http://www.micahscall.org/content/index.php?topic=ac_home Top opportunities from MicahsCall Act/Volunteer Copyright 2012 MicahsCall GeekLog Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:23:16 -0800 en-gb http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/elsalvador_officers Micah Admin http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/elsalvador_officers Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:17:59 -0800 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/elsalvador_officers#comments Act/Volunteer In a major cabinet shakeup, El Salvador's President Mauricio Funes has effectively removed all high-ranking members of his public security cabinet who are linked to the leftist Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN). Their replacements, including several high-ranking military officers, indicate a disturbing trend toward the militarization of El Salvador's public security force, which has remained a civilian agency since the signing of the 1992 Peace Accords twenty years ago. Many of the officers assuming leadership of these "civilian" security posts were trained by the US at the infamous combat training facility for Latin American military, the School of the Americas (SOA), in Ft. Benning, Georgia. In November, Manuel Melgar, the Minister of Public Security, was forced to retire; he was quickly replaced by a recently retired Army General, David Mungía Payés. At the end of December, Funes fired Eduardo Linares, director of the State Intelligence Agency, also a member of the FMLN. Most recently, on Monday January 23, Funes fired Carlos Ascencio, the Director of the National Civilian Police (PNC) and promptly named Francisco Ramón Salinas as the new director; Salinas had retired as an army general only hours beforehand. Click here for more background on the cabinet changes. CISPES shares the concern of our allies in the Salvadoran social movement and in the FMLN that these decisions were influenced by the United States, especially in light of the impending implementation of several US security programs in El Salvador, including the Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI), to which the US has pledged over $200 million, and the Partnership for Growth. Military influence is rising quickly across Central America, from the election of General Pérez Molina as President in Guatemala to a proposed constitutional amendment in Honduras to empower the military with independent policing duties and authorities. Take action today to denounce US support for the re-militarization of El Salvador and Central America!¡Ni un paso atrás en la lucha para la libertad y los derechos del pueblo! (Not one step backwards in the struggle for freedom and the rights of the people!)1. Send an email to Roberta Jacobson, interim Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemispheric Affairs to demand that the US stop financially and politically supporting militarization in El Salvador and Central America.2. Sign a petition to President Funes in El Salvador expressing your concern about his recent appointments and expressing your support for human rights.3. Call Melanie Bonner at the State Department's El Salvador desk at (202) 647-4161 to denounce US support for militarization in El Salvador!Sample call script: I am calling to express serious concern about recent US intervention in El Salvador. Specifically, I am concerned that the US pressured President Funes to replace members of his security cabinet with top-ranking military officials who have been trained by the US as a condition for receiving security aid. I am opposed to the US replicating the disastrous and devastating model it has imposed in Colombia and Mexico in Central America, including having the military play an active role in public security. I urge you to direct all the US security aid to El Salvador towards prevention and rehabilitation instead of further militarization.Click here to read more about this on the CISPES web site. CISPES - Committee In Solidarity with the People of El SalvadorCISPES National Office | 202.521.2510 | 1525 Newton St. NW, Washington DC 20010 | cispes@cispes.org | www.cispes.org http://www.micahscall.org/content/trackback.php/elsalvador_officers http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/gilariver Micah Admin http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/gilariver Tue, 03 Jan 2012 13:55:59 -0800 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/gilariver#comments Act/Volunteer On January 20th at 7:30pm a powerful film, Gila River and Mama: The Ruth Mix Story, will be shown at First Methodist Church in Palo Alto (click here for more information). The story of Japanese internment has been told from many perspectives, but this film offers a rare glimpse into how it was experienced by a caucasian girl and her mother, who volunteered to work at the camp. Executive Producer Charlie Class (who many will know from 30 years of local film-making) and Claire Mix will present the film and lead a discussion after the viewing. Don't miss this incredible opportunity!FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF PALO ALTOGila River And Mama: The Ruth Mix StoryJanuary 20th 7:30pm 625 Hamilton Avenue Palo Alto, Ca. 94301  http://www.micahscall.org/content/trackback.php/gilariver http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20111129153713643 Micah Admin http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20111129153713643 Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:37:13 -0800 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20111129153713643#comments Act/Volunteer Seeking Nominations for 2012 Silicon Valley Water Conservation AwardsA coalition of 20 organizations – including water agencies, business networks and nonprofits – has begun accepting applications and nominations for the fourth annual Silicon Valley Water Conservation Awards.  