MDS New York City

STATEN ISLAND ACTIVISTS TO HOST “ARLINGTON NEW YORK STATE” WAR MEMORIAL, MARKING SIXTH ANNIVERSARY OF IRAQ WAR

(Photo: Debra Anderson / MDS)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Community organizers, local politicians and members of the clergy are uniting to mark the sixth anniversary of the Iraq War with a war memorial on Staten Island’s South Beach. This could be the most diverse ad hoc coalition the Island has seen and, according to organizers, is reflective of the country’s waning enthusiasm for war, particularly in light of the economic disaster that is the U.S. economy.

A war memorial for U.S. military personnel killed in Iraq and Afghanistan will be set up this weekend on Staten Island’s “South Beach”, next to the fishing pier and boardwalk, near the intersection of Father Capodanno Boulevard and Seaview Avenue. The memorial will be in place from 7 a.m. Saturday, March 14 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 15th. Visitors are welcome any time and there will be a press conference on Saturday at 1 p.m. Confirmed speakers at the conference include: Community Board One member Debi Rose, Elaine Brower and Debra Anderson of Military Families Speak Out, Hugh Bruce of Veterans For Peace (Chapter 34), Iris Bieri of the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), David Poleshuck of Peace Action Staten Island, Cheryl Wertz of Peace Action New York State and Thomas Good, a local journalist and member of Movement for a Democratic Society (MDS). Also invited to speak were Congressman Michael McMahon, Assemblywoman Janele Hyer-Spencer, State Senator Diane Savino, Reverend Tony Baker and Reverend Carolinas Demetrius.

Arlington West
(Photo: Veterans For Peace)

Modeling their memorial on the “Arlington West” exhibit maintained by Veterans For Peace in Santa Barbara, California, members of Movement for a Democratic Society’s Staten Island chapter have joined with Peace Action Staten Island and other local activists to produce a candlelit field of crosses in the sands of South Beach – each one representing a New York State resident killed in action in Iraq or Afghanistan. The memorial will also include the Eyes Wide Open display produced by the American Friends Service Committee. Eyes Wide Open is a collection of military boots and Iraqi civilian shoes, each tagged with the name of a victim of the Iraq War.

Among those speaking at the event is Marine Corps mom Elaine Brower, an activist with Military Families Speak Out (MFSO).

“Although it may seem as if the war in Iraq is winding down, or out of the public eye, it is very much still a war and occupation. Last week alone 4 soldiers were killed, and over 50 civilians in 2 suicide bombings. As long as we continue to have 142,000 soldiers, and just as many mercenaries occupying a country, there will be resistance from those who do not want us there. We have witnessed 6 years of war in Iraq with almost 4,300 soldiers killed, 350,000 returning with permanent wounds like “Traumatic Brain Injury”, PTSD, limbs lost, blindness, and a whole host of horrible tragedies inflicted — for what? It is unacceptable to keep any troops in Iraq, most of them on their 3rd or 4th tours, even for one more day. We owe that much to the Iraqi people whose country we have completely destroyed and families we have devastated forever. We consider this memorial a wake up call to those who see it that lives and dollars are still being wasted, no matter what the president is telling them,” Brower said.

Brower’s son, Marine Sergeant James Brower, is on his third tour in a combat theatre, having been deployed to Iraq twice in recent years.

Freelance photojournalist Thomas Good will emerge from behind the lens to speak.

“I cover progressive politics, especially the peace movement and civil rights. I am concerned that the ‘Obama is the savior, Obama is the anti-Christ’ debate, currently raging in progressive circles, misses its own point,” Good said. “The dialogue should not be about whether we should support Obama or whether he should play footsies with the hard Right — it should be about avoiding costly mistakes. The Soviet Union fell into a Vietnam type trap when it invaded Afghanistan, we should not repeat that error — particularly as we exploited their strategic blunder for our own purposes. In my view, Americans should be talking about how to get our people home, how to avoid going bankrupt and restoring the rule of law in the U.S. And that discussion should include Republicans and Democrats — as well as Greens and other progressives. From my perspective, the Arlington New York exhibit should be a call to action — to bring the troops home now,” he added.

