Family Farm Defenders began as an outgrowth of two national grass-roots campaigns: demanding a national referendum to end the mandatory check-off on raw milk that funds the lobby and propaganda efforts of the corporate dairy industry; and to defend consumer “right to know” in response to the stealth introduction of recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH) into the nation’s milk supply.
From impending climate catastrophe to the renewed assault on working class living standards, we don’t have time to waste on the status quo, lesser evils, and token reforms.
The richest 1% may own the two major parties, but the past year has seen an uptick in left electoral activity. From Kshama Sawant’s election as an open socialist on the Seattle City Council to the numerous other socialist and independent left campaigns in Chicago, New York, and elsewhere throughout Fall 2014 and Spring 2015, interest in a working class alternative is growing.
Ken Pentel will make the case that we need to replace the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) with the Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI) as our primary economic signal, which will lead to greater balance with our ecology, society and economy, creating the conditions for a healthy and more meaningful democracy.
What can we learn from the history of the 1930s-era campaign for a War Referendum Amendment, together with the 1970s-era People Power Over War Amendment, both of which would have established a deliberative national referendum process on war?
A meditative beginning to the August atomic bombing commemoration events. The ceremony, led by Yukimakai Tea Study Group, involves the tea master and assistant brewing and serving special matcha green tea to two selected guests. It is a very quiet ceremony. Everyone sits on blankets or lawn chairs (bring your own). The ceremony itself lasts less than a half hour. We begin with meditative music, this year on the violin. The event is free and open to the public. It takes place near the Peace Garden Bridge at the same time people in Hiroshima are gathering at their peace park.
The Community Rights movement in the U.S. has arisen as local municipalities in nine states have passed ordinances or ballot initiatives that strip corporations of their “personhood rights.” This authentic democratic action usually is driven by an imminent, highly unwelcome environmental impact like pipelines, factory farms, fracking, or water extraction--harms to which the public currently does NOT have the legal right to say “no”. Join Deb Schanilec as she hosts a participatory reading of her play called The Factory Hog Farm Puppet Show.
Our Mission: "To strengthen the effectiveness of the peace and justice community in Minnesota by enabling member organizations to share their resources, insights and ideas and devise cooperative strategies to accomplish common goals."
This workshop will discuss what is Islamophobia and provides tools to dismantle it as you conduct you activism. We will also further understand the nuances of passive Islamophobia practice among liberals, and how to combat this through exercise, education, and policy.
