Charlottesville area events

Join a

Public Vigil to Oppose the 101th Execution

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Vigil starts at noon,
outside the Charlottesville City Circuit Court
315 E. High Street
Charlottesville

Join us in protesting the execution of Kent Jermaine Jackson, scheduled for 9 o'clock that evening

There will also be a vigil at the Friends Meeting House at 1104 Forest St. at 8:45 p.m.,

and at Jarratt, the site of the execution 8:30 p.m.

Join us in calling for a state-wide Moratorium Now!

Vigil sponsored by:
Charlottesville Center for Peace and Justice,
Charlottesville Friends Meeting (Quakers),
Charlottesville/Albemarle Coalition for Alternatives to the Death Penalty
Sowers of Justice,
Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty
Peace & Justice Committee Westminster Presbyterian Church
Amnesty International Group 157

For more information, call Betty Gallagher, (434) 979-9263,
cell (434) 825-1860 or visit www.vadp.org

*

Kent Jermaine Jackson
At 9 p.m. on Thursday evening, the Commonwealth of Virginia will inject a lethal substance into Kent Jackson with the intention of ending his life. Jackson was 18 years old on April 18, 2000, when Beulah Mae Kaiser, 79, was found in her Newport News apartment beaten, stabbed and anally sodomized with her cane.

DNA testing of saliva on a cigarette butt found at the crime scene led police to Gary Gaskins. Gaskins in turn led police to Jackson and Joseph M. Dorsett, who had been roommates at an apartment across the hall from Kaiser. Jackson admitted to being a party to Kaiser’s murder, but during trial asked that his admission of guilt be quashed. Jackson claimed that his confession had not been freely given because “it was not the product of his free and unconstrained will.”

Detective Larry P. Rilee testified that Jackson had been informed of his Miranda rights and chose to verbally waive his rights. The trial court allowed the self-incriminating confession into the trial record.

Both Jackson and Dorsett maintained that they were not responsible for stabbing or molesting Kaiser, even if each had confessed to being involved in the crime. During forensic testing, DNA of a sock at the crime scene linked six of eight loci to Jackson. However, criminal DNA testing usually examines 13-16 loci.

Prior to the trial’s conclusion, one of two defense lawyers asked permission from the court to withdraw due to “irreconcilable differences “ with Jackson. The court consented – a possible violation of petitioner’s constitutional right of counsel.

On the basis of Jackson’s confession and DNA evidence, he was found guilty of capital murder by a Newport News jury. Dorsett was also found guilty of murder and sentenced to 135 years. Jackson, on the other hand received the death penalty.

We are a coalition of religious and citizen groups that oppose the death penalty on grounds of conscience. We believe that human life is not something that belongs to any government. We believe that if a government kills a person, that sends a powerful message that killing people is acceptable. We believe that all human beings, including those who commit terrible crimes, have the potential for moral growth, and that one purpose of punishment should be to allow that growth to take place. Capital punishment puts that process to death.

We join those who mourn the loss of Beulah Mae Kaiser and are determined to eliminate the violence that brought about her senseless murder. We pray for Kent Jackson and his family on a day of anguish for them. And we pray for the citizens, legislators, and Governor of Virginia: may all Virginians re-examine in our hearts and prayers whether our Commonwealth ought to be in the business of inflicting death.
We invite you to join our actions and our prayers.

Monthly meeting of Cville Peak Oil

On the final Thursday of every month, the Interfaith Pray for Peace Gathering welcomes people of all faiths, backgrounds, and beliefs to an inspired and inspiring flow of prayers, meditations and songs for peace.

The last Thursday of the month, come view and discuss documentary films on current issues. Light refreshments will be provided. Sign up to be added to the film email list: central@jmrl.org

The second film will be Troublesome Creek on Sept 25. By the late 1980s, Iowa farmers Russ and Mary Jane Jordan had accumulated a large debt. Faced with losing their farm, The Jordans came up with a dramatic solution to hold onto their family farm as massive foreclosures swept the nation.

