The Riverside Church Global Justice and Peace Ministry

The next Global Justice and Peace Ministry meeting of TRC will be on held Sunday, Nov. 21, at 1:00 pm in room 10T

2010-11-16T19:13:00.000-08:00

Hi fellow GJ&P members and supporters. Our next meeting of the Global Justice and Peace Ministry will be on Sunday, Nov. 21, at 1:00 PM in room 10T (The Riverside Church in The City of NY) which will include an update on the different social justice initiatives, upcoming events and continued planning for 2011.

Make the Road N.Y., 10.19.10 march over the Brooklyn Bridge to City Hall

2010-10-14T14:48:00.000-07:00

Did you know that NYC collaborates with ICE (Immigration) to facilitate the deportation of immigrants?

NYC shares information with ICE (Immigration) about every person that it incarcerates, including their name and place of birth. NYC detains the people who Immigration wants to deport for extra time and then turns them over to Immigration when they get out of jail. Each year NYC turns thousands of people over to Immigration to begin deportation proceedings.

If you or someone you know is incarcerated for any reason, you could end up being deported:

•Regardless of what crime you are accused of
•Whether you are innocent or guilty
•Regardless of how much time you spend in jail
Because of this collaboration - more than 3,000 people
are placed in deportation proceedings each year!
The majority of these people are declared innocent or guilty of misdemeanors
The collaboration between Immigration and NYC tears families apart, uses scarce City resources, and puts public security at risk because immigrants do not trust the authorities.
NYC should not be helping ICE (Immigration) deport people!
On October 19, Make the Road NY will present a proposal for a local law to end the collaboration between ICE (Immigration) and NYC. If this law is passed, NYC will become a national leader in the fight for immigrants’ rights. It would be the first time a local municipality has kicked out Immigration! This law would act as a counter-weight to SB1070 in Arizona and would give the national movement for just immigration reform new energy.
Make the Road NY is organizing a mass march to support this law and demand that New York be a city that truly values immigrants.
We will march over the Brooklyn Bridge to City Hall.
When? October 19, 2010
What time? Meeting at 9:00 a.m.
Where? in each of the Make the Road NY offices
BUSHWICK, BROOKLYN: 301 GROVE ST, t: (718) 418-7690
JACKSON HEIGHTS, QUEENS: 92-10 ROOSEVELT AVE, t: (718) 565-8500

PORT RICHMOND, STATEN ISLAND: 479 PORT RICHMOND AVE, t: (718) 727-1222

Postponed GJ&P meeting scheduled for this Sunday - Please try to attend

2010-09-28T05:20:00.000-07:00

Global Justice and Peace Kickoff Meeting

Sunday, October 3 at 1:00 p.m.
In Room 10T

If you have been inspired by Riverside’s historic peace ministry, come to the Global Justice and Peace Ministry kick-off event for the new church year, on Sept 19, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. in Room 10T. GJP’s Steering Committee will share its program plans, and invite your input and participation. Light refreshments, potluck style, will be served, so join us and if possible, bring something to share.

Funeral services for Rev. Lucius Walker Jr.

2010-09-08T13:50:00.000-07:00

------------------------------------------------------------
From - IFCO / Pastors for Peace
------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Friends,
Thank you for all of the expressions of love and solidarity.
Funeral services for Rev. Lucius Walker Jr. will be held at 10:00 am
on Friday, September 17, 2010 at Convent Avenue Baptist Church
in New York City. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations
be made to IFCO or Salvation Baptist Church and sent to IFCO,
418 W. 145th St. New York, NY 10031 or via the IFCO website.

Convent Avenue Baptist Church is located at
420 W 145th Street | New York, N.Y. 10031
http://www.conventchurch.org/directions.php [1]
-------------------------
If this message has been forwarded to you and you would like to subscribe to
the IFCO / Pastors for Peace mailing list, please visit www.ifconews.org and
follow the instructions provided, or send a blank message to
"friends-subscribe@ifconews.org"

[1] http://www.conventchurch.org/directions.php

The passing of our beloved, prophetic leader Rev. Lucius Walker Jr. this morning

2010-09-07T11:52:00.000-07:00

From: IFCO / Pastors for Peace ::: <info@ifconews.org>
Date: Tue, Sep 7, 2010 at 1:45 PM

IFCO / Pastors for Peace

It is with immeasurable sadness that we write to let you know of the passing of our beloved, heroic, prophetic leader Rev. Lucius Walker Jr. this morning. We will write with more information as soon as arrangements are made. Please keep his family and his IFCO family in your prayers.

If this message has been forwarded to you and you would like to subscribe to the IFCO / Pastors for Peace mailing list, please visit www.ifconews.org and follow the instructions provided, or send a blank message to "friends-subscribe@ifconews.org"

September 13th at 6:00 in the Chapel, The Hibaku, ‘Survivor’ Piano

2010-09-02T11:22:00.000-07:00

Dear all:

On Monday, September 13th at 6:00 in the Chapel, The Hibaku, ‘Survivor’ Piano, which survived the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima on Japan on August 6, 1945 just over 65 years ago, will be in the Chapel. On August 6, 1945 The Atomic Piano was in the south section of Hiroshima, only 3 kilometers from the hypocenter of the bombing, referred to as ‘ground zero’ by the people of Hiroshima.

Japanese rock star, Shinji Harada will be performing on the Hibaku ‘Survivor’ Piano in this very special concert with guest artists Dr. Judy Kuriansky, Russell Daisey, Tomoko Shibata and other guest artists.

We hope you’ll join us and that you’ll help us spread the word to everyone and anyone.

As we all know, the U.N. was formed “to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war” following the WWII in which the atrocious bombing of Hiroshima occurred.

Let us gather in this one mindedness about our dedication and our commitment to this peace making even in the midst of a continuing warring world.

Kathleen

Chaplain, Church Center for the United Nations
777 United Nations Plaza, 10th Floor
New York, NY 10017
212-682-3633, ext. 3127

Noam Chomsky: US role in Haiti destruction - Speech at The Riverside Church in NYC of 06/08/10

2010-08-25T20:38:00.000-07:00

Click on underlined hyperlink below to play the video of Dr. Chomsky's speech and the Q&A that followed -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVVRoWxFB1s

International Day of Peace 09/21/10

2010-08-10T18:50:00.000-07:00

Make plans now to celebrate a more peaceful planet on September 21st!

Click hyperlink to play video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZjbzYi8d5U

Rev. Dr. Earl Kooperkamp, preaching from St. Mary's Episcopal Church in West Harlem

2010-08-04T13:47:00.000-07:00

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may see it online.

August 4, 2010

Space for Grace

Date: Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Time: 7:00 pm - 9:00 p.m.
Assembly Hall

Rev. Dr. Earl Kooperkamp, preachingfrom St. Mary's Episcopal Church in West Harlem
Sermon: "How God Sees Us"
Scripture Reading: Judges 7:19 -8:12

Global Hiroshima & Nagasaki Day Events Sure GJ&P will want to know

2010-07-29T16:02:00.000-07:00

Thursday, Aug. 5, 2010 in New York City

Universal Peace Day:

Commemorating the Atomic Bombing

Hiroshima and Nagasaki

We will join with friends from New York Buddhist Church and the Interfaith community:

6:30 pm Gathering at New York Buddhist Church for Commemorative Ceremony

332 Riverside Drive, New York City - btw 106 & 107th Sts & Riverside Drive 212-678-0305

7:20 pm Silent Peace Walk to the Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew

8:00 pm Interfaith Peace Prayer Service (the Church of SP&SA) (W. 86th St & West End)

UN Ambassador Annwarul Chowdhury, • Hiroshima survivor, Koji Kobayashi,

performances by
Shinji Harada • Masayo Ishigure,
Ichi Fuji-Kai Japanese Dancers,
Russell Daisey and more…
_______________

Friday, August 6, 2010
7:00 PM

DISCUSSION WITH SURVIVORKoji Kobayashi

SCREENING OF THE FILMNUCLEAR TIPPING POINTnarrated by Michael Douglasincludes interviews with Mikhail Gorbachev, George Shultz,
Henry Kissinger and Senator Sam Nunn.

NY Buddhist Church
331 Riverside Dr @ 105 St
_______________

Saturday, August 7, 2010
8:00 PM

READING OF THE PLAY
I Have Been to Hiroshima Mon Amour
written by Chiori Miyagawa
directed by Jean Wagner

followed by
a discussion panel with Hiroshima survivor, Koji Kobayashi
NY Buddhist Church
331 Riverside Dr @ 105 St
_______________

Sunday, August 8, 2010
8:00 PM

PEACE CONCERTfeaturing
Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul & Mary
The Peaceniks with Barry Gruber & Moogy Klingman
Shinji Harada

10:02 PM
Bell Ringing Ceremony. at the exact moment of Nagasaki bombing

The Church of St. Paul & St. Andrew
W 86 St @ West End Ave..

http://www.universalpeaceday.com/www.universalpeaceday.com/Home.html

Karyn Carlo: The Bible Says It. I Believe It.: Glenn Beck is Wrong About James Cone

2010-07-19T16:57:00.000-07:00

from Karen Carlo's facebook page, makes me proud to be a fellow Riversider

Karyn's Notes|Notes about Karyn|Karyn's Profile

The Bible Says It. I Believe It. : Glenn Beck is Wrong About James Cone

Today at 5:33pm

By Karyn Carlo, PhD
In his latest attack on the Social Justice and Liberation Theology, Glenn Beck slams the work of James H. Cone and Black Theology. (Glenn Beck, Liberation Theology, 7/13/10). On the surface, what Beck says may be appealing. Cone does make people uncomfortable. With a black man in the White House and talk of a “post-racial” America, who wants to hear about lynching, of all things? Yes, it was horrible, but haven’t we put that behind us? Aren’t people who still want to bring “that” up just trying to stir up trouble? If Beck can somehow prove that Cone is wrong about the gospel (and probably a communist as well), we can dismiss him and feel a whole lot better about ourselves, our country, and our faith. The problem is, the Bible itself sounds more like Cone than Beck.
For example, Beck claims that social justice and the redistribution of wealth are not in the gospel. That is not true. Luke 1:52-53 describes Jesus’ mother, Mary, as anticipating his birth with these words: “He [God] has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.” This same Jesus tells us in Matthew 19:24 that “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” Similarly, the early Christian community is described in Acts 4:34-35 like this: “There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.”
When rich and powerful people asked how they could be part of this coming Kingdom of God, they were told “sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” (Mark 10:21) This is not an easy message for any of us who own anything to hear. Over the years, preachers and theologians have tried to soften those passages, arguing that it is not money per se, but the love of money that stands between wealth and heaven, but the text still is what it is and it sounds a whole lot more like James Cone than Glenn Beck.
Beck then goes on to ridicule Cone’s identification of Jesus on the cross with lynching victims, claiming that Jesus “wasn't a victim, he was a conqueror.” There is some truth to that. If the message of the cross spoke only to victimhood who would listen? However, here again, Beck has misread Cone. Black Theology continually talks about the way in which God not only identifies with oppressed people, but also empowers them for liberation. In Black Theology Jesus conquers, not from a position of power and privilege, but from the cross, among the last and the least. This is good news that speaks hope to people hanging on lynching trees, strapped to torture tables, or beaten and abused in their own homes. Beginning from the bottom, it includes everyone. A “gospel” that speaks only to “conquerors” – such as that which Beck proposes - leaves out most of humanity.
Some may object that Black Theology, by its very name, leaves out white people. That too, is a misconception. Cone has been talking to white people about Black Theology for over forty years now. Its call to repentance is for us. Of course, it would feel better if he skipped that part and went straight to grace and salvation, as Beck tries to do but, again, that would not be biblical. Both John the Baptist and Jesus made the call to repentance from both personal and social sin, a central part of their preaching. Without this repentance, there is no grace and no salvation.
Beck then goes on to try to equate Cone’s Black Theology with Marxism. Here he is simply off base. Beck has an unfortunate tendency to take everything he doesn’t like, put it up on his chalkboard, draw lines between it, and call it a connection. Unfortunately, as is the case with Cone and Marx, he doesn’t always do his homework. Unlike many Latin American Liberationists, Black theologians including Cone, actually tend to reject Marxism as a philosophical source. It is too white, too western and, tends to include only economic class, not race, in its power analysis. Cone’s theological sources are the Bible and black experience. If one is going to argue against his theology, one must argue against these sources not Marx. So far, Beck has said nothing about black experience and everything he has claimed about the Bible has been untrue. His objection to the idea of collective salvation is no exception.
Collective salvation is illustrated in the gospels in teachings such as that found in Matthew 5:23-24 “when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.” In other words, to be reconciled to God, we must also be reconciled to one another. Salvation may be personal, but it is not private. Love for God and love for one another are connected. 1 John 4:20 puts it this way “Those who say, "I love God," and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen.” Black theology challenges white Christians to love our black brothers and sisters not in a cloying or condescending way, but with real justice. In a nation marked by centuries of slavery, lynching, Jim Crow laws, legal segregation, and systemic racism, that is not easy to do. We are going to feel defensive sometimes. If we listen, we are going to hear things we would rather not hear. Some of us are going to be tempted to buy into the vision of Glenn Beck and others who make it easy to turn away from the hard work of repentance, who tickle our ears with promises of cheap grace, and offer a vision of the cross of Jesus that has nothing to say to the crosses, and lynching trees, of history – but, if we do, we will be settling for the gospel of Caesar, not the good news of Jesus Christ.
Perhaps it is time to put down the chalk, stop drawing pyrotechnical conspiracy theories that play into our worst fears and listen, instead, for the difficult, yet enduring, hope of the Gospel.

______________________________________________________________________________

Karyn Carlo is a retired New York City Police captain turned theologian. She received her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from the New School for Social Research and her Master of Divinity and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Union Theological Seminary in New York City, where she studied with James Cone. She currently serves as the Interim Pastor of the Church-in-the-Garden (First Baptist) in Garden City, NY and lectures at Mercer School of Theology.

Welch Church Council Member Ceri - talk on the Immigration Crisis

2010-07-13T16:45:00.000-07:00

Hello,

I am giving a presentation on US immigration at the Salmagundi Club next week. Please join us and/or pass this along to anyone you know who might be interested. 6:00 p.m. on July 21st 2010 .

at the Salmagundi Club, 47 Fifth Ave. @ 12^th St., NYC. Her presentation is followed by a jazz concert at 8:00. Please see the notice notice below.

If any of you are in the city at that point and can attend, I am sure she would welcome your support. I hope to go unless we are out of town

Salmagundi Museum-American Art

www.salmagundi.org

(212) 255-7740
47 5th Ave
New York, NY

Hours: Mo to Su from 01:00pm to 05:00pm

Thank you,
Ceri

Ceridwen "Ceri" Koski, Esq.
Brooklyn, New York
(520) 481-3378
ceridwenkoski@gmail.com

July events in New York

Emma Larsson & Sami Linna
Jazz Duo

Join our jazz night hosted by singer Emma Larsson and guitarist Sami Linna

(both graduates of Sibelius Academy)

July 21 2010 8pm

Salmagundi Club, 47 Fifth Avenue @ 12^th St

"Larsson represents a new class of vocalists who are pushing the limits of jazz vocals to the edge of post bop conventional wisdom into a realm not otherwise traveled."

ALL ABOUT JAZZ

"Emma Larsson is a true, natural musician. She possesses something that is difficult to find these days; really fine, natural singing that doesn't rely on needless antics or melodramatic meandering. We need more of this!"

Jim Beard

More at News & Events / Events Calendar email:info@finlandcenter.org

646-704-8000

Events in Finland

Most of these performers have shared their talent with us in New York. We would like to show our appreciation by showing up at their concerts in Finland!

July 15 3pm @ the Suomenlinna church: violin and guitar concert with Linda Hedlund (viloin) and OttoTolonen (guitar). Free admission

July 21 @ Haikon Kartano, Porvoo: Emasalo Music Festival featuring Marzi Nyman, Linda Hedlund, Olli-Pekka Tuomisalo, Seeli Toivio and Pauliina Kupiainen. Admission fee 20 - 25 E

US IMMIGRATION AT A GLANCE

Lecture with questions answered on US Immigration with immigration attorneys Ceridwen Koski and Amanda Goodman.

6 pm

Salmagundi Club, 47 Fifth Avenue @ 12^th St.

Restaurant is closed in July, but the bar is open from 5.30pm. (Finnish HUVILA beer available!)
Sign up as a member to support the work of Finland Center Foundation and receive a complimentary Lumene cosmetics gift bag! Stay for JAZZ with Emma Larsson and Sami Linna at 8pm!

Free Admission!

www.finlandcenter.org

646 704 8000info@finlandcenter.org

Apartments in New York and Helsinki

Members of Finland Center can log onto the member pages and view several apartments and apartment shares offered to other members and others they might refer. There are apartments both in New York and Helsinki, short term summer rentals as well as short term ones. They are not publicly advertised. To see what is available, you have to sign up as a member - which you should anyway! If you do so via our website and pay your membership fee via Paypal or credit card, you will instantaneously get a password by email.

Finland Center Foundation (FCF) is the meeting point of Finnish and American culture, commerce and community. FCF supports the activities of Finnish-American organizations in the greater New York area, and Finnish values globally, in the present and for generations to come.
Please support our goals by signing up as a member and remember to update your info by clicking on "join our mailing list" at www.finlandcenter.org.
Encourage your friends to join as members! Very easy via the website. The more members we have, the better our programming will be. Also send us your good ideas!

Finland Center Foundation, 47 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10003
tel. 1 -646-704 - 8000; email: info@finlandcenter.org

Directions: all subways to Union Square, bus M 2, M3, M5, M8, M14

Finland Center Foundation is recognized under the 501(C)3 code by the IRS; donations to it are tax-deductible and very welcome!

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HEAR FATHER MICHAEL LAPSLEY PREACH AT RIVERSIDE CHURCH 6/20/10

2010-06-14T20:12:00.000-07:00

HEAR FATHER MICHAEL LAPSLEY PREACH AT RIVERSIDE CHURCH
SUNDAY, JUNE 20, 2010 AT 10:45 A.M.
“FORGIVING AND FORGETTING”

Father Michael Lapsley is founder of the Institute for Healing of Memories, Cape Town, South

Africa, and the Institute for Healing of Memories-North America www.healingofmemories.za.co.

