Sunday, September 30, 2018

We’re proud to announce the launch of The Project for Accountability -- to be coordinated by CIA whistleblower Jeffrey Sterling.

RootsAction Education Fund<info@rootsaction.org>
To
We’re proud to announce the launch of The Project for Accountability -- to be coordinated by CIA whistleblower Jeffrey Sterling.

After prosecution that BBC News called “trial by metadata,” Jeffrey spent more than two and a half years in a federal prison. In recent months, he transitioned to a “halfway house” and then to home confinement, which ended early this summer.

Now, Jeffrey says, “I would like to address the need for accountability of power.” He adds: “I spent a few years working in and for what many may rightfully consider an unaccountable power in this country, the Central Intelligence Agency.”

At the RootsAction Education Fund, we’re thrilled that Jeffrey will serve as the coordinator of The Project for Accountability. You can help the project get off to a strong start if you make a tax-deductible donation in support of this exciting new venture.

The RootsAction Education Fund is sponsoring this project for the same reason that we’ve actively supported Jeffrey Sterling for the last several years, while he withstood the vengeful weight of the “national security” state.

Jeffrey infuriated powerful CIA officials when he sued the agency for racial discrimination, and later when he went through channels to tell Senate Intelligence Committee staffers about a botched and dangerous covert operation by the CIA.

The CIA unleashed its unaccountable power against Jeffrey. “When I tried to hold that power accountable for its discriminatory employment practices,” he recalls, “I encountered another element of unfettered and unaccountable governmental power -- the ability to claim ‘national security’ in order to quash any calls of accountability.

“In my case, it was not only the CIA which used the national security panacea to fight off accountability. It was bolstered by a presidential administration which was all too willing to come to the aid and defense of the CIA to hide its discrimination, and also the courts which too readily bow to the whims of government impropriety in the name of national security.”

The Project for Accountability is depending on solidarity and generosity. Please help it grow now by clicking here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Half of every dollar you donate will go directly to Jeffrey as he works to rebuild his life, while the other half will go to sustaining his project.

If you don’t already know about Jeffrey’s long ordeal of harassment, legal threats and persecution by the CIA hierarchy and the Justice Department, please take a look at the Background information we link to at the bottom of this email.

We plan to keep you informed about Jeffrey’s future radio and TV interviews, speaking tours and articles. But for all of that to happen, we need to get The Project for Accountability underway. A tax-deductible donation of whatever you can afford would be greatly appreciated.

Jeffrey understands full well that telling the American people and the entire world about what happened to him can help strengthen a wide range of whistleblowers -- past, present and future.

“There was no accountability in my instance of fighting for my rights; the CIA and federal government was only accountable to itself and no one else. The danger of such unaccountability became sorely evident as the CIA continued its vendetta against me, a man who had the audacity to sue it for discrimination, as it mounted a campaign to prosecute me for allegedly leaking classified information.”

Jeffrey continues: “I will state again as I did during my trial via a ‘not guilty’ plea, that I at no time divulged classified information, to anyone. Despite a lack of evidence (in fact the Department of Justice during the trial seemed to go out of its way to demonstrate how as a CIA employee, I routinely followed the rules) I was indicted, arrested, put on trial, found guilty and imprisoned. During this horrible ordeal, the CIA was not held accountable for its actions, the Department of Justice was eager to have a show trial, the 4th Circuit was all too accommodating, and ultimately the press was also willing to just go along with the powers that be.

Jeffrey sums up this way: “The only fact proven during the trial was that I was a black man and had the nerve to sue the CIA for discrimination. Being the only person investigated out of myriad individuals with motive and opportunity, it was an easy investigation and prosecution.”