The Awards are presented to organizations, agencies, businesses and individuals whose programs and leadership have advanced water conservation in Silicon Valley (San Mateo County, Santa Clara County and Alameda County from Hayward south).Award Categories are:Government Agency/Water UtilityBusinessOrganizationAgricultureGreenscape ManagementEducationWater ChampionAdditional information and an application/nomination form can be found at http://www.waterawards.org.The application/nomination process will close on January 27, 2012.  Winners will be recognized at an Awards Ceremony on World Water Day – March 22, 2012.The coalition sponsoring the Awards includes: Acterra, Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency, City of Cupertino, City of Hayward, City of Mountain View, City of Palo Alto, City of Redwood City, City of Sunnyvale, Clean Water Action, California Native Plant Society, Imagine H2O, Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network, Santa Clara County Creeks Coalition, Santa Clara Valley Water District, Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter, Silicon Valley Leadership Group, Sustainable San Mateo County, Sustainable Silicon Valley, Tuolumne River Trust and Wholly H2o.Recipients of the 2011 Water Conservation Awards were: BAWSCA, Hitachi Global Storage Technologies, Brandenburg, Staedler & Moore Mobile Home Communities, San Jose State University, Our City Forest, ET Water Systems, and Ken & Sally Coverdell (see http://www.waterawards.org/index.php/awardees2011.html). http://www.micahscall.org/content/trackback.php/20111129153713643 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20111129142001764 Micah Admin http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20111129142001764 Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:20:01 -0800 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20111129142001764#comments Act/Volunteer American Muslim Voice      proudly presents this year’s peace convention “Awakening the American Spirit: Turning the Tide of Hate into Love.”Can love drive out hate?Please join us to learn about Rais’ courageous story of compassion, love at forgiveness. AMV will bring together Muslim scholars, featured speakers, panelists, award recipients and a diverse crowd of people in order to highlight the importance of community and peace building in America.Conversation with Muslim Scholars  Do the following topics frequently seen in headlines concern you?  Sharia Law, violence, oppression of Muslim women, Jihad and Islam being labeled as a cult instead of a religion. We are creating a safe space to explore your questions and concerns so that you can hear directly from diverse and esteemed Muslim scholars and activists.  Learn the truth about Islam from people who live it every day.  Speakers: Imam Zaid Shakir, Ameena Jandali, Imam Tahir Anwar, Dr. Mohammad Nadeem and Imam Abdul Azeez. Rabea Chaudhry will serve as moderator and Rev. Bruce Bramlett, of Silicon Valley Inter-religious Council will deliver closing remarks.Civil Rights Panelists:  Zahra Billoo, Patty Diaz, Asaad Traina, one of the Irvine 11 students and their attorneys Jacqueline Goodman and Dan Mayfield. Guests will learn about the lives of Muslims during the past decade, marked by detentions, deportations, suspicion, sting operations and the erosion of civil liberties. Zainab Jeewanjee will be the moderator for this panel and closing remarks will be delivered by Rev. Michael Yoshii of Buena Vista United Methodist Church, Alameda, CA.The second session will highlight Rais Bhuiyan, who, inspired by his faith, let love drive out hate. He forgave and tried to spare the life of the man who shot him and left him for dead.  Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that.”The other two featured speakers are Imam Zaid Shakir, co-founder of Zaytuna College and amongst the most respected and influential Islamic scholars in the West, and Rev. Ellen Grace O’Brian, Spiritual Director of the Center for Spiritual Enlightenment in San Jose. She also serves as Vice-Chair of the Parliament of the World's Religions.The master of ceremony will be Anser Hasan, a reporter from the CBS5 morning show.MORE:Tickets to the event are $35.00 advance purchase and $45.00 at the door. Seniors and students will pay only $25.00 in advance and $35.00 at the door.  Dinner is included. The event is being held at Chandni Restaurant, 5748 Mowry School Road in Newark. The convention is on Sunday, December 11th, 2011.For additional information on the AMV Annual Peace convention visit www.amuslimvoice.org. Email: saminasundas@yahoo.com. Phone: 650-387-1994American Muslim Voice Foundation deeply believes in fostering friendships among all Americans by bridging the cultural and religious gap. Every day we promote new relationships and nurture the old one’s because our country’s safety, security and peace depends on our getting to know each other. We will continue our quest to build an inclusive and beloved world, where all of us will feel safe and at home.        