Socialist Party NYC Local

TWU Local 100 President Roger Toussaint asks all members to demonstrate in support of a fair contract from the MTA, at a mass rally in front of the Grand Hyatt Hotel in midtown Manhattan, at 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue, on Tuesday, Dec. 13th, between four and seven p.m.

War Resisters League
339 Lafayette Street
New York, NY 10012
nycwrl@att.net
www.warresisters.org

Contacts:
Thomas Good 347.524.5631
John Lake 646.299.2698
Samuel Morales 917.361.8464

December 7, 2005
For Immediate Release

P R E S S R E L E A S E

NYC WAR RESISTERS ANNOUNCE REGULAR IRAQ WAR FUNERAL MARCH

New York, NY - The New York City Local of the War Resisters
League (WRL) will hold a funeral march on Friday, December 9,
2005, to protest the loss of life in the war being waged in
Iraq. Gathering at the north end of Washington Square Park
(under the arch) at 5:30 pm on Friday, participants will
assemble coffins draped in black and in American flags,
representing the Iraqi and Americans killed in the war.

This is the second funeral procession in as many months
and vigil organizer Thomas Good states: "We will continue the
processions until the war in Iraq is ended and the last
soldier is returned home". Organizers have announced that the
marches will occur on the first Friday of each month barring
conflicts with other anti-war protests.

The marchers for the December 9th protest will gather at the
site of the daily vigil held at Washington Square's famous arch.
From there, stepping off at 6:00, participants will march in
a solemn procession bearing coffins, wearing bibs depicting US
and Iraqi war dead, and carrying white candles, to the U.S.
Army Recruiting station at 157 Chambers Street (near Borough of
Manhattan Community College). The march route will be posted at:
http://www.actiontendency.net/stand_down/

No permits have been sought from the city of New York by the
organizers of the march. Individuals interested in participating
are invited to come to Washington Square Park at 5 pm. The march
will proceed single file, and will obey all traffic laws.
Participants are asked to maintain a solemn silence and
nonviolent disposition throughout the march.

Thomas Good, a War Resisters League activist, argues: "The
idea here is to bring the war home, symbolically, to those
responsible: the military recruiters who prey upon our young.
I have heard that military recruiters are lonely these days
and therefore we plan to keep them company...until they
stop lying to young people about what enlistment really means."

Samuel Morales, a member of the Industrial Workers of the World,
states that "I'm glad to see the 'coffin walk', as it is known,
growing. I'm pleased to report that there have been Wobblies
involved from Day One as I see this as a Bosses' war, not
something in the interest of working people."

The NYC WRL march is the second of a series of monthly events
designed to draw attention to the seemingly endless suffering
in Iraq occuring as a consequence of US foreign policy. The
next march is scheduled for Friday, January 6, 2005. Should
inclement weather prevent the march on December 9th, organizers
are asking participants to attend the Washington Square vigil
the following day - at the same location and same time. This
week's Washington Square vigil is occurring on International
Human Rights Day and is being held in solidarity with the War
Resisters and Catholic Workers now marching to Guantanamo Bay,
Cuba, to offer comfort to the prisoners being held there.

Among the are organizers of the monthly funeral procession are
members of the War Resisters League, the Direct Action Tendency,
the Industrial Workers of the World and several other anti-war
and labor organizations. The march has been endorsed by the
Socialist Party of New York City and Jim Fleming, Editor/Publisher
of Autonomedia (http://www.autonomedia.org).

The War Resisters League is an 82-year-old secular pacifist
organization, headquartered in New York City, and is affiliated
with the War Resisters' International, which is based in London.
WRL believes war to be a crime against humanity, and advocates
Gandhian nonviolence as the method for creating a democratic
society free of war, racism, sexism, and human exploitation.

- 30 -

December 10, 2005 will be the 57th Anniversary of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights and Socialist Party affiliates across the
United States will host, sponsor and/or take part in actions supporting
the Declaration's call for:
".. the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and
well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing
and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security
in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or
other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control." and also
that "No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or
degrading treatment or punishment" and "...the right to form and to join
trade unions for the protection of his interests."

On December 10th we will be in the streets and at union halls and
community centers supporting workers rights, immigrant rights and the
right to have our basic need met.