“In the simplest terms, this memorial represents American deaths in two wars that should have never been. Each cross, each star and crescent, each pair of boots reminds us not only of what we’ve lost but what we might lose still in wars that are ongoing. These soldiers should be with us now. They should be sitting with their families on the beach, walking their dogs along the boardwalk, not being memorialized in sand,” said Devra Morice of Movement for a Democratic Society.

The backgrounds of the various speakers are as divergent as the organizations they represent and organizers are hopeful that this unique event will mark the beginning of a conversation about moving beyond the wars of the Bush administration that have devastated the U.S. economy and cost an untold number of lives — a conversation that will include all points of view.

To: Assemblyman Matthew Titone

We the undersigned are shocked that Staten Island Assemblyman Matthew Titone would seek to prevent St. Vincents Catholic Medical Centers of New York from providing appropriate housing to persons suffering from mental illness. We are distressed to see one of our community leaders – someone who presumably has encountered bigotry in his life as an openly gay man – not address fear and intolerance in his constituents. We are distressed that you, acting as our Assemblyman, have chosen not to promote compassion and understanding for the less fortunate. The “Not In My Backyard” syndrome that has raised its head in our community should be addressed by responsible civic leaders. Assemblyman Titone we believe it is incumbent upon you to educate the public about the issue of mental illness rather than allowing real estate and other interests to foster a climate of fear and ignorance in order to keep property values high.

It is regrettable that you have chosen to threaten litigation rather than move forward with education. We would hope that you, Assemblyman Titone, as an attorney, would inform your constituents that not only is NIMBY ugly – it is illegal. Under the Federal Fair Housing Act and the Americans With Disabilities Act, it is unlawful to coerce, intimidate, threaten or interfere with any person seeking to establish housing for people with disabilities. 42 U.S.C. Section 3617 (Fair Housing Act); 42 U.S.C. Section 12203(b) (Americans With Disabilities Act). As an assemblyman, you are doubtless aware, these laws are also applicable to municipal entities and government officials that seek to block housing for people with disabilities – thus we urge you to educate your colleagues and your constituents as we all move forward to a world free from intolerance.

We the undersigned, urge you, Assemblyman Titone, to support SVCMCNY and others in their efforts to provide low cost housing and support services to the less fortunate. We urge you to put human rights before property rights – thus we have drafted this document, on this, the anniversary of the assassination of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Assemblyman Titone, we urge you to stand up for ALL of your constituents – including, and especially, the less fortunate.

Click Here To SIGN THE PETITION…

If an Agent Knocks – Federal Investigators and Your Rights

People opposing U.S. policies in Central America, giving sanctuary to refugees from Guatemala and El Salvador, struggling for Black liberation, and against nuclear weapons, are today more than ever likely to receive visits from FBI agents or other federal investigators. Increasingly, agents are also visiting the families, friends, and employers of these activists.

This pamphlet is designed to answer the most frequent questions asked by people and groups experiencing government scrutiny, and to help them develop practical responses.
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The Grim Reaper counter-protesting at an MDS Impeachment Action (Photo: Red Dragon / Next Left Notes)

GRIM REAPER SPEAKS OUT IN SUPPORT OF ENDLESS WAR

NEW YORK, NY – This Friday, October 19, 2007, the Grim Reaper will defy organizers of the Iraq Moratorium and “befriend” military recruiters at the Times Square Recruiting Center, an unidentified zombie reported. “The initiative is in support of endless war,” the zombie said.

