Here are some photos and a video from the March for Peace as it passed through Fresno, Watsonville and finally ending up in San Francisco. It's a beautiful sight.

http://www.indybay.org/news/2006/03/1812129.php

http://www.notinourname.net/archive/241miles-video.htm

I'm passing on some info from a friend (since that's part of what I do here!) There are two events coming up where some of the questions many people have about 9/11 will be discussed. It's been in the news a bit the last few days because of Charlie Sheen's comments on CNN, and the SDSU Forum on War and Peace, Progressive Democrats of America; San Diego Chapter, and Activist San Diego are sponsoring speakers, discussion and a showing of the documentary, 9/11-High Crimes and Conspiracy.

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

What REALLY happened on 9/11?

Two Major Events Raise Questions!

Tues, April 4, 2006 7PM

9/11 – What Happened and Why

Special guest speaker: Professor James Fetzer

James Fetzer, Distinguished McKnight University Professor of Philosophy at the University of Minnesota, Duluth, a former Marine Corps officer, author or editor of more than 20 books, andco-chair of Scholars for 911 Truth.
www.scholarsfor911truth.org

"We have made discoveries that suggest the wrong parties have been accused of monstrous crimes and that the American government knows better. A profound injustice is being perpetrated and the American people deserve to know."James Fetzer

San Diego State University North Education Building Room 60
5500 Campanile Dr. San Diego. Sponsored by SDSU Forum on War & Peace
For more info: 619-222-2120 or tmuga@aol.com

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Saturday April 8, 2006 7 PM

9/11 - High Crimes and Conspiracy - video documentary, followed by discussion.

Be prepared to question everything you knew about one of America's darkest days - Learn the reasons so many are questioning our government's explanation of the 9/11 attacks!
Joyce Beers Community Center 1220 Cleveland Ave @ Vermont St. (Ralph’s Hillcrest Shopping Center) - Donations accepted -
Sponsored by Activist San Diego & Progressive Democrats of America, SD Central Chapter. For more info: 619-222-2120 or tmuga@aol.com
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www.ActivistSanDiego.org
Networking for Social Justice

I got the chance to listen to Susan Lerner of CA Clean Money on The Al Franken Show today. She brought up what I think is one of the more compelling arguements in favor of publicaly financed elections. The cost of financing elections is less than the cost of deals and tax breaks given to contributors under the current system. It would probably save money in the big picture.

I particularly liked Jeeni Criscenzo's blog entry today at the Daily Koz, and I want to share it. She attended the march against the Sensenbrenner Bill (HR4437) this past weekend, and she's written a really nice piece about her experience.

Spontaneous Combustion

Jeeni is running for Congress against Darrell Issa, who was one of the co-sponsors of HR4437.

Common Cause, League of Women Voters Decry FBI "Intimidation"

"Our country faces many serious threats to our security, but surely none of those threats come from Common Cause or the League of Women Voters,"

Sometimes I wonder if the govt pulls this sort of thing with high profile organizations knowing that they will (rightly) make a public fuss, which in turn will indimidate others into avoiding public meetings on controversial subjects, or make people inclined toward social activism give it a second thought.

And it makes those who think you only oppose investigation if you're doing something wrong, that the organizations are suspect or the government wouldn't be bothering with them. They're manipulatively undermining groups that oppose their policies.

It still shocks me that these things are happening all over, and so many people don't seem to care.

Someone handed me a flyer at the March 18 anti-war rally with info about a concert to be held at the First UU Church of San Diego on April 1 with Pat Humphries and Sandy O, aka: Emma's Revolution. I've heard them before...in DC. They performed at a CodePink rally at the Green Festival the weekend of the Sept anti-war rally. In fact, one of their cds has a song called CodePINK! They're peace activists with lovely voices, and a lot to say. They're very good. Here's the ticket info:

Saturday, April 1, 2006 at 8 PM.
First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego
4190 Front St San Diego 619-298-9978

Tickets Info
Adults: $12 advance; $15 at the door (advance tickets available through March 30)
Youth (under 19y): $3 in advance; $5 at the door

Mail checks to First UU Church of SD, Attn: Social Justice, Humphries Concert (tickets will be held at will-call)

California Clean Money Campaign Executive Director Susan Lerner will be appearing on the Al Franken Show on Air America on Monday (March 27th). She's scheduled for 10:30 am PST. Susan is a great speaker on the subject of public campaign financing. She came to the first meeting for the local working group, and she's very personable and persuasive. Give it a listen.

I took my digital camera with me today to the march and rally with the intention of uploading a pic or two here, but my batteries died after just a couple pictures. None of them are that great. Phooey.

