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PITTSBURGH’S PEACE AND JUSTICE NEWSPAPER Published by the Thomas Merton Center
VOL. 41, No. 4 May & June, 2011
The Sad Toll of Gun Violence in Pittsburgh ~ Michael Drohan On Saturday April 30, 2011, Pittsburgh Interfaith Impact Network (PIIN), The Black Political Empowerment Project (B-PEP), the National Council for Urban Peace and Justice, and CeaseFirePA organized a Rally and March against the proliferation of guns and gun violence in the city of Pittsburgh and beyond. The event began at Freedom Corner in the Hill District opposite St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church with upwards of 150 people in attendance. The event took place just as the National Rifle Association was holding its annual meeting with 65,000 people in attendance at the Convention Center Downtown. This latter event reflects the extraordinary adulation of guns bordering on idolatry with the motto of their event being ―Acres of Guns and Gear.‖ It makes it hard to escape the conclusion that the US is a country deeply in love with guns the consequences be damned.
The anti gun violence rally and march advertised their event under the banner ―Acres of Illegal Guns =Acres of Death‖. The organizers were very careful to underline that they were not against guns or gun possession per se but against the illegal possession of guns and its consequences. The NRA sees any restrictions on gun possession, background checks or denying possession of guns to people with criminal records as an infringement of the Second Amendment of the Constitution. Furthermore, despite the enormous power of the gun lobby and the NRA in particular, they portray themselves as a persecuted minority under threat. They also turned down any dialogue or conversation with the organizers of the rally and march. In fact, the event took place precisely because of the outright refusal of the
Photo by Philomeana Day Families confront the NRA convention in Pittsburgh on May 7-8th.
NRA to talk about curbing illegal possession of guns. continued on page 7
The New Persons Award 2011 ~ Bette McDevitt What can you say about an event that draws about 100 people to the lower cavern of the very gracious East Liberty Presbyterian Church, on a Tuesday night, offers them good food and excellent ―activated‖ company, an event that leads off with the Raging Grannies clambering up onto the stage to sing their original fracking song, followed by Mike Stout and his band with their original fracking song, with Mike jumping in the air on the downbeat? It has to be great, and so it was. The event was the Thomas Merton Center 2011 New Persons Award, April 26, and the awaardee was the Marcellus Shale Protest Group, a coalition of western Pennsylvania groups who confront what several speakers called the greatest risk to our public health in our history. In concise presentations, Jessica McPherson of the Protest Group,
and Peter Wray of the Sierra Club, spoke of the risks and the dangers of this type of drilling. Loretta Weir of Munhall, a member of the group, recalled how she became an activist for this cause. ―I went to one meeting, heard about the 'Halliburton Loophole' created by Dick Cheney and I was hooked. I went home and couldn‘t sleep. I drank coffee all night.‖ The Loophole she refers to dates back to 2004. Remember when Cheney wouldn‘t reveal who was invited to the ―energy‖ meeting at the White House? That was when they devised the plan that removed the rights of the EPA to regulate hydraulic fracturing under the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Clean Water Act and the Superfund Act. ―I always told my kids that my yelling and screaming would come in handy one day.‖ She credits Alex Lotorto, of East Liberty, with setting up a meeting at the local Elks Club that gave birth to that local group.
Brigit Shields, chosen along with Loretta Weir, to accept the award on behalf of the group, said they have all taken on a full time job. ―This is an amazing group of people, gaining recognition on a national and international scale.‖ She pointed out, with a nod to her husband, Councilman Doug Shields, that Pittsburgh is the first city in the country to prohibit fracking, a story that has gone global. Doug Shields, to great applause, presented the Merton Center with a proclamation, praising both the Merton Center and the Protest group, that named April 27 Marcellus Shale Protest Group day in Pittsburgh. It is not often that the Merton Center finds itself on the same side of the issue as local, state or any government. Courtney Smith, Diane McMahon and Wanda Guthrie spoke on behalf of the Merton Center, and Guthrie presented the group with a Peace Pole, with wise sayings imprinted
on it. Guthrie pointed out one that comes from the Quakers ―Let Your Life Speak.‖ Marty O‘Malley wound up the evening with a fund raising appeal that started in the usual manner. He told about the founding of the Center, in the 1960‘s, a story we all know. Then he threw in a few zingers, with his own dry wit. ―Those people who founded the Center are now old, sick, and dying. Some of them are dead already. That‘s why we need YOU, you young people in the audience, to join the Merton Center, and take over the responsibility!!‖ He told them to pick up the envelope on the table, put in fifty bucks and drops it off at the Merton Center. ―I guarantee you, that if you do that, you‘ll be accepted as a member of the Merton Center.‖ So who will replace Marty? No frackin‘ way, as they say in the movement.
TMC works to build a consciousness of values and to raise the moral questions involved in the issues of war, poverty, racism, classism, economic justice, oppression and environmental justice. TMC engages people of diverse philosophies and faiths who find common ground in the nonviolent struggle to bring about a more peaceful and just world. April, 2011 NEWPEOPLE - 1
PERMIT NO. 458 PITTSBURGH, PA
THOMAS MERTON CENTER, 5129 PENN AVE. PITTSBURGH, PA 15224
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TMC HOURS of OPERATION IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE THOMAS MERTON CENTER 5129 PENN AVE., PITTSBURGH, PA 15224 Phone: 412-361-3022 — Fax: 412-361-0540 — Web: www.thomasmertoncenter.org Editorial Collective Mana Alibadi, Erica Augenstein, Frank Carr, Nicole Coast, Deyja Donohue, Michael Drohan, Russ Fedorka, Rory Henc, Steven Green, Charles McCollester, Kenneth Miller, Francine Porter, Molly Rush, Florence Wyand TMC Staff, Volunteers and Interns Viv Shaffer, Office Coordinator Roslyn Maholland, Bookkeeper / Mig Cole, Assistant Bookkeeper Shirley Gleditsch, Manager, East End Community Thrift Store Shawna Hammond, Manager, East End Community Thrift Store Dolly Mason, Furniture Manager, East End Community Thrift Store TMC Board of Directors Casey Capitolo, Kathy Cunningham, Michael Drohan, Mary Jo Guercio, Wanda Guthrie, Edward Kinley, Shawna Hammond, Jonah McAllister-Erickson, Charles McCollester, Diane McMahon, Jibran Mushtaq, Francine Porter, Dominique Reed, Chadwick Rink, Molly Rush, Courtney Smith, Carole Wiedmann STANDING COMMITTEES Board Development Committee (Recruits board members, conducts board elections) Building Committee Oversees maintenance of 5123-5125 Penn Ave. Development/Membership Committee Organizes fundraising and outreach events and researches funding Editorial Collective Plans, produces and distributes The NewPeople Finance Committee Plans for financial stability of TMC Personnel Committee Develops staffing policies Technology Team Provides technical advice and assistance to TMC Special Event Committees Plan major TMC events in a collaborative manner and within the current budget. Events include The New Person Awards in May, and the Thomas Merton Award Dinner in November. These committees also report regularly to the TMC Board.