Sunday,  December 11th 2011 from 4:00pm to 9:00pm At Chandni Restaurant, 5748 Mowry School Road, Newark, CA 94560Convention Information: Can love drive out hate?Where to buy Peace Convention tickets?Sponsor a student to build peace & harmony2011 Convention Press ReleaseMuslim man shot in the face by white supremacist forgives his attacker and tried to spare his lifeWho is Rais Bhuiyan?  One of the best ambassadors of IslamBios of AMV Peace Convention 2011 speakers and panelistsConversation with Muslim ScholarsMeet unsung heroes2011 Community Service AwardsAMV Peace Convention on December 11, 2011 http://www.micahscall.org/content/trackback.php/20111129142001764 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/vowsilence Micah Admin http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/vowsilence Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:52:52 -0800 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/vowsilence#comments Act/Volunteer From our friends at Free the Children:We won't stand by while children are subjected to exploitation, poverty and the denial of their basic rights. Every day, millions of children are silenced by these abuses. But we can take a stand for children everywhere.The Vow of Silence is Free The Children's annual fundraising and awareness-raising campaign that engages tens of thousands of participants to stand up for children whose rights are not being upheld.From Toronto to Mexico City, London to San Francisco, Beijing to Jakarta, Vancouver to Sydney and back, on November 30, 2011, young people will go silent for 24 hours in solidarity with children who are being silenced by poverty and exploitation. For Vow participants, being silent can mean refraining from speaking. It can also mean not using email, Facebook, Twitter or text messaging. It can even mean not using hand gestures, note writing or any communication at all. Participants like you can determine your level of silence based on what you're comfortable with.This campaign can be done as an individual, group, school, or even an entire city.So take the Vow. Take action, raise funds and awareness for Free The Children. On November 30th, go silent in solidarity with children who are denied their human rights and denied their voice.sign up | get the facts | make it count | donate| vow of silence events | tools and resources http://www.micahscall.org/content/trackback.php/vowsilence http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/cdf_story Micah Admin http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/cdf_story Tue, 08 Nov 2011 12:07:11 -0800 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/cdf_story#comments Act/Volunteer From our friends at the Children's Defense Fund:The powerful congressional super committee could decide this week on ways to reduce the budget deficit.It would be deeply disturbing if some lawmakers refuse to even consider raising revenues and insist on a cut-only approach to reducing the deficit. Closing corporate tax loopholes that cost the U.S. government $11.8 million each hour should be on the table! We must not allow Congress to balance the budget on the backs of babies, and make cuts to education, health and nutrition programs for children.Tell Congress to Pick On Someone their Own Size!Corporate excess looks a lot like General Electric’s balance sheet last year. GE reaped pretax U.S. profits of $5.1 billion, paid no federal income taxes, and through corporate tax loopholes received $3.3 billion in tax benefits! Meanwhile, children saw their budgets cut on the federal, state, and local levels.Children did not cause the budget deficit and they must not be sacrificed to help solve it. Take action today and ask your friends and family to do the same. It’s time for the wealthiest corporations and CEOs to pay their fair share and for the super committee to make children a priority for investment, not cuts.- Children’s Defense Fund  http://www.micahscall.org/content/trackback.php/cdf_story http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/foodstamps Micah Admin http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/foodstamps Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:58:20 -0700 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/foodstamps#comments Act/Volunteer Yesterday morning, food stamp users gathered together with members of Congress, representatives of the Obama Administration, rabbis, priests, and reverends outside a Capitol Hill Safeway grocery store to kick off the Fighting Poverty with Faith (FPWF) Food Stamp Challenge.NCC President Rev. Peg Chemberlin and other other faith leaders were joined by: White House Special Advisor to the President Valerie Jarrett, Congresspersons Emmanuel Cleaver, Barbara Lee, Jan Schakowsky, Eleanor Holmes Norton, and Donna Christensen, as well as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Dr. Kathleen Merrigan. They broke into teams and joined a shopping experience guided