The Riverside Church
490 Riverside Drive
New York, New York 10027
212-870-6700
The Riverside Church is located on Riverside Drive and 120th Street near Columbia University
where Harlem and the Upper West Side meet. (120th Street is also named Reinhold Niebuhr
Place.)
Father Michael Lapsley is founder of the Institute for Healing of Memories, Cape Town, South
Africa, and the Institute for Healing of Memories-North America www.healingofmemories.za.co
ALL ARE WELCOME

Success of Noam Chomsky Talk on Haiti and World Event Benefit, sponsored by TRC Social Justice Ministry (of 06/8/10)

2010-06-09T19:43:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who helped with the great success of yesterdays Noam Chomsky's Talk on Haiti- Sponsored by the Social Justice Ministry and Global Justice and Peace Min. of The Riverside Church. Special thanks to Carol and Amy, Ruby, Allison, Tinoa, Joe F., Susan W., Lucia (of IFCO), John (of IFCO), Nora (IFCO), Eugene (IFCO), Don and others who helped get Mr. Chomsky out of the building on time and on his way to his next event. Special thanks to Mr. Chomsky for helping to illuminate the disinformation filled path placed in front of us daily by our national media outlets.

Thanks to all attendees (and to those who mailed in a donation) for helping to make the talk a financial success and contributing in our ministries sending over $1900 raised to Haiti Earthquake Relief efforts. What is more important is the fact that there were over 180 activists listening to Dr. Chomsky yesterday, this only means that we are now more empowered to spread truth about local & world events in our various communities.
Lastly, there is a DVD of Dr, Chomsky's talk and his follow-up responses to questions from the audience. A copy is available (for a small donation to Haiti Relief efforts) for those who seek to spread the truth & empower their communities.
Regards,
Desi c/212-749-0668

Noam Chomsky Speaking On Haiti And Other World Events (no entrance charge)

2010-06-06T00:30:00.000-07:00

Date:	Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Time:	3:00pm - 5:00pm
Location:	The Riverside Church in the City of N.Y.
Street:	90 Claremont Ave.- South Hall
City/Town:	New York, NY

The Riverside Church MSJ Ministry presents Noam Chomsky speaking on current world events and on Haiti (to Benefit Haiti Relief Efforts)

Please get to the benefit on time (or early) as this event will start and end on time.
For info./questions - Call Desi at 212-749-0668

Donations for Haitian Relief will be accepted at the event - There is no Door Charge

Mass transit directions to The Riverside Church
By Train - #1 to 116th & Columbia Univ.
By Bus - M4, M104, M60 to 120th & Broadway

Please see attached flier - If you want to post or invite your friends...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/event.php?eid=122148824470160

HAITI FORUM - Today at TWU local 100

2010-05-06T09:23:00.000-07:00

HAITI FORUM

Thursday, May 6, 2010

7:00 P.M.

Transport Workers Union Local 100

80 West End Avenue

New York, NY 10023

Info: (212) 561-7231

Come join members of progressive media and learn:

What the mainstream media is not reporting about Haiti

Why the country is becoming increasingly militarized

What is the real current situation in Haiti after the devastating earthquake?

Suggested donation to aid Haiti – no one will be turned away
Panel of guests to include:

Brian Concannon, Institute for Justice and

Democracy in Haiti

Kim Ives, Haiti Liberté

Ray Laforest, DC 1707, AFSCME

Roger LeDuc, Community Activist and host,

WBAI Radio, "Haiti: The Struggle Continues"

Bernard White, WBAI former Program Director

Transportation: #1, A, C, or D Train to Columbus Circle. Walk 3 blocks west to West End Ave, then north to 63rd Street. TWU Local 100 is disabled-accessible.

Images from yesterdays May Day Rally at Foley Square (thanks to Judson Church for photos)

2010-05-02T06:51:00.000-07:00

Ckick below to view pictures from Steven Lee's facebook photo album (page)-
May Day Rally 2010 NYC

RC MSJ Ministry is celebrating Earth Day by welcoming Best Selling Author Peter Fusaro

2010-04-25T18:38:00.000-07:00

Hello!

I hope you all had a great weekend! We would like to welcome you all to our next event on Tuesday, April 27^th at 7pm in 9T. We are celebrating Earth Day by welcoming Best Selling Author Peter Fusaro. Mr. Fusaro will be speaking on “Environmental Stewardship in the Low Carbon Economy.” We believe this is a timely talk for The Riverside Church. There will be a “question and answer” following when Riversiders will have the opportunity to discuss how to further our Church Resolution to become a sustainable earth community congregation.

There will be a light reception following with wine, cheese, fruit and sustainable chocolate.

We hope to see you.

I have the RC link below -.

http://www.theriversidechurchny.org/events/index.php?event=10489&filter=

Thanks!

Amy Cheresnowski

Administrative Assistant

Mission & Social Justice Department

The Riverside Church

490 Riverside Drive

New York, NY 10027

Phone: (212) 870-6854

Fax: (212) 870-6823

Email: msjtemp@theriversidechurchny.org

Rev. Dr. Schaper's article - Schumer's Amnesia and Arizona Law

2010-04-24T08:10:00.000-07:00

Senator Schumer's Amnesia is heard in Arizona

My name is Donna Osterhoudt Schaper, and I am a German immigrant. That means many things, including a tendency to enjoy Bach and to be proud of Einstein. I also like a good Sauerbraten and I don't like silence. I can't forget how silent some of my grandparents' generation were as people got rounded up, then deported, then killed. That silence was deafening, and I hear it again.

I have one history that I don't want to forget. My state Senator, Mr. Schumer of New York, has another. My people's silence led to his people's death. Mr. Schumer accepted responsibility to get a Comprehensive Immigration Bill through Congress. At this writing there is still no bill. Instead there is a political and moral vacuum, which directly encourages states to enact their own laws. Senator Schumer says he has no power and that he doesn't want to be picketed because he is "on the right side." He probably is and if he isn't, he should be. He is the Senior Senator of the State of New York, a place that remains proud of its immigrant heritage and sees immigrants as the gift they (and we) are to American culture.

The absence of a bill in Congress, at this late date, on Comprehensive Immigration Reform, leads directly to hate crimes on Long Island and hate legislation in Arizona. Cardinal Mahoney, archbishop of Los Angeles, has called the Arizona situation Nazi like. Now all the buzz is about whether the Cardinal over spoke when in truth the issue is that Senator Schumer has underspoke. The lack of initiative on this matter creates the space for hate to thrive. When the government doesn't even plod along towards justice and allows an open space for pot shots and real shots, the sins of omission prepare for the sins of commission. When senior Senators say they have no power over this vacuum, they are morally and politically obfuscating, which sounds a lot like silence from here.

Senator Schumer should know better. You would think he would remember what inaction against hate can do. You would also imagine that he knows which side of the bread his political butter is on. It is not in refusing immigrants' gifts. My own congregation, Judson Memorial Church in New York City was founded in efforts to "help" immigrants. We even taught the Italians cooking classes, which has to be one of the more humorous parts of an American history that yet has to mature into a blessed multi-culturalism. I am not pointing a finger at Senator Schumer alone. We are in this multi-cultural moment together. Neither paternalism nor silence will get us through to what we want. We want a joyfully multi-cultural nation which knows how to appreciate each other's pasts. We want to imagine the Mexicans of the next decades to enjoy the citizenship that Italians and Germans do now. Why would we not? Is not the anti-Latin flavor of today the anti-German and anti-Italian flavor of yore? What did hate or nativism ever get us? Besides low prices on "ethnic" food?

Before we engage a truly absurd debate about whether people in Arizona are behaving more Nazi than not, let us open our mouths and beg for Comprehensive and Caring Immigration Reform. Let's put a bill on the table. Absent that bill, with or without Republican support, we give a canny permission to the people who are truly scared to do things that will make them look like disorganized Nazis. The notice this week that the Republicans en masse will not vote for ANY immigration bill only makes the mountain steeper. The party of nope has struck again. If Senator Schumer of the great state of New York can't wade into this water with power and hope, who can?

Anyone can understand the fear in the hearts of Americans who might lose their own jobs or have seen their neighborhoods go to multi family housing. Recession also speaks. Anyone can see how threatening the Mexican drug wars are to a border state. People can understand and see. Anyone can also understand (and remember) what it means to leave your native home to get work you and your family need. Immigration is also damn hard on immigrants, especially as they get criminalized, demonized, or stabbed. Or are sent to cooking classes. Or are underpaid and overworked. Let's acknowledge the mess all the way around -- and not demonize those who demonize or criminalize immigrants. Let's not return the favor of hate or get into ridiculous arguments about who is a racist, who is a patriot, who is a Nazi, who is not. There is no point. Instead, Senator Schumer, get over your Amnesia and put a bill on the table. You have the seniority, the support and the savvy to do something larger than the feasible. You could do the right thing. You could make it a truly generous and American bill, the kind your forbears would have wanted and the kind you say you also want. Stalling puts you with the party of nope. You have a chance to party - and I don't mean just a politically - with hope.

The Reverend Dr. Donna Schaper

from todays -http://www.huffingtonpost.com/donna-schaper/schumers-amnesia-and-ariz_b_550502.html

FREE LEADERSHIP TRAINING WORKSHOP

2010-04-14T13:46:00.000-07:00

NYAC Justice for Our Neighbors to Host Leadership Training Workshop

The New York Annual Conference – Justice for Our Neighbors (NYAC-JFON) program has received funding from the General Board of Church and Society – Ethnic Local Church Grant program to host a Leadership Training workshop for those in leadership positions in the church who want to learn how to educate both their own church congregations and undocumented immigrants about their rights and the complex legalization process. The training will be led by JFON Immigration Attorney, Thomas Mills, Rev. Pauline Wardell-Sankoh, and Bill Mefford of the General Board of Church and Society who has funded NYAC-JFON.

The Leadership Training will cover the following:

· Immigration 101

· Debunking immigration myths (jobs, economy, crime, etc.)

· Immigration through the lens of faith

· Moving the immigration discussion forward

· Engaging your congregation in immigrant justice

The training has been scheduled for:

DATE: Thursday, April 22, 2010

LOCATION: 475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115 (the "God Box")

TIME: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM Lunch will be provided!

If you would like to attend the training and to register, please contact Sofia Pezua - JFON Regional Coordinator at 646-575-7983 or via email atspezua@gmail.com. Please feel free to invite anyone who would benefit from this training to attend.

NYAC-JFON provides free, immigration legal services through four monthly clinics located at John Wesley UMC in Brooklyn, Chinese UMC in Manhattan, La Promesa Presbyterian Church in Flushing, and South Presbyterian in Yonkers.

Link to Easter Sermon off today by Dr. Forbes

2010-04-04T14:14:00.000-07:00

Rev. Dr. Forbes' Easter Sermon/MLK Service at The Riverside Church in NYC - today 04/04/2010

IFCO/Pastors for Peace Reportback on Haiti and Cuban Medical Brigade

2010-03-01T17:23:00.000-08:00

Type:

Meetings - Informational Meeting

Date:	Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Time:	6:30pm - 8:30pm
Location:	Assembly Hall of the JUDSON MEMORIAL CHURCH, 239 Thompson Street (Greenwich Village)

Description

PLEASE JOIN IFCO/PASTORS FOR PEACE

IN WELCOMING HOME SEVEN YOUNG U.S. DOCTORS,
GRADUATES OF THE LATIN AMERICAN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE,
WHO ARE RETURNING FROM A MONTH OF MEDICAL SERVICE IN HAITI
WORKING WITH THE CUBAN MEDICAL BRIGADE

The seven young doctors will be speaking about their first-hand experience working in the Croix des Bouquets Field Hospital, where they have been living and working in tents, seeing and treating hundreds of patients each day since their arrival in Haiti in early February.

These young women physicians who come from Harlem, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Staten Island; from Houston, Oakland, and Minnesota are the U.S. part of an international contingent of more than 200 young doctors from 25 different countries, all of them graduates of the Latin American School of Medicine, currently providing medical services in Haiti.

We will also be sharing information about sending humanitarian aid to Haiti: We are glad to let you know that IFCO/Pastors for Peace is collaborating with Local 100 of the Transit Workers Union to organize a container shipment of medical supplies, tents, and cots to Haiti.

A Haitian dinner will be served,

thanks to our friends at Lakou NY

and Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees.

(Donations for the meal will be gratefully accepted.)

PLEASE RSVP TO IFCO/PASTORS FOR PEACE: 212/926-5757; ifco@igc.org

We look forward to seeing you!

Land Displacement, Resistance, and Territory Rights in Colombia

2010-02-26T15:29:00.000-08:00

A Discussion with Afro-Colombian Activist Francia Elena Marquez

By Colombia Solidarity Network
Francia is the founder of the Association of Colombian Women of the Yolombó Village, the Vice-President of the Community Council of La Toma (Cauca), and a member of the largest Afro-Colombian organization, Proceso de Comunidades Negras (PCN). In this workshop, she will be talking about how paramilitary forces have targeted the PCN and her community’s struggle to resist land displacement, exploitation, and human rights violations.

Keywords:

Since October 2009, the Afro-Colombian organization, the Black Communities' Process (PCN) and other human rights, labor, and Indigenous organizations have been declared "military targets" by the paramilitary group, "Aguilas Negras-Nueva Generación." The PCN has been targeted for defending their territorial, cultural, and economic rights. These rights have been violated by the imposition of large-scale mineral exploitation, and infrastructure projects.

Francia Elena Marquez is one of these community leaders who is facing imminent risks in defending her community as they resist internal displacement, expropriation, and harassment by economic and political forces interested in their ancestral lands.

Francia's strong roots in the land and the community, which was built by her ancestors in 1636, has made of her a courageous and strong community leader. Francia is the vice-president of the Community Council of La Toma, in the municipality of Suarez, department of Norte del Cauca. She is the coordinator of the youth activities within the Community Council, founder of the Association of Afro-Colombian women of the Yolombó village, representative before the Inter-Ethnic Commission, and member of PCN. As member of the Community Council, Francia is responsible for monitoring the formulation process of the hydroelectric project Salvajina, and the “Rio Ovejas project” (which consists of deviating the river to increase the Salvajina dam’s volume). Francia also monitors mining projects and concessions in the municipalities of Suarez and Buenos Aires. Thirty mining concessions to the multinational Anglo Gold Ashanti and some of its contractors have been granted by Colombian government in the municipalities of Suarez and Buenos Aires, in violation of the right to previous consultation of the communities affected. 1500 families face expropriation and displacement from their ancestral lands. The position of the community and leaders in defense of their rights has made them target of paramilitary persecution.

At this workshop, Francia will talk about how the PCN is taking bold steps to denounce the plight of the communities, state their determination to continue struggling, and mobilize effective solidarity actions across the international community to raise the issue and make Colombian government accountable for Afro-Colombian rights violations.

....this FRIDAY, February 26
2 p.m.
Room 758, Schermerhorn Extension
at the Institute for Research in African American Studies, Columbia University

*Event hosted by the Workshop on Critical Approaches to Race and Ethnicity at Columbia University.

Directions for the event:

*The event is located in Room 758 in the Schermerhorn Extension.
*This map below shows you where the Schermerhorn Extension is located...please enter from the Schermerhorn Building, take the stairs or elevator to the 7th floor, and the room will be at the end of the hallway!

http://www.columbia.edu/about_columbia/map/schermerhorn_ext.html

Please try and send a Broken Hearts Action for Valentine’s Day card to your local representative or to the President

2010-02-14T14:47:00.000-08:00

http://newsanctuarynyc.wordpress.com/2010/02/14/broken-hearts-action-for-valentines-day/

Please share this card, by printing it out and mailing it, to President Obama and members of Congress (please click the hyperlink above).
Send to -
President Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

New contingent of doctors from the Latin American Medical School headed for Haiti

2010-02-11T11:57:00.000-08:00

Report from Gail Reed, International Director of MEDICC, in Havana:

"Meanwhile, just an update on what’s happening here: the first of a contingent of 2,000 (yes, two thousand) graduates of the Latin American Medical School are leaving today for Haiti. Their mission is to integrate with the Cuban and Cuban-trained Haitian medical teams, to assist Haiti to build a public health system from the ground up. They will be rotating over time, but the commitment is to staff public health facilities in Haiti as long as is needed until there are enough Haitian medical personnel to take over. The idea is to rebuild ten times better than what existed before. We will have something up on our website shortly about all this.

What is most interesting about these graduates—I talked with many yesterday—is that they come by and large from very poor backgrounds themselves. Many of them indigenous. Nicaraguans, Hondurans and Salvadorans who remember the earthquakes in their own countries that motivated the opening of the Latin American School. Grads from Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Bolivia. And the Caribbean itself, including the DR—and three wonderful young doctors from St. Lucia and Dominica, who of course also speak Creole! Their commitment is inspiring. One young man was tearful as he spoke to me about his Haitian classmates who had graduated with him, how they had lost their families and homes, and he was anxious to do something that would help…

More later.

NYC Interfaith Convocation for Immigration Reform 02/18/2010

2010-02-09T09:24:00.000-08:00

February 18, 2010, 11:30am: NYC Interfaith Convocation for Immigration Reform

Mark your calendars! The NYS Interfaith Network for Immigration Reform, in partnership with the New York Immigration Coalition, invite you to an Interfaith Convocation for Just, Humane and Comprehensive Immigration Reform on February 18, 2010. Religious leaders, elected officials, and community leaders will come together to raise the moral call for immigration reform to move forward this year. The event will take place at Riverside Church at 11:30am.

Please try to attend and support this worthy cause for Haiti Relief Friday 2/05/10

2010-02-03T08:48:00.000-08:00

Benefit concert for Haiti at Riverside Church, N.Y.C. Friday 02/05/10 8:00 PM - Proceeds go to IFCO/Pastors for Peace Haiti Medical Relief Fund.

Brahms Requiem/Ein Deutsches Requiem

For Tickets Call 888-71-tickets ($15 in advance, $10 Seniors and Students, and $20 at the door). Representatives will be on hand to accept tax deductible donations.
490 Riverside Drive- 212-870-6700
Or go to the IFCO for more info - http://www.ifconews.org/

Welcome to IFCO / Pastors for Peace | ::: IFCO / Pastors for Peace :::

Classical Music World Thunders into Haiti Relief Effort

in New York City, Symphony of Dreams stages Memorial Benefit Concert for lost and the living.

