Radlanta

If you've never been a political activist, NOW is the time!

2009-07-31T10:55:00.006-04:00

Call Your Congresspeople: Take the Pledge for the Public Option

This may be the most important 10 minutes of phone calls in your life! I personally am trying to do this every day or two.

Okay, Americans! You want healthcare? You want to live in a civilized country, one that values the well-being of ALL citizens, not just the rich? NOW! is the time to work our asses off getting a serious Public Option passed. THIS MONTH is the most crucial time in our lifetimes for making this happen!

Here's what you can do today: Progressive members of Congress need to draw a line in the sand and demand a public health insurance option -- something 76% of Americans want.

Call progressive members of Congress and ask that they Take the Pledge to vote against any health care bill that doesn't have a public plan which is:

available nationwide
on day one
and accountable to Congress and the voters

Say:
"I'm a constituent, and I'm calling to ask if the Representative (insert name here) has or will Take the Pledge to vote against any any health care bill lacking a public plan that is:
* available nationwide
* on day one
* and accountable to Congress and the voters

Has the Representative Taken the Pledge to do this?
[get an anser here]

I would urge the Representative to co-sponsor H.R. 676, the "Medicare For All" Bill introduced by Rep. John Conyers. This plan can save over $286 billion dollars a year in total health care costs. That's enough to cover all the uninsured and provide full prescription drug coverage for everyone in the United States. And 60% of physicians now support a national, single-payer health insurance system for everyone."

Georgia
Johnson, Hank -- GA-04 -- 202-225-1605
Lewis, John -- GA-05 -- 202-225-3801
Scott, David -- GA-13 -- 202-225-2939
Bishop, Sanford D., Jr. -- GA-2 -- 202-225-3631

Lean Yes
Diana DeGette -- CO01 -- 202-225-4431
Jane Harman-- CA36 -- 202-225-8220
Christopher Murphy -- CT05 -- 202-225-4476
Frank Pallone -- NJ06 -- 202-225-4671
Bobby Rush -- IL01 -- 202-225-4372

Public Option Only (or Won't Say)
Rick Boucher -- VA09 -- 202-225-3861
Bruce Braley -- IA01 -- 202-225-2911
G.K. Butterfield -- NC01 -- 202-225-3101
Lois Capps -- CA23 -- 202-225-3601
Kathy Castor -- FL11 -- 202-225-3376
John Dingell -- MI15 -- 202-225-4071
Charles Gonzalez -- TX20 -- 202-225-3236
Jay Inslee -- WA01 -- 202-225-6311
Doris Matsui -- CA05 -- 202-225-7163
Jerry McNerney -- CA11 -- 202-225-1947
John Sarbanes -- MD03 -- 202-225-4016
Bart Stupak -- MI01 -- 202-225-4735
Betty Sutton -- OH13 -- 202-225-3401
Henry Waxman (Chair) -- CA30 -- 202-225-3976

Free Shifa! Urgently need witnesses on Tuesday in Atlanta

2009-05-25T08:25:00.001-04:00

Dear Friends!

I need each and everyone of your presences on Tuesday, May 26, 3pm !!!

I hope you are well and in good spirits. Thanks to so many of you who have extended your emotional support around my family's situation regarding my little brother's (Shifa) case over the last three years.

Shifa is having a Bond Hearing on Tuesday, May 26 at 3 PM and we need to fill the courthouse!

He has been held for over 3 years, without a trial, under deplorable conditions of solitary confinement and endured physical violence from another inmate last October and still awaiting trial. As a result, he lives in constant fear of his life at the prison and his health has significantly deteriorated, needing medical attention. The prison staff has ignored his medical requests and both guards and other inmates continue to harass him. Please read about his prison conditions here http://freeshifa.com/images/Contents/bond%20motion%202009.pdf

We have worked very hard to get this hearing for Shifa. We want to have him with us at home so he can regain his health and help his lawyers prepare for trial. We need your support and request your attendance at the bond hearing, so the judge may allow Shifa to be released to his family.

We also request you kindly make announcements about Shifa's bond hearing to your communities, organizations, and encourage your friends and families to support us by attending the hearing.

We need 100 people to support us at the bond hearing. We would be much obliged for all your help and look forward to seeing you, your friends and families at Shifa's Bond Hearing on this Tuesday, May 26, 3 PM.

YOUR attendance can make a big difference...please come and be with us.

BOND HEARING FOR SHIFA

WHEN: TUESDAY, MAY 26,
TIME: 3 PM

Courthouse address:

Room 1705, on 17th Floor
Judge William Duffey
Richard B Russel Federal Building
75 Spring St.
Atlanta, GA 30303

Peace and Blessings,
Sharmin and Sonali Sadequee
517-505-1697

--
www.freeshifa.com
www.ipetitions.com/petition/FreeShifa
www.flickr.com/photos/freeshifa
www.myspace.com/freeshifa
www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=62107787609&ref=u

What are YOU doing with 5 Days of Fabulous at MondoHomo?