by local food stamp recipients, using the national average weekly food stamp allotment: $31.50. The event closed with an interfaith sending forth prayer. This national Food Stamp Challenge kick-off event was the first of over 35 events nationwide planned by the 50 organizations that make up Fighting Poverty With Faith. A joint effort co-chaired by the National Council of Churches, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs and Catholic Charities, and involving 50 faith-based organizations, the Food Stamp Challenge is a component of Fighting Poverty with Faith's 2011 mobilization: "Working to End Hunger."Click here to read more about the Food Stamp Challenge and sign up. (It's not too late!) You can also see whether there is a Fighting Poverty with Faith event happening near where you live. Finally, if you are a social media user, you can follow the action on Twitter at#foodstampchallenge or keep up with us on Facebook.With Faith in an Abundant Future,Michael LivingstonDirector, National Council of Churches Poverty Initiative http://www.micahscall.org/content/trackback.php/foodstamps http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20111016075123694 Derrick Kikuchi http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20111016075123694 Sun, 16 Oct 2011 07:51:23 -0700 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20111016075123694#comments Act/Volunteer I and a few other folks have drafted a Defense of All Families Pledge as a more welcoming/inclusive response to the Defense of Marriage Pledge that conservative politicians are currently being asked to sign. I'm hoping this is something that you all of our friends/allies will like and feel comfortable signing onto and sharing with others to do the same. It's a brief but important statement and I know that together we can create an alternative voice affirming of ALL families.You can find the pledge at: http://www.reachandteach.com/s/doafp BTW, I've put it under Creative Commons so you can feel free to copy and repost the pledge as desired. much peace, Derrick Kikuchi http://www.micahscall.org/content/trackback.php/20111016075123694 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/occupy Micah Admin http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/occupy Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:48:05 -0700 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/occupy#comments Act/Volunteer It seems there's a movement on to take people's feelings to Wall Street. Check out this article from the SF Bay Guardian:As the Occupy Wall Street demonstration enters its 12th day in New York City - and as progressive activists protest in cities across the country - Bay Area residents are preparing for a mass mobilization on the streets of San Francisco tomorrow afternoon (Thurs/29), targeting financial institutions and other entities that they blame for the economic plight of the average American.While the mainstream media has alternatively tried to ignore the uprising or scoffed at its wide range of complaints, the activists involved say it boils down to the powerful doing well at the expense of the powerless, and actively widening that divide. And the manifestations are many: layoffs and employee benefit cuts by profitable corporations, a worsening foreclosure crisis and lack of affordable housing, small businesses that can't get access to capital, political corruption that scuttled real fiscal reforms, deep cuts to government services made worse by the right-wing's refusal to tax rich corporations and individuals, shady corporate tax avoidance schemes, an education system under assault, refusal to seriously address global warming and economic injustice, and a litany of problems created by the same small group of power brokers.Click here to read more.   http://www.micahscall.org/content/trackback.php/occupy http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/ipconference Reach and Teach http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/ipconference Sat, 17 Sep 2011 11:03:14 -0700 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/ipconference#comments Act/Volunteer Saturday, October 29, 20119am - 4pmFellowship Hall First Presbyterian Church1140 Cowper St., Palo Alto Keynote Speakers:Professor Joel Beinin on the impact of the Arab Spring on the Israel/Palestine conflictProfessor George Bisharat on the Palestinian UN Diplomatic initiative This conference is designed to help our ecumenical faith communities become more informed on the issue of Israel/Palestine. Despite the entwining of the three Abrahamic faith traditions, Christians in America are surprisingly uninformed on the nature of the conflict and what can be done about it. This lack of information causes difficulty in discussing Israel/Palestine with our Jewish and Muslim friends and neighbors. It also stands in the way of allowing the change that is needed for the cause of justice and peace. This ecumenical conference will seek to inform and encourage dialogue and conversation with our Jewish and Muslim sisters and brothers.Registration: Click here to register online or click here to send an email to register. Click the image below to download a printable flyer (and please print it and post it widely). http://www.micahscall.org/content/trackback.php/ipconference