Listfree (Press Releaser) - Sunday, January 31st, 2010 - Fear NO Frontier’s Symphony of Dreams Haiti Memorial Benefit Concert Sponsored by IFCO/Pastors for Peace
NEW YORK, NY, JANUARY 31, 2010: As the team of newly graduated doctors and interns begin their trek through the devastated Haitian countryside, they know only that they expect to find widespread death, broken bones, disease and famine. They also know that their backpacks, now stuffed with bandages, antibiotics and analgesics, will soon enough be empty.
Their hope lies in a dark wonderland of incomprehension. Will the reinforcements arrive in time, or at all, with replacement supplies, food and some relief for them? What they don’t know, and are certainly unsure of, is whether or not relief will come at all.
Neither do they have any idea that some two thousand miles away, hundreds of people – musicians, singers, actors, fund raisers and their supporters are preparing for a huge Memorial Benefit Concert designed to get money into the hands of those who will be carrying those replacement supplies and bringing more personnel to bolster their mission. Enter IFCO/Pastors for Peace and other groups like them. Enter the Fear No Frontier / Symphony of Dreams.
So, how often do you get to see an awesome concert, the likes of which you have probably never seen before, and even get a charitable tax-deduction for the trifling price of the ticket too?
For the thousands of Haitians who live in the metropolitan New York area and may have lost loved ones in the earthquake, this may be the first Memorial Concert performed by a large symphony orchestra intended to commemorate the victims of the tragedy. Over 100 of New York City’s finest musicians come together to present a “once-in-a-lifetime” performance of the venerable Brahms Requiem at the majestic Riverside Church in Manhattan on Friday Feb.5th at 8:00PM.

The inside of church itself is a visually stunning 2,500+ seat venue with a towering interior and imposing balcony seating.
Classical music aficionados, often moved by ensembles performing quotidian fugues and sonatas will be absolutely drooling with delight at Fear No Frontier’s Symphony of Dreams, a new Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir conducted by the masterful talents of the soft-spoken and unassuming young maestro, Joseph Jones. Jones, himself a consummate performer, tenor-baritone, timpanist and conductor, has appeared with the MIT Summer Philharmonic, the Moscow Symphony and the Orchestra Sinfonica de Coyo in Argentina. Fear No Frontier’s Symphony of Dreams performance of Brahms Requiem also features soprano Michelle Trovato, winner of numerous national and international awards from Albania to Washington (including the Metropolitan Opera National Council) and baritone Austin Larusson, with a Special Guest Appearance by “deSouza” ~ an a capella family singing group from Australia with music sales and fans spanning the globe.
Sponsored by IFCO/Pastors for Peace (http://ifconews.org), Fear No Frontier ~ A Symphony of Dreams is presenting this Memorial Concert Benefit not only to commemorate those lost in the Haiti earthquake tragedy, but to also help get immediate medical support to those still living and desperately struggling to survive in the devastated little country. Ticket prices are low, so the large Haitian community in New York and many others who don’t normally get to see a grand performance such as this will be able to experience the commemoration. IFCO/Pastor for Peace Representatives will be on hand to accept the tax-deductible donations. Visit http://symphonyforhaiti.org for more information.
Proceeds will immediately go to provide medicine and other relief supplies for doctors and medical personnel coming into Haiti on the ground through Santo Domingo and hiking through the devastated country to the outer lying villages and camps that are receiving little, if any, of the relief effort. In Haiti, the poorest country in the western hemisphere, it has been projected that over 200,000 people died and over 250,000 have been injured. Almost 1,000,000 people are now homeless.
Fear No Frontier’s trust-bond is to raise awareness of worldwide suffering and injustice, and to take action to help correct these conditions. The IFCO/Pastors for Peace is a special ministry of the Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization, and was created in 1988 to pioneer the delivery of humanitarian aid to Latin America and the Caribbean.
# # #
Fear No Frontier’s mission is to raise awareness of worldwide suffering and injustice, and to take action to help correct these conditions. The IFCO/Pastors for Peace is a special ministry of the Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization, and was created in 1988 to pioneer the delivery of humanitarian aid to Latin America and the Caribbean.
For more information or interviews on this subject please contact Mick Roberts at 413.388.3684 or Joseph Jones at 347.891.1999

RALLY AND LOBBY DAY IN DC! Departing 8:00 Am on 3/21/10

2010-01-21T16:04:00.000-08:00

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matt 5:10)

Join The Riverside Church - get on the bus!!!

What: RALLY AND LOBBY DAY IN DC!

In coordination with theEcumenical Advocacy Days Conference, thousands of people of faith willgather on the Mall in Washington DC to signal our support for comprehensive immigration reform.

When: Sunday & Monday, March 21st. & 22nd. Bus departs promptly at 8AM SHARP and returns around 9PM.

Where: Meet outside the Claremont Ave entrance of Riverside Church (91Claremont Ave between 120th and 122nd. Street)

Cost: $40 requested donation, scholarships available.

It’s time for our voices to come together in unity and to decidedly urge Congress topass comprehensive immigration reform!

WE HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US!YOU MUST RESERVE YOUR SEAT.
To contact us, or request more information, emailjoya.life@gmail.com
or call 212-749-0668

No, Mister! You Cannot Share My Pain!

2010-01-19T15:14:00.000-08:00

click on -> No, Mister! You Cannot Share My Pain!

John Maxwell article in Jamaica Observer - 01/17/10, READ THIS IF NOTHING ELSE Re Haiti and the US

MLK's "I Have A Dream speech" of 28 August, 1963

2010-01-18T02:09:00.000-08:00

Helping Haiti ... contact Daniel Yohannes

2010-01-13T21:30:00.000-08:00

My friends,

Please consider forwarding an edited version of the message below to your employer and let them know that you are interested in seeing a corporate response to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Haiti. Many employers will match funds donated by employees and some will sponsor paid time off for volunteer efforts.

Also forward to friends and loved ones who may be able to get involved. "Unmarried" uncles with no kids make great Habitat for Humanities Volunteers. If someone knows how I can get involved better, please let me know. I have already requested the last week of Jan for vacation. I also have crash pads lined up for people in the Dominican Republic January 23 through at least Feb 6, and perhaps longer. I intend on extending the invite to international humanitarian workers as well so expect communal living (in a multiple bedroom timeshare with pool - strange how God/ess/the universe provides for us when we act altruistically).

I am also coordinating shipment of relief supplies, to the best of my ability. I have an address in the DR to receive the packages and will likely spend a lot of time driving between there and the Haiti border. Think tents, water purification tablets, powdered milk/nutrient drinks and pain killers.

See the latest on the times website at :

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/14/world/americas/14haiti.html?hp

Peace,
Daniel

American Red Cross - Sending Aid to Haiti

2010-01-13T10:52:00.000-08:00

go to - http://www.redcross.org/en/
or to send $10 via your phone -
Donate To Haiti Earthquake Victims The American Red Cross has pledged an initial $200,000 to assist communities impacted. A quick and easy way to do so. Just send the word "HAITI" in the body of a text message to 90999. A donation of $10 will be made to the Red Cross and charged to your cell phone bill.

Message From Jean Montrevil, 1/11/10, York County Prison

2010-01-11T14:31:00.000-08:00

http://newsanctuarynyc.wordpress.com/2010/01/11/message-from-jean-montrevil-11110-york-county-prison/

From Jean:
I understand and know what’s going on, and I can’t thank you enough. I appreciate everyone’s concern.
I am willing to be a part of this Team. It’s not about me. It’s not just about me.
If I do get deported, don’t think that we lost or failed. The system failed. We won. It’s the system that’s failing us.
I’ll stay strong. Keep me in your prayers.
It’s hard for me to understand I’m in jail. I thought I would be deported within 48 hours.
It’s hard. It’s hard. It’s hard.

Jean's son Jahsiah (in picture)
It’s hard when I hear Jmaya on the phone, saying, “Come home now, when are you coming home?”

But I’m not going to give up. I am also with the Team.

NYT: What really happened to Boubacar Bah?

2010-01-10T17:40:00.000-08:00

msnbc.com video: NYT: What really happened to Boubacar Bah? According to MSNBC since the Fall of 2003 there have been 107 immigrants who have died while in ICE custody. Please watch video below after obligatory sponsor commercial (or click "X" on right hand corner to skip commercial).

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

or
click hyperlink

CNN Article - Chat-happens-when-the-wrong-people-get-deported

2010-01-08T07:58:00.000-08:00

http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2010/01/08/what-happens-when-the-wrong-people-get-deported/

Editor's note: Peter Bregman is chief executive of Bregman Partners Inc., a global management consulting firm, and the author of "Point B: A Short Guide to Leading a Big Change." He writes a weekly column, How We Work, for The Harvard Business Review.

Jean Montrevil and the youngest of his four children, Jamya.
Peter Bregman
Special to AC360°

When 11 Christian clergy get arrested in New York City for a non violent protest, it may be worth, at the very least, raising an eyebrow. But when 1,300 petitioners and 50 organizations, including theNew Sanctuary Movement and Families for Freedom, join in supporting their cause, well, it deserves more attention than an eyebrow. What is it that’s making all these peaceful people and organizations so upset?

To understand that, you need to meet Jean Montrevil, a green card holding resident of the U.S. since 1986. Only you can’t meet him. He’s being detained for deportation to Haiti.

Ah, you may be thinking, good. Maybe that’ll help protect our country from terrorism. After all, look at Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab the Nigerian citizen who was charged with trying to blow up a transcontinental airliner over Detroit on Christmas Day. Perhaps we should be glad that immigration officials are finally being a little more on top of things.

Only they’re not. Because Jean, like many others deported recently, is the wrong person. I’ve met Jean a few times and he’s a good guy. He’s married to a U.S. citizen and they have four children who are U.S. citizens. He runs a small business which employs others. He pays his taxes, supports his family, and is active in his church, Judson Memorial Church, which my wife also attends.

So why are they bothering with him? Because more than 20 years ago Jean was convicted on a drug charge in Virginia.

Oh, you might conclude, so he’s a criminal. Good thing we’re being protected from him. Actually, for that crime, Jean already served an incredible 11 years in prison. And beating the odds, after completing his sentence he didn’t emerge angry. He emerged productive. He’s been a valuable member of our society ever since, with a sparkling clean record.

Which should be the happy end of the story. But it’s not.

In 1996, as part of the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act, a law was passed that is tearing families apart: the Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act. There’s a retroactive provision in the law which allows the government to deport any non-US citizen (including people here legally, like Jean) who committed crimes even decades earlier.

So on December 30th, 2009 when Jean showed up for a routine check-in with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), an agent whisked him off to Pennsylvania’s York County Prison, where he awaits deportation to Haiti as a “serious violent offender.” If this happens as planned in the next few days, Jean will be prohibited from coming back into this country, where his entire family lives, for the next 20 years.

So I have a simple question: Who is making decisions at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency?

They let Mr. AbdulMutallab a man whose name was on the terrorist watch list and whose own father warned us about him, retain his Visa to come into this country (with explosives as we later found out).

And now, a few days later, they are trying to deport Jean – whose name is nowhere near a terrorist watch list – for a crime he committed 24 years ago. Hello? Is there anyone out there?

So I went to the ICE website, to see. There I saw their annual reports where they boast year over year increases in the number of deportations they made in an attempt to justify their $5.7 billion budget. The latestavailable data from the Justice Department shows an estimated 14 percent increase in new immigration prosecutions between 2008 and 2009. That’s an increase of 139 percent from five years ago.

And if you think about it, Jean is an easy way to increase their numbers. After all, he shows up at ICE offices for regular check-ins, as requested. But why pick him up now? Why not at any of his previous check-ins? Perhaps he’s a pretty easy catch to make their numbers at the end of the year. Some operations shouldn’t be run like businesses.

ICE is focused on the wrong goal. Protecting our nation is not a numbers game.The real question is not how many people get deported. It's who gets deported.

Maybe the biggest problem with our terrorist watch list is that we're not watching it. Because we’re too busy watching people like Jean, who pose no threat at all.

Something is wrong with our system. And we won’t be able to fix it until real leaders – maybe President Obama, maybe Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) John Morton, maybe those 11 clergy who were arrested to bring Jean’s case to light, or maybe you or me – force sensible change.

Until that happens, we’re all at risk.

As I was finishing this piece I mentioned it to one of my employees, a woman born in the Dominican Republic who has had a green card for 38 years. Her husband has had one for 33 years. She gasped when she heard about Jean and then told me that a few months ago her husband received a letter in the mail from ICE telling him they were starting the deportation process for him, citing a crime he committed, and served time for, 28 years ago. They have children and grandchildren who are US citizens. Their son served in the US Navy.

Who will be next? As the German Pastor Martin Niemoller said in a famous speech right after World War II ended:

First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a communist; Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist; Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew; Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak out for me.

Petition Demanding Release of Immigrant Rights Leader- Jean Montrevil

2010-01-06T16:30:00.000-08:00

Targeting: The President of the United States, The U.S. Senate and The U.S. House
Started by: manisha vaze
At a rally attended by over a hundred people outside the Varick Street Immigrant Detention Center, eight clergy and two community leaders were arrested after stopping traffic for a half hour to prevent vans from transporting new immigrant detainees to the center. The participants called for the release of detained immigrant rights leader, and father of four US-born children, Jean Montrevil. They also demanded reform of draconian immigration laws that cause separation of families.
YOU CAN JOIN JEAN'S FAMILY AND COMMUNITY IN THIS EFFORT!
Sign the petition to/click the hyperlink below or cut and past into your browser:

http://www.change.org/actions/view/petition_demanding_release_of_immigrant_rights_leader_jean_montrevil

(1) FREE JEAN NOW! Bring him back to his family in Brooklyn, NY
(2) Stand in solidarity with hunger strikers in Miami (FL), York Co. (PA) and many others around the country (www.fastforourfamilies.org)
(3) Endorse the Child Citizen Protection Act (HR 182)
(4) Support immigration reform that keeps families together and maintains the human dignity of all immigrant families

Check out how little we spend on healthcare, more specifically on hospital infrastructure (hint, less than 1/2 as much as we did in 2007)

2010-01-03T12:07:00.000-08:00

Hospital infrastructure spending in USA (click hyperlink below to see graph).
An Illuninating Graph on US spending on healthcare compared to rest of the industrialized world

Haitian Community Activist Jean Montrevil Faces Deportation

2010-01-02T10:30:00.000-08:00

Haitian Community Activist Jean Montrevil Faces Deportation

Interfaith Service Marking Arrival of first Guantanamo Detainees, January 11, 2010, 6:30pm

2009-12-16T14:21:00.000-08:00

Mark your calendars and spread the word, there will be an interfaith prayer service on

January 11th, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. in Wallace Hall at St. Ignatius Loyola Church (Park Avenue and 84th Street in Manhattan):

Gathering as a People of Light and Hope: Casting Out The Darkness of Torture and Guantanamo Forever.
An Interfaith Service of Song, Prayer, Light and Public Commitment

We’ll be marking the 8th anniversary of the arrival of the first detainees at Guantanamo and doing so in the hope that this blot on our nation’s soul may soon be obliterated. We have worked long and hard to see an end to U.S. involvement in torture and the closing of Guantanamo. The day for which we have hoped appears to be dawning and we should acknowledge the part we played in hastening that dawn.

I hope to see many of you – and many of your friends, families and colleagues – on January 11th, 2010!!

Mark Hallinan, S.J.
For MNYRCAT Steering Committee

New immigration reform bill filed in House Article from - Wednesday, 12/16/09 The Miami Herald (5-Min. Herald site)

2009-12-15T23:27:00.000-08:00

Eagerly awaited legislation to legalize millions of undocumented immigrants was filed in the House of Representatives Tuesday, but chances of passage were unclear.

BY ALFONSO CHARDY

achardy@ElNuevoHerald.com
Democratic lawmakers, led by Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., on Tuesday filed the first comprehensive immigration reform bill in the current Congress, giving renewed hope to millions of undocumented immigrants in South Florida and around the country.
But the prospects for passage remain as uncertain as ever.

``This is a great thing for everyone,'' said Walter Lara, a 23-year-old former Miami Dade College student from Argentina who almost got deported in July after immigration officers discovered he had no papers. ``If this passes, this is the type of change President Obama has been talking about. It will make the United States a more welcoming country.''

Provisions in the Gutierrez legislation -- Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity Act of 2009 -- are somewhat similar to those in prior bills.

Undocumented immigrants in the United States prior to Dec. 15, 2009, would be encouraged to come forward and register with the government in exchange for a future path to residency and citizenship.

Certain immigrants in deportation proceedings, facing removal or ordered to depart would be able to apply for legalization under Gutierrez's bill. Applicants would pay a $500 fine -- lower than the thousands of dollars sought in prior bills -- and must have clean criminal records. If approved, applicants would receive a six-year visa, which eventually could be replaced by a green card -- the path to possible citizenship.

The bill also incorporates provisions of the DREAM Act, separate legislation filed earlier that would provide green cards to children of undocumented parents who are in high school or college and were brought to the United States as minors.

As Gutierrez, an eight-term House member representing a Chicago district, unveiled his legislation at a news conference on Capitol Hill, immigrant rights activists in Miami and other U.S. cities stepped up efforts to convince federal lawmakers and the Obama administration to embrace immigration reform as a priority.

Several South Florida groups are organizing news conferences, a march to Washington by young students and a hunger strike in January -- initial steps in what is expected to be a national campaign by immigration activists on behalf of immigration reform.

OPPOSITION

Similar bills in recent years have failed because of fierce opposition by conservative and anti-immigrant forces. Whether the political climate has changed is difficult to say, but most experts say debate on immigration reform will be as emotional and polarizing as the healthcare reform debate.

President Obama has signaled he will push immigration reform, but not until healthcare reform is out of the way.

Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., who supports immigration reform, criticized Gutierrez's bill because it disrupts efforts by him and a group of bipartisan lawmakers drafting a separate immigration reform bill.

``This effort today, a showhorse not workhorse effort, is throwing a hand grenade into the midst of the bipartisan efforts,'' said Diaz-Balart.

Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., echoed his brother saying Gutierrez's bill ``will probably destroy the chances of passing any real reform.''

Longstanding opponents vehemently criticized Gutierrez's bill.

``The bill proposes to reduce illegal immigration by making all illegal immigrants legal,'' Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Tex., a longtime legalization opponent, said in a statement.

LOCAL EFFORT

Lobbying efforts by local immigration activists are already under way.

Gaby Pacheco, a Miami Dade College student spearheading a local campaign for the DREAM Act, briefed members of the Miami-Dade Community Relations Board Tuesday.

On Friday, Pacheco and her group -- Students Working for Equal Rights -- will join other immigrant rights groups for a news conference at the New Beginning Church of Deliverance of Little Haiti to outline their pro-immigration reform plans.

The local campaign centerpiece is next month's hunger strike and the walk from Miami to Washington. Four members of the group, including Pacheco, will walk to urge support for the DREAM Act and immigration reform.

Another group plans to enter a local church and begin a fast to demand the suspension of detentions and deportations of immigrants with U.S. citizen children and spouses, and of migrant students until Congress passes immigration reform.

At the news conference, Pacheco's group will join other organizations including the Florida Immigrant Coalition, the Centro de Orientación del Inmigrante and WeCount! to urge Congress and the White House to be more forceful on immigration reform. ``Florida's immigrant communities and allies feel that neither Congress nor the Obama Administration is doing enough to ease the suffering of immigrant communities,'' the organizations said in a statement.

Friends Service Committee (AFSC) Immigrants Rights Program

2009-12-10T10:32:00.000-08:00

Please call Congress TODAY

Today a group of over 70 individuals representing 25 groups from throughout the state led by the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) Immigrants Rights Program will be marching for seven miles from the federal building in Newark, NJ to the immigration detention center in Elizabeth in A Walk Toward Humane Immigration Policy.
Please help amplify their actions for humane immigration reform by adding your voice.
You may have already received this email, but what you may not know is that it may be particularly important for you to call your representative tomorrow.
If you live in one of the following four districts, your representative is considered a swing vote and his support could be pivotal in crafting immigration reform legislation next year.
District 2 – LoBiondo; District 3 – Adler; District 4 – Smith; District 7 - Lance
The future for the approximately 12 million undocumented immigrants, and the 4 million children living in mixed immigration status families could depend on your representative. Please urge him to reject xenophobia and encourage him to craft legislation that is fair, just, and compassionate.
Please call and say:

"Hello, my name is _____________ and I am a member of [Pax Christi NJ] calling about humane immigration reform. I am deeply concerned about:
* the indiscriminate detention and deportation of immigrants
* the lack of due process in the immigration court system
Please legislate for:
* a path to legal permanent residence for undocumented immigrants which respects the dignity and rights of all workers and families and re-unites immigrant families that have been separated.
Thank you for listening to my concerns. I will hold you, and all workers and families, especially immigrants in my daily prayers."
Please email me kolearypcnj@gmail.com after you have made your phone call so that we can track how many calls were made. (Phone #’s for all NJ’s reps are below.)
Peace & blessings,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Call your congressman TODAY and ask him to support immigration policy which:
§ Respects the dignity and rights of all workers
§ Ends the indiscriminate detention and wholesale deportation of immigrants
§ Restores due process to the immigration court system
§ Creates a path to legal permanent residence for undocumented immigrants
§ Keeps families together and re-unites families that have been separated
Talking points:
§ Immigrant rights are human rights
§ All workers deserve to be treated with dignity and respect regardless of their immigration status
§ The existing immigration system has resulted in a growing number of persons in this country living in the shadows as they toil in jobs and are exploited by employers, landlords and others who prey on their vulnerability.
§ Our current immigration system contributes to the exploitation, and even deaths of migrants who otherwise contribute their work and talents to our nation
Please email kolearypcnj@gmail.com after you have called with the name of your congressman and any feedback.
Forward this email to your friends to ask them to call too.
For more information on immigration reform
Friends Committee on National Legislation http://www.fcnl.org/immigration/
Interfaith Immigration Coalition http://www.interfaithimmigration.org/
The Catholic Campaign for Immigration Reform http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org/
Interfaith Worker Justice http://www.iwj.org/template/page.cfm?id=26
Don’t know how to contact your congressman?
Go to www.congress.org and type in your zip-code
Congressional Districts for House of Representatives New Jersey
District 1
Andrews, Robert E. (D)
DC Phone: (202) 225-6501
District 2
LoBiondo, Frank A. (R)
DC Phone: (202) 225-6501
District 3
John Adler (D)
DC Phone: (202) 225-4765
District 4
Smith, Christopher H. (R)
DC Phone: (202) 225-3765
District 5
Garrett, Scott (R)
DC Phone: (202) 225-4465
District 6
Pallone, Frank (D)
DC Phone: (202) 225-4671
District 7
Lance Leonard (R)
DC Phone: (202) 225-5361
District 8
Pascrell, Bill
DC Phone: (202) 225-5751
District 9
Rothman, Steven R. (D)
DC Phone: (202) 225-5061
District 10
Payne, Donald M. (D)
DC Phone: (202) 225-3436
District 11
Frelinghuysen, Rodney P. (R)
DC Phone: (202) 225-5034
District 12
Holt, Rush D. (D)
DC Phone: (202) 225-5801
District 13
Albio Sires (D)
DC Phone: (202)225-7919

IMPORTANT - Call Congress TODAY

2009-12-10T05:56:00.000-08:00

Today a group of over 70 individuals representing 25 groups from throughout the state led by the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) Immigrants Rights Program will be marching for seven miles from the federal building in Newark, NJ to the immigration detention center in Elizabeth in A Walk Toward Humane Immigration Policy.
Please help amplify their actions for humane immigration reform by adding your voice.

You may have already received this email, but what you may not know is that it may be particularly important for you to call your representative tomorrow.

If you live in one of the following four districts, your representative is considered a swing vote and his support could be pivotal in crafting immigration reform legislation next year.

District 2 – LoBiondo; District 3 – Adler; District 4 – Smith; District 7 - Lance

The future for the approximately 12 million undocumented immigrants, and the 4 million children living in mixed immigration status families could depend on your representative. Please urge him to reject xenophobia and encourage him to craft legislation that is fair, just, and compassionate.

Please call and say:

"Hello, my name is _____________ and I am a member of [Pax Christi NJ] calling about humane immigration reform. I am deeply concerned about:

* the indiscriminate detention and deportation of immigrants

* the lack of due process in the immigration court system

Please legislate for:

* a path to legal permanent residence for undocumented immigrants which respects the dignity and rights of all workers and families and re-unites immigrant families that have been separated.

Thank you for listening to my concerns. I will hold you, and all workers and families, especially immigrants in my daily prayers."

Please email me kolearypcnj@gmail.com after you have made your phone call so that we can track how many calls were made. (Phone #’s for all NJ’s reps are below.)

Peace & blessings,

Call your congressman TODAY and ask him to support immigration policy which:
§ Respects the dignity and rights of all workers
§ Ends the indiscriminate detention and wholesale deportation of immigrants
§ Restores due process to the immigration court system
§ Creates a path to legal permanent residence for undocumented immigrants
§ Keeps families together and re-unites families that have been separated

Talking points:
§ Immigrant rights are human rights
§ All workers deserve to be treated with dignity and respect regardless of their immigration status
§ The existing immigration system has resulted in a growing number of persons in this country living in the shadows as they toil in jobs and are exploited by employers, landlords and others who prey on their vulnerability.
§ Our current immigration system contributes to the exploitation, and even deaths of migrants who otherwise contribute their work and talents to our nation

Please email kolearypcnj@gmail.com after you have called with the name of your congressman and any feedback.
Forward this email to your friends to ask them to call too.

For more information on immigration reform

-Friends Committee on National Legislation http://www.fcnl.org/immigration/

-Interfaith Immigration Coalition http://www.interfaithimmigration.org/

-The Catholic Campaign for Immigration Reform http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org/

-Interfaith Worker Justice http://www.iwj.org/template/page.cfm?id=26

Don’t know how to contact your congressman?

Go to www.congress.org and type in your zip-code

Congressional Districts for House of Representatives New Jersey

District 1
Andrews, Robert E. (D)
DC Phone: (202) 225-6501

District 2
LoBiondo, Frank A. (R)
DC Phone: (202) 225-6501

District 3
John Adler (D)
DC Phone: (202) 225-4765

District 4
Smith, Christopher H. (R)
DC Phone: (202) 225-3765

District 5
Garrett, Scott (R)
DC Phone: (202) 225-4465

District 6
Pallone, Frank (D)
DC Phone: (202) 225-4671

District 7
Lance Leonard (R)
DC Phone: (202) 225-5361

District 8
Pascrell, Bill
DC Phone: (202) 225-5751

District 9
Rothman, Steven R. (D)
DC Phone: (202) 225-5061

District 10
Payne, Donald M. (D)
DC Phone: (202) 225-3436

District 11
Frelinghuysen, Rodney P. (R)
DC Phone: (202) 225-5034
District 12
Holt, Rush D. (D)
DC Phone: (202) 225-5801
District 13
Albio Sires (D)
DC Phone: (202)225-7919

Training, Tues. Dec 8th: Media Monitoring for Hate Speech

2009-12-01T08:04:00.000-08:00

I'm writing to invite you to a wonderful and very important training with the Center for New Community (CNC) regarding media monitoring for hate speech, hosted by the New Sanctuary Movement. The event will take place next Tuesday, December 8th from 6PM to 9PM in the Assembly Hall of Judson Memorial Church. Below are all the basic details regarding the training.

*VITAL INFORMATION*

What: Countering Nativism in the Media. 3 hour training. Training is followed by a three month commitment to monitor and respond to local and national newspapers, informing editors and news management through letters to the editor, of the controversial nature of the John Tanton Network.

Where: 239 Thompson St., Assembly Hall of Judson Memorial Church

When: Tuesday, December 8th, 6PM to 9PM

PLEASE BRING: an article produced by one of the John Tanton Network's subordinate organizations (see list at http://www.newcomm.org/pdf/CNC-Tanton_Network_2009.pdf)

More info about CNC: http://www.newcomm.org

RSVP/Contact: Absolutely no later than Friday, December 4th at 2PM to jonnybgoodman@gmail.com

Thanks, and hope to see you there! See below the signature for more background from CNC about anti-immigrant hate speech and nativism in the media, the John Tanton Network and why fighting it is so vital to the cause of achieving a fair and just environment for immigrants. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have further questions.

Sincerely,

Jonny Goodman
Community Minister
Judson Memorial Church
(c): [240].687.0648

NEW SANCTUARY COALITION - NYC
239 Thompson Street
New York, New York 10012
phone (new!) #646 395 2925
fax #212 995 0844
http://www.newsanctuarynyc.org
________________________________________

*BACKGROUND*:
"As we approach immigration reform in the coming year, many of us look to the media as a source of accurate and just information. The lack of just reporting has incited controversy in the recent past. So many of us relished in the resignation of Lou Dobbs from CNN. Why? When mainstream media outlets are used as a megaphone by politically extreme groups without full disclosure of their agenda, it can insight and justify violence and bigotry across our nation. The John Tanton Network is a group of organizations that are quoted often in our newspapers as credible sources on immigration.

"Unfortunately, while they claim to be a mainstream authority on immigration, the network of organizations seek zero level immigration. Moreover, they have been designated a hate group by the southern poverty law center because of their white nationalist agenda.

"As agents of human change, and recognizing media as a vehicle of information, we invite you to join a nationwide network of 100+ to demand that newspapers stay accountable to accurate and just reporting by accurately labeling the John Tanton Network as controversial, politically extreme or anti-immigrant."

Press Conference and Prayer Vigil - December 10th, Human Rights Day

2009-11-30T13:38:00.000-08:00

Join us for a day of action: on December 10th, Human Rights Day, we'll be reminding our city and our country that Immigrant Rights are Human Rights! Raise your voice and be heard, stand with us at the Varick Street Detention Center (people can gather at the intersection of Houston & Varick):

12:00p - Press Conference

7:30p - Prayer Vigil

Please mark your calendars for December 10th, and help us get the word out by inviting your congregations, organizations, friends, and allies! Human Rights Day (12/10) will mark the beginning of a nation-wide week of action culminating on December 18th (International Migrants Day).

Interested in how you and your organization or congregation can do more to support Immigrant Rights? Contact the New Sanctuary Movement outreach coordinator:

Rev. Michael Ellick
mellick23@yahoo.com
646.734.0162

No Escalation in Afghanistan! Bring all Troops Home!

2009-11-30T10:12:00.000-08:00

Multi-Day Event, The day AFTER an announcement of troop escalation in Afghanistan

Wednesday, December 2nd. 2009 6:00 PM
New York, NY USA

We will hold a vigil on the day AFTER an announcement of troop escalation if that happens. Call the White House today to pressure the president to make the right choice!! No Escalation and bring all the troops home! 888-310-8637
Location: Times Square Recruiting Station, Broadway between 43rd and 44th Streets.
New York NY
Contact: Leslie Kielson, ufpjnyc@unitedforpeace.org
646-723-0980
Sponsored By: NYC-United for Peace & Justice, Iraq Veterans Against the War, Peace Action NYS, CodePink NYC www.unitedforpeace.org/nyc
sign and send out to your frirnds the eCard petition from CodePink

Immigration Reform Talk at Columbia, Dec 1, 6pm

2009-11-24T12:54:00.001-08:00

Immigration Reform 2010:
On the Agenda or Falling Behind?

A discussion featuring:

Frank Sharry, Founder and Executive Director, America’s Voice
Marc Rosenblum, Senior Policy Analyst, Migration Policy Institute
Theodore Ruthizer, Partner, Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
and Lecturer-in-Law, Columbia University
David R. Ayón, Senior Research Associate at The Center of the
Study of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University

Moderated by:

Julia Preston, National Immigration Correspondent,
The New York Times

Sponsored By: LASA & The Migration Working Group

Date: Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Time: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Location:
15th Floor, Room 1501
Columbia University
International Affairs Building
420 West 118th Street

Joe and Mei are out of the ICE office, safe and sound

2009-11-24T11:25:00.000-08:00

Dear Sanctuary Friends,

We just got word that Joe and Mei are out of the ICE office, safe and sound. The deportation officer did ask questions, but our answers were enough to keep them at bay. Joe and Mei report back to Federal Plaza on 1/13.
Here's a message from Joe:
"We thank God for his mercy and thanks to everyone for helping us."
Thank you for your prayerful vigilance. We will not need to gather for a press conference or vigil.

The anxiety of mornings like this one reminds us how inhumane this country's immigration laws have become. Please mark your calendars for Thursday, 12/10, which will be a city-wide day of action for immigration reform. Our coalition is playing a leadership role in this endeavor so stay tuned for more details!

NEW SANCTUARY COALITION - NYC
239 Thompson Street
New York, New York 10012
phone (new!) #646 395 2925
fax #212 995 0844
http://www.newsanctuarynyc.org/

Joe and Mei Report to ICE tomorrow - CONTINGENCY PLANS

2009-11-23T14:09:00.000-08:00

Dear Sanctuary Friends,

We send this email to ask you to "keep vigil" tomorrow morning as Joe and Mei report to 26 Federal Plaza for their monthly immigration check-in. Given the recent denial in their case, we fear that one or both of them may be detained.

If Joe or Mei are detained (and we pray that they aren't), we expect to hold a press conference @11am (or so) and a prayer vigil at 6:30pm, outside either 26 Federal Plaza or 201 Varick Street. We will communicate the necessary rapid responses via our coalition-wide phone tree and this list-serve, so please stay connected throughout the day.

Thank you for carrying Joe and Mei in your hearts and in your prayers. As always, they will go accompanied by members of Espiritu Santo and Good Shepherd Lutheran.

It is excruciatingly difficult to fathom how such good and beautiful people could be ripped from their three little children (little Francesca just turned one last week) and strapped into shackles and jail cells. We know that fellow sanctuary parents Jean and Patty -who also have little legal recourse left- endure the same anxiety every time they have to report. How many other NYC families are living this nightmare??? And how many more New Yorkers have NO IDEA that this is even happening???

Thank you for keeping vigil tomorrow, and thank you for being an active witness against these atrocities. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Rachel at (646) 395-2925.

p.s. Joe and Mei are very grateful for your overwhelming response to their petition request! They've extended the deadline to 12/7 to give the politicians ample time to send their letters of support and to give all of us more time to get petitions signed. Joe and Mei will use them as evidence of community support in their "deferred action" package. As one of you recently commented, petitions are also an amazingly effective tool to raise awareness in your congregation/organization.

The petition and Joe and Mei's personal letter are attached.

Mail to:
New Sanctuary Coalition of NYC
239 Thompson Street
New York, New York 10012

or, Fax to: #212 995 0844

Thank you in advance for your prayers and support!

Mission & Social Justice Potluck Christmas Party

2009-11-19T22:19:00.000-08:00

Host: Mission and Social Justice Commission of the Riverside Church

Type: Party - Dinner Party
Network: Global
Date: Saturday, December 12, 2009
Time: 7:00pm - 11:00pm
Location: The Riverside Church - 9T, #91 Claremont Avenue
City/Town: New York, NY

Description -ALL Riversiders and Friends are invited! Join us!

Admission to our Christmas Party will be FREE with the condition that each person attending is required to bring one potluck dish to share. In this way, we hope to be inclusive, offering a warm, safe space for a Christmas celebration with dancing, music, caroling, and merry conversation. Invite your friends, asking your guests to simply bring a soft drink, soda, or juice if they are unable to bring a food item!

To attend, please RSVP to chadAgurley@hotmail.com with the dish you will be bringing. In the subject line, please write "MSJ Christmas Party", so it's not moved to junk mail. Please choose one of the following and be as specific as possible. For example "Side dish, baked potatoes":

NEEDED:
~ Salads/Fruit
~ Vegetables & Dip
~ Appetizers
~ Main Dish
~ Side Dish
~ Dessert

E-mail to chadAgurley@hotmail.com. MSJ will supply sodas, juices, coffee and tea. Volunteers are also needed for decorating and kitchen organization.

OH COME ALL YE FAITHFUL! Merry Christmas!!