2009-05-20T16:29:00.010-04:00

Wow, it’s just around the corner! FIVE DAYS of FABULOUS at MondoHomo in Atlanta!
http://www.mondohomo.com

What events are YOU going to? The off-the-chain Grand Opening Art Show, Homo Spoken: Sex & Politics, dyke icon Gretchen Philips, Athens Boys Choir and “Stories from the Road” documentary about following PJ Harvey -- all for only $7?

or Friday night’s Katrina del Mar showcase of the HAWTEST lesbo short films we’ve ever seen, TUFF CHICKS, with everything from surfer girls to Brooklyn girl gangs to lesbian vampires?

or the always-magical Mondo HomoHop on Friday night with more than 10 queer MCs from across the country, including smokin’ hot DEADLEE and Pharell-picks KIN4LIFE?

or the FREE! ALL AGES! HomoCon! on Saturday afternoon with fun, smart workshops, and Community Speed-Dating game with prizes?

or Film Love’s ‘BODIES’ screening of 18+ only sexy films by 70s queer filmmakers on Saturday?

or international superstar Justin Bond (John Cameron Mitchell’s Shortbus, Kiki & Herb lounge act, tons of Broadway and off-Broadway shows) in the East Coast debut of his new show, Rites of Spring, that’s played to sellout crowds on the West Coast?

or hard-rocking Mondo Rock, featuring the closest thing to Joan Jett (minus 20+ years) crossed with Metallica, New York City’s dyke band GSX?

or the FREE! ALL AGES! family-friendly Mondo Day Camp in Cabbagetown Park on Sunday, fun hanging out and games with your new queer peeps?

or More Mondo Film Love with original short films by 70s genderf*ck drag troupe The Cockettes, and a rare performance by Atlanta’s own inspiration to generations of drag queens, Diamond Lil & the Naked Hearts?

or chicken-and-waffles brunch at the Mondo Finalé, with Gospel Drag Brunch featuring drag/burlesque hotties like the incomparable burlesque star Vagina Jenkins?

or Johnny Drago’s original play written to debut at MondoHomo, “Billy Budd: a Portrait in Seamen”, with Radiotron genius DJ Lil Ray spinning it down after?

or just hanging out around Eyedrum this weekend, to cruise and meet the sexiest gathering of cross-country queers the South has ever hosted? (pssst... I’m telling you, spring flings are the best with here-today, gone next week out-of-towners!)

if you’re like me, it’s just too much darn trouble to pick! Might as well get the $50 5-day VIP Pass while they’re still available!

What's FREE! at MondoHomo this weekend?

2009-05-19T17:43:00.002-04:00

What’s FREE! at MondoHomo?

Well, besides the Workshops (with free catered brunch, first come, first served), there’s the Mondo Day Camp!

Every year when we ask people what their favorite MondoHomo event was, the Day Camp is always the hands-down winner! Why? Because it’s outside, in gorgeous weather, family friendly, great BBQ, FREE!, fun sporty games, and just hanging with our queer peeps!!

So come on out Sunday May 22nd, noon-6pm, at Cabbagetown Park

(intersection of Kirkwood & Tye St., just a couple blocks over from the Red Fish sign on Memorial Drive, just east of Boulevard).

MondoHomo loves our Community!

2009-05-19T00:45:00.003-04:00

PLEASE FORWARD WIDELY!

MondoHomo loves our Community!
http://www.mondohomo.com/

If you haven’t noticed, MondoHomo is all about community and politics this year, in addition to some damn fine queer performance!

Beginning this year, we now have an Activist Partner (or two) for each MondoHomo event. What’s an Activist Partner? It’s a local group doing radical and/or queer work that aligns with MondoHomo's politics (see the Manifesto at http://www.mondohomo.com/section/about/manifesto). They will be featured at the event, introduce their group to our audience, and staff a table with more information during the event.

Here’s our Activist Partners for 2009:
Thursday/HomoSpoken - Atlanta Queer Literary Festival, an annual festival of queer literature and writers
and Charis Books, a feminist bookstore that hosts many social justice events
Friday/HomoHop - Southern Comfort Conference, an annual nationwide transgender conference held in Atlanta
Saturday/HomoCon & Mondo Mondo - Southerners on New Ground, a radical queer community-building group
Sunday/Mondo Day Camp - YouthPride, a community center for LGBTQ youth.
Monday/Mondo Finalé - Zami, Atlanta’s premiere organization for Lesbians of African Descent

we’ve also got Free Workshops!
on Saturday May 23rd, from noon-5pm at Eyedrum Gallery,

MondoHomo presents HomoCon!
an afternoon of creative and political workshops to bolster our spirits! It’s one of several FREE! all ages events at MondoHomo, and comes with a free catered brunch from Sun in my Belly, a tres delish eatery in Decatur. There are 2 sessions, Session A from noon-1:30pm, and Session B from 2pm-3:30pm.

Session A - noon-1:30pm

D.I.Y. Screen Printin' Workshop with Lady Jane
Basic steps to screen printing from your house or garage.âÂ€¨Basic steps to screen printing from your house or garage. Bring your shirts or material to print on.

Struggle for dignity: My experiences with the Zapatistas (EZLN), with Gerardo Tristan
This is an hour informal talk where I will be sharing my experience with the insurgent indigenous group EZLN who has developed into a larger national movement seeking autonomy and promoting sustainable way of surviving in this global economy and within the context of a TLC (North American free trade). After sharing my experience people are welcomed to ask or share their thoughts on the Zapatismo and their struggle!

Queer Southern Identity and Making Art - The business of political queer art, with Gina Mamone
join Gina Mamone President & CEO of the worlds largest LGBTQ record label, Riot Grrrl Ink as she talks about embracing her inner gender queer hillbilly and the importance of how owning your roots through your art is fundamental in shattering southern stereotypes. Also discussed: Queer Marketing & Branding on a national level to create community.

Boylesque, with Smokin' McQueen

PR and Marketing, with Ms. Bea Haven

Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence in the Queer/Trans Community, with Sarah Meng & Tommy Theollyn
This workshop intends to speak to the reality of sexual assault and domestic violence within the queer and/or trans communities. We will look at the resources available to us and examine the ways that multiple isms contribute to violence and limit access to resources. We will strategize ways to confront, prevent, and heal from this violence, as well as begin to build a larger framework for action within a transformative justice context. Open to all.