There was a pretty sizable group of us out there despite the threat of rain. Probably a couple hundred people were at the Santa Fe Depot to meet the "Peace Train" coming from the north county, including the Super Sonic Samba School. When they arrived we all marched up to Balboa Park and joined the festival in progress. Lots of people! There were many tables set up by different organizations. They made it more of a peace festival this year so there was some artwork, and music, in addition to the usual speakers. It seemed to me they tried to make it a little more family friendly than it has been in the past. Faiza Al-Arji was the main speaker. She is the blogger that writes A Family in Baghdad, and is here with a group of other Iraqi women that were invited by Global Exchange and Code Pink. I was working the table and I missed most of her speech. :-( Bummer.

We sure lucked out on the weather. It was raining this morning, cleared up for the afternoon, and then after I got home it started raining again. Perfect timing!

I'm such a bad judge w/r/t counting people in large groups. I don't know how many people were there, but it was a bunch. More than in the past.

Women Say No to War

The third annual DemocracyFest is being held at San Diego State University, July 14 - 16, 2006. I'm going. I already got my ticket. Woo.

The history of Democracyfest

Here's the most recent info I have about the March for Peace:

Day 4/March 15 - Orange County, Santa Ana
Day 5/March 16 - Long Beach, Southgate, Florence, Huntington Park, Bell Garden, Maywood
Day 6/March 17 Santa Fe Springs, Pico Rivera, ELAC, East LA Latino Peace March
Day 7/March 18 La Plazita, Downtown, McArthur Park, Hollywood march
Day 8/March 19 West Federal Building, Santa Monica (Arlington West)
Day 9/March 20 San Fernando, Evening at Oxnard United Methodist
Day 10/March 21 Ventura
Day 11/March 22 Tehachapi
Day 12/March 23 Tehachapi, Keene, La Paz
Day 13/March 24 Fresno
Day 14/March 25 Watsonville
Day 15/March 26 San Jose
Day 16/March 27 San Francisco, Mission District Blood Drive

Guerrero Azteca

It's Sunshine Week, Sunshine!

Here's your gift.

This came after I'd already left the house today, but better late than never. At least it's in time to share the details of the next two days of the peace walk.

PRESS RELEASE: For March 12, 13 & 14 2006


EVENT: GUERRERO AZTECA WALK FOR PEACE: San Diego County Phase – Sunday, March 12 through Tuesday, March 14, 2006

CONTACT NUMBERS:
Media Liaison: Bob Fitch (831) 419-5832 - general information and updated arrival
times at stops along march route.

Well known peace activists participating in the march:
Fernando Suarez Del Solar, Father of Jesus, killed March 23, 2003 in Iraq – ( 858) 774-0172
Pablo Paredes – (619) 857-4947 – Refused Navy assignment to Iraq
Martin Eder – GAPP and Director, Activist San Diego – (619) 871-9354


OBJECTIVE: A 241 mile March for Peace and Against the War in Iraq will begin Sunday, March 12 in Tijuana, Mexico , continue north through San Diego County, stopping in Barrio Logan, Chicano Park; March 13 in Escondido to visit the grave of Fernando Suarez Marine son killed early in the Iraq War; at San Marcos City Hall and in Vista at a military recruiting office; and on March 14, in Oceanside at the Navy Recruiting office, culminating in a vigil at the entrance to Camp Pendleton. (A detailed
schedule of the highlights and approximate times will follow.)

After San Diego County, the march will continue on to the Cesar Chavez burial site in
La Paz, CA. arriving on March 22, culminating in the Mission District of San Francisco with a memorial ceremony and blood drive from March 26 to March 27. March 23 will mark the third anniversary of the death of Fernando’s son Jesus in Iraq.

There will be several stops daily; with press conferences, rallies at recruitment offices, military bases, high schools, evening events, churches at night, etc.

WHY: Latinos represent nearly 15% of the US population and 11% of the US military, with many serving in combat or hazardous duty occupations. In addition, an estimated 20% of the fallen service members in the early months of the invasion were Latino. With the continued growth of the Latino population and its vital importance to the future of this country, it is time the Latino community became an active and vocal part of the 60%+ of US citizens that oppose this War. It is also time to show the Latino community that they have a voice and a right to fight for peace and stability. Fernando Suarez Del Solar is committed to self-sacrifice. At 50 years of age he cares more about ending this war then even his own health. This march will make a call not only to the Latino population but to all those who agree with our message “No more bloodshed in Iraq.