Riverside Sojourners 10th Anniversary Program - Dec 6, 1pm

2009-11-19T08:12:00.000-08:00

We are writing today to STRONGLY encourage you join us at the Riverside Sojourners (Immigration Detention Visitor Project) 10th Anniversary Program from 1-3:30 p.m. Sunday, December 6, in Room 411MLK. The changing face of U.S. immigration detention, along with visitors’ and former detainees’ stories, will be featured in a program.

Special guest, Phyllis Coven, Acting Director of the Office of Detention Policy and Planning in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, will speak about the significance of recently announced immigration detention reforms.

And. .. a panel of respondents, determined to hold her feet to the fire, will include a former detainee along with representatives of legal, human rights, advocacy, visitation and post-release support groups working to end the suffering of immigration detainees.

Please come out and show your support for this important issue and vital ministry. Help us celebrate detainees’ strength and courage, and recognize the contributions of their friends and advocates!

For more information feel free to contact me joya.life@gmail.com
or sojourners@theriversidechurchny.org
and/or visit http://sojournersvisitorprogram.blogspot.com

Many blessings on all your work in the Kingdom!

National Immigration Reform Conference Call on November 18th

2009-11-11T21:46:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends and Pastors of Familias Unidas,

Wednesday November 18^th marks the beginning of 100 days to pass comprehensive immigration reform and stop the raids, deportation and separation of families which are terrorizing our entire community – and which are an affront to God.
On next Wednesday, November 18^th, Congressman Luis Gutierrez, Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez and Congressman Raúl Grijalva will be on a national call-in in an effort to reach tens of thousands of those who have taken leadership in the battle for legalization.
The call will outline the bill that Congressman Gutierrez will introduce in the next weeks on behalf of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and they will outline the timetable for the bill’s consideration. Congressman Gutierrez has asked that every effort be made to include those whose faith and hard work during the familias unidas tour contributed so much to the opportunity we now have.
Basically, a reform bill will be introduced and considered in the Senate in the first few weeks of February and then a reform bill will be considered immediately afterwards in the House. Upon passage of both bills, there will be a reconciliation of the two bills in a joint House/Senate Conference.
That is not the timetable we chose - but it is the timetable we have together won from the White House and the Democratic Leadership of the Senate and the House by your efforts this year.
The call can be accessed in English at 8 pm Eastern/7 pm central/ 6 pm mountain and 5 pm pacific time and in Spanish at 9 pm eastern/8pm central/ 7 pm mountain and 6 pm pacific time. The Congressman has asked all of us to gather groups together in churches and community centers and homes across the country to listen to the call and to then discuss the work that must be done in the next 100 days to being us to victory.
We have attached the call-in information put out by the Campaign to Reform Immigration For America, which is sponsoring the call. We sincerely hope that you will be able to organize your groups across the country.

There is of course much discussion of the best way to proceed through the next 100 days and it is essential that we coordinate our efforts with each other. Certainly it is important to pressure our Congressmen and Senators during the Christmas break. It is of the greatest importance that we show a strong and united presence before January 20 and the state of the union address. The White House must understand the seriousness of our movement and the seriousness with which we are demanding that President Obama respect his campaign promise to the Latino community.
Along these lines in Chicago, we have determined to join the churches together for a mass procession and family unity rally on January 6^th, the day of the Three Kings. The celebration of God’s faithful covenant to a family struggling to stay together, and be faithful to the wonderful purpose God had given them, in the face of oppressive laws on that day is certainly appropriate to our faith and our struggle. We hope you will consider similar activities in your cities.
Actions by various organizations are also aimed at January 18^th and we look forward to your suggestions for activities in your area.
We were disappointed by the Obama administration in its first 100 days. A promised was broken. Yet our faith teaches perseverance in the face of betrayal. Your faithfulness to the millions of families which have continued to suffer this year has been heard in heaven and we have been given a second hundred days to make our witness and our case. Let it be as in the time of Joshua as our people, united and obedient to God, bring down the walls of racism and discrimination and oppression. Let us unite in faith and action to stop the torture of children and uphold the sanctity of marriage.
Please feel free to email your questions about the call to funidas@aol.com and we will respond immediately. Below you will find the links to register to the call-in from Reform Immigration for America. Familias Unidas will update the call-in information with you on next Monday.

Yours in Christ, Yours in the Struggle

Pastor Walter L Coleman, Pastora Emma Lozano
For Familias Unidas

FROM REFORM IMMIGRATION FOR AMERICA:

FAMILIES, FREEDOM AND FAITH: CALL TO ACTION FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM

Attached you will find the links to the Host Packets Spanish and English.
Be part of the winning struggle for immigration reform!
Recruit your friends and family to learn and TAKE ACTION!

Join thousands in house parties across the country in a National Teleconference with Congressman Luis Gutierrez and Guests!
Wednesday, November 18^th

English: 8 pm Eastern / 7 pm Central / 6 pm Mountain / 5 pm Pacific
Spanish: 9 pm Eastern / 8 pm Central / 7 pm Mountain / 6 pm Pacific

To host a house party, attend a house party,
Spanish.
http://actions.reformimmigrationforamerica.org/t/5349/p/salsa/event/common/public/create.sjs?distributed_event_KEY=220

English
http://actions.reformimmigrationforamerica.org/t/5324/p/salsa/event/common/public/create.sjs?distributed_event_KEY=215

New Sanctuary Coalition of NYC - November Actions

2009-11-10T13:44:00.001-08:00

Vigil Outside Varick Street Detention Center
Friday, 11/13, 7pm-8pm

Here's a message from Matthew, one of the vigil organizers:

"I encourage you all to attend our next monthly vigil if you can, and bring a friend. We had one in October and the numbers were quite small. These vigils, while quiet and lasting only an hour, are the most consistent form of protest we have, and I believe it's important to keep showing our faces to those of Homeland Security and the general public as the winter darkness rolls in. Let's gear up for another season of stomping our feet in the cold, in honor of our imprisoned brothers and sisters."

To learn more about our city's Varick St. Detention Center, read last week's disturbing NY Times article. The detention center is located at 201 Varick St, at Houston St (1 train to Houston St).

Families for Freedom Fundraiser Party!
Friday, 11/13, 7pm-11pm

We are forever indebted to the support and friendship that Families for Freedom extends to us, so showing up at their party is the least we can do! And if that's not enough, they'll be honoring our dear friends from the Sanctuary Committee of First Presbyterian Church. Go tohttp://familiesforfreedom.org/ for all the details.

The fundraiser will be held at Judson Memorial Church, 239 Thompson St, btwn W. 3rd and W 4th, Manhattan. (A 10-minute walk from the Varick St. vigil!)

Town Hall on Judicial Discretion:
ALL Immigrants Deserve a Fair Day in Court!
Saturday, 11/14, 11am-1pm

Join families affected by deportation, advocates, judges, lawyers and NY Elected officials to bring public awareness around the importance of judicial discretion in deportation hearings!

Where: STAR Senior Center, 650 West 187^th Street (between Wadsworth and Broadway, A train to 190 St, 1 to 191^st)

Co-sponsors: Northern Manhattan for Immigrant Rights, Breakthrough, Centro Altagracia de Fe y Justicia, Families for Freedom, the Immigrant Defense Project, and the NY Civil Liberties Union

Child Citizen Protection Act Forum
Wednesday, 11/18, 7pm

From Vanessa of St. Ignatius Church:
"St. Ignatius' Social Justice Committee is holding a Child Citizen Protection Act Forum, featuring sanctuary mother Fatoumata and Janis Rosheuvel of Families for Freedom. If you are able, please come and support these two wonderful women. Everyone will have an opportunity to send a letter to their legislators in support of the legislation. Thank you in advance for your support."

St. Ignatius Loyola Church (in the Parish Meeting Room)

84th and Park Avenue, Manhattan

For more information on the Child Citizen Protection Act, click here.

All Immigrants Deserve a Fair Day in Court

2009-11-03T12:29:00.000-08:00

Join the Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights, Breakthrough, Centro Altagracia de Fe y Justicia, Families for Freedom, the Immigrant Defense Project, Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem: Immigrant Rights Project, and the New York Civil Liberties Union

At a Town Hall to Say:

ALL IMMIGRANTS DESERVE A FAIR DAY IN COURT!

Saturday, November 14th, 2009 11am-1pm STAR Senior Center

650 West 187th Street (between Wadsworth and Broadway, A train to 190 St, 1 train to 191 St) New York, NY 10033

Join families affected by deportation, advocates, judges, lawyers and New York elected officials as we bring public awareness around the importance of expanding judicial discretion in deportation hearings!

What is Judicial Discretion and what does it have to do with Deportation?

It is a judge’s ability to consider all factors in a person’s life—the amount of time they have lived in the United States, their family and community ties, their rehabilitation—in deportation proceedings.

Since 1996, judges haven’t been able to use discretion in the majority of cases. This means that most immigrants do not get a fair day in court during deportation proceedings!

Together we can Restore Justice to the Broken Immigration system!

Free Immigration Consultations will be available

Refreshments will be served

For more information, contact: Sandy Placido, splacido@nmcir.org, 212-781-0355 ext. 300

Únase a la Coalición del Alto Manhattan para los Derechos de los Inmigrantes, Breakthrough, Centro Altagracia de Fe y Justicia, Familia por la Libertad, el Proyecto de Defensa del Inmigrante, Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem: Immigrant Rights Project, yelNewYorkCivilLibertiesUnion

En un Ayuntamiento para decir:

TODOS LOS INMIGRANTES MERECEN UN DÍA JUSTO EN LA CORTE!

Sábado, 14 de noviembre 2009 11am-1pm

STAR Senior Center

650 West 187th Street (entre Broadway y Wadsworth, tome el tren A a 190 St ó el tren 1 a 191 St) Nueva York, NY 10033

Únete a las familias afectadas por la deportación, jueces, abogados y oficiales electos de Nueva York para crear conciencia pública sobre la importancia de discreción judicial en procedimientos de deportación!

¿Qué es la discreción judicial y que tiene que ver con la deportación?

Es la habilidad de un juez considerar todos los factores en la vida de una persona—la cantidad de tiempo que han vivido en los Estados Unidos, sus lazos familiares y comunitarios, su rehabilitación—antes de deportarlos.

Desde el 1996, los jueces no pueden usar discreción en la mayoría de los casos. Esto significa que la mayoría de los inmigrantes no reciben un día justo en la corte durante procedimientos de deportación!

¡Juntos podemos traer justicia al sistema roto de inmigración!

Consultas de Inmigración Gratis

Letter writing campaign to Democratic residents of Arkansas a success

2009-10-13T17:18:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends:

FYI - A letter writing campaign at The Riverside Church has fielded 90 hand written letters that have gone to Democrats in Arkansas, asking them to contact their legislators to support a public option plan for health care reform. Arkansas is considered one of several states to strategically target to get the Senate to move in the right direction. Other states are being targeted by other grassroots groups in NYC who are also part of the campaign. This event was sponsored by the TRC GJandP Ministry and http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/UpperWestSideBabyBoomersforObamasAgenda

Friday October 2 World March for Peace and Nonviolence

2009-10-01T01:42:00.000-07:00

Reverend Bob Coleman will be speaking at the Interfaith Blessing Ceremony for the World March for Peace and Nonviolence in Battery Park. It starts at 8:00 am.

"On Friday, October 2, the World March for Peace and Nonviolence begins its 93-day journey across the planet. That date also marks the “International Day of Non-Violence,” established by the UN in 2007 to recognize the importance of nonviolence as a way of life and as a tactic of social change."

More information about the march is here: http://www.worldmarchusa.net/

"Interfaith Sunrise Ceremony, 8AM, Battery Park waterfront. Join religious leaders in sending prayers of protection and well-wishes for the international marchers as they begin their journey in Wellington."

More information about the ceremony is here: http://www.worldmarchusa.net/materials/Press/Invitation%20World%20March%20Blessing%20Ceremony%20NY%202.pdf

2009-09-25T22:19:00.000-07:00

Hello GJ&P Saints--Several grassroots groups from around the city are organizing around healthcare reform and we need to do the same. It's really down to the wire now -- universal healthcare with a public option is a real possibility but only if we all put our all into it for the next crucial 6 – 8 weeks. Listed below are the letter writing gatherings (including at our church) to write letters to persons in key states [Maine, Louisiana, Florida, etc.] urging them to phone their own senators to vote for both cloture [to end the filibuster] and for a public option as well as increasing the subsidies and altering the way that it is paid for. We’ll have sample letters, lots of up to date information on the bills and want we want. Lastly, but very importantly, there will be good company and refreshments.

It’s also important to phone both Sen. Schumer and Sen. Gillibrand – they need
to hear from you to stiffen their spines. Call them both today!!!

Listed below are dates/locations throughout the Upper Westside, including at Riverside, where the letter writing will go on:
Thursday, October 1 from 6:30pm – 8:30 pm
Global Justice and Peace Ministry at Riverside Church, Democracy for
America [NYC] & Upper West Side Baby Boomers for Obama's Agenda
Letter writing to Democratics in states of targeted senators
Riverside Church at 490 Riverside Drive, Rm MLK 240
RSVP: Susan Rogers gjpgroup@yahoo.com or 212-316-2975

Tuesday, Sept 29 from 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Upper West Side Baby Boomers for Obama's Agenda & Democracy for America {NYC]
Letter writing gathering to Democraticsin states of targeted senators
Held at the home of Ernest and Dorothy Mehler at 175 West 93rd St. #4H
RSVP: Ernest Mehler - elm2020@med.cornell.edu
http://newyork.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/healthcarephonebank/gpkvry

Wednesday, Sept 30 from 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Upper West Side Baby Boomers for Obama's Agenda & Democracy for America [NYC]
Letter writing to Democratics in states of targeted senators
Held at the home of Arlene Geiger - 240 West 98th St. #7E
RSVP: Arlene Geiger ageiger3@nyc.rr.com or 212-866-4362

Saturday, October 3 from 4pm - 6:30pm
Upper West Side Baby Boomers for Obama's Agenda & Democracy for America [NYC]
Letter writing to Demoractics in states of key senators
Held at the home of Ernest and Dorothy Mehler - 175 West 93 St. #4H
RSVP: Ernest Mehler - elm2020@med.cornell.edu

Wednesday, October 7 from 6:30pm - 9pm
Upper West Side Baby Boomers for Obama's Agenda & Democracy for America [NYC]
Letter writing and phone banking to Democrats in states of key senators
Held at the home of Arlene Geiger - 240 West 98 St #7E
RSVP: Arlene Geiger - ageiger3@nyc.rr.com or 212-866-4362

Peace,
Susan

SEPTEMBER 26TH SATURDAY at the UNITED NATIONS

2009-09-11T20:09:00.000-07:00

Riverside Global Justice and Peace Ministries Endorsed Event
SEPTEMBER 26TH SATURDAY at the UNITED NATIONS
Those interested may sign sheet to be notified by e-mail of phone of time and place
____________________________________________________________________________________
Picketing 09/26/09 and Petition (Please sign at coffee hour)
India Prime Minister Mammohan Singh,

Please!
SAVE MILLIONS OF CHILDREN DYING OF STARVATION & MALNUTRITION while
$BILLIONS for NUCLEAR SUBMARINES are being spent

Indian Prime Minister Mammohan Singh launched a 3 billion dollar nuclear submarine. A sub. that can carry Russian built missiles equipped to deliver India’s Atomic bombs. A submarine made at the cost of taking bread from the mouths and life from the chests of Prime Minister Singh’s fellow citizens. Both the cost of building nuclear submarines, and the purchasing of others, are paid for with funds drawn on the treasury of a ‘democracy’ that does not feed its children.

Singh’s India is where the 47% of its children under five suffer malnutrition. [47% is a World Bank estimate] Malnutrition makes children prone to illness and stunts their physical and intellectual growth for a lifetime, with dire consequences for mobility and mortality. Its also torture for the parents who watch in agony as 2.1 million of their kids die before their fifth birthday from malnutrition and preventable illnesses. [UN estimate from Malnutrition in India, Wikipedia]

As Indian Growth Soars, Child Hunger Persists by Somini Sengupta, New York Times, 03/12/2009
“NEW DELHI “Small, sick, listless children have long been India’s scourge “a national shame,” in the words of its prime minister, Manmohan Singh after a decade of galloping economic growth, child malnutrition rates are worse ...” Seems by the Prime Minister’s own admission, his wife breaking the bottle of champagne on the bow of this incredible investment last month becomes a hideous spectacle of death over life.

Akshay Mangla in Delhi complains that the pathetic state of child health and education in India should be seen as no less than a total failure of its democracy, public institutions and civil society.

Malnutrition getting worse in India by Damian Grammaticas, BBC News, Madhya Pradesh “About 60% children in Madhya Pradesh state are malnourished”. Lying on a bed is a tiny malnourished child. Her limbs wasted, her stomach bloated, her hair thinning and falling out. She stares, wide-eyed, blankly at the ceiling. Roshni is six months old. She should weigh 4.5kg. But when she is placed on a set of scales they settle at just 2.9kg.

BBC News, 7/26/09 India launches nuclear submarine. “... a second one is due to be constructed shortly. Pravda, Russia, 20.08.2008 “India places two-billion-dollar order for Russian missiles … made for submarines of the Indian Navy. The nearest order is seven submarines.” Manasi Kakatkar, ForeignPolicyBlogs.com, “…India getting two Akula class nuclear powered attack submarines from Russia, and six Scorpene submarines from France”

“SOUTH OF THE BORDER”

2009-09-05T12:10:00.000-07:00

“SOUTH OF THE BORDER” is Oscar-winning director Oliver Stone's record of a trip to Venezuela to meet the president, Hugo Chávez.

Watch a trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hwhau48LUAA&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fmachetera%2Ewordpress%2Ecom%2F2009%2F09%2F04%2Foliver%2Dstone%2Dplays%2Djournalist%2Dagain%2Dvideo%2Dincluded%2F&feature=player_embedded

Ahead of the film's premiere at the Venice film festival, Stone wrote about his hopes for the film, and the future of US foreign policy in the region:

I've been fortunate to be able to make several films about North America's neglected "backyard" – Central and South America.