Strategies for Community Safety and Better Policing, not More Police!, with Moki of BLOCS

Patent Fever, with Michael Anne Jello
How we challenge Big Pharma (in the UK, US), and how the intellectual property system seems to entrench racial, class and North/South inequalities

Session B - 2pm -3:30pm

Burlesque Basics, with Vagina Jenkins
WANT TO TEASE YOUR LOVER?!?! Learn the timeless art of the striptease from the infamous V.A.G. Named Atlanta's Best Burlesque Dancer; The Lady Ms. Vagina Jenkins is just the grrrl to show you the basics of the bump n grind!

Social Justice, anti-racism, WOC, anti-violence, with Tru Bloo

Queer Visibility, with Gina Mamone
The importance of queer visibility, telling queerâÂ€¨stories and making our voices heard with an organic Q& A

The Trans-Health Initiative
Feminist Women’s Health Center and South Comfort Conference âÂ€¨Moderator: Kathy King, FWHCâÂ€¨Panel: Jac Camp, Director of Trans Health Initiative, FWHC, Lola Cola, SCC Board Member, FWHC Board Member, another SCC representativeâÂ€¨We will show short film clips, introducing the FWHC and Robert Eads. The panel will address the importance of trans-health issues, specifically for FtM, share info & resources, talk about the Southern Comfort Conference, and discuss advocating for equality in the workplace and the doctor’s office

The True Cost of Coal, with The Beehive Collective
Your light switch is connected to a human and ecological drama playing out in the Appalachians and beyond. The Beehive Design Collective presents "The True Cost of Coal," a giant poster-in-progress with an all-animal cast! The Beehive is an all-volunteer, art-activist collective dedicated to "cross-pollinating the grassroots" by creating collaborative, anti-copyright images for use as educational and organizing tools.

DIY production of beats, homophobia in hip hop or self producing, with breakout homohop artists KIN4LIFE

Then at 4pm we’re excited to present a Community Roundup Rodeo, with prizes and games encouraging community interaction at the FREE! HomoCon. A number of community groups are participating, including:
Youth Pride
Wonderroot
Kennesaw Pride Alliance
WRFG Radio Station
Southern Comfort Conference
The TransHealth Initiative
Feminist Women’s Health Center
GA Equality
Touching up our Roots
AID Atlanta
International Action Center

So come join us, and help us build our radical queer communities stronger!

Gretchen Phillips next week at MondoHomo!

2009-05-15T10:51:00.005-04:00

If you were a lesbian in the 90s, you probably remember Girls in the Nose, no? or Two Nice Girls? come on, sing along with me...

"...I spent my last 10 dollars on birth control, and beer... my life was so much simpler, when I was sober, and queer..."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HtG9ef5XI4

Well that's Gretchen Phillips, and she's coming to Atlanta for MondoHomo! So getcherselves to the Eyedrum Gallery next Thursday night for the

GRAND OPENING festivities of MONDOHOMO 2009!!

more info at

http://www.mondohomo.com

and pssst... a little birdy tells me a certain famous Korean-American comedienne may be stopping by as well!

Femmethology comes to Atlanta - and vice versa!

2009-05-13T12:34:00.003-04:00

The official Atlanta release part for 'Visible: A Femmethology' is tomorrow Thursday 5/14 7:30pm at Charis Books and More. It's hosted by femme powerhouse Kathleen Delaney, also featured in MondoHomo's spoken word night on Thursday May 21st at Eyedrum. Hope to see y'all at both!

'Visible: A Femmethology', the only two-volume anthology devoted to femme identity, calls the LGBTQI community on its prejudices and celebrates the diversity of individual femmes. Award-winning authors, spoken-word artists, and new voices come together to challenge conventional ideas of how disability, class, nationality, race, aesthetics, sexual orientation, gender identity and body type intersect with each contributor's concrete notion of femmedom. Join us as we celebrate the release of this anthology, with readings by 5 local contributors: Brook Bolen, Caitlin Childs, JD Dykes, Asha Leong, and Margaret Price.

First Reading:
What: Official Atlanta Femmethology Release Party
When: Thursday May 14th, 2009 from 7:30-9:00pm
Where: Charis Books and More (1189 Euclid Ave NE Atlanta, GA 30307 in the
Little 5 Points Business District)
Presented by: Charis Circle and the Atlanta Femme Mafia
Hosted by: Kathleen Delaney

More info:
www.femmethology.com
www.homofactuspress.com
www.chariscircle.org
www.charisbooksandmore.com
www.aphroditestoybox.com

Best Festival Name: Be Your Own Hero Fest!

2009-05-02T19:35:00.005-04:00

The 3rd Annual Be Yr Own Hero Festival (Hero Fest) will be taking place at the Soapbox (http://www.soapboxlaundrolounge.com/) in Wilmington, North Carolina September 5-6th 2009. Submissions for workshops, info sessions, skill shares, zine/craft/DIY, art and music are currently being accepted until July 19th, 2009.

Please see the form (http://beyrownhero.com/?p=73) to submit your workshop idea, skillshare, art or music. We welcome all subjects and we encourage all people to apply – we are looking for people/bands/artists who: Are down with social justice Live for dismantling the status quo Are interested in pushing their own limits Like to share Want a stronger community Be Yr Own Hero Fest is an annual radical Do It Yourself (DIY) festival in Wilmington, NC. It includes workshops, info sessions, awesome live music, rad art, free stuff, free food, lots of fun and friends from far near and far!