The second iteration of the Iraq Moratorium (www.iraqmoratorium.org) takes place on Friday and this time the forces of death and destruction are fighting back. The Grim Reaper has confirmed that he and “an army of the Undead” will kick off their “Support Endless War – Befriend the Bottom Line” campaign tomorrow. The campaign is an effort to support military recruiters and war profiteers – including those in the US government – with a rally at the Times Square Recruiting Center.

Apparently upset with Movement for a Democratic Society (MDS) and other groups who have been doing “counter-recruitment” actions in an effort to halt the Iraq War, Reaper and the Undead have decided to act. “We’re tired of all this loose talk about peace,” the Grim Reaper said. “We support death and destruction – which is much more organic and sustainable than peace – and we are very proud to endorse George W. Bush’s policy of endless war,” he added.

“Bush and Cheney have been very good for business,” Mr. Reaper observed. “My stocks are up too – all of my favorite companies: Raytheon, Siemens, Halliburton. I love Bush and Cheney – and recruiters too,” he added. “They get lonely during long wars, being stuck ‘in the rear with the gear’ as a recently deceased poet once said…”

“The surge is a magnificient success,” said a zombie who looked shockingly like an Undead Richard Nixon – complete with a zombie dog named Checkers. “People need to give war a chance. Nobody lives forever – at least not the first time! Grim and I are standing up in support of death and bloodshed. It’s healthy, we believe. Let’s keep the mayhem alive. As Grim noted our stocks are up and and the War has enhanced the reputation of the US in the world community of felons and war criminals. Why risk that by working for peace? It shows no profit,” ‘Nixon’ noted. “George Bush may not be able to say Nuclear but he loves the bomb…and we love W!”

“The Bush war policy in Iraq could drag on for another decade or two if we act now to keep the Dream alive,” said Reaper. He urged all those who support endless war and its corollary – war profiteering – to assemble at the Times Square Recruiting Center, Friday, October 19 at 11 am. “Look for my sign – ‘I Love A Man In Uniform’,” said Reaper.

Join the forces of Death and Destruction in support of Empire and Endless War – come to Times Square, Friday, October 19 at 11 am. Recently deceased members of MDS and Pratt SDS will have grease paint and blood available for anyone wishing to join the hellspawn as a soldier in the army of the Undead. Hunker down with the demons until this peace craze blows over – Support Endless War! Befriend the Bottom Line!

STATEN ISLAND, NY – August 28, 2008. This Tuesday, August 28, ordinary people from all over the country are holding MoveOn.org sponsored vigils to tell Congress that the time to stand up to President Bush and redeploy our troops out of this unwinnable civil war in Iraq is NOW. Staten Island is no different.

Organizers from several different organizations are joining together to hold a candlelight vigil at the seat of local government, Staten Island’s Borough Hall. The goal – to prevent the Bush administration from selling the Congress a bill of goods that will cost untold innocent lives.

Where: Borough Hall, Staten Island
When: Tuesday, Aug 28 2007, 7:00 PM
Who: The public, all friends of peace and progress

“Bush is playing three card monte again – telling voters and Congress that the ’surge’ is working. I grew up in during the Viet Nam war, I’ve heard all the lies before. It’s time to get our people home before we lose any more lives in a war based totally on lies,” said Tom Good, an organizer with Movement for a Democratic Society (MDS). “I have a twelve year old son. I want more for him than endless war,” he added.

“The surge is a colossal failure. The religious civil war in Iraq is spiraling out of control and our presence there is exacerbating the situation. We aren’t helping anything and our children are coming home maimed and worse – from a war that has already claimed too many lives,” said Elaine Brower, a World Can’t Wait organizer whose son served with the Marines in Iraq – and may be redeployed.

“The reckless policy in Iraq could drag on for another decade if we sit back and allow a crumbling Republican administration to continue their failed policies,” said Devra Morice, a vigil organizer.

The vigil, being held simultaneously with similar events in Manhattan and Brooklyn, will feature speakers from Peace Action Staten Island, The Staten Island Green Party, Movement for a Democratic Society, The World Can’t Wait and other local antiwar groups. The event is free and open to the public.

