Category — Freedom

Rene Marie sings 

Check out here for Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore’s interview with Terrain Dandridge of the New Jersey 4 when Terrain was in San Francisco to meet with Angela Davis. QWB stands in solidarity with our lesbian sisters in the New Jersey 4 and calls for their release.

QUEERS WITHOUT BORDERS (QWB) 

Who we are. 

A small group of Queers activists who are active in the anti-war movement began meeting several years back to bring a queer presence to the many movements that we as individuals were involved in. Our name Queers Without Borders was taken from the slogan, “We are here, there and everywhere.”  It logically follows in our mind then that all issues are our issues. We stand with all who fight oppression. We work to build a new day of justice and a culture of peace. 

Over the years we have actively help to plan and to participate in all sorts of activities.  We firmly believe that for the lgbt community to not take a multi-issue stand is foolish and unwise and any single issue stand denies our true heritage. The following is just some of the events that we worked on. These are not listed in chronological order. [Read more →]

Even if none of us around here can fly off to San Francisco check it out–Mattilda’s book, which I believe is on of the more important works done in these days will be coming out in a expanded second edition. Mattilda will be celebrating this event and there will be “a dangerous and illuminating discussion.” That’s Revolting! Queers Strategies for Resisting Assimilation, will have its launch this Thursday June 5th. Info follows.

FORGET MARRIAGE, IT’S TIME FOR…

That’s Revolting!: Radical queer activism–past, present, and future.

Thursday June, 5, 6pm

San Francisco Main Library

Latino/Hispanic Meeting Room (downstairs)

100 Larkin Street

Co-sponsored by the National Queer Arts Festival.

Click here to read about the book launch this Thursday, 6p.m. Thanks Mattilda. Keep on keeping on!!!

Demand Freedom for Our Political Prisoners and POWs! Jericho 10th Anniversary National March to the United Nations, NYC, Friday October 10, 2008. Followed by evening concert to benefit the prisoners! For details visit the National Jericho Movement website.

QWB supports the 10th Anniversary Jericho October 10th March on the United Nations for Freedom for Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War! QWB signs on to the Jericho pledge which proclaims: We understand that political prisoners and prisoners of war are our own freedom fighters imprisoned for believing and acting on ideals that are shared by people who struggle for a free and just society. We understand that our own freedom to resist comes in part from the sacrifices of our prisoners and that it is our responsibility to work towards their freedom. We think this march will be an opportunity to carry our movement forward! We stand in solidarity with the Jericho Movement on its 10th anniversary in the struggle! We stand in solidarity with the October 10th Coalition of NYC and we know that actions speak louder than words! Download Flyer(english) Download Flyer(spanish)

Khadijah Farmer who describes herself as not the most feminine looking was asked to leave a woman’s restroom in the West Village NYC by a bouncer because she looked too much like a man. Ms. Farmer showed the bouncer her state issues ID which identified her as a woman but the bouncer insisted she get out. The group of people she was with were also asked to leave the restaurant Caliente Cab Company.

The Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund filed suit in October in the State Supreme Court in Manhattan against the restaurant asserting that Ms. Farmer was a victim of gender discrimination. The Legal Defense and Education Fund took up the suit because it touched upon many issues that transgender people commonly face and could set in the Fund’s words a “very interesting legal precedent. According to Michael D. Silverman the executive director of the defense fund this case, “really straddled the line of gender expression.” Caliente Cab Restaurant decided to negotiate and a settlement was signed last Friday. Ms Farmer will receive $35,000 and the restaurant also agreed to pay the Fund $15,000. The restaurant also must put in place workplace practices adding gender identity and expression to its corporate non-discrimination policy; to adopt a gender neutral dress code for its employees; and to amend its employee handbook to sate, “persons patronizing or employed at Caliente have the right to use the bathroom facilities consistent with their gender identity and expression.”

Note: This Draft Manifesto was produced by a group of Reconstruction Party activists who met in New Orleans on Saturday, Jan. 26 in support of the International Days of Action against Neo-Liberalism. This draft is being submitted for wide discussion and amendments to all activists interested in joining the effort to build a Reconstruction Party. Sister Cynthia McKinney participated in this meeting and contributed to this Draft Manifesto.

What We Want; What We Believe; What We Need. Now!
Draft Manifesto for a Reconstruction Party

” . . . whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.” — Declaration of
Independence

In the context of what is perhaps the most important Presidential election in a generation, we feel compelled to add our voices to the deafening silence coming from both the Democratic and Republican parties on the real issues of concern to us. We therefore insert this agenda — our agenda — into the current political discourse and assert our readiness to cast our votes on the specificity with which these issues are addressed in the electoral arena. We reject “differences” that will not make a difference and “changes” that will not bring about any change. The vision of the Reconstruction Party encompasses all communities in need of reconstruction. [Read more →]

No one really needs to say much more about this song. It still resounds today. I wanted to publish it here today because of the new 3 Strikes Law that was passed.  (check out Peter’s posting over at the Undercurrent click here.)  Len Chandler was born in 1935 in Akron, Ohio. He received a B.A. in Music Education from the University of Akron and a M.A. from Columbia. Chandler learned to play the guitar and played around Washington Square Park and landed a gig at the Gaslight Cafe. In the early 1960s Chandler began to be involved in the Civil Rights Movement and much of his material was related to the Black Panther Party.  A thank you to Len Chandler. Check more of Chandler out on you tube. His song Beans In Your Ears should be sung by everyone no matter what age. Try it here

Strike out

3-Strikes

Don’t Think 3- Strikes won’t Affect Your Family

Juveniles!

Rally AGAINST 3-STRIKES Legislation

Black Low and Clean Slate Committee are holding a joint press conference and educational forum on the critical importance of alternatives to incarceration and community reintegration.

…The proposed 3-strikes legislation is based on the Washington state model. According to the Sentencing Cuidelines Commission in Washington, although the law was intended to lock up the stte’s worst criminals, results show that blacks are given life sentences at a much higher rate than whites. he Sentencing Guidelines Commission in Washington report shows that blacks make up 3% of the state population, but 37% of the state’s three strike lifers.

[Read more →]