In 2007, Wilmington NC was home to the first Be Yr Own Hero Festival, an all day radical Do It Yourself (DIY) Festival held at the Soapbox Laundro Lounge. 2008 saw the 2nd Annual Hero Fest. Both Festivals included a Really Really Free Market, potluck, workshops, info sessions and live music.

Past workshops have included: DIY parenting (a radical concept), Basic Bicycle Repair, Truth in Recruiting / Promoting Peace, Social Activism & the Info-Wars, Radical Menstruation, Food Politics, Trans 101: Becoming an ally to transgender people, Unconventional Action: Organizing against the DNC/RNC, DIY DJ Workshop, Basket weaving, DIY Essentials Skillshare, Radical Women’s Health, Qi Gong (a type of Chinese martial arts) and more. Bands have included: The Nothing Noise, Gator Country, Prize Winners Collective, NED, Ghost Mice, The Mathematicians, and Poingly.

For more information on the Be Yr Own Hero Festival and Collective, visit www.beyrownhero.com or contact herofest@gmail.com.

Spaghetti, Bingo, history, herstory and Queerstory

2009-04-30T10:32:00.008-04:00

Spaghetti Dinner & Queerstory Bingo fundraiser
at Ria's Bluebird
421 Memorial Dr. SE, Atlanta, GA 30316
May 1st, 8-11pm
$20 cash, $1 additional Bingo cards, beer/wine available

Includes a delicious 3-course gourmet Spaghetti dinner (see Menu below) served by fabulous Femme Mafiosa, hot Rollergirls, and Vagina Jenkins, and a Bingo card. Diamond Lil will be calling the Bingo, with a real Bingo cage and number balls! Reservations recommended -- email heyqueer@mondohomo.com to RSVP. $20 cash only, and cash bar.

We've invited some mentors and elders in the community to each sit at a table with younger folks, and tell us stories of their radical queer lives here in Atlanta. So far we've available for fireside chats: the legendary drag queen Diamond Lil, perfomance poet Duncan Teague of Black and White Men Together, activist Lorraine Fontana, The Duchess, a pillar of the BDSM community who came up in the European Velvet Underground, and Mab Segrest, co-founder of Southerners on New Ground.

MENU
-field green salad with roma tomatoes, choice of buttermilk blue cheese dressing or balsamic vinaigrette
-all you can eat pasta with spicy marinara and chioce of meatballs or "neat" balls (veggie) with garlic french bread
-fresh strawberries with ice cream for dessert!

Bingo is being wrangled by Tony D and Kattrell of the Rollergirls. Here’s the prizes:
$50 week long pass for MondoHomo festival
$50 gift card Metrotainment
$25 gift card Dr. Bombay
$100 in gift cards Wahoo grill
$10 MondoHomo t-shirt
$25 gift card Ria's Bluebird
$60 original art works from Donna Van Gogh's
and drink tickets

8pm sharp, so we can maximize BINGO time!
Tables are filling up so call for reservations: 404-521-3737 or email heyqueer@mondohomo.com

Head-bowling Japanese and Detroit disco-rockers Electric 6!

2009-04-24T13:55:00.004-04:00

Okay, not to be missed this week:
wacky Japanese anime answer to the P-funk, Peelander-Z
at the Earl tonight, April 24th! I mean, when's the last time you saw silly disco-metal guys in colorful costumes bowling their lead singer through the audience?

and Detroit-by-way-of-London disco rockers Electric 6, you know, of "I Wanna Take You to a Gay Bar" and "Danger, Danger High Voltage", at Lenny's on Saturday!

Bi-Racial History Project salon at the First Existentialist Church

2009-04-24T12:01:00.005-04:00

When I live in San Francisco, I sometimes passed the Church of St. John Coltrane. That and Atlanta's First Existentialist Church are the two churches that make the most sense to me, in terms of an actual connection between spirituality, keeping our spirits up, politics, philosophy, community and the deeply passionate spirituality of art.

Here's your chance to check it out:

Literary Salon of Spoken Word:

An Evening of Poetry and Prose
to Benefit the Candler Park Bi-Racial History Project

With…

Alice Lovelace ** Franklin Abbott ** Theresa Davis

Yolo Akili ** Miriam Carroll ** Alice Teeter **Karen G

Debra Hiers ** Mona Reeves ** Robin Stinson ** Maria Helena Dolan

Steven Wing ** and Louisa Merchant as Mistress of Ceremonies

and A Silent Auction for some wonderful items - winning bids announced at the end of the evening.

April 24, 2009~7 p.m.
First Existentialist Congregation,

470 Candler Park Drive, Atlanta 30307

For directions contact the First Existentialist Congregation at 404-378-5570 or go to http://firstexistentialist.org/external/index.html

What your attendance will support: In today's Candler Park, the little-known biracial origins of the neighborhood are our basis for respectful interactive education within the larger multi-cultural community. Currently, our Historic Marker Initiative is underway to place informative markers at well-documented African American Legacy Sites in Candler Park and the neighborhood. See more at www.biracialhistoryproject.org

Black Radical Traditions, and Pansy Division!

2009-04-22T12:59:00.001-04:00

Project South presents Midnite School:
Black Radical Traditions in the South in the US South: What is the Difference Between Being Black and Being American?

