entitled to some protection under the First Amendment." But the decision said the city didn't violate free speech rights because there was no outright ban on the feedings or restrictions targeting political rallies or other expressive activities."The city has a substantial interest in managing park property and spreading the burden of large group feedings throughout a greater area," the ruling said, "and those interests are plainly served by the ordinance."

--- http://www.ca11.uscourts.gov/opinions/ops/200816788op2.pdf

Read more: http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2011/04/12/1536545/court-upholds-orlandos-homeless.html#ixzz1JMlEPylm

Diversity Inc.

An interesting interview on NPR lead me to this link: http://www.diversityinc.com/department/105/Ask-the-White-Guy/ I see many good questions that foster useful dialogue for our purposes of promoting peace, justice, and sustainability. We should delve deeper in this...

Do you live in Southern Califonia? Support FNB in LB 3/17

A message from the Long Beach, CA Food Not Bombs Chapter:

Hello all fellow FnB-er, near and far!
My name is Kyle Veremans. I volunteer in Long Beach and I am putting on a fundraiser and food drive for our group. I am sending this email to every chapter that has a website listed in CA for FnB in hopes that some of you can make it out to show your support and/or help me spread the word about this event to optimize our success. Also if you would like info on getting your own fundraiser and/or food drive happening I'd love to help!
Here is the event info!

\\

FnB ST. PATTY'S DAY PINCH (name subject t change, suggestions??)

Long Beach Art Works and Robots And Angels proudly present a St. Patricks Day Food Not Bombs Fund Raiser and Charity Food Drive. March 17th at The Blue Café Underground (217 Pine Ave. DTLBC) Featuring an installation of the electrifying and mind-blowing 3D light Art of Dave Wrathall (davewrathall.org) and live music all night.



The Florida Orange Band 9:30

myspace.com/thefloridaorangeband



Papercrown 10:30

facebook.com/pages/Papercrown/166527316691566?v=wall



Iceplant 11:30





Fox and Bear 12:30

http://www.myspace.com/foxbearband



DJ Rahfee Zahkee and a special surprise DJ!




$5 with a can of food or $10 w/o a can of food (so bring a can, dummy)



21+ w/ drink special all night. Doors open at 9pm



Wear your most green outfit/costume for a chance to win the costume contest



Proceeds will go to the Long Beach Food Not Bombs, which feed the homeless community healthy meals every week here in Long Beach.



“Food Not Bombs shares free vegan and vegetarian meals with the hungry
in over 1,000 cities around the world to protest war, poverty and the destruction of the environment.” (www.foodnotbombs.net/)



Party hard while making a direct difference in your community!

Thank you for all your support, One love!



//


Thank you for your help and long live FnB!!!!!

Sincerely,
Kyle Veremans
310.908.3177