TMC PROJECTS and CAMPAIGNS Anti-War Committee info@pittsburghendthewar.org www.pittsburghendthewar.org
Literacy for Ziguinchor 724-549-4933, elainekuhar@gmail.com
Book‘Em (books to prisoners) bookempgh@gmail.com www.thomasmertoncenter.org/bookem
Pittsburgh Anti-Sweatshop Community Alliance 412-867-9213
CodePink (Women for Peace) codepinkpgh@aol.com, 412-389-3216 www.codepink4peace.org
Pittsburgh Campaign for Democracy NOW! 412-422-5377, sleator@cs.cmu.edu www.pcdn.org
Conscience 412-231-1581 www.consciencepgh.blogspot.com
Pittsburgh Works! (labor history documentaries) connections05@hotmail.com
Demilitarize Pittsburgh: War-Profiteering Education & Action Network 412-361-3022, info@demilitarizepittsburgh.org www.demilitarizepittsburgh.org
Roots of Promise 724-327-2767, 412-596-0066 rootsofpromise@gmail.com (Network of Spiritual Progressives) spiritualprogressives.pgh@gmail.com
10 am — 3 pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday CONTACT INFORMATION General information ..................... www.thomasmertoncenter.org/contact-us/ Or info@thomasmertoncenter.org Submissions .................................. newpeople@thomasmertoncenter.org Events & Calendar Items ............. www.bit.ly/tmcevents
In this Issue Page 4
Book ‗Em Pittsburgh declared 5th Human Rights City
Page 5
Vandana Shiva and the Rights of Mother Earth War Protests
Page 6
Cultural Recyclists Torture and Abuse In PA State Prison
Page 7
Labor in the 1960s and 1970s
Page 8
Tax Day Rally Citizen Action Is Winning Some Battles
Page 9
Are Progressives Too Stupid To Win American Dream Has Gotta Go
Page 10
Schenley Oval Gathering The Tribune-Review‘s Environmental Editorials
Page 11
TMC Corner
TMC AFFILIATES and FRIENDS The Africa Project 412-657-8513, peterokema@gmail.com www.africaproject.net Allegheny Defense Project, Pgh Office 412-559-1364 www.alleghenydefense.org Amnesty International info@amnestypgh.org www.amnestypgh.org Association of Pittsburgh Priests Molly 412-343-3027 molly.rush@verizon.net The Big Idea Bookstore 412-OUR-HEAD, www.thebigideapgh.org Black Voices for Peace Gail Austin 412-606-1408 Citizens for Global Solutions 412-471-7852 amy@wfap.org Citizens for Social Responsibility of Greater Johnstown Larry Blalock, evolve@atlanticbb.net Haiti Solidarity Committee jrothermel@pittsburghfoodbank.org, 412-271-8414 www.thomasmertoncenter.org/hs
412-563-1519 lisacubasi@aol.com Pgh Independent Media Center info@indypgh.org www.indypgh.org Pgh North Anti-Racism Coalition 412-367-0383 Pgh North People for Peace 412-367-1049 Pgh Palestine Solidarity Committee info@pittsburgh-psc.org www.pittsburgh-psc.org Raging Grannies 412-963-7163, eva.havlicsek@gmail.com www.pittsburghraginggrannies.homestead.com Religion and Labor Coalition 412-361-4793 ojomal@aol.com School of the Americas Watch of W. PA 412-371-9722, soapittsburgh@gmail.com United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE) 412-471-8919 www.ueunion.org
Diversity Footprint (art, justice, community) draw3rd@verizon.net
Pittsburgh Darfur Emergency Coalition jumphook@gmail.com; www.pittsburghdarfur.org
East End Community Thrift Shop 412-361-6010, shawnapgh@aol.com
Sustainable Living Project landslide@riseup.net, 412-551-6957
PA United for a Single-Payer Health Care (PUSH) www.healthcare4allPA.org Molly Rush molly.rush@verizon.net
Veterans for Peace Icwheaties@aol.com
Economic Justice Committee economicjustice@thomasmertoncenter.org
Three Rivers Area Medics (TRAM) 412-6419191 or thefunnysmith@yahoo.com
Pittsburgh Area Pax Christi 412-761-4319
Voices for Animals voicesforanimals@gmail.com 1-877-321-4VFA
Human Rights Coalition / Fed Up (prisoner support and advocacy) 412-802-8575, hrcfedup@gmail.com www.thomasmertoncenter.org/fedup
Urban Arts Project mbbpgh@yahoo.com
Fight for Lifers West 412-361-3022 to leave a message fightforliferswest@yahoo.com http://fightforliferswest.mysite.com Food Not Bombs pittsburgh_fnb@yahoo.com http://fnb-pgh.2ya.com In Sisterhood: The Women’s Movement in Pgh 412-621-3252, pmulbrich@yahoo.com
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Pittsburgh Progressive Notebook Call 412-301-3022 for more info The Palestine Film Festival Call 412-301-3022 for more info Murrysville Marcellus Community Group Wanda Guthrie 724-327-2767 murrysvillemarcellus@gmail.com
Pittsburgh Committee to Free Mumia 412-361-3022, pghfreemumia@gmail.com
Urban Bikers urbanbikes@yahoo.com
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) Karen 412-521-7187 edith.bell4@verizon.net
Pittsburgh Cuba Coalition
TMC MEMBERSHIPS These are organizations or coalitions in which TMC has formal membership, including payment of dues to and fulfillment of other agreed-upon responsibilities as an organizational member Abolition 2000: W. Pa. Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons 724-339-2242 / danfine@igc.org Pennsylvanians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty 412-384-4310, osterdm@earthlink.net
NRA Turns A Deaf Ear To Families Of Gun Victims ~ Molly Rush, Thomas Merton Center Board Member The National Rifle Association, which held its national convention in Pittsburgh was greeted with cries of ‖Let‘s Talk‖ from marchers carrying 100 signs with the names and ages of person killed by guns last year and this year. The NRA, which speaks loudly in the halls of Congress, turned a deaf ear to appeals from families of Americans killed or injured by gunfire. A full page ad in the Post-Gazette, signed by families of victims from thirteen states, invited NRA‘s head, Wayne LaPierre, to meet with Tom Mauser of Littleton CO, Omar Samaha, whose sister Reema was one of the Virginia Tech victims, Randy Garner who survived the Tucson shooting and Rev. Glenn Grayson of Pittsburgh whose son Jeron was shot in California PA.
These checks take about two minutes. Two minutes to save a life – thousands of lives – is well worth it.” As Pittsburgh police chief Nate Harper put it, ―It‘s not about the Second Amendment, it‘s about common sense.‖ At a tear-filled service and rally at Freedom Corner, the historic gathering place for hundreds of civil rights, peace, and justice marches, blacks and whites prayed together for an end to gun violence. Then they marched to the Convention Center. ―Let‘s Talk‖ they shouted. Mr. LaPierre. The events were organized by PIIN, the Pittsburgh Interfaith Impact Network and CeaseFirePA.
Photo by Philomeana Day
―We are not politicians,‖ the ad read. ―And we are not interested in a debate on the Second Amendment. In fact, some of us are longtime gun owners ourselves. We are the families of Americans who were murdered or injured by killers who should not have had guns…. We have a simple goal we want to make sure the instant gun background check system, which the NRA has supported, is effective. Unfortunately, right now it‘s not….
The family of Rev. Glenn Grayson, pastor of Wesley Center AME Zion Church and past president of PIIN, continues to mourn the loss of their son, uncle and brother Jeron, who was shot and killed on October 17, 2010
Photo by Philomeana Day Valerie Dixon whose son Robert was shot to death in 2001. She continues to work with other families of shooting victims.
Abu-Jamal‟s Death Sentence Ruled Unconstitutional Further Appeal May Delay Re-sentencing Hearing ~ Martha Conley, Attorney The Third Circuit Court of Appeals found on April 26, 2011, for the second time, that Mumia Abu-Jamal is entitled to a resentencing hearing because of flawed jury instructions during the penalty phase of his trial for the murder of police officer Daniel Faulkner, in Philadelphia in 1981. The current Philadelphia District Attorney, Seth Williams, has reportedly decided in consultation with the widow of the slain officer to petition the U.S. Supreme Court to reinstate the death penalty. If the U.S. Supreme Court refuses to hear the case, the Philadelphia D.A. will have 180 days to schedule a resentencing hearing or the sentence will remain a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Although Federal District Judge Yohn technically vacated his death sentence in 2001, Abu-Jamal has remained in solitary confinement on death row. Abu-Jamal is currently represented by Attorney Judith Ritter of the Widener Law School and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. In responding to this most recent court ruling Ritter said, ―Each of the four federal judges that has reviewed Mr. Abu-Jamal‘s case has found his death sentence to be unconstitutional. The Third Circuit‘s most recent opinion reflects a detailed analysis demonstrating that their unanimous decision is well-supported by Supreme Court precedent. We believe this carefully reasoned analysis will stand.‖
Unfortunately, the Pennsylvania and Federal Courts have steadfastly refused to revisit the guilt phase of the trial despite ample evidence of judicial bias, police misconduct, and prosecutorial misconduct including improperly eliminating blacks from the jury. Contrary to statements by the Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police, Abu-Jamal has steadfastly maintained his innocence. It is unfair to evaluate this case out of context. Abu-Jamal‘s ordeal began at the age of 15. As he describes it, he was ―…kicked into the Black Panther Party‖ by the Philadelphia Police. He was named Minister of Information for the chapter and wrote articles for the newspaper, The Black Panther. As a result, he became the target of the Counter Intelligence Program (Cointelpro) of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and The Philadelphia Police Department‘s Civil Defense Bureau, which worked closely with the FBI. He remained under surveillance until at least the time of his incarceration for the murder of Philadelphia Police Officer, Daniel Faulkner. His FBI file released to date under the Freedom of Information Act amounts to over 800 pages. Despite years of constant surveillance Abu-Jamal had no criminal record or hint of violence in his background at the time of his arrest in 1981. Abu-Jamal left the Black Panther Party after two years in 1970 and began preparing himself for a career in radio journalism. He worked for various radio stations in the Philadelphia area,
became known as ―the voice of the voiceless‖ and was eventually elected president of Philadelphia‘s Association of Black Journalists. Abu-Jamal was a constant critic of the vicious tactics of Mayor Frank Rizzo and gained the enmity of the Philadelphia Police Department because he wrote articles sympathetic to the commune, MOVE which had taken up residence in Philadelphia. Amnesty International in its 2000 report A Life in the Balance The Case of Mumia Abu-Jamal pointed out that in 1979 the U.S. Justice Department filed a lawsuit against Mayor Rizzo for condoning police brutality. The report stated: ―During Frank Rizzo‘s eight years as mayor, fatal shootings by Philadelphia police officers increased by 20 per cent annually. In the year he left office, 1980, fatal shootings declined 67 per cent.‖ Because of his support of MOVE, AbuJamal lost work at local radio stations and began driving a cab to support his family. He was in possession of a gun because he had been robbed twice while driving his cab. Significantly, the police failed to conduct very basic, routine tests which, if positive would have directly linked him to the crime. Thus, the police never connected Abu-Jamal‘s gun to the crime (perhaps because they knew it had not been fired). Fully one third of the police officers who were involved in the investigation of the Faulkner murder
were later indicted, served time or resigned under a cloud of suspicion for manufacturing evidence, extorting money, intimidating legitimate witnesses, paying witnesses to testify falsely and testifying falsely in court. Most significantly, the prosecutor never informed the jury that there was a third person at the scene of the crime who had been identified as the shooter in a lineup by one of the witnesses. Numerous other instances of police misconduct, prosecutorial misconduct, clear judicial racial bias and poor legal representation infect this case. Precedents applied in other cases however, are inexplicably not applied by the Pennsylvania and Federal Courts in Abu-Jamal‘s case. The Fraternal Order of Police in Philadelphia has vigorously opposed a new trial for Abu-Jamal and has supported a ―Kill Mumia‖ campaign in Philadelphia to counter the large ―Free Mumia‖ campaign around the world. Given the evident corruption and misconduct in this case it is not surprising that the F.O.P. would oppose reopening the case as it threatens to expose, yet again, the dysfunction of the criminal justice system in Pennsylvania. A system which Pierre Sane, Secretary General of Amnesty International in 1997 stated was worse than Georgia, worse than Alabama and worse than Mississippi…‖one of the most racist and unfair in the United States.‖
April, 2011
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Book „Em Confronts the Unimaginable, Book by Book ~ Suzanne Powell A friend recently said, ―Hell for me would be a day without a book.‖ I couldn‘t agree more, as I can‘t even wait for a bus without pulling out something to read. All of us who work with Book ‗Em do so because we love books and can‘t imagine being locked in a cell, for year after year, without anything to read. The United States has nearly 24% of the world‘s prison population and spends over $68 billion a year on incarceration, yet little of that money goes towards libraries or education. It is left to groups like Book ‗Em to provide as many men and women as possible with reading material, as most facilities prohibit inmates from receiving books from family or friends. Using volunteer labor and private donations of books and money, we are usually able to mail about 160 packages per month.