WHERE: Project South office, 9 Gammon Ave., Atlanta 30315
WHEN: Wednesday April 22, 5:30-7:30pm
WHAT: Black Radical Traditions in the South in the US South: What is the Difference Between Being Black and Being American?
MORE INFO: 404-622-0602 or Christi@ProjectSouth.org

Join us for an evening to explore the Black Radical Traditions int he US South. Our goals in this discussion are to expand the context of the "Obama moment" to connect our present to historical examples of change, and to uncover the distinctions between the history of Black Radical Traditions and being American.

then at 7:30pm Outwrite Books presents
a Jon Ginoli of Pansy Division book signing

WHEN: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse
WHAT: Jon Ginoli Tells All in his new book Deflowered: My Life in Pansy Division

"We're the buttfuckers of rock-and-roll, We want to sock it to your hole!" With these words written in a notebook, Jon Ginoli sets off on a journey of self-discovery and musical passion to become the founding member of Pansy Division, the first out and proud queercore punk rock band to hit the semi-big time. Set against the changing decades of music, we follow the band from their inception in San Francisco, to their search for a music label and a permanent drummer to their current status as indie rock icons.

We see the highs—touring with Green Day—and the lows—homophobic fans—of striving for acceptance and success in the world of rock. Replete with the requisite tales of sex, drugs, groupies, band fights and label battles, this rollicking memoir is also an impassioned account of staying true to the artistic vision of queer rock'n'roll.

The doctor is in!

2009-04-17T10:52:00.005-04:00

For women-loving-women/trans only: are you in need of sensual satisfaction? Well, the Doctor is taking house calls!

Che Johnson of Gemini 2 Productions' series Erotically Speaking presents
"Erotic Housecalls"
an evening of erotic spoken word and performances

With
Kwietha, erotic performing artist
Claudie "The Siren" Moss
Lady T, vocalist
Richelle Scales, on Keys baby!!!!

WHAT: Erotically Speaking presents "Erotic Housecalls"
WHEN: Friday April 17, 9:30pm
WHERE: UTM Studio, 860 Hank Aaron Dr,, Atlanta 30315
HOW MUCH: $20 at the door / $15 advance Paypal
MORE INFO: http://www.myspace.com/gemini2productions

Come the Revolution of 1967!

2009-04-15T19:48:00.006-04:00

My mom, a self-described 60s radical feminist (who later joined the Seventh-Day Adventist church, hmmm)... used to use the phrase "...come the Revolution..." as an allusion to a time when things make sense and life is fair... When I got old enough to notice, I asked her what it meant.

She explained that in the 60s and 70s, it was something a lot of people were saying. She was a student at the University of California in the late 60s, when Ronald Reagan became the first Governator and was busily destroying social services, turning mental patients onto the streets, and locking students into heavy debt burdens for the privilege of going to college (previous to Reagan, the UC system charged state residents NOTHING for tuition -- as I see it this was his quite effective way of ensuring that then-active students couldn't get too revolutionary, as their now-incurrred debts necessitated well-paying post-grad employment in The Establishment).

At that time, many people across America, from leftist activists to paranoid FBI agents, literally believed that a Revolution was imminent. It took years of CointelPro assasinations and myriad right-wing repressions to quell that "danger", but by the 80s, that hope had shriveled into the realm of fantasy.

Since then, I've been fascinated by this concept that was so rampant, and now seems so distant. Well now there's a film investigating exactly that. I'll see you there!

What: Revolution '67
When: Thursday April 16, 6pm
Where: Herndon Plaza-Atlanta Life Building, 100 Auburn Avenue, 30303
How much: FREE!

Civic Frame and P.O.V. host a free screening of the film Revolution '67 exploring the conditions that ignited the black urban rebellions of the 1960s and the lingering impact of those conditions today.

Panelists will include the filmmakers, Lisa Borders (President, Atlanta City Council), Kwanza Hall (Atlanta City Council), Doug Shipman from the Center for Human and Civil Rights, and Rev. Dr. Raphael G. Warnock of Ebenezer Baptist Church.

Ride MARTA Friday April 17th!

2009-04-11T11:36:00.002-04:00

Ride MARTA Day brings Metro Atlanta together to support troubled transit system Who: Save MARTA, a growing coalition of organizations, communities, and individuals who demand sensible funding and legislative support for MARTA. What: In light of impending MARTA service cuts due to state level legislative action and inaction, Metro Atlantans are coming together to support the transit system by celebrating Ride MARTA Day on Friday, April 17. On Ride MARTA Day, participants will all ride MARTA at least once, per their usual commute or replacing their usual mode of transportation. Participants will ride at the time of their choosing. In other words, all you need to do is ride the bus or train on Friday, April 17. The purpose of Ride MARTA Day is to bring all concerned Metro Atlantans into a community building activity that will boost ridership, expose new riders to useful routes, express solidarity with MARTA workers and regular commuters, and demonstrate that, as the backbone of our transportation system, MARTA must be fairly funded.

When: Friday, April 17, 2009, all day.
Where: MARTA trains and buses.

Tuesday night: Intersex 101 - 1 in 2000

2009-04-06T20:50:00.004-04:00

It is estimated that 1 in 2,000 children are born with genitals, chromosomes and/or reproductive organs that obviously fall outside of the (narrow) medical definition of male or female. Unfortunately children born with intersex conditions are often surgically mutilated without their consent. Even when children are able to escape surgery, it is difficult to escape the stigma, shame and secrecy that comes along with having a body that doctors and society tell you is "different."

Caitlin Childs will present this workshop, which will include a basic introduction to intersex issues and activism, as well as Caitlin's personal story of being intersex. Some or all of the film 'One in 2000' by Ajae Clearway which explores the the societal context and personal experience of growing up intersex will be shown and there will be time for q&a and discussion.

This event will take place at 7pm on Tuesday 4/7/09 at Agnes Scott College in the Teasley Auditorium which is located in the Science Building off W. Dougherty St. This event is presented by the LGBTQIA Collective.

For more information about Caitlin, please visit: http://caitlinpetrakischilds.wordpress.com/

Southern radical feminist Mab Segrest tonight 5:30pm!