Please join us at these and other events:

Greenfield, MA: Join the Tom Mooney Local of the Socialist Party at the
Greenfield International Human Rights Day Rally and Speak Out.
11 AM Greenfield Town Common map Info: susandor@cricker.com

Jacksonville, FL: Join the Jacksonville Local at a rally sponsored by the
North Florida Central Labor Council AFL-CIO.
Meet at CWA Union Hall at 10:30 AM for a rally then take the bus to the
AFL-CIO march/rally in Orlando. SP contact: atleeyarrow@hotmail.com

Morristown, NJ: : Join the SPNJ at the Walk for Human Rights and Dignity
for Immigrants.
10 am- start from Morristown Train Station. contact:
info@njsocialistparty.org or 201-803-7574

Staten Island, NY: Join SP NYC members at a rally to stop this immoral and
illegal war and the government's use of torture.
12 Noon at Congressman Vito Fossella's office, 4434 Amboy Rd., Staten
Island NY contact: tmgood@socialistpartyusa.net

Also check out :
Complete list of AFL-CIO sponsored actions at:
http://www.aflcio.org/joinaunion/voiceatwork/calendar.cfm?state=all

Walk for Immigrant Rights Contacts
El Paso, TX: Fernando Garcia 915.577.0724
Houston, TX: Augustina Juarez 713.935.0608
San Diego, CA: Christian Ramirez 619.213.4114
San Jose, CA: Jose Sandoval 408.203.1696

Please also consider a contribution to support the Party's work for social
justice and economic democracy by sending a contribution to the Party at
339 Lafayette St. #303 NY, NY 10012 or contributing via PayPal at
http://sp-usa.org/contribute.html


In Unity,

Greg Pason
National Secretary
Socialist Party USA
339 Lafayette St. #303
New York, NY 10012
www.sp-usa.org

Three members of Philadelphia Anti-Racist Action were arrested on Sunday at a peaceful demonstration in support of Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender rights and reproductive freedom in Phoenixville, PA. One of the arrested was badly beaten by police and had to be hospitalized. The remaining two arrestees were charged with violating a provision of the USA PATRIOT Act pertaining to supplying identification to law enforcement personnel and later released.

The demonstration took place outside the home of two organizers with the notorious queer-bashing and anti-reproductive freedom organization, Repent America, whose members regularly harass and intimidate members of the L/G/B/T community and disrupt events such as AIDS fundraisers and pride festivals. Repent America has known links to the White Rose Society, who advocate for and support the bombing of abortion clinics. The leader of the group, Michael Macarvage, is quoted as saying:

"It's the government's job to enforce God's law and to uphold his law, and the Bible talks about how [homosexuals] are to be put to death. The wages of sin is death. But I want to make [it] clear that I'm not advocating the [independent] killing of homosexuals. I'm saying that the government's duty is to uphold God's law. I know that's harsh, but we have all broken the law, God's law, and we need to be held accountable." (Philadelphia City Paper, Jesus Geek Superstar, February 3- 9, 2005)

The legality of home demonstrations has been clearly established through various precedents, but police forcibly ended the gathering, arresting the three individuals, severely injuring one of them. A similar demonstration took place earlier in the day in a neighboring town, and although police were present, it proceeded without any incident whatsoever.

Despite the fact that the individuals were peacefully attempting to call attention to the Repent America organizers' attempts to incite violence against queer and transgender individuals and terrorize their communities, they have been charged with violating a provision of the USA PATRIOT Act, ostensibly a set of anti-terrorist laws, which have instead been used to target nonviolent political activists. By using the USA PATRIOT Act against such activists, law enforcement personnel are attempting to equate peaceful protest, and even dissent itself, with terrorism. This has a chilling effect on individuals' willingness to publicly disagree with government policy, or even with organizations such as Repent America, which regularly attempt to incite violence against women and queers.

The misuse of the USA PATRIOT Act is only one tactic used by law enforcement agencies in the war against dissent. The injured protester had been violently thrown to the ground and then slammed into the side of a car before being taken away. He was charged with aggravated assault, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and reckless endangerment; none of the four charges relate to the original justification for his arrest: refusing to supply ID. As of this writing, the arrestee is being held on $10,000 bail. Currently activists on the outside have raised the thousand dollars normally necessary to bail him out through the services of a bondsman, however the credit company in an absurd act of heteronormativity is demanding that his parents be involved in his release. This is despite the fact that activists have both the credit, property, and funds to bond him out. Jason is 26 years old.