On Martin Luther King Day we teamed up with Amachi, the mentoring program for youth with incarcerated parents, to choose and wrap books for prisoners in Pennsylvania. It took an entire van to transport dozens of boxes of books from our workspace in the basement of the Merton Center to the conference center in the Strip District. Close to 100 volunteers poured in from across Pittsburgh: symphony musicians and their families, young adults with Pittsburgh Cares and Americorps, and most importantly, the children and mentors from the Amachi program, who reminded us all why we were supporting the neglected population locked away in prison. The initial chaos of confusion, questions, and conversation settled into an efficient process of invoiced books being passed to wrappers who then passed the packages to addressers. Meanwhile, new letters were sorted and marked with the
restrictions required by individual prisons. Steadily the piles of books diminished, and four hours later we were left with 40 postal hods containing over 1500 books wrapped in 600 packages. The finances and logistics of mailing that many hods created a challenge for our small Book ‗Em team, but finally, three months after the event, the last packages were mailed to a group of grateful prisoners. We are now back to our routine of reading letters, packing books, rechecking addresses, and mailing 3 or 4 hods a week. There are always several hundred requests waiting to be filled, but we know that the books will be welcomed whenever they arrive, and will be read and passed on to other inmates in the facility. This handwritten letter from Thomas, an inmate in Houtzdale, Pennsylvania, says it all: “Hello. I hope this letter finds all my dear friends at Book „Em happy and healthy. I received my 1st five
books about 6 months ago. I read them all cover to cover. They were like a miracle to me, see I am indigent, with no family. As a result I have no TV. But that‟s OK because I love to read. I have since passed those books on to friends and they promised me they would do the same. The work you guys/ gals do really does enrich the daily lives of prisoners. Keep up the good work. If you have any more books they would be cherished by my friends and me.” Letters like this one keep us going at Book ‗Em, knowing that we make a difference in the lives of incarcerated men and women. Contributions of time, books and most importantly - money are always welcome. Please join us! Book ‗Em packs books from 3-7pm on Sundays at the Thomas Merton Center, located at 5129 Penn Avenue.
Pittsburgh declared 5th Human Rights City in the US by Scilla Wahrhaftig , AFSC Pennsylvania Program Director Through the work of the American Friends Service Committee‘s Racial Justice Through Human Rights (RJTHR) youth group, Pittsburgh City Council passed a resolution declaring Pittsburgh the 5th Human Rights City in the country. Pittsburgh will be joining cities around the world who are actively working to protect the human rights of their citizens. The RJTHR youth group was initiated by the AFSC PA Program and has been partnering with Pittsburgh Cares, Pittsburgh Young Leaders Academy. The 13 youths in the program were racially, culturally and geographically diverse. They included people from small towns, from suburbia, from the Northside, the Southside, the West and the East. They came from suburban schools, inner city schools, schools that were majority African American and schools that were majority white. One student was homeschooled. We had Muslim, Jewish, Catholic, Unitarian and other main line denominations in the group. The idea of calling on Pittsburgh City Council to commit to respecting the human rights of all the citizens came out of the learning experiences the youth have been getting, on understanding racial inequality and human rights. The first step in this process was to have Pittsburgh declared a Human Rights City. A Human Rights City is one in which the human rights of all it‘s citizens are respected and where the citizens 4 - NEWPEOPLE
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as well as the City Council work towards the betterment of living conditions in that city. Pittsburgh would be joining U.S. cities such as Washington DC, but also cities around the world, in this effort. The RJTHR youth wrote letters, made calls and met with their City Council representatives. Maya Rosen, one of the youths, wrote to her Councilman, ―I am writing to propose making Pittsburgh a Human Rights City. A Human Rights City is one whose residents and local authorities participate in ongoing discussions and creative exchange of ideas in order to more fully understand human rights. When these ideas are incorporated as a way of life, they assist in identifying the issues and informing the actions in our local government, for meaningful, positive economic and social change. Pittsburgh would become the fifth Human Rights City in the United States, joining other Human Rights Cities around the world where inhabitants have undertaken ongoing learning with the understanding that human rights are central in bringing forth a viable vision and mission for the 21st Century.‖ Around 40 high school youth from the Pittsburgh Young Leaders Academy joined the Racial Justice Through human rights youth on April 19th at City Council to be part of the proclamation ceremony. Five of the RJTHR youth accepted the Proclamation and spoke about their hope and concerns for the future of Pittsburgh. One young woman spoke of Pittsburgh being like a train
station. People come from all over the rights in Germany that led to the world to visit and live, and how Holocaust. It really brought home important it is for us to be an example to the world and live up to our morals. One of the youth spoke about the bus cuts. She has to take two city buses to school and is concerned that she may not be able to get there on time. Jobs were another concern as these young folk look at their future in Pittsburgh. Finally one spoke for the need for safe communities. He talked about Photo by Philomeana Day a time he Students from the Pittsburgh Young Leaders attended a sports event Academy celebrate City Council‘s human right‘s that ended in a riot. resolution. After the proclamation ceremony, the youth gathered on the steps of the City Council building and all 30 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights were read. Then the youth scattered out in groups and interviewed people on the streets to find out what they knew about human rights. One of the people interviewed was a Holocaust survivor who stressed the importance of protecting everyone‘s rights. She spoke of the slow whittling away of people‘s
why we were doing this. In presenting the Proclamation Councilman Patrick Dowd, who had met with two of the youths, commented that he was impressed that they were not content with just getting the proclamation passed but already thinking of the next steps to implementing human rights in Pittsburgh.
Vandana Shiva And The Rights Of Mother Earth ~ Michael Drohan The recipient of the Thomas Merton Award for 2011 on November 3 is Vandana Shiva, a well-known promoter and advocate for what has come to be called the Rights of Mother Earth or Pachamama. On Earth Day April 22, 2011, she was in at the United Nations in New York City as a central figure in the campaign to get the United Nations to make a declaration entitled The Universal Declaration of the Rights of Mother Earth. This declaration is modeled on the 1948 declaration of the UN entitled The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. According to Ms. Shiva, the UN is still far from unanimity on this issue and to have it declared by the body as a whole will take some time. The movement to have this new declaration of the rights of Mother Earth marks a revolutionary transition in regard to human consciousness and our relationship with other sentient creatures and with the earth itself. The genesis of the movement to have this new declaration ratified and passed has a fairly long prehistory but its most recent development traces itself to a meeting in Cochabamba, Bolivia in April 2010 of the World Peoples‘ Congress on the Environment. This Congress was, if
Dr. Vandana Shiva will receive the Thomas Merton Award on Nov. 3rd at the Sheraton Station Square
one wishes, a Peoples‘ version of the United Nations Conference on Climate Change which took place in Copenhagen a year prior to the Bolivian one. The inspiration for this initiative came from the Bolivian people and other peoples of the Third World who historically have had a more wholesome relationship with the rest of nature than have Western cultures. According to Shiva and her collaborators, it is not just a metaphor to speak of nature as having rights. She maintains that the earth and all the creatures of the earth have inherent rights and are not dependent on humans to grant them those rights. We simply have to recognize them and respect them. This approach goes against a long history of domination
of nature and a philosophy that looked on the rest of nature as something just put there for human use and domination. It goes back to the Old Testament creation myths according to which God created all the creatures of the earth to be dominated over and used by ‗man‘.