2009-03-31T14:28:00.003-04:00

Come see one of our foresisters speak for FREE tonight!

Midnite School: Creating a Vision for Our Movement discusses "Who's controlling our mind, body & spirit?"- the historical connections between race, class, eugenics, gender, sexuality, mental health, prisons & disability featuring reknowned Southern author Mab Segrest ("Memoirs of a Race Traitor" 1994). Tues Mar 31, 5:30pm, FREE at Project South Office, 9 Gammon Ave., Atlanta, 30315

If you don't go to this, don't call yourself Radical!

2009-03-22T16:11:00.007-04:00

okay, maybe that's a bit harsh. I know, folks have work and previous commitments, etc. But if you don't have a damn good excuse... well anyway, I'll try to climb down from my righteous soapbox... I've never seen her speak, so I'm totally excited about seeing a genuine heroine of mine, live in-person!

Angela Davis at Ebenezer Baptist
Renowned civil rights and women's rights leader Angela Davis will speak about women, privilege and prisons at Ebenezer Baptist Church (MLK Jr's home church) in downtown Atlanta, for the keynote address of Emory University's Women's History Month. Click here for more information

WHEN: Tuesday March 24, 7pm WHERE: Ebenezer Baptist Church, 407 Auburn Ave NE, near Boulevard
HOW MUCH: FREE!!!

Angela Davis will also speak at SPARK Reproductive Justice Now's Legislate This! breakfast & activism the next morning. Click here for more information, and to register

WHEN: Wednesday March 25, 9am-1pm WHERE: Trinity United Methodist Church, 265 Washington Ave Atlanta, GA
HOW MUCH: FREE!!! (but donations are appreciated)

FREE Art & Politics, and Colombian 'Bees'

2009-03-19T14:58:00.007-04:00

Pollinating the North and South.....sponsored by Radio Diaspora and the Beehive Collective: A Colombian 'Bee' (Colectivo de la Colmena) has just recently returned to the U.S. from Colombia and has just gone on tour to raise money for his work in the South, will be doing a FREE show/worshop TONIGHT March the 19th at the Little Five Points Community Center!
6.30pm-8.30pm TONIGHT in Room 105
http://polinizaciones.blogspot.com/2009/03/polinizaciones-atlatinc-coast-tour.html He will cover and provide updates around the current political climate, social movements, Plan Colombia and U.S. military intervention in Colombia --all in the context how art is and can be a tool for justice and liberation!@#! The work he is doing in Colombia is utterly AMAZING. Come -- if you've never seen the Beehive's work before and come if you HAVE seen the Beehive's work before but want to see another interpretation of the work from a South American Perspective! PLEASE PASS ALONG TO YOUR FOLKS-ESPECIALLY THOSE INVOLVED IN youth work, community organizing and arts and cultural work!!

Iraq Anti-War Anniversary events, and March Radical Madness!

2009-03-16T13:11:00.006-04:00

Cost of War: 6 Years Later
The American Friend’s Service Committee and Georgia Peace and Justice Coalition presents "Costs of War" on the occasion of the sixth anniversary of the Iraq war, to educate Georgians on human and economic cost of war in Iraq. The American Friends Service Committee’s critically acclaimed cost of war exhibit will be on display along with two powerful speakers very familiar with the Iraq War: Raed Jarrar was born in Baghdad and spent most of his life in Iraq. Since the summer of 2006, Jarrar has worked at bridging the gap between Iraqi leaders and U.S. Congress members by arranging a series of face-to-face meetings between U.S. and Iraqi leaders. Jason Hurd spent ten years in the Army and National Guard and was deployed in 2005 to Iraq as a medic. Since returning to the U.S. Jason has been an advocate for Iraq veterans and a leading voice in the G.I. resistance movement.

March 19, 3pm at Georgia State University (Aderhold Learning Center 60 Luckie st, Atl, 30303)
4:30pm - Rally and March at Woodruff Park.
8pm - Free Concert at Metropolitan Lofts

in other Radical March Madness, you won't want to miss:

Angela Davis at Ebenezer Baptist Church (407 Auburn Ave. NE, 30312), Tuesday March 24, 7pm, FREE
Angela Davis at LEGISLATE THIS! a morning of actions for reproductive justice, presented by SPARK. Wednesday March 25, 8:30am- 1pm, Trinity United Methodist Church, 265 Washington St. in downtown Atlanta across from City Hall. FREE. Register at http://legislatethis.org/
the 1st MondoHomo benefit this year - Dangerous Ponies, TreePhort, the Long Shadows and The Thieves at WonderRoot Community Arts Center, 982 Memorial Dr., Atlanta, 30316, Friday March 20, 9pm, $5
the incomparable Vagina Jenkins is The BIG Tease at Eyedrum Gallery, 290 Martin Luther King Jr Dr S, Atlanta, 30312, Saturday March 21, 8pm, $5
Women's History Month Bingo for the Feminist Women's Health Center. Thurs, Mar 26, 6pm @ Manuel's. Please RSVP at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=85054469464#/event.php?eid=85054469464
an Ole' Time Spaghetti Dinner + Bingo fundraiser for MondoHomo, at Ria's Bluebird, 421 Memorial Dr. SE, 30312. Friday March 27, 2009, 8pm, cover TBA
Midnite School: Creating a Vision for Our Movement discusses "Who's controlling our mind, body & spirit?"- the historical connections between race, class, eugenics, gender, sexuality, mental health, prisons & disability featuring reknowned Southern author Mab Segrest ("Memoirs of a Race Traitor" 1994). Tues Mar 31, 5:30pm, FREE at Project South Office, 9 Gammon Ave., Atlanta, 30315