This film is part of the PBS American Experience series

The last Thursday of the month, come view and discuss documentary films on current issues. Light refreshments will be provided. Sign up to be added to the film email list: central@jmrl.org

The first film: FAUBOURG TREMÉ: THE UNTOLD STORY OF BLACK NEW ORLEANS Directed by Dawn Logsdon. A riveting tale of hope, heartbreak and resiliency set in New Orleans' most fascinating neighborhood. Shot largely before Hurricane Katrina and edited afterwards, the film is both celebratory and elegiac in tone. Faubourg Tremé is arguably the oldest black neighborhood in America, the birthplace of the Civil Rights movement in the South and the home of jazz. While the Tremé district was damaged when the levees broke, this is not another Katrina documentary. Lolis Eric Elie, the award-winning New Orleans newspaperman who wrote, produced and narrates this deeply felt documentary, and director Dawn Logsdon make clear the city's present, up through Katrina, remains steeped in its past - one that, for New Orleans, naturally includes an emphasis on music, heightened here by Derrick Hodge's original jazz score.

On the final Thursday of every month, the Interfaith Pray for Peace Gathering welcomes people of all faiths, backgrounds, and beliefs to an inspired and inspiring flow of prayers, meditations and songs for peace. Sponsors: Interfaith Cooperation Circle of Central Virginia-URI; Gesher Center; Unity Church.

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

Contact: Tseyang
Tel: 1 434 245 2286
Email:Tseyangsihle2@yahoo.fr

Charlottesville Tibetans Gather to Pray for China Earthquake Victims

Charlottesville Tibetans, deeply concerned about the recent earthquake in China, will host a candlelight vigil and prayers at the Downtown Mall (2nd St NE) on Friday, May 30th , from 8pm to 10pm. The Chinese Students and Scholars Society of UVA will join the vigil.

Despite being described by the Chinese government as "a monster with a human face and the heart of a beast", Tibet's Dalai Lama has published a message stating that he is "deeply saddened by the loss of many lives and many more who have been injured" extending his "deep sympathy and heartfelt condolences to those families who have been directly affected" by the disaster and offering "prayers for those who have lost their lives and those injured in the quake".

Tseyang, President of the Tibetan Association of Charlottesville, who fled Tibet with her family in 1963, expressed, “All beings are equal and should be treated with compassion and respect. Not making a distinction between self and other, one should always strive to alleviate the suffering of others. Among the Tibetan community there has been an outpouring of sympathy and support for the victims of the recent earthquake in China. Today we will offer prayers alongside the Chinese community of Charlottesville to pay homage to the victims and raise money for the survivors.”

She also expressed, “We pray for the sufferings of the Chinese people but our political and human
rights issues with the Chinese authorities and policies remain unchanged until they are resolved.”

PLEASE ATTEND THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING WITH US WEDNESDAY. PLEASE
ARRIVE AT 6PM TO REGISTER TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PEACE
RESOLUTION.

The Monticello High School Student Peace Alliance, the leaders of our
local Campaign for a U.S. Department of Peace, invite you to join them in
presenting a request to the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors that
Albemarle County endorse a resolution calling on Representative Goode to
co-sponsor HR 808 establishing a US Dept. of Peace and Non-Violence and
Senators Warner and Webb to introduce a Senate version of HR 808. In
April, The Monticello H.S. Student Peace Alliance won the approval of the
Charlottesville City Council for the Resolution requesting that our
Congressional delegation support the formation of a US Department of Peace
and Non-violence.

The Department of Peace and Non-Violence would be responsible for funding
best practices solutions to gun violence, domestic violence, gang
violence, school violence, hate crimes, and other violence harming
American communities. The Department would play a role internationally
implementing proactive preventative measures to stop armed conflict
globally. Finally under the Department of Peace and Non-violence, a Peace
Academy providing higher education training in domestic and international
peacemakers would be established to parallel the military academies.
Additionally, an education system for teaching kindergarten through
twelfth grade students developmentally appropriate communication,
mediation, and peace making skills would be funded.