Shiva also speaks of ―earth democracy‖ according to which the earth and all that is in it has to be recognized as partners in the decisions made. The effects of human action on the environment and nature cannot be considered as mere ―externalities‖ that humans do not take into account in calculating the costs of the things they produce and their effect on the environment. From this what she calls the commodification of nature or the claim to ownership by patenting of the other species, seeds, plants and so on, is repugnant. The earth and all that inhabits it cannot be bought and sold as they do not belong to any human or group of humans. We are
part of nature in a condition of codependency and inter-dependency. We abuse other creatures and the earth at our peril and eventually a price has to be paid for our actions and abuse. We have to cease thinking of ourselves as above nature, she declares, and have to recognize that we are a mere part of nature with rights coequal to that of other creatures. A related cause that Shiva is involved in is the defense of Dr. Binayuk Sen, a pediatrician in the Chhattaisgarh State, who is accused of sedition. The supposed sedition consists of collaboration with the Naxalite Maoist movement in that state. According to Shiva, however, the real problem of the State is the defense of the tribals by Sen and their resistance to international capital inroads on the rich agricultural and mineral resources. He was imprisoned for several years but received bail on April 15, 2011. Vandana Shiva‘s presentation in Pittsburgh will be of interest to all of us interested in social justice and the environment, as she makes the connections between the political, economic and industrial actions which have reaped havoc on the planet.
Protests On The Anniversary Of Iraq And Afghanistan Wars ~ Michael Drohan and Pete Shell The Thomas Merton Center Anti-War Committee (AWC) and allies have been busy organizing protests around the anniversaries of these seemingly endless wars. On Saturday March 26, the Committee held a march and rally in Lawrenceville, Pittsburgh called ―Make Jobs Not Wars!‖ On Saturday April 9 it took a bus to New York City to take part in a national protest against the wars. On March 19, 2003 the U.S. commenced hostilities against Iraq, so this year‘s march and rally marked the eighth anniversary. The Afghanistan war began in October 2001, making it the eleventh year and the longest war ever undertaken in US history. The toll of these wars is growing more horrendous: cost of both: $1.183 trillion; Iraqi casualties: 1.421 million; U.S. service personnel casualties in Iraq: 4,766 and NATO casualties in Afghanistan: 2,416. The rally and march in Pittsburgh on March 26 brought out about 250 people in front of the Teamsters Hall on Butler St. in Lawrenceville. The rally at the beginning heard words lamenting the diversion of massive funds towards war while social services such as public transit, education, and health care are neglected. It was pointed out that recently the city had lost 35 of its bus routes. The crowd listened intently as TMC board president Diane McMahon articulated the board‘s opposition to the just-beginning air attacks on Libya. Peace and Justice rock troubadour Mike Stout as well as the Raging Grannies animated the participants with their raging anti-war songs.
which we are grateful. A march followed the rally along Butler St. where businesses and residents showed their support. It ended up at the Dough Boy Monument at Butler and Penn Avenues with inspiring wrap-up speeches. As an active member of the UNAC (United National Antiwar
There were some challenges in organizing the march in NYC. The mainstream media almost completely
the Taliban in Afghanistan. The contrast could not be greater. The violent mode of change imposed by the US in the countries mentioned has entailed enormous social and financial costs. But worse still, these wars have brought little but havoc, misery, and unending violence to these unfortunate peoples. The AWC will be actively organizing additional campaigns and protests in the upcoming period, emphasizing the impact that these horrendous wars and occupations have on people‘s lives, both abroad and at home:
We are launching a campaign to get a City Council resolution passed to Bring the War Dollars Photo credit unavailable Home. Our goal is to get it introduced in October. Pittsburghers mark 8 years of war in Asia. We will support and participate Committee), the AWC in the Other Wars actions that are felt it important to participate in the refused to cover the story, despite being called by the national group national rally and march in NYC on giving prominent coverage to Tea Black Is Back for August 20. They April 9, which called for and end to Party rallies of 200 people. Many are calling for local actions wars, occupations, and Islamophobia. who participated in the antiwar throughout the country to emphasize Although not as large as the Bush era marches in earlier years are hesitant the other wars in African (such as marches, it was an important part of to criticize Obama and the Pakistan and Yemen) that the U.S. is rebuilding a democratic, Democrats. The Thomas Merton involved in, as well as the war on multicultural, and principled antiwar Center and the Anti-War Committee people of color and the poor and movement. Organizers estimated that have important roles to play in approximately 10,000 people helping to build coalitions against the working class. We are planning to organize an attended, making it the largest wars and campaigns to bring the war antiwar action on October 15, the antiwar rally in years. There was a dollars home. date of the attack on Afghanistan, significant turnout of Muslim and called by UNAC, USLAW (US Labor Arab Americans thanks to the effort This year‘s protests of the wars in Against the World), and other groups. of the newly formed Muslim Peace Iraq and Afghanistan took place in Coalition. And youth were well the historical context of grass-roots, represented. There was also a march democratic movements struggling for We urge you to get involved and help in the critical task of bringing the war in San Francisco, and sympathy and winning regime change in protests in Canada, Pakistan, Tunisia and Egypt, both of which had dollars home. For more info and to Afghanistan, and Iraq. Several been non-violent and in the space of a get involved with these campaigns, please visit activists from the Pittsburgh area mere few months had succeeded in helped out with set up and overthrowing dictatorial governments www.PittsburghEndTheWar.org volunteering to be peace marshals, for comparable to Saddam Hussein and April, 2011
NEWPEOPLE - 5
Cultural “Recyclists” put their vision on the road ~ Kevin May Our journey began after we met each other at Penn State University. Through shared dreams and aspirations, we: Amanda, Charlie, Kevin, Tina, and Will united to form the Cultural Recyclists. We began to conceptualize our bike tour, guided by a common vision of a "sustainable future." We set out from the East Coast (Delaware Bay) on June 7th, 2010. We left our skeptical parents behind as we road our loaded bikes through Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Recycling cultural objects, several of us attached bright yellow Kitty Litter buckets to our bikes, to store our gear in. Our vision was to learn, explore, and share transitions towards a more sustainable, beautiful, and healthy world. We visited all varieties of sustainability projects as we traversed North America, averaging about 50 miles a day. We believe that sustainability is not a spectator sport, so we volunteered as much as possible when we visited. We also shared pictures, videos, and blogs
throughout our journey, so that more people could learn about the cutting edge of this paradigm shift.
resources efficiently, and be happy!
We held semi-spontaneous gatherings to share food, books, and music in Oberlin, Ohio. We harvested apples at a Permaculture village in Stelle, Illinois. We wished essentially everyone we encountered a ―Happy (day of the week)‖. We layed mulch at an Ecovillage in Fairfield, Iowa. We moved a treadmill for an old man in Nebraska. We were met with kindness from diverse people all across the country. We realized that 99 out of 100 people are kindhearted and the 1 who‘s not makes the ―news‖.
We then cruised down the Coastal Highway through Oregon and California, finally accomplishing our goal of reaching San Francisco. It took us six months to complete the quest, but it felt like several lifetimes. Every day we met new, exciting people who inspired us, and sometimes cooked us food or let us stay in their living room. I can barely scratch the surface of our adventures in this essay, so if you want to SEE what we did and are doing, check out www.CulturalRecyclists.typepad.co m. We have the bulk of our pictures on www.Facebook.com/ CulturalRecyclists.