The low-budget, independently-shot “Salvador”, about the US involvement with the death squads of El Salvador, and starring James Woods in an Oscar-nominated performance, was released in 1986; this was followed by “Comandante” in 2003, and “Looking for Fidel” in 2004, with both of these documentaries exploring Fidel Castro in one–on–one interviews.

Each of these films has struggled to be distributed in North America. I was invited to Venezuela to meet President Hugo Chávez for the first time during his aborted rescue mission of Colombian hostages, held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), during Christmas of 2007.

As is often the case, the man I met was not the man I'd read and heard about in the US media. I was able to return in January 2009 to interview President Chávez in more depth. Was Hugo Chávez really the anti–American force we've been told he is?

Once we began our journey, we found ourselves going beyond Venezuela to several other countries, and interviewing seven presidents in the region, telling a larger and even more compelling story, which has now become South of the Border. Leader after leader seemed to be saying the same thing. They wanted to control their own resources, strengthen regional ties, be treated as equals with the US, and become financially independent of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Based on our experiences in Iraq, Americans must question the role of our media in demonising foreign leaders as our enemies. The consequences of this can be brutal.

This is a continuing story. It is going on right now with Hugo Chávez in Venezuela. Hopefully, in our film, you'll get to hear a far different side of the "official" story.

* * *

... MORE STORIES FROM SOUTH OF THE BORDER ...

SPEAKING TOURS IN CENTRAL & EASTERN CANADA, AND NORTH-EAST USA

In October, activists with Rights Action will be on speaking tours in Ontario, Quebec and eastern Canada (and parts of north-east USA), showing slides and short documentaries and speaking

about the on-going pro-democracy, anti-coup movement in Honduras, and
about indigenous and community resistance to Goldcorp Inc.’s open-pit, cyanide leach mines in Guatemala and Honduras.
Karen Spring will be travelling in Ontario; Francois Guindon will be travelling in Quebec and eastern Canada; Grahame Russell will be in the north-east USA. For more information: info@rightsaction.org.

Global Justice and Peace planning meeting- 9/06/09

2009-08-31T12:41:00.000-07:00

Hello friends, last chance to RSVP!

Many thanks to those of you who have already responded, but for those that have not this is a reminder to please RSVP (to me at joya.life@gmail.com) for the Global Justice and Peace planning meeting. We'd like to know how many people to expect. Also please see updated info below:

Please join us as we come together, look at where we have come from, and reflect on where we are going with our ministry. Most importantly we want to hear from YOU!

What ISSUES do you care about?
What IDEAS do you have for actions, events, etc.?
What TIME are you willing to commit to make it all happen?

Date: Sunday 9/6/09
Time: 1PM-4PM (we will organize a pot luck lunch from 1-1:30, and begin promptly at 1:30PM)
Place: Riverside Church Room #430

We ask that, if at all possible, you plan to come for the entire event. Three hours is a big commitment, however we are planning to get A LOT done!!

May the spirit of God be with you always,

Joya

Act Now to Defend Roxroy from Tuesday Deportation!

2009-08-16T17:54:00.000-07:00

Dear Sanctuary-Makers,

As you have heard, one of our families is in imminent risk. Sanctuary dad Roxroy Salmon has been ordered to report for deportation THIS TUESDAY MORNING, August 18th. For the past week his family, defense team, and lawyer have been working with people of influence to delay or halt this process. Although several options are still open, we are very worried because as of today we still have no guarantee that Roxroy will be safe when he reports.

We urgently need your help to ensure that he is neither deported nor detained on Tuesday!

There are three ways you can help:

(1) SPREAD THE WORD:
Join Roxroy's facebook page, and tell others to do so as well. This will demonstrate visible community support in this critical hour. You can reach it here: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/172942/34330610?m=6d54c0aa. Once you join, you can also invite your friends to join as well.

(2) PARTICIPATE IN A NATIONAL FAST AND PRAYER CHAIN:
In times like this, we need to come together in prayer. For four months, Roxroy's supporters held a rolling fast as he fought to avoid an order of deportation. Now it is time to join together for one large unison fast. In whatever way you are able, please join us from sunup to sundown on Monday for this powerful expression of solidarity. You can report your fasting on Roxroy's blog, http://www.justiceisfreedom.wordpress.com , and we encourage you to testify to your motives for joining this action, and your commitment and love for Roxroy and his family. You can also let others know that you are engaging in this prayer-action, and encourage them to do the same.

(3) DRAFT YOUR EMERGENCY FAX FOR MONDAY:
If we hear nothing by early afternoon on Monday, we will need to start rattling the cages. Please be on the look-out for an emergency email sometime Monday afternoon. If necessary, we will ask you to send urgent alert faxes to people in government that have the power to keep Roxroy and his family together.

Attached is a template that you can use to write such a letter, and tips for how to make it most effective. *Please draft the letter in advance so that if we need you to, you are able to act quickly on Monday afternoon.*
You can take each of these actions yourself, and also encourage the sisters and brothers in your faith community to do them also. We have a great deal of power when we draw together and act in harmony. This soul-force CAN stop the violence of deportation!! But only with your help!!!

If you have any questions about these requests, contact Rachel at info@newsanctuarynyc.org or 646-395-2925.

--
*** The National Gathering of the New Sanctuary Movement is coming to New York City, 9/1-9/3! Register at http://newsanctuarynyc.org/gathering/index.html ***

NEW SANCTUARY COALITION - NYC
239 Thompson Street
New York, New York 10012
phone (new!) #646 395 2925
fax #212 995 0844
http://www.newsanctuarynyc.org

Bottled water in your car is very dangerous!

2009-08-13T18:27:00.000-07:00

Cancer Update from Johns-Hopkins

Bottled water in your car is
very dangerous!

On the Ellen show, Sheryl Crow said this is what caused her breast cancer. It has been identified as the most common cause of the high levels of dioxin in breast cancer tissue.

Sheryl Crow's oncologist told her:

women should not drink bottled water that has been left in a car.
The heat reacts with the chemicals in th e plastic of the bottle which releases dioxin into the water. Dioxin is a toxin increasingly found in breast cancer tissue. So please be careful and do not drink bottled water that has b een left in a car. Pass this on to all the women in your life.

This information is the kind we need to know that just might save us! Use a stainless steel canteen or a glass bottle instead of plastic!

LET EVERYONE WHO HAS A WIFE / GIRLFRIEND / DAUGHTER KNOW PLEASE!

This information is also being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

No plastic containers in microwave.

No water bottles in freezer.

No plastic wrap in microwave.
A dioxin chemical causes cancer, especially breast cancer.

Dioxins are highly poisonous to the cells of our bodies. Don't freeze your plastic
bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from the plastic.

Recently, Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at Castle Hospital , was on a TV program to explain this health hazard.

He talked about dioxins and how bad they are for us. He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers...

This especially applies to foods that contain fat. He said that the combination of fat, high heat, and plastic releases dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body...

Instead, he recommends using glass, such as Corning Ware, Pyrex or ceramic containers for heating food.. You get the same results, only without the dioxin.

So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups, etc., should be removed from the container and heated in something else.

Paper isn't bad but you don't know what is in the paper.

It's just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc.

He reminded us that a while ago some of the fast food restaurants moved away
from the foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is one of the reasons...

Also, he pointed out that plastic wrap, such as Saran wrap, is just as dangerous when placed over foods to be cooked in the microwave. As the food is nuked, the high
heat causes poisonous toxins to actually melt out of the plastic wrap and drip into the food.

Cover food with a paper towel instead.

This is an article that should be sent
To anyone important in
Your life!

Sunday 9/06/09 - GJ&P Planning Meeting in room 430 of the Riverside Church

2009-08-13T07:18:00.000-07:00

Hello friends,

Many thanks to those of you who have already responded, but for those that have not this is a reminder to please RSVP (to me at joya.life@gmail.com) for the Global Justice and Peace planning meeting. We'd like to know how many people to expect. Also please see updated info below:

Please join us as we come together, look at where we have come from, and reflect on where we are going with our ministry. Most importantly we want to hear from YOU!

What ISSUES do you care about?
What IDEAS do you have for actions, events, etc.?
What TIME are you willing to commit to make it all happen?

Date: Sunday 9/6/09
Time: 1PM-4PM (we will organize a pot luck lunch from 1-1:30, and begin promptly at 1:30PM)
Place: Riverside Church Room #430
We ask that, if at all possible, you plan to come for the entire event. Three hours is a big commitment, however we are planning to get A LOT done!!

May the spirit of God be with you always,

Joya

Stop Glenn Beck's race baiting

2009-08-12T18:47:00.000-07:00

Dear friends,
As you may know, right-wing talk show hosts have been bringing race-based fear mongering into the mainstream, but FOX's Glenn Beck just took it to another level. On Tuesday, Beck said:

This president has exposed himself as a guy over and over and over again who has a deep-seated hatred for white people... this guy is, I believe, a racist.
It's part of a larger argument Beck has been making: that President Obama wants to serve the needs of Black communities at White people's expense. This kind of talk stirs up fear, hate, and it can lead to violence.

I've joined ColorOfChange.org's effort to stop Glenn Beck. ColorOfChange is already putting calls into Beck's advertisers, asking them if they want to be associated with this kind of racist hate and fear-mongering. When the advertisers see that tens of thousands of us are behind that question, I believe they'll move their advertising dollars elsewhere, and his show and platform will be history.

Will you take a stand and be counted, and invite your friends and family to do the same? It takes just a moment:

http://www.colorofchange.org/beck/?id=1822-632885

Glenn Beck is appealing to the worst in America. Of course, some Americans refuse to accept the fact that our president is Black or the idea that he could truly serve all Americans. But the only way these views fade away is if they're not reinforced by mainstream society. Instead, folks like Glenn Beck, Lou Dobbs, and Rush Limbaugh are exploiting racism and race-based fear to bump their ratings, stirring up racial discord in the process.

The dangers of these tactics are real. We saw the same dynamic during the presidential race: By the end, the McCain/Palin campaign was unable to control the violent energy whipped up by their race-baiting. It resulted in an unprecedented number of threats on Obama's life, a rise in the number of hate groups, and an increase in the number of threats and crimes against immigrants and Black people.

FOX has a horrible track record on pushing racist propaganda, but Glenn Beck appears to be taking the network to an even lower standard. He's trying to divide and distract America when we should be coming together and talking about issues that really matter--like health care and the economy.

The good news is that we have the power to stop this. All major media is funded by advertising. And advertisers care more than anything what consumers think. If we want to change what's happening and put an end to folks like Glenn Beck having a platform, we can do it.

It's up to us, and it can start now. Please join me:

http://www.colorofchange.org/beck/?id=1822-632885

Thanks.

Here are some links to more info:

"Beck: Obama has 'exposed himself as a guy' with 'a deep seated hatred for white people'"
http://mediamatters.org/mmtv/200907280008

"Glenn Beck: Obama agenda driven by 'reparations' and desire to 'settle old racial scores'"
http://mediamatters.org/mmtv/200907230040

"MSNBC's Deutsch encourages viewers to demand advertisers on Beck's show spend money elsewhere"
http://mediamatters.org/mmtv/200907290037

"On Television and Radio, Talk of Obama's Citizenship"
http://tinyurl.com/mb467j

El apellido, elegía familiar (in English and Spanish) Nicolás Guillén

2009-08-12T14:54:00.000-07:00

El apellido, elegía familiar Nicolás Guillén

I

Desde la escuela
y aún antes ... Desde el alba, cuando apenas
era una brizna yo de sueño y llanto,
desde entonces,
me dijeron mi nombre. Un santo y seña
para poder hablar con las estrellas.
Tú te llamas, te llamarás ...
Y luego me entregaron
esto que veas escrito en mi tarjeta,
esto que pongo al pie de mis poemas:
las trece letras
que llevo a cuestas por la calle,
que siempre van conmigo a todas partes.
¿Es mi nombre, estáis ciertos?
¿Tenéis todas mis señas?
¿Ya conocéis mi sangre navegable,
mi geografía llena de oscuros montes,
de hondos y amargos valles
que no están en las mapas?
¿Acaso visitasteis mis abismos,
mis galerías subterráneas
con grandes piedras húmedas,
islas sobresaliendo en negras charcas
y donde un puro chorro
siento de antiguas aguas
caer desde mi alto corazón
con fresco y hondo estrépito
en un lugar lleno de ardientes árboles,
monos equilibristas,
loros legisladores y culebras?
¿Toda mi piel (debí decir)
toda mi piel viene de aquella estatua
de mármol español? ¿También mi voz de espanto,
el duro grito de mi garganta? ¿Vienen de allá
todos mis huesos? ¿Mis raíces y las raíces
de mis raíces y además
estas ramas oscuras movidas por los sueños
y estas flores abiertas en mi frente
y esta savia que amarga mi corteza?
¿Estáis seguros?
¿No hay nada más que eso que habéis escrito,
que eso que habéis sellado
con un sello de cólera?
(¡Oh, debí haber preguntado!).

Y bien, ahora os pregunto:
¿no veis estos tambores en mis ojos?
¿No veis estos tambores tensos y golpeados
con las lagrimas secas?
¿No tengo acaso
un abuelo nocturno
con una gran marca negra
(más negra todavía que la piel)
un gran marca hecha con un latigazo?
¿No tengo pues
un abuelo mandinga, congo, dahomeyano?
¿Cómo se llama? ¡Oh, si decídmelo!
¿Andrés? ¿Francisco? ¿Amable?
¿O no? ¿Eran, pues otros nombres?
¡El apellido, entonces!
¿Sabéis mi otro apellido, el que me viene
de aquella tierra enorme, el apellido
sangriento y capturado, que pasó sobre el mar
entre cadenas, que pasó entre cadenas sobre el mar?

¡Ah, no podéis recordarlo!
Lo habéis disuelto en tinta inmemorial.
Lo habéis robado a un pobre negro indefenso.
Lo escondisteis, creyendo
que iba a bajar los ojos yo de la vergüenza.
¡Gracias!
¡Os lo agradezco!
¡Gentiles gentes, thank you!
Merci!
Merci bien!
Merci beaucoup!
Pero no ... ¿Podéis creerlo? No.
Yo estoy limpio.
Brilla mi voz como un metal recién pulido.
Mirad mi escudo: tiene un baobab,
tiene un rinoceronte y una lanza.
Yo soy también el nieto,
biznieto,
tataranieto de un esclavo.
(Que se avergüence el amo).
¿Seré Yelofe?
¿Nicolás Yelofe, acaso?
¿O Nicolás Bakongo?
¿Tal vez Guillén Banguila?
¿O Kumba?
¿Quizá Guillén Kumba?
¿O Kongué?
¿Pudiera ser Guillén Kongué?
¡Oh, quién lo sabe!
¡Que enigma entre las aguas!

II

Siento la noche inmensa gravitar
sobre profundas bestias,
sobre inocentes almas castigadas;
pero también soné voces en punta,
que despojan el cielo de sus soles,
los más duros,
para condecorar la sangre combatiente.
De algún país ardiente, perforado
por la gran flecha ecuatorial,
sé que vendrán lejanos primos,
remota angustia mía disparada en el viento;
sé que vendrán pedazos de mis venas,
sangre remota mía,
con duro pie aplastando las hierbas asustadas:
sé que vendrán hombres de vidas verdes,
remota selva mía,
con su dolor abierto en cruz y el pecho rojo en llamas.
Sin conocernos nos reconoceremos en el hambre,
en la tuberculosis y en la sífilis,
en el sudor comprado en bolsa negra,
en los fragmentos de cadenas
adheridos todavía a la piel;
sin conocernos nos reconoceremos,
en los ojos cargados de sueños
y hasta en los insultos como piedras
que nos escupen cada día
los cuadrumanos de la tinta y el papel.
¿Qué ha de importar entonces
(¡que ha de importar ahora!)
¡ay! mi pequeño nombre
de trece letras blancas?
¿Ni el mandinga, bantú,
yoruba, dahomeyano
nombre del triste abuelo ahogado
en tinta de notario?
¿Qué importa, amigos puros?
¡Oh sí, puros amigos,
venid a ver mi nombre!
Mi nombre interminable,
hecho de interminables nombres;
el nombre mío, ajeno,
libre y mío, ajeno y vuestro,
ajeno y libre como el aire.

1958
I

Since school
and even before … From the dawn, when I
was barely
a speck of dreaming and wailing,
since then,
they told me my name. My patron saint and password for talking with the stars.
Your name is, your name will be …
And later on they gave me
The one you see written on my identity card,
The one I put at the end of my poems:
thirteen letters
that I carry in the street,
that always comes with me, everywhere.
Are you sure it is my name, are you certain?
Do you have all my names?
Do you already know my navigable blood,
my geography of dark mountains,
of deep and bitter valleys
that aren’t on the maps?
Perhaps you visited my abysses,
my subterranean caves
with the large wet rocks,
islands somersaulting in black pools
in which I feel a pure jet
of ancient waters
that fall from the heights of my heart
with a fresh and deep racket
into a place filled with burning trees,
acrobatic monkeys,
legislative parrots and snakes?
Does all my skin (I ought to say)
does it all come from that statue
of Spanish marble? And my frightening voice too,
the harsh cry in my throat? Do all
my bones come
from there? My roots and the roots
of my roots
and more,
these dark branches moved
by dreams
and these open flowers on my forehead
and this salve that embitters my skin?
Are you sure?
There is nothing more than what you have written,
than this that you have stamped
with your angry seal?
(Oh, I should have asked!)

Well I am asking you now:
Don’t you see these drums in my eyes?
Don’t you see these drums, taut and
beaten
with dry tears?
Isn’t there a chance
that I have a nocturnal grandfather
with a black scar
(more black than his skin)
a big mark left by a whip?
Don’t I have
a Mandingo, Congolese, Dahomeyan grandfather?
What is his name? Oh, yes, tell me it!
Andrés, Francisco, Amable?
Or not? Were there other names too?
The family name, then?
Do you know my other surname, the one
that came
to me from that vast continent, the surname
bleeding and captured that,
crossed the ocean
in chains, who
crossed the sea in chains?