This is the first launch event for my new book Re-engage! America and the World After Bush. It follows the usual Miller Center format, of a presentation followed by Q&A, followed by book signing.

Everyone is warmly invited to take part. If you can't make it in person, the Miller Center does a grand job of videotaping and livestreaming these events, so you can watch it in real time if you go to millercenter.org/. Or if you want to watch it any time later, find it in their archive, here: millercenter.org/scripps/digitalarchive/forumArchive.

This is my seventh book on international affairs. It's different from most of the others in that it is designed as an easy-to-use primer for readers who are very concerned about the course of US foreign policy at the end of the G.W. Bush era but not necessarily specialists in the minutiae of international affairs. It has plenty of up-to-date global data, much of it presented in charts and text-boxes, and makes strong arguments that the next US president needs to repair our country's badly torn relationship with the world's 6 billion non-Americans, and build it on the basis of a new concept of Global Inclusion.

There are chapters on security affairs, human rights, climate change, and more... Get more information about the book from its dedicated website: www.re-engage.net/.

Re-engage! is being issued in paperback at the same time as hardcover. The paperback costs just $14.95. Buy several, as they also make great gifts for graduation presents, Father's Day, etc!

On the final Thursday of every month, the Interfaith Pray for Peace Gathering welcomes people of all faiths, backgrounds, and beliefs to an inspired and inspiring flow of prayers, meditations and songs for peace. 7:15 - 8:30 p.m.

EYES WIDE OPEN: THE COST OF WAR TO VIRGINIA
“An exhibit that speaks directly to our hearts and reminds us of the human cost of war.”

Over 112 pairs of empty
combat boots – tagged with the names of
Virginia soldiers who have died in the
current Iraq war – will be displayed, together
with a visual representation of hundreds of
thousands of Iraqi civilians who have died
during the conflict.

FREE SPEECH WALL, THE DOWNTOWN MALL
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA

Friday, May, 23, 1:30 – 5:30 PM
Saturday, May 24, 10 AM – 6 PM
Sunday, May 25, 1 – 5 PM

EYES WIDE OPEN is the American Friends Service Committee's widely acclaimed
exhibition on the human cost of the Iraq war.

For more information: www.afsc.org/eyes

Sponsored by TJMC – UU Peace Conversations, Charlottesville Center for Peace and Justice, Charlottesville Friends Meeting, and Veterans for Peace, Eyes Wide Open-Virginia is coordinated statewide by Midlothian Friends Meeting, Richmond Friends Meeting, and the Richmond Peace Education Center.

EYES WIDE OPEN is the American Friends Service Committee's widely acclaimed
exhibition on the human cost of the Iraq war.

For more information: www.afsc.org/eyes

Sponsored by TJMC – UU Peace Conversations, Charlottesville Center for Peace and Justice, Charlottesville Friends Meeting, and Veterans for Peace, Eyes Wide Open-Virginia is coordinated statewide by Midlothian Friends Meeting, Richmond Friends Meeting, and the Richmond Peace Education Center.

We meet every week for one hour at the Mudhouse Downtown to create a more peaceful world by working with our established government.
We are working on supporting a US Dept of Peace and also working on Pennies for Peace.

Thanks

Twin Oaks Womyn's Gathering: August 22 -24. Camping, music, workshops,
drumming, performances, swimming, sweats, a mudpit, and creative
activities. Cooperative childcare will be provided. The site is wheelchair
accessible, and sign language interpreters will be available. $70 (sliding
scale) includes food and tenting.

Womyn's Gathering, 138 Twin Oaks Rd, Louisa, VA 23093. 540-894-5126

gathering@twinoaks.org

www.twinoaks.org/community/women/index.html

Twin Oaks Communities Conference: August 15 - 17. Ecovillages, communes,
coops, CoHousing, and more. A weekend of workshops, community-building,
and culture creation. We'll explore topics such as group decision-making,
intentional relationships, and sustainable living. $85 (sliding scale)
includes food and tenting. We welcome community seekers and members
alike.