Members of Anti-Racist Action and Anarchist Black Cross are calling on individuals to contribute to a fund being readied for his legal defense. Anyone able to contribute is urged to contact Tom Keenan from North Jersey ARA (609-468-9562, tompkeenan@gmail.com from North Jersey ARA), Kane from Philly Anarchist Black Cross (908-319-5394, jgp@riseup.net), or Matt from Shoelacetown Anarchist Black Cross (201-696-6390, shoelacetownabc@hushmail.com)

PLEASE FORWARD THIS MESSAGE WIDELY! WATCH FOR UPDATES SOON!

------------- PHONE JAM THE OFFICIALS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ILLEGAL ARREST! CALL AND DEMAND JASON'S IMMEDIATE RELEASE WITHOUT CHARGES!

Anti-Racist Action is calling for an immediate and continuous phone jam of all public officials related to Jason's illegal arrest and incarceration.

We are making these demands on the following public officials ? be sure to mention them. Call, be angry, be firm, but be legal.

(1)Jason's immediate release. (2)The dropping of all charges. (3)A public apology for Jason's needless injury during his illegal arrest by Officer Fagley. (4)An affirmation by the municipalities involved that home demonstrations are protected legal speech.

Mayor Frances Jacobs, East Pikeland Township 610.933.1770

Chief of Police James Franciscus, East Pikeland Township Office: (610) 935-0606 Home: (610) 518-0328

Joseph W. Carroll, Chester County District Attorney Phone: 610-344-6801 Fax: 610-344-5905 Email: http://dsf.chesco.org/da/cwp/view.asp?A=3&Q=617382

We are also asking people to call the jail and the Sheriff's Department to ensure that Jason is safe, receiving access to vegetarian foods and any medical attention needed for his injuries.

During these calls we ask that you be exceedingly polite as these people have direct control over Jason's safety and health.

Chester County Jail Number 610-793-1510

Chester County Sheriff Carolyn B. Welsh 610-344-6850 Direct line: 610-344-6855

Chief Deputy James Moyer: 610-344-6854

Captain Joseph A. Carbo Jr: 610-344-5461

PLEASE REPOST!!!

Two Arrested as CIA / Army Recruitment Meeting at Rutgers University Disrupted by Wobblies, Members of Rutgers Against the War and Members of Anti-Racist Action.

Army Recruiters Give Up Their Bait & Switch Effort in Frustration; Students Raise Question About CIA Torture Camps.

Staff Sergeant Christopher Sharp, Station Commander at an Army recruitment center in North Brunswick, NJ, expected his December 2, 2005 recruitment presention at RutgersUniversity to go smoothly.

He and four other Army recruiters had dressed in suits and ties for the power point presentation, aimed to recruit college students who were native speakers of Arabic,Korean or Chinese for work as translators and interrogators. The gathering had been billed as a general interest meeting for language majors about carreer opportunities with a number of federal agencies, including the FBI, CIA, NSA, Defense Department, DEA and State Department, but the headlining government recruiter, Tanya West, was not even present. Replacing her were five to six Army recruiters.

As Room 104 of the language lab on the College Avenue campus filled up with 40 to 50 students, the recruiters began their presentation at 3:00 pm.

After five to ten minutes, a loud and spirited chant broke out from five spectators in at the back of the room: "Secret prisons, secret flights, the CIA tramples human rights; reverse hanging, what gives? If that's not torture, what the fuck is?"

The lead recruiter's jaw dropped open in surprise as the emphasis of the meeting immediately shifted and for the first minute or so of sustained chanting, recruiters had no idea what to do.

Outside the room, other protesters took out signs and began shouting from the hallway. One recruiter informed those protesting inside Room 104 that police were being called. Three activists left the room at that point.

Two remained to continue chanting and halt the meeting for another twenty to twenty-five minutes. "The real terrorists in the world today, are the FBI and the CIA! From Abu Ghraib to Gitmo Bay, CIA torture leads the way!"

Staff Sgt. Sharp had his own idea on how to deal with the situation. He walked to the back of the room, toward the remaining protesters, intent on removing them by force.

The two sat down as he approached and linked arms. Staff Sgt. Sharp then began tugging on the unlinked left arm of one protester, engaging in a brief and futile tug of war that got him admonished by a superior officer.

Around 3:40 pm, Rutgers police arrived. The activists, still chanting, stood and unlinked their arms. Police asked them if they would leave at this point. The two continued chanting and were arrested without resisting. As RUPD Officer Ganzer slapped on handcuffs and escorted the two men out of the room, the pair kept chanting loudly, denouncing torture and the war.