We biked all the way through Yellowstone National Park where it was snowing on September 1st! Portland was our next big stop as we neared the Pacific Ocean. We stayed in Portland for more than a week, seeing as it is abounding with Permaculture. We met a woman who teaches Permaculture, who had over 50 fruit and nut trees growing in her tiny front and backyard. Permaculture is a philosophy for meshing human life with the principles of nature, and thus allows for us to grow tons of food, use
We learned a wide range of skills on this trip and many valuable life lessons. We learned how to cooperate as a bikemadic family, using non-violent communication and having a non-hierarchical structure. We realized that most of the solutions to the world‘s problems already exist! Practices like permaculture, Transition Towns, alternative energy, natural building, holistic healing are setting the stage for an entirely new era in human existence. What will actually make this shift occur is a personal
change. We believe that changing one‘s mindset and perspective on the world is a key first step to creating a better one. We feel that we must question our cultural assumptions and belief system in order to get to the root of the problem. Throughout our journey we talked the talked and biked the bike. We believe that a more beautiful world is possible. In these times of crisis, we are hoping to inspire and learn from others to make a transition towards a more sane and happy world. We feel that the most efficient way to do this is at a community level. If you were inspired by our story, please take action in your own community, and engage your personal gifts and skills. Peace! - The Cultural Recyclists. Kevin May of the Cultural Recyclists is living in Pittsburgh now and doing community work with Transition Pittsburgh as well as various other groups. If you want to connect with the Cultural Recyclists in Pittsburgh, please email him at philopgh@gmail.com
New report details systematic torture and abuse in Pennsylvania State Prison ~ From the Human Rights Committee/ Fed Up Chapter After a year-long investigation, the Human Rights Coalition has issued a report on the conditions of incarceration for people in the solitary confinement units at the State Correctional Institution in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. The report, Unity and Courage, examines discriminatory practices of the PA Department of Corrections and portrays the efforts of a group of prisoners engaging in nonviolent and peaceful protest to demand their basic human rights. Unity and Courage documents a culture of abuse fostered by prison staff, characterized by the excessive use of force, assaults by officers, use of racial slurs, forced cell extractions, chemical gassing, destruction of legal paperwork, torture devices, and deprivation of food and water. The Human Rights Coalition began its investigation of the use of solitary confinement at Huntingdon in
December 2009, when a prisoner committed sui- habilitative programming. At Huntingdon, solicide after being denied mental health treatment by tary confinement prisoners are dependent on correctional officers to receive food, have access to prison staff. showers, exercise and law library, and to exchange ingoing and outgoing mail. With severe Prisoners began an organized campaign of resisrestrictions on outside contact and a Department tance in September of 2010, by refusing to come of Corrections abuse monitoring system that is in from the exercise yard until they could speak shielded from external scrutiny, policies and pracwith public officials about their treatment. Cortices of systemic abuse at the prison go unchecked rectional officers wheeled out canisters of chemiat the cost of prisoners' health and lives. cal spray, hosing the prisoners down until they would comply with orders to be handcuffed and ―Their goal is to stop us from speaking out returned to their cells. The prisoners were denied against them,‖ wrote Kyle Klein, ―but it will showers and medical attention for days. Some never work, not a chance in hell, or the hell we were put in isolation cells and had to sleep naked are in. Even when winning is impossible, quitting on concrete slabs. is far from optional.‖ Approximately 2,500 men and women are housed in solitary confinement units across the state. They are in small, brightly lit cells 23 hours a day, with little or no ability to communicate with family, and no access to educational and re-
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Opinion
Labor in the 1960s and 1970s ~ Nathan Eckstrand Anti-war protests. Strikes and sit-ins. Charged legislative sessions. The labor movement in the sixties and seventies is by varying degrees beloved or despised according to one‘s personal relationship with the era‘s social and political advancements or – take your pick – affronts to common sense. George Meany, head of the AFL-CIO during the decade, described the purpose of the movement as ―to better the standards of life for all who work for wages and to seek decency and justice and dignity for all Americans.‖ Nixon, on the other hand, believed the workers were moving the country towards atheism and communism. Was the labor movement of the sixties and seventies an era of achievement in regulation, legislation, and benefits, or was it a period of anti-Americanism, where the emblematic ideals of free market capitalism were abandoned in favor of bureaucratic leviathan? Does either option really capture the reality of what was going on throughout the decade? Before we can grasp the significance of the labor movement in the 1960s and 1970s, one must understand the labor movement of the previous decades, since the context of those decades helps to explain the explosion of labor activity later on. Throughout the twentieth century up until that point, with a slight profit reversal during World War II, the gap between the wages of workers and those of owners had increased regularly. From 1940-1946, profits from textile mills grew 600%, while wages only went up 36%. By the 1950s, the top 1% of individuals in the country held 31.2% of its entire wealth. Unfortunately, during that same period, while unions
made some substantial gains, for the most part ever since the early 1920s unions had been having a difficult time. The International Workers of the World (IWW) had been destroyed and its leadership locked up. Federal troops and strikebreakers were regularly brought in by the government and employers to break up strikes, boycotts, and protests. The National Labor Relations Board was stocked with business friendly politicians who made decisions contrary to the interests of the workers. Local governments were passing rules to hamper strikes and other forms of protest. And the Supreme Court passed a decision declaring sit-ins to be illegal. Despite the significant number of protests and labor activism during this period, the status of unions by the end of the 1950s was grim. The amazing levels of organization and political activism in the 1960s and 1970s changed the fortunes of labor immensely. Because of actions taken by the newly formed AFL-CIO and its affiliates, many of the benefits and safety regulations we now take for granted were finally passed. A few examples: The gnarled maze of wheels, gears, pulleys, and levers were a hazard to the young and inexperienced, who had to bear the brunt of bills for accidents incurred while working within it. Not until the landmark Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 did the government finally develop the regulations necessary to set and enforce minimal health and safety laws for workers. In the first half of the twentieth century, women faced severe economic discrimination in the workplace. During the 1950s, for example, women working full time jobs earned on average 62 cents for every dollar men earned. The classifieds
were filled with listings identifying certain jobs as only for men, and even jobs that women were allowed to work held different pay scales for each gender. The Equal Pay Act of 1963 for the first time made it illegal to pay women a different amount for the same job. Postal workers in the late 1960s were severely underpaid, some qualifying for food stamps on their meager salary. In 1970, Congress – which just the year before had voted themselves a 41% salary hike – stalled in passing a bill to give the postal workers a 5% pay raise, leading to one of the largest strikes in US history. So effective was the strike, not only did the postal workers get an 8% pay raise the next year, but they won the ability to bargain collectively and resolve conflicts through a binding arbitration process. One wonders if Scott Walker knows his history… The Civil Rights Act, the formation of the United Farm Workers Organizing Committee, the formation of the Coalition of Labor Union Women…add it all up and the picture of what society would look like without the labor movement of the 60s and 70s becomes grotesque. A look at all of this reveals why the pro-business forces in Wisconsin and elsewhere are rushing to get new legislation passed. History shows us that the labor movement, properly motivated and organized, is powerful, and when workers live without health care, living wages, collective bargaining rights, or any of the myriad of other policies the labor movement has fought for, they do not easily forget the individuals who opposed them or took them away. My guess is, come the next election, those who supported these policies will have difficulty holding on to their jobs.
The Sad Toll of Gun Violence in Pittsburgh continued from Page 1 At the rally at Freedom Corner, the testimonies of many people who had lost loved ones due to the illegal possession and use of guns was harrowing and heartbreaking. The first testimony came from Lori Hass who travelled all the way from Richmond, VA for the event. Her daughter was shot in Virginia Tech in 2007 when 32 students were killed and 17 shot and injured. Fortunately her daughter survived though she suffered shot wounds. Another testimony came from a High School Physical Education Teacher, John Rivers. He lost his younger brother in Garfield neighborhood of Pittsburgh a few years ago simply because
an assailant wanted a neck chain which he was wearing. And so testimonies followed one after the other from bereaved mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters. The pain is still with each of them as if it was only yesterday that they had lost their son, daughter, husband, wife or cousin. The march following the rally wound its way to downtown Convention Center demanding a talk with Wayne La Pierre, the National President of the NRA. Their demand was not to ban guns or in any way deny gun rights, but simply to help put in place laws or restrictions that would prevent guns getting
into the hands of people with mental problems or a known history of violence. Even this simple demand was completely dismissed by the organizers of the gun fiesta. One of the saddest dimensions of the entire event was that in response to the simple request to ―lets talk‖ participants in the NRA Conference responded ―Let‘s give them a group (middle) finger‖ and that they did do. The behavior of these NRA participants seemed to suggest that they are not simply defenders of Second Amendment rights, but also in a strange way advocates of gun violence.
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Photo by Butch Burgoon Students mark Workers‘ Memorial Day on April 28th in Market Square, in honor of those who have died on the job in the past year.
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April, 2011
NEWPEOPLE - 7
Local News
TAX DAY Rally a Success in Squirrel Hill ~ Edith Bell The April 18th Tax Rally, organized by The Women‘ s International League for Peace and Freedom and the American Friends Service
Committee, was very successful this year, bringing in plenty of people to the Squirrel Hill post office. The organizers displayed posters that showed how our tax dollars are spent, the disproportionate amount that goes to pay for past and current wars, and other disturbing facts and figures. There were signs that showed what the money could be spent on, instead. Close to 400 flyers were handed out, detailing in a pie chart the allocations for the proposed 2012 Federal Budget, showing 30% for current military, 18% for past military (together $1,372 billion), 38% for human resources, 8% for general government, and 6% for physical resources.
Photo by Molly Rush The Raging Grannies sing at the Tax Day Rally in Squirrel Hill.