Communities Conference, 138 Twin Oaks Rd, Louisa VA 23093. 540-894-5126
conference@twinoaks.org

www.communitiesconference.org

Come march with CCPJ in the Dogwood Festival Parade!

Join the fun! And march for peace and justice. It is a unique
opportunity to take our message out to people who do not attend
our events.

EVERYONE WELCOME. Bring your family, kids, friends, pets for
peace, bicycles, tricycles, signs, balloons, drums, flags. We
will have signs.

We are near the beginning of the parade: #13, so we must be ready
early. Please find us and join us by 10:15 am. The parade
starts at the intersection of Preston and McIntire (the corner
with the County Office Building). Come to that intersection and
ask a parade official where we are to be found. Last year there
were many officials with clipboards in the area who had location
info.

PARKING: Anyone marching may enter McIntire Road from the 250
bypass, show a parade pass, and, if there is room, park in the
County Office Building parking lot. If you would like to march
with us, please (Contact info for person) and we will email you
a pass. Please allow at least 15-30 minutes to be admitted, find
a parking place and find our entry. If the parking lot is full,
you will have to exit and park on a street somewhere.

This is the first ever Nelson County Health Care Fair featuring local Alternative Medical Practitioners.

Local practitioners who offer: Acupuncture, Clinical Nutrition, Herbalism, Homeopathy, Reiki, Bodywork, Rolfing, Massage, Thai Yoga Massage, Jin Shin Jyutsu, Reflexology, Aromatherapy and much more...

There will be a grand prize raffle held offering valuable prizes donated by these local practitioners!!!!!

The event is on Sat. May 3rd from 9am to 3 pm. at the Rockfish Valley Community Center, in Afton.

There will be a free complimentary screening of the acclaimed documentary from Michael Moore: "Sicko" exposing the current health care crisis in America.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will hold a public meeting the evening of Wednesday, April 16, at Louisa County High School. The meeting will run from 7-10 pm. The NRC will hold an open house prior to the meeting from 6-7 pm.

The purpose of the meeting is for the NRC to inform the public that it will be creating a new Environmental Impact Statement related to North Anna Power Station's Combined Operating License application. It is expected that the NRC will state that the environmental issues referenced in the Early Site Permit will be considered final unless new information is available to reopen those issues. The key to making a difference is to show "substantial changes" which have occurred regarding the environmental issues to convince the NRC that they need to revisit the original Environmental Impact Statement. Topics to emphasize include: rapid global warming issues, ongoing and ever-worsening droughts conditions in central VA and the impact on nuclear plants (threats of shutdowns, etc.), and that given our water crisis, Lake Anna is not a sufficiently robust body of water to sustain an additional reactor.

Carpools will leave Charlottesville from Albemarle County Office Building on McIntire Road at 5:30 on April 16.

If you have questions, call Barbara Crawford anytime after 1 pm at 540-894-4154.

THE THIRD ANNUAL TREEHUGGER'S BALL, a fundraiser to celebrate forest protection, community education and environmental awareness, featuring music from Trees on Fire will take place on Saturday, May 10, at 7pm at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church, 717 Rugby Road, in Charlottesville. The Treehugger’s Ball is a benefit for The Living Education Center for Ecology and the Arts and Wild Virginia and features a raffle, silent auction, dancing, chocolate buffet, massage, food, and fun.

The Help Increase the Peace Program, known as HIPP, is a 3-day workshop that teaches young people and adults communication skills for conflict resolution. HIPP confronts prejudice and renews our hope to be agents for positive social change. The training introduces alternatives to violence and allows participants to practice various options by modeling and role playing. Exercises include self-affirmation and discovery of how insensitivity can magnify problems. It's straightforward and fun. And it’s happening here in Charlottesville.

