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Nacho Martín, Spain

Photos: Man Chagaf

The Saharawi non-violent activist Aminatou Haidar, who is also known as the Saharawi people's Gandhi and recognized with the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award in 2008, remains since last Sunday on a hunger strike confined to the Lanzarote airport (Spain) after that Morocco expulsed her by force from the Western Sahara Occupied Territories last Saturday. The facts have been reported by human rights organizations sources, the Spanish police, the NGO Communicators for Peace and the Saharawi Journalist and Writers Union (UPES).

The Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation
uses a variety of media to get out the word about their efforts for
justice, peace, and nonviolence. Examples include a monthly television
show broadcast on local public-access TV, a film series, and a
partnership with the local newspaper, The Olympian,
to provide op-ed perspectives on current issues. This past weekend,
Jody Tiller Mackey, co-chair of the Olympia FOR's steering committee,
published the following perspective in the newspaper:

The Muslim American Society has announced a forum on nuclear proliferation and nuclear abolition next Thursday, Nov. 19, in Washington, DC.

Faith, Fear and Future of Nuclear Weapons Inter-Religious Response to the Global Crisis
Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009, 2:00 to 3:30 PM
Rayburn House of Representatives Office Building, Room 2168
50 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC

Presenters will include:

• Jonathan Granoff, President, Global Security Institute and international nuclear abolition advocate
• Dave Robinson, Executive Director, Pax Christi USA
• Ibrahim Ramey, MAS Freedom Civil & Human Rights Director
• Moderated by MAS Freedom Executive Director Imam Mahdi Bray

Yes, that's right the Impossible has happened.   Where were you 20 years ago today?  In Germany and throughout Europe and North America, the 20th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall has been celebrated today.

On March 5, 1946, Winston Churchill used the phrase the "Iron Curtain" in a speech in Westminster College in Fulton, MO.  That reference to the social, political and economic division of Europe became symbolized by the Berlin Wall.  The date of Churchill's speech is often cited as the start of the Cold War.  More than a continent was divided.  With the division of Europe and the Cold War, a mindset was developed.  That mindset was a lens through which the world would be seen and understood by millions.  What was possible was framed by that mindset.

Gentlefriends: Here is a step into another world, the Beloved Community.  Our friends and colleagues in the Olympia FOR, and especially Doug Mackey, are nurturing our introduction and support of this group of Afhgan Peace Youth Vigilers.

Watch these Afghan peace youth vigilers say with the world “Love is how we’ll ask for peace.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLKR6iEdZGs 

Please take our next small steps with us.  Love and peace from Afghanistan,

We are so deeply saddened by the tragic taking and horrible loss of life at Ft. Hood, Texas. Our grief-filled hearts go out to all who are personally touched by this madness.

The news of the day has been unbelievable.   Again our headlines read about the numbers dead and the numbers wounded.  Again commentators and talk show guests speculate about motives and reasons.  The reports of numbers begin to desensitize us to the reality of death and the loss of human life.
 
Tonight news programs are full with the coverage of Fort Hood, Texas and the events surrounding the largest number of casualties on a US military base.  Speculation is everywhere.  One guest on a television program attempted linked the suspect’s last name with a possible terror motive for the shootings and killings.
 

I'm very excited about the next film presentation that will be at FOR on 11/22. Please also note that we will have a speaker, Rev. Janet Kroboth-Weber, who has worked with the filmmaker and the Indigenous Grandmothers whose story is told in the film.

in peace,

Alan Levin

Pre-film screening interview on Nov. 11th @ 3:30 PM :

LISTEN TO: www.RocklandWorldRadio.com/program/connections/

PROGRAM: Connections with Deborah Turner

TOPIC: 13 Indigenous Grandmothers Council & Film

Guest: Rev. Janet Kroboth-Weber, assistant to the Council and endorsed public speaker

This show will be ARCHIVED

Deborah Turner ~Publisher--Natural Awakenings Rockland and Orange

www.naturalawakeningsro.com 845-480-9006

31 Oct. UN Security Council Resolution on the Peacebuilding Role of WomenRene Wadlow*             

The Fellowship of Reconciliation is the oldest inter-faith, peace group in the nation.  Most who are associated with FOR would likely have interest in how prayer and prayerful communication might relate to political support and advocacy.  This is the focus of my new blog, "Dear President Obama". the intention of which I've described below.  Please feel free to check it out and comment or submit your own message.

Alan Levin