People had the opportunity to demonstrate how they would like to spend their tax dollars, if they were permitted to
decide. Participants were given 10 pennies, and they distributed them as they wanted into jars, marked with different categories. These were the people‘s most popular choices: Military Industrial Complex brought in 13 cents (they specified it was for the veterans); Food, 58 cents; Housing, 71 cents; Mass Transit, 94 cents; Health Care, 99 cents; and Education brought in a whopping 128 cents. It is interesting that the average person gives education the highest priority, while our government plans to cut money for schools and universities. The Raging Grannies sang eventappropriate songs about the waste of unending taxes for bombs. ―Reinstate some sanity and turn it to humanity…where does our money go… weapons, missiles and wars,‖ were some of their lyrics.
Citizen Action Is Winning Some Battles ~ Molly Rush, Board Member, Thomas Merton Center With all the bad news coming down it‘s very easy to get depressed. I know I often wake up to what feels like a living nightmare: another young person killed by a gun; endless war in Afghanistan; the loss of our democracy to the forces of greed; attacks on programs that sustain the poor, handicapped, elderly, minorities; you name it. But then I think about how determined action has fought off or slowed down: Privatization of Medicare – even Tea Party members opposed that by huge margins; Marcellus Shale drilling: The Corbett administration has had to back off from restrictions placed on regulators and is on the defensive regarding a tax on drilling; Churches‘ changing policies re gay marriage; Don‘t Ask Don‘t Tell revoked; Strong and growing opposition to the Afghan War;
Democracy movements in the Middle East. All of these have one thing in common: ordinary people who refused to go along with the program and educated themselves, spoke out, joined with others, took action and refused to quit in the face of overwhelming odds. In the nearly forty years of the Merton Center‘s life – we opened our doors on March 12, 1972 – I have been privileged to get to know hundreds – no, thousands – of people who‘ve done just that. Yes, we‘ve lost a lot of battles, but even then we‘ve gained adherents who, over time, open new space by changing the discussion and over time, making significant change.. Center members speak to their friends, write letters, meet with legislators, donate and raise funds, go to endless meetings, organize events, prayer services, retreats and protests, initiate or join coalitions and campaigns, get resolutions passed, send out e-mails, put out messages on Facebook, Twitter and websites; promote membership in groups, write or edit articles, volunteer at the office, do trainings, speak to groups, hand out fliers, do street protests,
Information provided by Carlana Rhoten; graphics by Mana Aliabadi
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civil disobedience or act in support, and more. In our history we‘ve seen people, issues and campaigns come and go, but it‘s the stick-to-itiveness that has really made the difference. Most people have come to the Center with a particular cause. Often they‘ve made friends, learned about another issue, and then just stayed around, doing what they can. The Center is our members. Without the wide diversity of people who join and remain members, we‘d have long ago gone the way of so many other organizations. So, dear members, take a moment to congratulate yourself and celebrate the movements for change that make peace and justice come alive in our hearts and our homes. Please share your own story with us so that we can tell a more complete story of the Merton Center‘s 40 years of life and inspiration. If you are not currently a member, remember that moving from caring to action makes all the difference. Check our website www.thomasmertoncenter.org and consider joining our very special company of doers.
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Opinion
Are Progressives Too Stupid To Win??? ~ Carlana Rhoten If I were a right-winger and took a look at the Progressive Movement, I would have a good laugh and say, ―Nothing to worry about there.‖ Progressives are working tirelessly, every day. We feel overwhelmed, inside a blizzard of issues, each demanding our attention, our time and effort and our donations. We are working VERY hard, but are we working smartly? How do we spend our time? How do we communicate with the public? Most importantly, how do we communicate with the poor folks who vote conservatively, without realizing that they have voted to damage their future for themselves, their families and their friends? The answers to these questions are not pretty; indeed, they are pitiful. We keep ourselves busy attending each other‘s meetings, talking to each other and preaching to the converted.
the people who were standing on the curb. Finally, people were making speeches, wasting their breath preaching to the already converted. Big deal. These people are not the ones that need to hear these messages. The best demonstration I have seen in Pittsburgh was by an anti- abortion group a few years ago when they stood along the curb of Fifth Avenue before it runs through Oakland. They stood between 5 and 10 feet apart, which made the crowd look much larger. Their signs were well made, with high contrast and pointed TOWARD the street, where people in cars could see them. I still remember it several years later.
In contrast, Liberals clump together in small social groups, and most of their signs are pointed inward and never seen by the public. Ideally, a demonstration should be strategically designed and organized to present strength. So, even if the number of the demonstration is small, it should be We are letting the main media get away with as impressive as possible. People should be spread out along the curb, directly facing the ignoring our issues and our demonstrations. street. Or, if the police insist we keep moving, Speaking of demonstrations, we are so badly organized that anyone who happens to drive by is likewise put space between the folks walking in a probably mystified. The March 15th circle. Large or high-contrast signs should be demonstration outside the Steelworkers Building easily read and designed to photograph well, in is a good example of how NOT to do it. Most of case we do get media coverage. People in the people there were hidden on the steps or costume are attractive for media photographers. Musicians playing loud, attractive music is a nice clumped together so tightly that the crowds touch and could be provided by a boom box. At appeared smaller than it really was. Over twothirds of the signs were NOT visible to passers-by the very least, we should all come with noise because they were pointed inward, or well behind makers. Chants should be well chosen so they
will be heard and understood by anyone who hears them. (Half the time I see demonstrations, I can‘t tell what the chanters are yelling). MORE IMPORTANT than the demonstrations will be our success in communicating and educating the people who have been bamboozled into supporting the corporate sponsored conservatives. Governors and legislators are hellbent on taking us back to the period of 1880 to 1933, when the only REALLY important citizens were the fabulously wealthy. So far, we Progressives have tended to be self-indulgent, amusing ourselves with ridiculing the folks attracted to the Tea Party message. These people and the huge percentage of Independents are victims of an educational system that does not teach the history of middle class progress in the United States. And we are all victims of a main media that does not report the facts of our backslide into economic degeneration. We need to seriously confront the public with the true facts they need in order to think about the issues of our day, and in order to decide what policies will enhance or doom their future.
The American Dream Has Gotta Go ~ Michael Pastorkovich There is no "kinder and gentler" way of putting it. Right now the USA is home to around 5% of the earth's population. And we consume about 25% of the world's energy. Do the math. If the rest of the world tried to live like us, by the time 20% of the earth's population had achieved that distinction, our planet would be completely depleted of energy resources. The problem is that, thanks to the propaganda Hollywood sends all over creation in the form of movies and TV programs, much of the rest of the world DOES want to live like us. To describe the American Dream as "unsustainable" has to be the understatement of the last 4.5 billion years or so. That's the bad news. But it's not all bad news. The good news is that the desire for what is usually called "The American Dream"--you know, three cars and four plasma-screen TV sets and house in the'burbs--is not a desire set in the stone of some unalterable "human nature". Indeed, for the most part, the desire for more and more expensive toys, gadgets and novelties is the product of the Advertising Industry, which can perhaps best be described as the brainwashing division of the capitalist system. Karl Marx called it the system's "creation of artificial needs". This is often accomplished by confiscation or destruction of something that folks have been getting for free, or for a very low cost and then substituting in its place something far more expensive. Like polluting
municipal water supplies and then selling people bottled water for a buck and a half or two bucks a pop. Or by implanting within us fear and suspicion of our fellow human beings through the "if it bleeds, it leads" news media, and then offering us spectral internet "friendships" in place of real intimacy.
important things in human existence such as family, friendship, the beauty and wonder of nature, and love. In pursuing this authentic Human Dream, we just might be able to save the earth by saving ourselves.
The desire for endless diversion which the high-tech "toys" that the system cranks out promise to satisfy is in reality a "consolation" prize for the mind-deadening, poorly compensated alienated labor into which most Americans are forced to sell their souls so that they can put a "mess of pottage" on their tables, filled, of course, with high-fructose corn syrup and sodium. It is mighty poor "consolation" indeed. It is time to bid "bye, bye" to the plastic, planet-destroying "American Dream" and to put in its stead the far better dream of living a real, fulfilling Human Life. This means, among other things, refusing to accept the crumbs which the Plutocracy contemptuously throws at us and insisting upon dignified work adquately compensated Photo by Molly Rush and with benefits like Paola and Renata show solidarity at the Dream Rally healthcare and enough free on April 18th at the Steelworker‘s Headquarters. time during which we can pursue the truly April, 2011
NEWPEOPLE - 9
Huge Gathering of Hands planned at Schenley Oval ~ Susan Richter On Saturday, May 21, 2011, from 12 noon until 5 PM, a Peaceful Gathering of Hands (PGH) will occur on the big hill at Schenley Oval next to the ice rink. Organizers envision this as a gathering of all the many peace-oriented groups in our area—hopefully the largest such gathering ever. The idea for the event grew out of regular meetings of Transition Pittsburgh, often led by Kevin May, aka, Phil Osophical. Transition Pittsburgh is part of a world-wide movement aiming to open up people‘s minds to ideas of permaculture and sustainability. At a recent meeting they pondered the question: how many individuals are hoping and working for the same thing - a peaceful, equitable, healthy and abundant world, where we are connected to the Earth and treat it respectfully? They began making lists of groups working toward these aims, and it seemed never-ending. So, as one Transition Pittsburgh member explains, ―Phil Osophical — in his usual gentle and modest way—described his vision for ―the biggest Peace Gathering in the history of Pittsburgh‖. We all instantly loved the idea, and being hip to the power of intention, we began exchanging paradigm-blasting ways to merge this concept with the People of Peaceburgh.‖
The organizers of the event hope to link all these environmental, political, and religious groups with the many ―healers, artists and creative beings in our surprisingly magical city. Holding hands in a giant circle throughout the day is symbolic of the linking of hearts and minds and the creation of connection and community,‖ a group spokesperson added. Participants are encouraged to bring food, instruments, art, outdoor games, and any information they wish to share, as well as their vision for a better life. There will be no tables provided, but blankets and ―easy-ups‖ are encouraged to attract others to your creative presentation. Visualize a sunny day! Regina Rivers, of SITE (Spiritual, Intuitive & Telepathic Expansion) Night, one of the first groups to sign on, describes the event in this way: ―We're asking each group to paint a banner - or any signage of their choosing - that demonstrates how they are creating a more peaceful city. During the time between each circle we have the golden opportunity to network, getting to know others in service we haven't yet met, and sharing how we are serving the Peaceburgh community.