Suggested donation: $30 - includes lunches and snacks (Scholarships available).

Participants should plan to attend all three sessions: Friday 6PM-9PM, Saturday 10AM-6PM, and Sunday 1PM-7PM

This conference is geared towards an academic approach to
understanding the cultural, social, and economic factors that
influence Sino-Tibetan relations in the PRC. The overriding
goal is not to get immersed in the politics of the current situ-
ation or of Tibet in general, but to listen to actual Chinese,
Tibetans, and other students and professionals and encourage
dialogue among them. Join us for an afternoon of informative
speakers, student presentations, and interactive dialogue.

On the final Thursday of every month, the Interfaith Pray for Peace Gathering welcomes people of all faiths, backgrounds, and beliefs to an inspired and inspiring flow of prayers, meditations and songs for peace. Sponsors: Interfaith Cooperation Circle of Central Virginia-URI; Gesher Center; Unity Church.

The Virginia Antiwar Network will be holding a meeting in Charlottesville on Sunday, April 6, from 2 - 4:30 pm at 609 E. Market Street.

Help stop new nuclear reactors! Support the North Anna legal appeal!

Do you want four nuclear reactors 30 miles from Charlottesville? Dominion Power is moving forward with their plans to construct two new reactors at the North Anna Power Station. This will put a tremendous strain on central Virginia’s water resources and threaten the safety and health of our citizens.

The People’s Alliance for Clean Energy (PACE) and the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League (BREDL) have filed an appeal in state court to the decision of the Va. Water Control Board to re-issue a permit allowing Dominion to discharge hot water from their existing reactors into Lake Anna. The purpose of the appeal is to preserve the lake environment and to discourage Dominion from building new reactors. The first hearing on this appeal will occur on April 23.

Funds are desperately needed for legal expenses. If you support our cause, please send a contribution to:

People’s Alliance for Clean Energy
P.O. Box 1166
Charlottesville, VA 22902

Contact Elena Day @ (434) 296-2494 for more information.

Thank you!!!!

JOHN PRENDERGAST AT UVA

Presented by Students Taking Action Now: Darfur

Tuesday, April 1st from 5:30-8:30 in Newcomb Ballroom. This event is free!

5:30 - Lecture by John Prendergast on The Situation in Darfur & What You Can Do
6:15 - Book Signing: Not on Our Watch (co-authored with Don Cheadle)
6:45 - Film screening: Sand and Sorrows followed by Q&A with John
Prendergast (Directed by Paul Freedman & Narrated by George Clooney)

ABOUT JOHN PRENDERGAST

· John Prendergast is Co-Chair of the ENOUGH Project.
· During the Clinton administration, John was Director of African
Affairs at the National Security Council.
· He has authored eight books on Africa, the latest of which he
co-authored with actor/activist Don Cheadle, entitled "Not on Our
Watch," a New York Times bestseller (www.notonourwatchbook.com).
· He was involved in the making of two recent documentaries "Darfur
Now" and "Sand and Sorrow".
· John regularly contributes op-ed columns to major newspapers and
journals. John travels regularly to Africa's war zones on fact-finding
missions, peace-making initiatives, and awareness-raising.
· To learn more about John, visit www.enoughproject.org.

We would like to give a special thanks to Carol Anne Spreen of the
Curry School for all her help with bringing John to UVA.

For more information, please contact Caitlin at csc6q@virginia.edu

COMING UP: STAND'S WEEK LONG OF EVENTS APRIL 7TH – 11TH

Featuring a presentation on the psychology of genocide & refugees
speaking on their past.

This event is being co-sponsored by Curry School of Education, Office
of Equity & Diversity, Dean of Students, Arts & Sciences Council,
Political & Social Thought Department, Student Affairs, & Politics Department.

Willie Nelson, creator of the beautiful song "Whatever Happened to Peace on Earth" and founder of the Willie Nelson Peace Research Institute, and his peace activist family, will be performing in Charlottesville on July 29th.