Ah, you are unable to remember it!
You have dissolved it in ageless ink.
You have stolen it from a poor defenseless negro.
You hid it, believing
that he was lowering his eyes
from shame.
Thanks!
We thank you!
Senores, gracias!
Merci!
Merci bien!
Merci beaucoup!
But no …. Can you believe it? No.
I am clean.
My voice shines like metal recently
polished.
Look at my shield: it has a baobab tree,
a rhinoceros and a lance.
I am also a grandson,
a great-grandson,
a great-great-grandson of a slave.
(the master be shamed).
I will be Yelofe?
Nicolas Yelofe, maybe?
Or Nicolas Bakongo?
Maybe Guillén Banguilla?
Or Kumba?
Perhaps Guillén Kumba?
Or Kongué?
Could I be Guillén Kongué?
Oh, who knows?
What an enigma in the waves

II

I feel the boundless night center itself
above the dark beasts
above innocent, punished souls;
but also sharpened voices
that strip the heavens of their suns,
the very hardest
to decorate the embattled blood.
From some burning land, pierced
by the great equatorial arrow,
I know distant cousins will come,
my remote anguish shot out in the
wind;
I know that bits of my veins will come.
my lost blood,
with a hard foot flattening
the surprised grass:
I know that men of green lives
will come,
from my remote jungle,
with its open grief in the form of a cross and the chest red with flames.
Without having met we will recognize one another from the hunger
from the tuberculosis and the syphilis,
from the sold sweat of a slave market,
from the bits of chain
adhering still to the skin,
without having met we will recognize one another, from the eyes heavy with dreams
and even from the insults like rocks
that they spit at us daily
those four-part knots of ink and paper.
What will it matter then
(what does it matter now!)
ah, my little name
of thirteen white letters?
Not the Mandingo, Bantu,
Yoruba, Dahomeyan
name of my sad, drowned grandfather
in the notary’s ink?
What use, good friends?
Oh yes, my good friends,
come and see my name!
My interminable name
made from interminable names;
my name, foreign,
free and mine, foreign and yours,
foreign and free like the air.

Trans. Donald Wellman

Keith Olbermann on his show Countdown - on Healhcare and Legistators for Sale

2009-08-04T14:00:00.000-07:00

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

UCC Health Care reform National Call-in Days

2009-06-20T03:21:00.001-07:00

LET OUR VOICES OF FAITH BE HEARD!

National Call-in Days!
June 22-24, 2009
Toll Free Number: 1-888-797-8717

The time is NOW! Health care reform is moving quickly:
· June: Bills will be introduced in both the U.S. House and senate
· July: It is anticipated that the bills will pass in their respective houses by mid to late July, perhaps earlier.
· August-September: From late Summer through early Fall, conferences and hearings will be held to resolve the differences in the House and Senate bills
· October: Health Care reform will likely be passed

Faith voices are more important than ever! Health care reform is going to happen this year. What reform looks like will depend on who has the ear of our elected leaders. If we want a heath care system that reflects our faith-inspired values, it will be up to us to communicate those values.

Click below to send a letter to your representative in Washington.
National Call-in Days

Shared via AddThis

Lets Represent Riverside Church at tomorrows Annual Children’s Vigil

2009-06-19T10:39:00.000-07:00

Annual Children’s Vigil Celebrates NY’s Support of American Kids, Immigrant Families
Honor Father’s Day by Calling for Passage of the Child Citizen Protection Act (HR 182)
WHAT: On the eve of Father’s Day, Families for Freedom’s Youth Committee will be holding its annual Children’s Vigil to raise awareness about American kids whose families are ripped apart due to the federal government’s draconian deportation policies. The year’s Vigil will celebrate the overwhelming support New York has shown for this bill and pay special tribute to immigrant dads fighting to stay with their families. Youth will follow the Vigil by holding a street corner speak-out to educate the community about what they can do to help win passage of this legislation.

WHY: As President Obama sets his sights on immigration reform, American kids and their immigrant families want him to know that New Yorkers’ priority is to keep our families together. The Child Citizen Protection Act (HR 182) is the only bill currently in Congress that unties the hands of immigration judges to consider the best interests of U.S. citizen children during deportation proceedings. In the past fiscal year, nearly 350,000 people were deported leaving behind thousands of American kids who need their moms and dads. The Vigil will be a celebration of the hundreds of New Yorkers who have lobbied, called, written, and visited Congress to help get this legislation reintroduced and cosponsored in 2009!

WHEN: Saturday, June 20, 2009, 11am-1pm

WHERE: Union Square Park, South (E. 14th St, across from Whole Foods Market)
WHO: Youth Organizers from Families for Freedom
Immigrant Organizer and father, Roxroy Salmon and his children
Representatives from: Congressman Jose Serrano’s Office, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke’s Office, State Senator Jose Serrano’s Office, New York City Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito’s Office, and MORE!
Religious leaders and congregants from the NYC New Sanctuary Coalition
Community Organizations: the American Friends Service Committee, Children’s Defense Fund, Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights and many more organizations!

RIVERSIDE NEEDS YOUR TALENTS

2009-06-10T18:34:00.001-07:00

Dear Riversiders,
There are currently positions available on:

The Church Council

Education and Worship Commissions

Church Committees – Building, Personnel & Salary, Stewardship, Capital/Leadership Campaign, Communications, Committee of Elders, Ministerial Relations, Ordination and Institutional Relations.

We need to fill these positions and are looking for members who have an interest in serving and also have expertise or experience in the particular Committee area(s) - e.g. personnel & salary, communications, fund raising, property management, etc. (See descriptions of the Committees below.) This is an opportunity for you to share your talents and serve the Church and also to recommend someone you know for these positions.*

If you are interested, please send an email to Council@TheRiversideChurchNY.org and include your name, contact information, the position(s) in which you are interested and a summary of your experience and expertise. If you would like to recommend someone, please send the same information about that person to the Council email address. If you have any questions, please contact Jean Schmidt, Chair of Church Council, 212-497-8486 or jschmidt@littler.com.

Building Committee – 4 positions

Formulates and administers policies respecting the care, maintenance, security, lease and rental of the Church buildings, equipment and furnishings. Included are housekeeping, activities, engineering, custodial care, security measures, and food service. It oversees all properties and administers the capital budget.

Personnel & Salary – 2 positions

Recommends to the Church Council personnel policies, including selection, compensation, benefits, performance appraisal, promotion and dismissal policies, and monitors their implementation and recommends salary ranges for all Staff.

Finance Committee

Directs Church investments, including the portfolio, insurance, and related matters.

Stewardship – 3 positions

Supervises the Office of Development and Stewardship and educates the members of the Congregation regarding their stewardship obligations and plans and manages the Every Member Canvass. The Committee shall plan and coordinate the other financial development and stewardship activities of the Church including but not limited to restricted gifts, bequests, trusts, memorial gifts, benevolence and other special offerings, foundation and government funding and capital campaigns.

Capital/Leadership Campaign Committee

To plan and develop a Capital/Leadership Campaign for the Church.

Communications - 2 positions

Oversees all aspects of print and media from the weekly bulletin to the E-newsletter. The Committee will endeavor to increase its presence on the public stage and insure that all Riverside events are advertised to achieve positive response.

Committee of Elders - 6 positions

Seeks to resolve disputes among members, including disputes with lay leaders, which are referred to the Committee by the Church Council. It shall also provide advice and counsel to the Church Council on matters referred to it by the Church Council.

Ministerial Relations - 6 positions

Supports and maintains an open and productive relationship between the Senior Minister and the members of the Church, identifies and supports the needs and concerns of the Senior Minister, resolves misunderstandings and disagreements between other ministers and members of the Church.

Ordination - 6 positions

Oversees the process in which persons seeking ordination explore and fulfill their call to authorized ministry, assists candidates to prepare for authorized ministry and provides for their spiritual growth while they are under care. Appropriate candidates will be recommended to the Church Council for endorsement to the ecclesiastical bodies which are authorized to ordain them.

Institutional Relations - 3 positions

Monitors, coordinates and maintains formal Church relationships with denominational, interdenominational, ecumenical, other religious and appropriate institutions.

*Church Council vacancies are filled by the Church Council; Commission vacancies are filled by the Commission Chair; and Committee vacancies are filled by the Appointments Committee (Chair of the Church Council, Chair of Nominating, Senior Minister). Note, in order to serve on the Council or a Commission, you must have pledged and fulfilled your pledge for 2007 and 2008.

please send a letter in support of -Farmworker Fair Labor Practices Act (A 1867/ S2247)

2009-05-26T10:59:00.000-07:00

Please read the letter below and consider writing a letter to Governor Patterson and to Senator Malcolm Smith. The injustices which migrant workers face in New York State are vestiges of racist Dixiecrat policies legislated seventy years ago. We can help farmworkers gain the basic rights of every other worker in the state, including one day off in seven, overtime pay, disability insurance, and protection while bargaining. Thanks for your help with this action. Rev. Richard Witt is a colleague who has long been fighting for justice for farmworkers.

Peace,
Rev. Robert B. Coleman

Minister of Mission and Social Justice
The Riverside Church in the City of New York
490 Riverside Drive
New York, NY 10027
212 870 6739
bcoleman@theriversidechurchny.org

Subject: The Journey Continues - Critical Steps - Please Write
Friends,

I wish I could tell you in person how much your presence has met to the Justice For Farmworkers Campaign. You have taken time from your busy schedules and priorities to add your voice to the farmworkers in New York State calling for equality and justice. And as a result the Farm Bureau and Agri-business has greatly stepped up their opposition. And so, I write to plead for your presence on this journey a bit farther for this human rights campaign. We only have a few more weeks to go before the Legislature ends its session and we are still a few votes short. BUT, we think we can do this! Please bear with me and read further.

Farmworker Fair Labor Practices Act (A 1867/ S2247)

A Reminder about what it does:

This Bill would go through the New York State Labor laws that give workers protections and delete any time it says: "except farmworkers" For example, workers are given: a day of rest, overtime pay, disability insurance and protection while bargaining collectively EXCEPT FARMWORKERS

The Situation:

The Assembly is set to pass the Bill
We have 28 sponsors in the Senate - We need 32 votes for it to pass. (Our goal is to get 32 Sponsors so that we are sure that we have the votes. We have been told by some that they will vote for it if it comes to the floor for a vote - we can't count on this, we need Senators to sponsor - so that we can be sure. Otherwise the Senate leadership won't bring it to the floor.
The Governor has told us personally (we got to meet with him last week) that he would support a major Bill that will right these wrongs.
The Senators and the Governor are hearing right and left from the Farm Bureau in opposition to this Bill, and they might be wavering in their support and might be inclined to greatly compromise

WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN

Please help us with any of the following:

Call, write, fax to the Governor (don't send an email)
Tell him who you are and where you live and thank him for his steadfast support of the Farmworker Fair Practices Act (sample letter below)
Governor David A. Paterson
State Capitol
Albany , NY 12224
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear Governor Patterson, Thank you for your public support of the Farmworker Fair Labor Practices Act. I understand that there is immense pressure against the passage of this Act. I want to add my voice to those from the faith, labor and student communities who are calling for the passage of the this human rights bill, and I urge you to continue to support a Bill that removes all these exclusions. NAME, ADDRESS

Call, write, fax Senator Malcolm Smith (President of the Senate)
Urge him to bring S2247 to the floor for a vote (sample letter below)
909 Legislative Office Building
Albany , NY 12247
Tel: (518) 455-2701. FAX 1-518 455-2816
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear Senator Smith, I write to urge you to bring the Farmworker Fair Labor Practices Act (S2247) to the floor for a vote. This legislation would finally remove the Jim Crow-era labor law exclusions which for decades have denied farmworkers equal rights and protections in New York State .

NAME, ADDRESS

Call, write or fax your own Senator
(You can find their information at http://www.nysenate.gov/)
Tell them how much you support the Farmworker Fair Labor Practices Act (S2247)
If you really have a little bit of time on your hands!

We need to find at least three more sponsors to get to 31 (Sen Malcolm Smith would be number 32)
Think Hard! (Of course they are not near you - we didn't want to make this easy!) Do you know anybody who lives or works in the following districts? (These Senators still are possible sponsors)
Can your contacts and ask them to call their senator and urge him to co-sponsor the Farmworker Fair Labor Practices Act (S2247) (not just vote for it when it comes to the floor)
Senator Brian Foley ( Long Island > Patchogue, Islip etc)
Senator Martin Malavé Dilan (Brooklyn > Williamsburg )
Senator Kemp Hanon (Long Island > Levittown , Hemstead, Bethpage etc.)
Senator Bill Stachowski ( Buffalo > Lackawana)
Senator Charles Fushchillo (Long Island > Massapequa , Freeport etc.)
FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.justiceforfarmworkers.org or call me at 845-485-8627

NRCAT’s Torture Awareness Month Activities – June 2009

2009-05-13T13:34:00.000-07:00

Torture Interfaith Service of 06.26.09 on 14th Street and Friends Meeting

2009-05-13T13:09:00.000-07:00

Get free resume printing at Office Depot

2009-05-01T08:40:00.000-07:00

Looking for a job?
Need to print nice copies of your resume?
From now until May 30, you can get 25 copies of your resume printed for free by visiting any of the 1,100 Office Depot retail stores around the country. You can also fax your resume for free to five numbers in the U.S.To find the nearest Office Depot, call toll-free 1-888-GO-DEPOT, or 1-888-463-3768. Or, search for your local store on the Office Depot web site, at http://www.officedepot.com/storelocator/input.do?inventoryLocationUpdatable=true.

You can read more about this offer here: http://investor.officedepot.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=94746&p=irol-newsCorporateArticle&ID=1278075&highlight=.

5:30pm-7:30 pm RALLY/PROTEST: April 28, 2009 Union Square South

2009-04-27T19:34:00.000-07:00

A message from our friends at the Straphangers Campaign:
“YOU ASKED FOR IT!! HERE IT IS!
RALLY/PROTEST: April 28, 2009
MTA Boycott: June 9, 2009
The time has come for us to stand up against the NYC MTA Fare Hike! Bring your anger, frustration, signs and voices and let Albany, the Senators and the MTA know how the fare hike will impact you!
Join us at Union Square South Tuesday April, 28 2009
from 5:30pm-7:30pm. This rally/protest is in coalition with NYPIRG Straphangers Campaign, Working Families Party & Transportation Alternatives.
Invite everyone you know to join the rally.
If we show up in numbers we can make a difference!
Check Group Page soon for downloadable flyers, updates, contact and volunteer information.
Link to facebook group:
“1,000,000 People Against the NYC MTA Fare Hike”
www.HaltTheHike.org
To send a message to your legislator below: http://action.workingfamiliesparty.org/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=2658

5:30pm-7:30 pm RALLY/PROTEST: Union Square South Tuesday April, 28 2009‏

2009-04-27T19:30:00.000-07:00

The Bible On One Page

2009-03-24T15:23:00.000-07:00

http://www.jrsbible.info/bible.htm

Some of you may find this a different and/or intriguing way to explore parts of the Bible.

Free Non-Violent Communication Intro and Workshop

2009-03-24T07:38:00.000-07:00

Monday April 6th, 7 to 9 p.m.
18 West 18th Street, Sixth Floor, Studio 3

This is a free introduction and practice session, with Thom Bond. If you missed the Global Justice & Peace workshop, this is another excellent opportunity to join a few Riversiders to learn about Nonviolent Communication, get some personal growth and have a bunch of fun. This informative, inspiring presentation introduces a revolutionary way of thinking and speaking. The evening starts with an interactive introduction followed by exercises and Q&A.

Getting from Conflict to Connection

Throughout the world, Nonviolent Communication training helps:

• School systems: for teachers, parents, students, administrators
• Health Care: for with doctors, nurses, patients and managers
• Prisons: for inmates, prison staff, and prison officials
• Workplaces: from the boardroom to the shop floor.
• Law enforcement and the military: exploring restorative justice rather than punitive justice
• Social service agencies: from day care to drug treatment
• Couples, families and communities: life skills for healing and connection

To register leave a quick RSVP message (with your name and contact phone) by phone at 646 201 9226 or by email to firstmondays@nycnvc.org.

Modern Day Slavery discussion at All Angels Church tonight 7-9PM, 3/20/09

2009-03-20T11:47:00.000-07:00

Modern Day Slavery
... on The Bridge

Featuring live testimony from sex-traffic survivor.

TONIGHT, March 20, 2009
7-9pm
@ All Angels Church
255 West 80th Street
(between Broadway and West End)
New York, N.Y. 10024

http://allangelschurch.wordpress.com/

In our world, in these days, slavery comes in all forms; emotional, mental, and physical, domestic slavery, child soldiers, sex slavery, and sweat-shop labor. Come. Join artists from across the city in a night of worship, liturgy, and prayer through movement, spoken-word, visual art, and song. Our worship will lead to prayer for "the least" ... on The Bridge.

Worship led by Tracy Howe (NY Faith & Justice, Artist in Residence)

National March on Wall Street - Saturday, April 4th., 2009 Noon

2009-03-12T09:33:00.000-07:00

United For Peace and Justice has negotiated with the NYC Police Department and we have been given permits for the following plans for our mobilization on April 4.

Assembly Time: 11:00 AM
Assembly Location: Leonard, Franklin and White Streets, between Broadway and Lafayette St.
This is just south of Canal Street and close to several subway stops.

Canal Street stops on the
J, M, Z lines at Centre Street
6 line at Lafayette Street
N, Q, R, W lines at Broadway
A. C, E lines at Sixth Ave.
Franklin Street stop on the 1 line, at Varick St.

Please check back here right before April 4th and we will post any changes in subway service for April 4th.

Contingents: Check back for updates on additional contingents. If you are interested in organizing a contingent please let us know as quickly as possible: contingents@unitedforpeace.org

Veterans, Military Families and Others Associated With the Military -- Leonard Street
Labor -- Leonard Street
Students and Youth -- Franklin Street

March Step Off-Time: 12:00 PM noon

March Route: South on Broadway to Stone St., East on Stone to Broad St., North on Broad to Wall St. This route is a little less than 1.5 miles and takes us through the heart of the financial district, ending right in front of the NY Stock Exchange.

http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?list=type&type=136

March on the Pentagon - Saturday 03/21/2009

2009-03-06T06:56:00.000-08:00

Visit http://www.PentagonMarch.org for more info

Dear Sanctuary Friends,

2009-03-02T18:21:00.000-08:00

This is an important week for legislative action!
On Tuesday, Families for Freedom and the American Friends Service Committee are traveling to Washington, D.C., to lobby for the Child Citizen Protection Act - one of the only bills in Congress that could positively affect our sanctuary families and the hundreds of thousands of people already in deportation proceedings. We can join their efforts tomorrow by contacting our Congress members and signing a petition.
Another bill that needs our support is the Haitian Protection Act of 2009. This brand-new bill would grant Temporary Protective Status to Haitians residing in the U.S. while Haiti deals with a humanitarian crisis in the aftermath of four hurricanes. This bill would temporarily halt the deportation of over 30,000 Haitians - our sanctuary dad, Jean, being one of them. We are urged to contact our Congressional representatives and get them to co-sponsor this critical bill. Most representatives don't even know it exists.
See below for more details on both...and then get calling!