cle holding hands. From this circle will emerge a true realization of how many people are working for a more healthy, sustainable, peaceful Pittsburgh. At the Peaceful Gathering of Hands, the vision is for all of us to come together to declare our united vision of PEACE and abundance for all. If this is your vision as well, you are invited to join in by helping to plan or participate in your own way. Volunteers to help run the event are, of course, welcome, and please, let your favorite friends and groups know about this! As one organizer reminds us, ―This brilliant and ever-evolving journey of ideas lives on, and is open to anyone who wishes to join the process.‖ If you wish to join the discussion, please contact the author at Susan@peaceburgh.net.
The intention is to unite a diverse range of groups and people from all over the city where every hour on the hour everyone stands in a cir-
Lying while Rome burns: The Tribune-Review‟s Environmental Editorials ~ Nathan Eckstrand The editorial board of the Pittsburgh TribuneReview seems to have found a novel way to celebrate the spirit of Earth Day. Instead of considering what they could do to help solve the various environmental crises and changing their behavior accordingly, the Tribune-Review continued full speed ahead, publishing 2 editorials in the 8 days following Earth Day which castigate the government, the EPA, and environmentalists. Sadly, yet hardly unexpectedly, each of the editorials fails to reasonably consider their subject, leaving readers with a distorted picture of the facts. A quick excursion into reality easily reveals their faults. Their first editorial fantasy revolves around an issue that has been working its way through conservative blogosphere claiming that in 2005 the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) ―provided a convenient map‖ which said there would be 50 million climate refugees by 2010, and that when this claim was proven false, the UNEP ―botched an attempt to obscure the matter‖ by removing the map containing the prediction from their website. Fancifully named ―Chicken Little Exposed,‖ the editorial implies that climate change advocates can now be easily dismissed, as everyone knows that the conviction that the globe is warming depends upon the accuracy of future predictions of human migration patterns, not on present day measurements of carbon dioxide emissions and global temperatures. Completely unmentioned in the editorial is that the UNEP addressed the matter of the missing map and prediction on their website, announcing that both items were never official predictions of the UNEP but rather were produced for the French newspaper Le Monde Diplomatique, a claim easily confirmed if one looks at the map itself, which is copyrighted not by the UN but by the French newspaper. The map containing and prediction were removed not because of a conspiracy, but 10 - NEWPEOPLE
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because they were being confused as belonging to the UNEP. You would think an editorial board of a newspaper would know enough to check its sources before making such egregious claims... More important than the TribuneReview‘s false attribution, however, is whether the claim of 50 million refugees is that far off. Perhaps the exact numbers of people and areas affected were incorrect in this one estimate, but there is no question that climate change has affected millions of people across the globe. According to the Environmental Justice Foundation, climate change related disasters are responsible for the 1.5 million homes destroyed in Bangladesh by Cyclone Sidr, 20,000 people left homeless in Brazil due to mudslides in early 2011, and the evacuation of 800,000 people from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. In 2008, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs found that over 20 million people had been affected by climate-related natural hazards, a number that has certainly increased within the last couple of years. To use the Tribune-Review‘s metaphor, the only thing proven by this socalled ―controversy‖ is that climate change experts were a bit off about where the sky will fall. There is still no question, even among those who question the possibility of predicting climate-related human migration, that the sky is falling. Yet the absurdity of this editorial is dwarfed by that of the one published April 30, which argues that the EPA‘s ―behemoth‖-like regulatory powers are being misused, as evidenced by EPA administrator Mathy Stanislaus‘s claim that the EPA did not directly look at the effect regulating carbon dioxide emissions would have on American jobs. Not only is the EPA using powers it was never intended to have, claims the editorial, but it is going against one of its primary directives – to ―promote…job creation.‖ The description of the EPA as a ―behemoth‖ is particularly curious in this
editorial given that its $10 billion budget is 1/70th the size of the Pentagon‘s budget, 1/3rd the size of the Department of Energy, and is in fact a fraction of the annual income of many of the corporations it is charged with regulating. Yet, hyperbole aside, the editorial makes two major mistakes in its ―analysis‖ of the situation. First, it charges that the EPA is going beyond its bounds in regulating carbon dioxide, as carbon dioxide is never explicitly mentioned in the Clean Air Act. True enough, but the Clean Air Act does call for the EPA to ―[prevent] and control…air pollution resulting from the combustion of fuels‖ and makes allowances for new pollutants to be added to the tentative list found in the law. Any rational reading of the law would have to conclude that the writers did intend for pollutants like carbon dioxide to be controlled. The second mistake is that the EPA is at fault for not considering the effect on jobs. Unmentioned in the editorial is that the EPA did do an economic analysis of the law – just not one specifically on jobs. While it may be true that regulating carbon dioxide will lose some jobs, Congress could ameliorate the effects of such a loss by investing in sustainable alternative energy sources, perhaps in the end creating more jobs than were lost. The technology is there – all that is needed is the will. But this whole debate raises a different question. Namely, how many lawmakers do an environmental analysis every time they pass a new law? How many corporations consider the long term effect of their product upon the ecosystem? It seems that if we are going to hold the EPA accountable for their effect upon the job market, Congress and corporations should be held accountable for their effects upon the environment. Obviously, the Pittsburgh TribuneReview does not agree. But who knows, maybe World Environmental Day (June 5) will bring them the epiphany that Earth Day failed to deliver.
TMC Corner
TMC Financial Condition Stabilizes in 2011 ~ Edward L. Kinley, TMC Treasurer The early months of 2010 found the Thomas Merton Center in dire financial straits forcing the Board of Directors to make some difficult decisions regarding the structure of the Center to insure its survival. With the 2010 year now behind us it is time for an update on the current fiscal condition of the Center. The Center finished 2010 in a much more viable financial position with sufficient funds in reserve to carry the Center through the early months of 2011. There were many factors contributing to this outcome. The difficult decisions the board made to eliminate staff and to move from 5125 Penn Avenue to rental space at 5129 were major factors in stabilizing the finances. They alone, however, did not account for all the success. Another major component to this stabilization of finances has been the Sustainers Program where individuals can pledge a dedicated amount of funds per month or year to the Center. These donations have been critical in meeting the Center‘s monthly expenses. Additionally in 2010, generous TMC donors and friends of Thrifty stepped forward to replace the deteriorating roof on Thrifty, contributing a total of $13,000 at a time when the resources offered
by the store (donated clothing, coats, shoes, furniture and small appliances) are needed more than ever. The Finance Committee and our new bookkeeper have spent many hours analyzing the Center‘s financial documents and have made some changes to our monthly statements to make it easier to track more precisely where revenue is being received from and what expenses that revenue is being used to cover. All projects are now receiving regular statements regarding their funds; procedures to insure funds are distributed only to authorized representatives of the projects have been instituted. Checks, and all receipts, are being deposited in a very timely manner. Routine matters such as annual renewal of our 501(c)3 status and submission of all required government forms have been completed and the annual review of TMC finances by an outside agency is in progress. In March of 2011 the sale of 5125 was completed resulting in an influx of funds to the Center. The Board and the Finance Committee have insured these funds are safely deposited while appropriate uses for them are defined. Some funds have been spent on an upgrade of computer equipment in the office which will also benefit the projects. The expenditure of any
major component of these funds will not occur until the current visioning process is completed. With the leadership of Mary Jo Guercio, the Board has completed an update of its Mission and Vision Statements. The Board is now completing the guiding principles and value statements. Once these are completed strategic goals will be set. These goals will be utilized to guide the future expenditure of funds. The financial standing of The Thomas Merton Center is secure at this time due in no small measure to our Sustainers, contributors and members. Although we are not flush with funds we will be able to meet our expenses for the foreseeable future. The continued support and involvement of all members, friends, and associates of the TMC is critical for its long-term survival. We have made huge steps in the revitalization of the TMC to ensure our shared mission of building a consciousness of values that raise the moral questions involved in the issues of war, poverty, racism, classism, economic justice, oppression and environmental justice. TMC engages people of diverse philosophies and faiths who find common ground in the nonviolent struggle to bring about a more peaceful and just world.