After their exit, the meeting resumed, but was clearly thrown into disarray. Recruiters mentioned, then completely skipped the section they had prepared on the CIA. Other activists were in the audience with prepared questions, but other students began asking the recruiters pointed questions themselves, without prompting.

Apparently, many students were under the mistaken impression that it was a recruitment meeting for all branches of the federal government. A German language major asked about a possible job as EU liason assistant with the State Department. Recruiters replied to her question by stating they had no idea about that; they were Army recruiters. Finding this out, more than half of the remaining students in the audience left.

The presentation quickly ended having reached its time limit.

Rey Robles, 18, and Tom Howard, 27, are being charged with a petty disorderly persons offence for disrupting a public meeting.

Their first hearing is December 14, 2005 at 8:45 am at the New Brunswick Municipal Court.

[NEW BRUNSWICK MUNICIPAL COURT, 25 KIRKPATRICK ST, PO BOX 265, NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ, (732) 745-5089

directions http://www.njlaws.com/middlesex/new_brunswick.htm]

Solidarity is requested, both for the defendants and to keep war resistance nice and toasty going into the cold winter. Come out and show support!

The Socialist Party - USA, Greater New York Local, has endorsed and supports the War Resisters League Manhattan Anti-War Vigil and March. Our Members have been active in WRL events, and are putting special effort to turn out SP members and friends for these actions.

This monthly march is a needed reminder that New Yorkers are daily being sent to their deaths in Iraq. The war in Iraq is unjust and the occupation is unsustainable. While the rich and politically connected benefit each day we occupy a foreign country, working people die and both nations are bled dry. The United States treasury is being diverted into private hands, while what remains of Iraq's infrastructure is destroyed and rebuilt to ease the movement of resources out of the country.

Get in the streets and let the government know you're sick and tired of our people coming home from a trip to the recruiters in a body bag. New York City has seen enough dying to know our lives are worth a hell of a lot more than a barrel of oil or some politician's kickback!

Call To Action: WRL Funeral Procession (This Friday, 12/9).




War Resisters League
339 Lafayette Street New York, NY 10012
nycwrl@att.net
www.warresisters.org

Event Contact: Thomas Good 347.524.5631 tmgood@actiontendency.net

Call To Action

The New York City Local of the War Resisters League (WRL) will hold a funeral march on Friday, December 9, 2005, to protest the loss of life in the war being waged in Iraq. Gathering at the north end of Washington Square Park (under the arch) at 5:30 PM on Friday, participants will step off at 6:00 PM proceeding to the recruiting center at 157 Chambers Street, near the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC). This is the second of a series of regular monthly marches that will be maintained until the war in Iraq is ended and all troops are brought home.

The marchers for the December 9th protest will gather at the site of the daily vigil held at the Washington Square arch. Participants are being asked to assemble between 5-5:30 PM. (Those who are willing to help assemble coffins should arrive at 5 PM). Leaving the park at 6PM, participants will march in a solemn procession bearing coffins, wearing bibs depicting US and Iraqi war dead, and carrying white candles. The march will proceed to the U.S. Army Recruiting station at 157 Chambers Street. The exact route will be posted at: http://www.actiontendency.net/stand_down/ Photographs from the last march (on November 18th, National Stand Down Day) can be seen at http://www.actiontendency.net/photo-gallery/stand_down_2005/

No permits have been sought from the city of New York by the organizers of the march. The march will proceed single file down Broadway, and will obey all traffic laws. Participants are asked to maintain a solemn silence and nonviolent disposition throughout the march.

Among the are organizers of the event are members of the War Resisters League, the Direct Action Tendency, the Industrial Workers of the World and several other anti-war and labor organizations. Endorsements are welcome (email Thomas Good at tmgood@actiontendency.net). RSVPs are also encouraged as organizers want to be sure to bring sufficient bibs and candles.

The NYC WRL march is the second of a series of monthly events designed to draw attention to the seemingly endless suffering in Iraq occurring as a consequence of US foreign policy. The next march is scheduled for Friday, January 6, 2005.

The War Resisters League is an 81-year-old secular pacifist organization, headquartered in New York City, and is affiliated with the War Resisters' International, which is based in London. WRL believes war to be a crime against humanity, and advocates Gandhian nonviolence as the method for creating a democratic society free of war, racism, sexism, and human exploitation.