Random political musings

2009-03-05T13:23:00.005-05:00

and not thought out well, I might add:

it takes all types. Radicals give us hope, pragmatists give us reality, conservatives give us... um... comic relief? no, no, something to fight against... no that's not it... oh, a reminder of our past!
why are the Democrats on top at the moment? Because the Right became, not a voice for conservatism, but a football team bent on winning no matter the odds, no matter the coach. A single, monolithic team with no deviations allowed. Whereas the usual Achilles heel of the Democrats -- that it is essentially a party of coalitions, because we* certainly don't agree with each other on many issues -- has in this case managed to pull the coalition off without gnawing off its own legs. That and the fact that the Democratic party acts as the steam valve of American democracy, letting the disaffected blow enough steam to implement "change" and maintain the two-party system, rather than say, implode in revolution against the farce of a democracy this corporate-elected republic actually is.
and that is why, my radical friend, you can remain cynical about Obama's election. Yes of course it's always dangerous when political figures inspires such emotion, but... here's why I cried for a week after the election -- knowing all the time that Obama's politics are essentially the same as Hilary's and any other centrist Democrat's, and that Kucinich is who I'd vote for given the chance -- because it was the first time in my 30+ years of life that ANYONE I've voted for has won, because I never believed a black man could be elected President, because, for all my political cynicism, I *do* believe that Obama is sincere and intelligent and wants to make life better for most Americans, because when I first heard an Obama speech on Youtube, I thought to myself, "What would it be like if the President of the United States were an inspiring figure? Whose speeches could move people to compassion and action?" (and answered myself: Well, I'll never know, because that's not the kind of President that Americans like to have. We like the dumb guy with big ears and a stupid grin). So no, I have no delusions that Obama will do anything more radical than any other Democrat. But after 30 years of Republicans and quasi-Republicans (I read somewhere that Bill Clinton accomplished something like 60% of the Republican Party platform from the year he was elected), it truly turns my world upside-down to think that for once, enough Americans agree with me (or perhaps I've come to agree with enough Americans) that some small part of of the things I believe in might actually influence an election!

William Burroughs is my ghod

2009-01-29T12:52:00.007-05:00

Okay, in my youthful transition from misunderstood boarding-schooled fundamentalist Xtian to existentialist junkie industrial-noise-loving artpunk, a few artists and their art guided me: Jackson Pollack witnessed at a DC museum, Jimi Hendrix' feedback noise album And the Gods Made Love discovered in my dad's records, the salacious book that spawned the movie Fast Times at Ridgemont High and persuaded me the Real World was not the bible-cloaked one I lived in, de Sade's inversion and perversion of everything society pretended to be, and Burroughs' prosaic illumination of the base and hallucinatory truths behind the veil of reality.

So when Andy Ditzler's Film Love brings us rare actual films about the creative process that defined Burroughs and the Beats, I'm there, front and center. And you should be to. Nuff said.

Details
MINUTES TO GO: William Burroughs and Brion Gysin in the Beat Hotel
Celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the publication of Naked Lunch, this one-night exhibition includes rare books, films, and recordings of Beat literature icon William S. Burroughs

Friday, January 30 at Eyedrum (290 MLK Jr. Drive SE, Atl, GA 30312)
Doors open at 7:30 PM – the program begins at 8:00.

Complete program information is here.
Read the AJC article by Catherine Fox

Other FSM news:
CIVIL RIGHTS ON FILM – FEBRUARY 2009
Film Love continues in February with “Civil Rights on Film,” a four-part series featuring rare films on African-American life, made between 1941 and 1967. Complete program information is here.

Celebrate Dr. King, and black gay activists, on Monday!

2009-01-17T13:07:00.009-05:00

Dr. King's advisor at a news briefing on the Civil Rights March on Washington, in August 1963.

Hey y’all, for 10 points each:

Which member of the King family said in 2003, “people say that I should not be talking about the rights of lesbian and gay people. ... But I hasten to remind them that Martin Luther King Jr. said, 'Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.' I appeal to everyone who believes in Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream, to make room at the table of brotherhood and sisterhood for lesbian and gay people."
What black gay activist was Dr. Martin Luther King’s right-hand advisor, and was highly influential in counseling Dr. King on the techniques of non-violent resistance?
What famous black poet changed radical theory by showing that all forms of oppression – racism, sexism, homophobia, among many others – are inextricably linked?

If you didn’t know the answers were Coretta Scott King, Bayard Rustin and Audre Lorde, then you’ve got some homowork to do! Make it a nourishing spiritual and social event by coming to the free, open
2009 Bayard Rustin-Audre Lorde Breakfast

I didn’t make it to the Breakfast last year, but I heard such wonderful things about it that I won’t miss it this year! And the pure joy of marching the MLK March is a rousing experience everyone should have! I’m also told that

The 7th Annual Rustin-Lorde Breakfast happens

Monday, January 19th, 10:30am
139 Ralph McGill Blvd (between Piedmont Ave and Courtland St across from the Atlanta Civic Center)
in the Bruce Allmond room downstairs.

The breakfast was founded by community organizers Darlene Hudson and Craig Washington in 2002 to achieve the following goals:

to provide lgbtq people, people of color and progressive allies the opportunity to fellowship before participating in the Martin Luther King Jr March
to educate communities about the life and contributions of Bayard Rustin, Audre Lorde and other activists
to enhance mutual support and continued learning among participants engaged in social justice work

Every year, a diverse assembly of attendees convene at this landmark to enjoy good food and friendly company in the spirit of building progressive community.