Health Care 4 All PA presents its newly formed
STREET ACTIVISM GROUP * First general meeting at 6 PM on Sunday, May 8th * Street theatre and performance, general spectacle, and boldness. REQUIRED to bring light to the current unjust health system and the need for single-payer legislation to be passed ASAP.
Bring your most inspired, creative, and outlandish ideas for this casual and impassioned meeting of the minds. For more information and the meeting location contact Julie Sokolow at juliesokolow@gmail.com
MEET THE NEW NEIGHBOR! The NewPeople Interview With BEN SAKS ~ Michael Drohan
cups used at the New Person Award were provided by There are many possibilities for the space. Green Paper Products for the event). I still work with MD: How do you see your relationship with the On March 14, 2011 the Thomas Merton Center finally Green Paper Products as the Sustainability Director. neighborhood and your contribution to it? divested itself of the 5125 Penn Ave property that had BEN: The neighborhood is critical. We want to been its home since 1981. The buyer of the building is MD: What are your plans for the 5125 Penn Ave space? embrace the neighborhood and we hope that it will Ben Saks, originally from Cleveland, Ohio and the following interview tells of his plans and hopes for the BEN: The first floor of the building is already in use embrace us. I enjoy the neighborhood and it is a great space as a non-profit organization named ―Assemble‖. They place to live. Already, I have established relationships with people and businesses in the neighborhood and it can be found at www.assemblepgh.org This is an is developing slowly. organization that puts on programs in arts and MD: Tell us a little about yourself and how you technology and is headed up by Nina Barbuto, who is discovered Pittsburgh also an architect. As it says in its Mission, Assemble MD: How do you see your relationship with the BEN: I am originally from Cleveland, Ohio. As a is ―a place where one can engage one‘s intrigue Thomas Merton Center? young person I was fascinated with making things, BEN: For starters, it is unusual to have the former especially building airplanes. With this interest I came through hands on activities about art and technology while making physical and nonphysical, community owner of your property located right next door and that to CMU to study architecture. While studying the relationships between the Center and us is so good. architecture, I came to know the city of Pittsburgh and connections‖. Essentially Assemble has created a community space for arts and technology out of the I fell in love with the city and its surroundings. The We feel lucky to be in this relationship of mutual first floor. (In next issue of The New People an topography of the city, its neighborhoods, the quality friendship and acceptance. We would love to be of life and the people of Pittsburgh captured my heart. interview with Nina and her endeavor will have more invited to your events and to meet people involved details on this initiative) with the Center. Prior to buying the property, I did not Pittsburgh is special to me and always will be. I have For the second and third floor of 5125, it is a work have much contact with peace and justice centers or lived in Cleveland, Los Angeles and other American cities but Pittsburgh stands out among all these as a in progress. I will be living in part of this space and I institutions but we would be happy to learn more about am also using part of it for an office of my digital film what you do and what you are. very special place. I moved back here in 2009 after helping my father start a business called Green Paper production company called FloatFilms. We are Products which distributes bio-degradable foodworking on a documentary about flying machines service products such as cups, plates and so on ( The which can be seen at www.floatdocumentary.com April, 2011
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SOCIAL ACTION
CALENDAR
Recurring Meetings and Meet Ups SUNDAYS __________________________ Anti-War Committee meeting Every other Sunday 2:00pm - 3:30 Merton Center, 5129 Penn Ave., Garfield Book 'Em Packing Day Meets every Sunday 4:00pm - 7pm Thomas Merton Center, 5129 Penn Avenue Join others sending requested books to prisoners. Bring a group. For more info call the Thomas Merton Center, 412.361.3022 MONDAYS __________________________ Weekly North Hills Weekly Peace Vigil 4:30pm-5:00pm In front of the Divine Providence Motherhouse, 9000 Babcock Blvd., Allison Park Sponsored by the Pittsburgh North People for Peace & the Srs. of Divine Providence WEDNESDAYS ______________________ Pittsburgh Darfur Emergency Coalition Monthly Meeting Meets the 1st Wednesday of every month 5:30pm - 7:00pm Squirrel Hill Carnegie Library 5801 Forbes Avenue Meeting Room B Write On! Letters for Prisoner's rights Meets weekly on Wednesday 6:30pm – 9:00pm Merton Center, 5129 Penn Avenue, Garfield Write On! Letters for Prisoner's rights We need help answering our 60 letters a month from people in prison dealing with abuse and ne-
~ MAY ~ Tuesday, May 24 Forum: Capitalism Hits the Fan -Understanding the Global Economic Meltdown 7:30 to 9:00 PM William Pitt Union, Dining Room B University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh,PA 15260 "CAPITALISM HITS THE FAN -- The Global Economic Meltdown and What to Do About It" Filmed lecture by noted Economist Richard Wolff followed by open discussion For more information please email: leblanp1@laroche.edu Saturday May 28 Justice for Jordan Miles 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM Allegheny County Courthouse 436 Grant St. Pittsburgh,PA Join the Alliance for Police Accountability in These Crucial Protests to Demand: Prosecute Richard Ewing, David Sisak, and Michael Saldutte! Fire the Three Officers! Release the OMI report on the beating to the public! For more information: www.justiceforjordanmiles.com bsfish27@aol.com or 412-628-5849
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glect. Come and meet new people, learn about people in prison while advocating for their rights from the outside! Please bring food to share! Info 412-361-3022 PUSH [Pennsylvanian United for SinglePayer Healthcare] Meets monthly on the second Wednesday 6:15 pm Health Care 4 All PA office, 2101 Murray Avenue, Squirrel Hill All welcome Info: drdoneagain@yahoo.com Pennsylvanians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (PADP) meeting Monthly on the first Wednesday 7:00pm - 8pm First Unitarian Church (Ellsworth/Morewood, Shadyside) For more information, call 412-384-4310. THURSDAYS _________________________ Green Party meeting First Thursday of the month 7:00pm - 9pm Citizen Power's offices, 2121 Murray Avenue in Squirrel Hill, second floor FRIDAYS ____________________________ Peaceburgh Drumming Circle 7pm-8:00pm, Weekly Grandview Park in Mt. Washington Raise the Vibration for peace every Friday.... Consciously raise the vibration for peace!! FREE-Family friendly event Bring a drum,flutes,rattles, didge( we REALLY need a didge) singing voices -dancing feet- happy hearts!! Bring some food to share at the potluck!!( we need plates, ice, forks, cups,
napkins and drinks too..) BRING A CAMERA — THE VIEW IS AWESOME!! SATURDAYS ________________________ Project to End Human Trafficking Volunteer signup 2nd Saturday of each month 10:00am - 12:00pm Campus of Carlow University Project to End Human Trafficking (PEHT) offers FREE public volunteer/information. Please pre-register by the Wednesday before via smohler@endhumantrafficking.org. For more information check out our website www.endhumantrafficking.org PEHT Information and Training Seminars Second Saturday of every month 12:00pm - 1:00pm Carlow University, Antonian Room #502, RSVP by the Wednesday before to smohler@endhumantrafficking.org Open to the public. Peace Vigils to End the War Every Saturday, following locations & times Regent Square Peace Vigil Corner of Forbes and Braddock 12:00pm - 1pm *Black Voices for Peace Anti-War Protest Corner of Penn & Highland in East Liberty 1:00pm - 2:00 pm Beaver County Peace Links Peace Vigil Beaver County Courthouse, 3rd Street (Beaver) 1:00pm - 2pm
Saturday, June 4 Defeating racism & building class unity 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM Schenley Park Ice Rink Lodge 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM 130 S. Whitfield Street (East Liberty Library) Pittsburgh,PA 15206 Join the Party for Socialism and Liberation for a monthly class series on socialism. We will discuss the basics of socialist theory and what we can do to fight for a better world. Saturday, June 11 Project To End Human Trafficking Volunteer Sign-Up 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM Campus of Carlow University Project to End Human Trafficking (PEHT) offers FREE public volunteer/ information. Please pre-register by the Wednesday before via smohler@endhumantrafficking.org. For more information check out our website www.endhumantrafficking.org Sunday, June 12 Women In Back Vigil 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Ginger Hill Unitarian Universalist Congregation Women, Men, Children Welcome, Wear black if possible
For More Events and Information Visit: http://thomasmertoncenter.org/calendar/ To Submit An Event Visit: http://thomasmertoncenter.org/calendar/ submit-event/ To Become A Member Visit: http://thomasmertoncenter.org/join-donate/