March 3rd Call-in Day to Support the Child Citizen Protection Act

March 3rd groups from American Friends Service Committee and Families for Freedom were in Washington, DC lobbying congress about the Child Citizen Protection Act.

Here are two ways to join them:

1. Call your Congress member and ask him/her to help keep American families together and co-sponsor H.R. 182.

About the Bill
An estimated 3.1 million US citizen children have at least one parent who is undocumented. Many others have at least one parent who is permanent legal resident who can be subject to deportation for minor legal infractions or errors while filing for a change of immigration status. Every year thousands of children are either separated from a parent who has been deported or forced into exile.

Under the current law, judges are not allowed to consider the impact on minor US citizen children when deciding whether or not to deport a parent. The Child Citizen Protection Act would allow immigration judges to consider whether deportation is "clearly against the best interests of a US citizen child."

To read the entire bill click here.

Don’t know how to contact your Congress member?
Go to www.congress.org and type in your zip-code

Talking points:

¨ We should be doing everything we can to keep families together.
¨ Current immigration law provides no option to the presiding judge in a deportation case to consider the harm of separation of the child who is a US citizen from their parent.
¨ There are an estimated 2 million families in the U.S. with mixed immigration status.
¨ These families have approximately 3.1 million U.S. citizen children.
¨ The current immigration law routinely breaks apart these families.
¨ The children who are left behind in single parent households suffer emotionally, and financially. Many join the welfare rolls. Some have to leave school to go to work.
¨ I value family unity and believe that these children should be provided with every opportunity to be raised in a stable and unified family.

2. Sign a petition to tell your legislators to support the Child Citizen Protection Act:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/familiesforfreedom?e
Congressman Jose Serrano (D-NY) introduced the Child Citizen Protection Act (H.R. 182), a limited bill to restore justice to our immigration system by allowing U.S. citizen children to be heard before a parent is taken away. The Child Citizen Protection Act would repeal the harshest provisions of the 1996 laws and allow immigration judges to consider whether deportation is "clearly against the best interests of a US citizen child". It preserves the basic notion of fairness that should define the U.S. justice system. It allows judges to judge, and families to have a day in court.

The Child Citizen Protection Act is an opportunity for our leaders to show that they truly value families, that the health, safety and well being of our nation’s children are a top priority.

Report: Over 100,000 deportees had children in US

Immigration officials are reviewing whether to gather more information about parents they deport whose children may be U.S. citizens and are left behind.
SUZANNE GAMBOA - Associated Press Writer
February 14, 2009

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2008741403_apimmigrationdeportedparents.html

WASHINGTON — Immigration officials are reviewing whether to gather more information about parents they deport whose children may be U.S. citizens and are left behind.

An investigation by the Homeland Security Department inspector general found immigration officials deported 108,434 parents with children who are U.S. citizens during 1998 to 2007. A report on the investigation was made public Friday.

The number may not be complete because Immigration and Customs Enforcement, part of the Homeland Security Department, does not keep detailed data on deported parents of children who are U.S. citizens. It is also unknown how many children the parents had, whether they left them behind and how many of the children were minors.

ICE says it will study whether it can gather more information on parents it deports. The agency expects to issue its findings in about two months.

"I am saddened, but not surprised to learn that our government, in its harsh anti-immigrant stance, has split hundreds of thousands of families apart over the past decade," said Rep. Jose Serrano, D-N.Y.

Serrano serves on the House Appropriations Committee's panel that helps decide how much money is provided to the Homeland Security Department each year. He has filed a bill, the Child Citizen Protection Act, that would allow immigration judges to consider whether the immigrants are parents of children who are U.S. citizens.

ICE spokeswoman Barbara Gonzalez said the agency would review whether to establish procedures to ascertain whether deported immigrants have children under the age of 18 who are U.S. citizens. But she also noted the potential negative impact of giving reprieve to immigrants who have violated U.S. laws.

"Parenthood does not exempt any person from complying with the nation's laws, including immigration laws," Gonzalez said.

Children of immigrant families who are U.S. citizens have long created a dilemma for Congress as it has tried to control immigration. People born in the U.S. automatically become U.S. citizens. But American children cannot petition for their parents to become legal U.S. residents until they are at least 21.

"If, in fact, some (children) were left behind here, then you have the sad tragedy of breaking up families," Serrano said. "If they were taken back, I would argue the direct result of our actions is the deportation of our citizens. How do you deport a U.S. citizen?"

Some critics say people not authorized to be in the country should not be allowed to remain because they have children born here.

Homeland Security Inspector General Richard Skinner said the number of parents removed generally increased over time. Immigration officials reported 319,382 deportations in 2007, compared to 174,813 in 1998. During 1998, 13,081 individual parents were removed.

Some of the parents were removed from the country more than once, so in the 10 years there were actually 180,466 removals of the 108,434 parents.

On the Net:
H.R. 182, Child Citizen Protection Act: http://thomas.loc.gov
Homeland Security Department IG reports: http://www.dhs.gov/xoig/rpts/

HR 144: The Haitian Protection Act of 2009
There is an urgent need to promote a piece of legislation newly pending in Congress which would designate Temporary Protected Status for Haitians, due to their serious environmental circumstances (post 4 hurricanes) and lack of economic safety net during this time of world economic recession.
This bill has been written in response to a recent federal court judge decision to terminate the 3 month suspended removal which has been protecting Haitian persons facing deportation since the hurricanes. Over 30.000 persons are potentially impacted by this court decision, 600 are in detention and 240 are in ISAP according to ICE.
The bill has 31 co-sponsors but needs many more. Those from the NY delegation are: Rangel, Engel, Towns, Clarke, Crowley, and Hinchey. Special outreach is encouraged for members of the House Judiciary Committee in order to move this bill. In NY, Judiciary Committee members are Nadler and Weiner.
The Haitian consul is refusing to issue travel documents to persons pending deportation. They are also in discussion with the State Dept and with Homeland Security to stop the deportations due to their country’s critical situation.
Please alert any and all networks in which you may participate, about this bill and this situation. Thank You.
See the attached document for more talking points. To get your representative's information, go to www.congress.org and type in your zip-code.
**Info gleaned from an article in The Journal News (Westchester,) Conversation with legislative director for Congressman Engel, and Associated Press story. We are trying to get further insight from our Haitian colleagues on the efforts of the consul and embassy re the State Dept and DHS. Meanwhile we can push this necessary legislation in Congress, if the court decision is to be overturned.

--
NEW SANCTUARY COALITION - NYC
239 Thompson Street
New York, New York 10012
phone #212 477 0351
fax #212 995 0844
http://www.newsanctuarynyc.org

The Rockefella Drug Law (It's Time To Repeal)

2009-03-01T19:01:00.000-08:00

PLEASE JOIN US, AND SPREAD THE WORD!!!!!

You can watch it here:
http://vimeo.com/3420245

About this video:
"Join Drop the Rock Advocacy Day 2009
TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 9:30am - 4pm

We can help repeal the Rockefeller Drug Laws.

The Rockefeller Drug Laws are RACIST, INEFFECTIVE, WASTEFUL, UNJUST.
It is important for more people to get involved with changing these laws. The momentum is overpowering and you need to be apart of making this happen.
Say Repeal The Rockefella Drug Law Now, by joining us also.
For more info. on buses, etc. contact; cdunklee@correctionalassociation.org."

Forward this email to your friends and family so that they can see it, too.

Don't want these alerts anymore?
http://vimeo.com/settings/notifications

Thursday March 19, 7:30pm - Upper Manhattan Community Planning Meeting

2009-02-28T16:25:00.000-08:00

Together we can Demand:
.Affordable Housing!
.Healthcare!
.Stop the Transit Fare Increase!
.End to the Wars!
.Stop Budget Cuts!
Lets bring our tax money back to NYC!!!

Thursday March 19, 7:30pm
at Holyrood Eposcopal Church
West 179th. Street & Fort Washington
Take the "A" train to 181 Street Station

Sponsored by: Northern Neighbors for Peace and Justice, Transit Justice Team, Global Justice and Peace of the Riverside Church, RENA (Riverside Edgecombe Neighborhood Association)

March On Wall Street April 3rd & 4th assemble at 1:00 PM on both days

2009-02-28T15:59:00.000-08:00

National March On Wall Street

Friday, April 3 & Saturday, April 4 at the Intersection of Wall & Broad Streets (The Stock Exchange)

Friday APRIL 3 AND
Saturday APRIL 4

Bail Out the People
Not the Banks!

Yes, 2 days starting Friday. More people from around the country will join us Saturday – Watch for assembly locations and times.
March on Wall Street on the Anniversary on the day Martin Luther King gave his life fighting for social and economic justice.
Why? Because we must demand that the needs of the people come before the greed of the super rich. Millions are jobless and homeless, and millions more will be living on the streets if the government continues to waste trillions of dollars on saving wealthy bankers instead of saving people. Dr. King would have been appalled and opposed to the terrible siege of Gaza as well as the continuing occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan.

And just as King knew that the struggle for civil rights at home had to also be part of the struggle against war abroad, he understood that no one, regardless of their race would be free until everyone had the right to a decent paying job or an income for those unable to work. Most importantly, King also understood that “Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.” The time for suffering in silence has come to an end.
Nothing will change unless our desperation and anger is channeled into a mighty movement that unites and fights. It’s time to march on Wall St. Come to the march, and tell everyone you know to come with you.

Below is a partial list of Endorsers of the March on Wall Street: Ad Hoc National Network to Stop Foreclosures and Evictions; Black Workers for Justice, Raleigh, NC; North Carolina Public Service Workers Union-UE Local 150; Troops Out Now Coalition; Moratorium Now! Coalition To Stop Foreclosures and Evictions (Michigan); Labor/Community Coalition to Stop Foreclosures and Evictions (Calif.); Service Employees International Union, Local 721; Latino Caucus, SEIU Local 721; BAYAN USA; May 1 Coalition For Worker and Immigrant Rights (NYC); Million Worker March Movement East; Chris Silvera, Sec-Treas., Teamster Local 808; Harlem Tenants Council, New York, NY; Private Health Insurance Must Go Coalition, New York City; NY Charles Barron, member, New York City Council*, Queers for Peace and Justice, Women's Fight back Network (Mass.),Fight Imperialism, Stand Together (FIST youth), International Action Center; Action Center For Justice, Charlotte, NC; Queers Without Borders, Hartford, CT; Maine Green Independent Party; Old Orchard Beach, ME; Guyanese American Workers United, New York, NY; Pakistan USA Freedom Forum * For identification purposes only

Save Our Schools

2009-02-28T15:01:00.000-08:00

Save Our Schools
Bailout Our Schools Not The Rich!!!!
Ensure that NYC uses the Stimulus
Money in our Public Schools!!!

We will not allow the politicians and the corporations to take money away from our children to pay for their greed and corruption
RALLY AT CITY HALL
On Thursday March 5th 2009
Starting at 4:15 PM
Join the United Federation of Teachers and other city unions to
Rally at City Hall in Manhattan. Take the 2 train to the Park Place Station
Or the #5 Train to City Hall.
Organized by: The Save Our Schools Coalition (members of the UFT, DC-37, Custodial Staff, Parents and Students) and the People Power Coalition.

For more information please contact Gary Litt at ga11203@gmail.com, Teresa Ocasio at (917) 553-4694 or lanena44@aol.com, Larry Sachs at beachlog99@yahoo.com or Mark Torres at (646) 696-8485 or harlem120@msn.com.

The Riverside Church Global Justice and Peace Ministry

The next Global Justice and Peace Ministry meeting of TRC will be on held Sunday, Nov. 21, at 1:00 pm in room 10T

Make the Road N.Y., 10.19.10 march over the Brooklyn Bridge to City Hall

Postponed GJ&P meeting scheduled for this Sunday - Please try to attend

Funeral services for Rev. Lucius Walker Jr.

The passing of our beloved, prophetic leader Rev. Lucius Walker Jr. this morning

IFCO / Pastors for Peace

September 13th at 6:00 in the Chapel, The Hibaku, ‘Survivor’ Piano

Noam Chomsky: US role in Haiti destruction - Speech at The Riverside Church in NYC of 06/08/10

International Day of Peace 09/21/10

Rev. Dr. Earl Kooperkamp, preaching from St. Mary's Episcopal Church in West Harlem

August 4, 2010

Space for Grace

Global Hiroshima & Nagasaki Day Events Sure GJ&P will want to know

Thursday, Aug. 5, 2010 in New York City

Karyn Carlo: The Bible Says It. I Believe It.: Glenn Beck is Wrong About James Cone

from Karen Carlo's facebook page, makes me proud to be a fellow Riversider

Welch Church Council Member Ceri - talk on the Immigration Crisis

Salmagundi Museum-American Art

HEAR FATHER MICHAEL LAPSLEY PREACH AT RIVERSIDE CHURCH 6/20/10

Success of Noam Chomsky Talk on Haiti and World Event Benefit, sponsored by TRC Social Justice Ministry (of 06/8/10)

Noam Chomsky Speaking On Haiti And Other World Events (no entrance charge)

The Riverside Church MSJ Ministry presents Noam Chomsky speaking on current world events and on Haiti (to Benefit Haiti Relief Efforts)

HAITI FORUM - Today at TWU local 100

Images from yesterdays May Day Rally at Foley Square (thanks to Judson Church for photos)

RC MSJ Ministry is celebrating Earth Day by welcoming Best Selling Author Peter Fusaro

Rev. Dr. Schaper's article - Schumer's Amnesia and Arizona Law

FREE LEADERSHIP TRAINING WORKSHOP

Link to Easter Sermon off today by Dr. Forbes

IFCO/Pastors for Peace Reportback on Haiti and Cuban Medical Brigade

Description

Land Displacement, Resistance, and Territory Rights in Colombia

Please try and send a Broken Hearts Action for Valentine’s Day card to your local representative or to the President

New contingent of doctors from the Latin American Medical School headed for Haiti

NYC Interfaith Convocation for Immigration Reform 02/18/2010

Please try to attend and support this worthy cause for Haiti Relief Friday 2/05/10

Benefit concert for Haiti at Riverside Church, N.Y.C. Friday 02/05/10 8:00 PM - Proceeds go to IFCO/Pastors for Peace Haiti Medical Relief Fund.

Brahms Requiem/Ein Deutsches Requiem

For Tickets Call 888-71-tickets ($15 in advance, $10 Seniors and Students, and $20 at the door). Representatives will be on hand to accept tax deductible donations.490 Riverside Drive- 212-870-6700Or go to the IFCO for more info - http://www.ifconews.org/

Classical Music World Thunders into Haiti Relief Effort

RALLY AND LOBBY DAY IN DC! Departing 8:00 Am on 3/21/10

No, Mister! You Cannot Share My Pain!

John Maxwell article in Jamaica Observer - 01/17/10, READ THIS IF NOTHING ELSE Re Haiti and the US

MLK's "I Have A Dream speech" of 28 August, 1963

Helping Haiti ... contact Daniel Yohannes

American Red Cross - Sending Aid to Haiti

Message From Jean Montrevil, 1/11/10, York County Prison

NYT: What really happened to Boubacar Bah?

CNN Article - Chat-happens-when-the-wrong-people-get-deported

Petition Demanding Release of Immigrant Rights Leader- Jean Montrevil

Check out how little we spend on healthcare, more specifically on hospital infrastructure (hint, less than 1/2 as much as we did in 2007)

Haitian Community Activist Jean Montrevil Faces Deportation

Interfaith Service Marking Arrival of first Guantanamo Detainees, January 11, 2010, 6:30pm

New immigration reform bill filed in House Article from - Wednesday, 12/16/09 The Miami Herald (5-Min. Herald site)

Friends Service Committee (AFSC) Immigrants Rights Program

IMPORTANT - Call Congress TODAY

Training, Tues. Dec 8th: Media Monitoring for Hate Speech

Press Conference and Prayer Vigil - December 10th, Human Rights Day

No Escalation in Afghanistan! Bring all Troops Home!

Immigration Reform Talk at Columbia, Dec 1, 6pm

Joe and Mei are out of the ICE office, safe and sound

Joe and Mei Report to ICE tomorrow - CONTINGENCY PLANS

Mission & Social Justice Potluck Christmas Party

Riverside Sojourners 10th Anniversary Program - Dec 6, 1pm

National Immigration Reform Conference Call on November 18th

To host a house party, attend a house party,

Spanish.

http://actions.reformimmigrationforamerica.org/t/5349/p/salsa/event/common/public/create.sjs?distributed_event_KEY=220

English

http://actions.reformimmigrationforamerica.org/t/5324/p/salsa/event/common/public/create.sjs?distributed_event_KEY=215

New Sanctuary Coalition of NYC - November Actions

All Immigrants Deserve a Fair Day in Court

Letter writing campaign to Democratic residents of Arkansas a success

Friday October 2 World March for Peace and Nonviolence

SEPTEMBER 26TH SATURDAY at the UNITED NATIONS

“SOUTH OF THE BORDER”

Global Justice and Peace planning meeting- 9/06/09

Act Now to Defend Roxroy from Tuesday Deportation!

Bottled water in your car is very dangerous!

Sunday 9/06/09 - GJ&P Planning Meeting in room 430 of the Riverside Church

For Tickets Call 888-71-tickets ($15 in advance, $10 Seniors and Students, and $20 at the door). Representatives will be on hand to accept tax deductible donations.
490 Riverside Drive- 212-870-6700
Or go to the IFCO for more info - http://www.ifconews.org/