DAY ONE: Sunday, March 12, 2006

Tijuana, Mexico & Barrio Logan

6:30 a.m. Public School #44 – corner Cajeme St. & Nacori Street
9:00 a.m. CECUT – Tijuana’s Cultural Center – Press Conference
11:30 a.m. Border Crossing San Ysidro via Palacio Municipal Bridge

Memorial High School, Barrio Logan
5:00 – 6:00 Chicano Park Vigil

DAY TWO: Monday, March 13, 2006

Escondido & San Marcos
8:00-8:30 a.m. Begin march at I -15 at Via Rancho Parkway

9:30 a.m. Kit Carson Park – pay respects at “Tree of Peace”
planted by Fernando in honor of his son

11:00 a.m. Oak Hill Memorial Park, 2640 Glenridge Rd, Escondido – pay respects at gravesite of Fernando’s son, Jesus

1:30 p.m. Military Recruiting Offices – 728 Valley Parkway, Escondido

Escondido City Hall
San Marcos City Hall – Mission Street

Overnight at San Marcos United Methodist Church 800 West Mission Rd, San Marcos

DAY THREE: Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Vista, Oceanside, Carlsbad

7:30 a.m. March begins Palomar College
8:00a.m. City Hall, East Vista Way
Recruiting Station, 1688 So. Melrose Drive, # 207, Vista
12:30-1:00 U. S. Navy Recruiting Center, 2216 So. El Camino Real, Oceanside
2:00 p.m. Commence march to Camp Pendleton from Park & Ride
at I-5 & Hwy 78, West on Vista Way to Coast Hwy. North

4:00 p.m. Vigil at Camp Pendleton
6:00 – 6:30 March returns to Park & Ride
7:30- 8:00 Overnight at Pilgrim United Church of Christ, 2020 Chestnut Street, Carlsbad

NOTE: Please contact Media Liaison Bob Fitch at (831) 419-5832 for updated times of arrival.

I'm beat! I walked ten miles of the peace march today. I'm tired, but it was great.

They started in Tijuana at 6:30 this morning and I met them as they crossed the border into San Ysidro at about 10:45. We started walking at 11:30, and after a couple miles we came to a park where some of the other Code Pink women had set up a refreshment station. They had water, lemonade, fruit and cookies for everyone. It was nice...they had peace banners and signs decorating the area. Donna's cocker spaniel had on a lovely pink sweater. Very festive! After a snack and a tv interview or two with Fernando, we proceeded on down the road. It was a great group of people. I'm not sure how many of us were there. I never counted. Maybe 30-40.

Lynn Gonzalez of the San Diego Military Counseling Project met us a couple more miles down the road with sodas and pizzas. I really hope other folks will be so supportive as they make their way up the coast.

The end of the route was Chicano Park, but I didn't get that far. I stopped at E Street, and got home in time to see the news where they had a live shot of them entering the park! My legs were getting pretty tired so I figured I'd better not push it any further, especially in light of the fact that I had to have enough reserve energy to walk to the trolley to get home. I am sooooo glad I walked, and that Code Pink San Diego could support the march for peace.

Good grief.

Ex WH advisor faces shoplifting charges.

Alice Walker reflects on peace and activism

"It has become a common feeling, I believe, as we have watched our heroes falling over the years, that our own small stone of activism, which might not seem to measure up to the rugged boulders of heroism we have so admired, is a paltry offering toward the building of an edifice of hope. Many who believe this choose to withhold their offerings out of shame. This is the tragedy of the world. For we can do nothing substantial toward changing our course on the planet, a destructive one, without rousing ourselves, individual by individual, and bringing our small, imperfect stones to the pile."

Woman sues for alleged firing over talk show bumper sticker

To follow up on yesterday's post about fair trade, here are some more links that might be of interest.

Ten Thousand Villages

Terraluna

Also, notice the new No Sweat logo on the right. I like to support them for several reasons. They sell union made products, they sell fair trade coffee and cocoa, and they sell CodePink high tops! They've got hemp shoes in their catalog too. I think all their advertising is word of mouth (and word of blog) so I joined their affiliate program. A purchase from No Sweat is a purchase for terryfaceplace. Yay for that!

Terryfaceplace Grassroots Tip of The Day!

Vote with your wallet.

I've gotten durn sick and tired, of spending so much of my hard earned cash on things I buy from companies that don't support my values. For example, why would I buy Dominos Pizza when I know that part of the profits I provide are funding anti-abortion campaigns? The problem is, who can keep up on this stuff!? We'll I know two sources of good information. . .

The Blue Pages

www.buyblue.com

I have The Blue Pages and it's a directory of the political contributions and business practices of over 4,000 companies. The good, the bad and the ugly.

www.buyblue.com is basically the same idea on the web.

Buying Fair Trade can be a good option too.

Fair Trade Federation

Global Exchange

Equal Exchange

We had our CodePink meeting this afternoon at Ranchos in OB. Good food and good company. We had an enthusiastic, energized group with lots of good ideas. It looks like we may alternate between meetings and vigils. We also discussed direct actions, civil disobedience and street theatre, Also, an artist's co-op, and a public space peace garden. We have lots to talk about and lots to do!

Last night was the Party for Progressives at the Balboa Park Club. It was a fundraiser for Activist San Diego, and it appeared to be a success. There were lots of people, good food and the band (Liquid Blue) was fun. Cindy Sheehan was the guest speaker and Anne Wright was there too. And of course, all the local activist folks.

I've updated the CodePink SD web page.....

“When the public sees the man who makes the laws become the man who breaks the law, his sentence should reflect that.”

Damn skippy.