Movement for a Democratic Society (MDS) is an education and social action organization dedicated to increasing democracy in all phases of our common life. It seeks to promote the active participation of ordinary people in the formation of a movement to build a society free from poverty, ignorance, war, exploitation, racism and sexism.

A member of MDS NYC (Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

New York, NY – August 3, 2007. Members of MDS New York were joined by friends from Peace Action Staten Island in a protest calling for the impeachment of Dick Cheney. Protesters stood along busy Richmond Terrace, opposite the Staten Island Ferry terminal, as drivers passing by honked in response to signs saying “Honk For Impeachment” and “Impeach Cheney First.” This was the second impeachment protest outside Staten Island’s Borough Hall this summer and more protests are planned according to MDS. The response from passing motorists was very positive and everyone had a laugh as protesters tooted their own horns, bicycle horns that is, as a means of grabbing the attention of drivers sitting at the traffic light or emerging from the Ferry Terminal.

View Photos/Videos From The Action…

MOVEMENT FOR A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY STATEN ISLAND
PO Box 40921
Staten Island, NY 10304
statenisland@mds-nyc.org
www.mds-nyc.org

24 July 2007

STATEMENT FROM MOVEMENT FOR A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY, STATEN ISLAND

In that:

We believe that a truly democratic movement can only take root and grow from the bottom up;

We favor a decentralized structural model and believe that Movement for a Democratic Society (MDS) would best function at this time as a federation of local grassroots chapters;

We envision MDS Staten Island as part of a growing network of autonomous community based chapters;

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Movement for a Democratic Society
New York City
Join MDS New York at these actions:

For more information: 347.524.5631
www.mds-nyc.org

Impeach Cheney Action – July 27,

New York, NY – July 16, 2007.
From MDS Staten Island: the second Honk For Impeachment action is scheduled for Friday, August 3rd at 7 pm, location: Borough Hall, opposite the Ferry. More details TBA…

Movement for a Democratic Society sign calling for impeachment (Photo: Thomas Good)

New York, NY – July 13, 2007. About a dozen protesters gathered outside Staten Island’s borough hall near dusk on a very pleasant evening. Wearing black tshirts with “We Will Not Be Silent” silkscreened in white, the activists held aloft signs calling for the impeachment of Dick Cheney. The action, called and planned by Movement for a Democratic Society’s Staten Island chapter, was regarded as very successful by organizers.

Lining Richmond Terrace and facing the Ferry terminal, the demonstrators were flanked to their left by NYPD officers – the Staten Island Yankees were playing a home game in their ballpark opposite the 120 Precinct. Drivers passing by honked in support of the MDSers and friends – particularly taxi drivers, bus drivers and other working people – including one very supportive FedEx driver.

Organizers noted that the police presence appeared to cause many drivers to postpone honking while they waited for the traffic light. However, once the green light was given the honking commenced. The police did not seem inclined to leave their patrol vans as motorists chatted on cellphones and performed u-turns and other technically illegal maneuvers, however, an African American man on a motorcycle was pulled over. He had been revving his engine in response to the Honk For Impeachment signs, he later informed NLN. Several protesters noticed that the largely disinterested NYPD ignored numerous other drivers but focused on this one man. After examining his papers the police allowed the motorcyclist to continue on his way. The man later told NLN that the cops had told him he was “making too much noise”.

Response to the protest was very positive. A large supply of fliers was completely exhausted – passersby were very curious and receptive to the message. One man insisted on signing the petition calling on congressman Vito Fossella to support H. Res 333 (the articles of impeachment against Dick Cheney put forth by Dennis Kucinich) before he could be asked to do so. After 90 minutes of honking, cheering and chanting, the protesters declared victory and called it a night. More protests are planned according to MDS-SI.

View Photos/Videos From The Action…