The questions that Jeffrey Sterling raises transcend his individual experiences, going to key issues of civil liberties and democracy: “Who was the CIA accountable to in denying me my right as a citizen of this country to be free of discrimination at the workplace? Who was the Department of Justice accountable to as it provided the mechanism to persecute me? Who was the 4th Circuit accountable to as it conferred in denying the civil rights it claims to protect and uphold, yet allowed that denial to give unfettered opportunity to the CIA, Department of Justice and the federal government to make an example of me and send me to prison? Who was the press accountable to as it demonstrated more concern for one of its own over an innocent victim?”

The ordeal in a courtroom was followed by the ordeal in a federal prison: “As if those aspects of accountability were not enough for one to experience, I became aware of and exposed to another, less public unfettered governmental power seeming accountable to none, the Bureau of Prisons.

My point is that power must be accountable. When I speak of accountability, I am not meaning a system by which government can merely state unproven claims of dangers to national security to quash being called into account for its actions. Power cannot be accountable only to itself; a system accountable only to itself is accountable to nothing. The accountability I feel is sorely lacking is accountability to the overall purpose and essence of a democratic government -- the people.

“It is the people who establish and form government; when that government is no longer answerable to the people through bureaucratic complexities, institutional acquiescence and judicial deferment, rights of citizenry become meaningless ripples of annoyance in an ever-growing power sea of government. With power being accountable, what usually starts off as a ripple can became a tempest of change and true representation. But if government is not held accountable, those ripples merely fade away to nothingness, swallowed up by a sea of unfettered power.”

Please do what you can to support Jeffrey’s new work as coordinator of The Project for Accountability.

Thank you!



Please share on Facebook and Twitter.

--- The RootsAction Education Fund team

Background:
>>  BBC News: "Jeffrey Sterling's Trial by Metadata"
>>  John Kiriakou: “CIA Whistleblower Jeffrey Sterling Placed in Solitary Confinement”
>>  ExposeFacts: Special Coverage of the Jeffrey Sterling Trial
>>  Marcy Wheeler, ExposeFacts: "Sterling Verdict Another Measure of Declining Government Credibility on Secrets"
>>  Norman Solomon, The Nation: "CIA Officer Jeffrey Sterling Sentenced to Prison: The Latest Blow in the Government's War on Journalism"
>>  Reporters Without Borders: "Jeffrey Sterling Latest Victim of the U.S.' War on Whistleblowers"
>>  AFP: "Pardon Sought for Ex-CIA Officer in Leak Case"
>>  Documentary film: "The Invisible Man: CIA Whistleblower Jeffrey Sterling"


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Save the Date! Sunday October 21st 5:30 PM at the City School!

Kevin Heaton<kevwsc@hotmail.com>
 
Those of you who have friends in or near Boston Massachusetts, please
pass the information along.
Aquellos que tengan amigos o conocidos en o cerca de Boston
Massachusetts, favor de compartir la información.

La traducción de este aviso se halla después del texto en inglés.

Friends,

Please Save the Date! On Sunday October 21st at 5:30 PM at the City
School, we will have three amazing speakers, music, and break out
groups for discussion
on repression and self determination in our communities.

"Digital Colonialism" Mike Vincent

"When the Wars Come Home: the Domestic Front of the War on Terror"
Michael Prentice

"We are the ones we've been waiting for: Transformative Justice and
Community Self-Determination" Dara Bayer

Please spread the word and save the date!

Lana

"Nobody in the world, nobody in history, has ever gotten their freedom
by appealing to the moral sense of the people who were oppressing
them."
-- Assata Shakur

=============================================

Amigos y compañeros:

Favor de separar la fecha siguiente:

El domingo 21 de octubre a las 5:30 PM, la City School contará con la
intervención de tres oradores extraordinarios.  Tendremos
presentaciones musicales y una serie de conversatorios sobre la
represión y la auto-determinación en nuestras comunidades.

Mike Vincent hará una presentación sobre el "colonialismo digital."

El frente doméstico de la "guerra contra el terror."  Michael Prentice
discutirá lo que ocurre en los Estados Unidos cuando las guerras del
gobierno en el exterior se extienden al terreno doméstico.