Following the breakfast, at 12 noon on the steps of the State Capitol, the Atlanta Black LGBT Coalition will voice disapproval of the choice of anti-gay, anti-choice Pastor Rick Warren as the keynote speaker at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Service. Picking Warren is an affront to the spirit of non-violent social justice and inclusivity on which the King Center was founded, and drives more wedges between the already fractured span of groups fighting for social justice for people of color, women, queers and others.

At 12:30pm, we’ll gather at the designated line-up site for the 2009 Martin Luther King Jr March and Rally:

Peachtree and Ellis streets at 12:45pm
The MLK March is scheduled to start at 1pm

Marchers will proceed down Peachtree to Auburn Ave, turn left and end at Auburn and Boulevard. Immediately following the March, there will be an outdoor rally at Auburn Ave and Boulevard. Michael Brewer, an openly gay Morehouse College student and community organizer will be speaking at the rally. Please remain after the March to attend the rally and support Mr. Brewer.

For more information about the 2009 Bayard Rustin-Audre Lorde Breakfast, please contact Darlene Hudson at 404.441.4827. For more information about the MLK March, please go to www.mlkmarchaaar.org

Atlanta Rally Wednesday - Justice for Oscar Grant

2009-01-14T09:19:00.002-05:00

More info here.

Vigils, meetings and other events as compiled by the Ruckus Society and other Bay Area organizations. Note that ColorOfChange.org is not the organizer of these events. As you can imagine, tensions can run high and organizers cannot control exactly how these events unfold. Please use your judgment when deciding what to attend and whether to bring children or others who would be reliant on you for the quality of their experience.
PROTEST THE MURDER OF OSCAR GRANT III & ALL VICTIMS OF POLICE BRUTALITY National Day of Nonviolent Action "Praying for Peace, Working for Justice" Wednesday, January 14th

At 4pm in Oakland, Coalition Against Police Executions (CAPE) is asking folks to gather at Frank Ogawa Plaza in front of Oakland City Hall for a peaceful, prayerful, healing Rally. Our main message is "Please Don't Shoot'. We need support on security, so show up at 3pm if you are down to be plugged into protecting the marchers! Learn more about the case, and keep up with action planning and ongoing efforts on the blog!

Details on Solidarity Action:

Atlanta, GA (Jan 14, 1-6pm)

This event will be at the Five Points MARTA station from 1-6pm, and is sponsored by the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement (MXGM) Atlanta Chapter. MXGM will be a issuing a statement, mobilizing at local transit spots, getting folks to call in or fax in solidarity and flyering during rush hour on MARTA. Contact person is Saki, sjawea@gmail.com

Oakland transit cops shoot and kill a man lying face down!

2009-01-13T17:52:00.005-05:00

Dear friend,

On New Year's Eve, Oscar Grant was shot execution-style by a transit police officer in Oakland, California. He was shot in the back while face-down on a subway platform--unarmed and posing no threat.

Twelve days later--despite several videos showing exactly what happened--the officer who killed Grant hasn't been arrested, charged, or even questioned. He quit the force and has refused to speak. The District Attorney has done nothing.

It's time to demand that California Attorney General Jerry Brown take over the case and arrest Grant's killer, and to ask that the US Department of Justice launch an independent investigation into the conduct of local authorities. Please join me:

http://www.colorofchange.org/oscar/?id=2005-496947

Oscar Grant is the third man murdered by BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) police in the past 17 years. All three victims were Black and none posed a serious threat. In each case, BART and county authorities have failed to hold the officers accountable.

In the previous cases, BART's internal investigations concluded that the officers felt threatened by the victims and were justified in pulling the trigger. It's unbelievable given the circumstances of the killings:

- In 1992, 19-year-old Jerrold Hall was shot in the back by a BART officer as he tried to leave the parking lot of a station. The officer was responding to reports of an armed robbery and said he suspected that Hall and a friend were involved. The officer tried to detain the two, Hall ran and then the officer shot him in the back and killed him. Hall was unarmed, but the officer said he thought Hall was on his way to get a gun and return for a showdown.

- In 2001, a mentally ill man named Bruce Seward was the next victim of the rogue force. Seward, 42, was naked and had been sleeping on a bench outside the BART station when an officer approached him. Seward did grab the officer's nightstick at one point, but there were several options for subduing him. Instead, the officer shot and killed him.

In addition to BART's internal investigation, Alameda County's District Attorney is also investigating Oscar Grant's murder--but the office's record on investigating police killings is horrible too. In both cases just described, the District Attorney bought BART's argument that the officers felt threatened. As a result, the cops were cleared of any wrongdoing.

In the case of Grant's murder, the DA has already let 12 days pass while doing essentially nothing--the officer who killed Grant is able to travel and leave the state, and he's free to talk with other officers and attempt to construct a story to justify his killing of Oscar Grant.

The problem with Alameda County's DA goes beyond BART police murders. In the past two years alone, there have been 11 fatal police shootings in Oakland (not including that of Oscar Grant). When asked, the officials at the District Attorney's office could not remember a single case in the last 20 years where an on-duty cop had been charged in a fatal shooting in Alameda County. It gives the clear appearance that the District Attorney's office just doesn't have the will to prosecute police crimes.

California's Attorney General needs to step in now and arrest Oscar Grant's murderer. And the US Department of Justice should investigate the failure of the authorities in Alameda County to act. It's the first step towards justice. After that, we will push for systemic changes to create public accountability for BART and other police departments. Creating those structural changes will be a much longer fight, but Oscar Grant's tragic death is a wake-up call that should give us a real chance to help prevent this from happening again.

Please join me in demanding justice, and then ask your family and friends to do the same:

http://www.colorofchange.org/oscar/?id=2005-496947

Thanks.