"Somos los que esperábamos:"  La justicia transformadora y la
auto-determinación comunitaria:  Esta presentación estará a cargo de
Dara Bayer.

Favor de regar la voz y separar la fecha.

Lana

"Nadie en el mundo o a lo largo de la historia ha obtenido su
libertad, apelando a la moralidad de sus opresores."  -- Assata Shakur
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Time for us to support Korea Peace Initiatives this week at the U.N. Join us Tuesday, September 25 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm ~ Park Street Station, Boston

Time for us to support Korea Peace Initiatives this week at the U.N.

Join us Tuesday, September 25 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm ~ Park Street Station, Boston

 
On September 19, the presidents of South Korea and North Korea adopted a military agreement to make the Korean peninsula nuclear-free.    
The North agreed to shut down a missile engine testing facility and launch pad, and if the US takes reciprocal measures, to permanently shut down the Yongbyon nuclear facility, where the North creates its plutonium. These peace-building measures are to be witnessed by international nuclear experts.
The two leaders call for US-SK-NK declaration to end the Korean war by the end of the year, moving towards a permanent peace treaty.   North Korea expects an action-for-action approach and it is now time for the US to step up and take the opportunity.
President Trump will speak to the United Nations on September 25, followed by South Korean President Moon Jae-in and the North Korean foreign minister later in the week.   A South Korean peace delegation will hold a press conference at the UN on Sept. 25 at noon, followed by a panel discussion in New York in the evening. Koreans are taking the initiative. We must follow their lead!
Join us on Tuesday at 5pm at Park Street to support the following steps.
Sign a Joint Declaration to End the Korean War, Leading to a Peace Treaty and de-nuclearization of the Korean Peninsula
 
Support Korean family reunification by starting to lift sanctions
 
Stop blocking food and medicines from reaching the people of North Korea
 
Cosponsored by Korea Peace and Unification Action of Boston, Massachusetts Peace Action & AFSC
For information call 617-354-2169
 

--

Keep Space for Peace Week events list in formation


October 6-13, 2018

Keep Space for Peace Week
International Week of Protest to
Stop the Militarization of Space


No Space Force
No Missile Defense
Close U.S./NATO Bases Worldwide
Stop Drones Surveillance & Killing
End Privatization of Foreign/Military Policy
Convert the Military Industrial Complex
Deal with climate change and global poverty



List in formation

  • Asheville, North Carolina (Oct 6-13) Ken Jones (VFP) will make the poster image of Trump Vader with the No Space Force message into a sandwich board and walk through downtown Asheville for an hour each day during Keep Space for Peace Week. Will pass out informational flyers and talk with whomever is moved to engage.         kwjj1949@gmail.com
  • Augusta, Maine (Oct 5) Weekly Women in Black Peace Vigil - 12:30 to 1:00 PM - Corner of Winthrop and State outside of Lithgow Public Library. rleisnerrfm@yahoo.com
  • Bath Iron Works, Maine (Oct 6) Vigil across from administration building on Washington Street (Navy Aegis destroyers outfitted with “missile defense” systems built at BIW) 11:30-12:30 am   Smilin’ Trees Disarmament Farm (207) 763-4062
  • Blue Hill, Maine (Oct 12) Peninsula P&J is planning an event in recognition of Keep Space for Peace Week. There will be a vigil on the bridge in Blue Hill on Friday afternoon from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. A member has written an OpEd in support of this that we will send out broadly as soon as it is published.  judy@robbinsandrobbins.com
  • Bombay, India (Oct 6-13) Dr. Leo Rebello, World Peace Envoy, and Registered World Citizen, has committed full campaign [6 to 13 Oct] in Bombay Schools, Colleges, public meetings, press conference,  and social media discussion on No Space Force, No Missile Defense, Close U.S./NATO Bases Worldwide, Stop Drones Surveillance & Killing, End Privatization of Foreign/Military Policy, Convert the Military Industrial Complex, Deal with climate change and global poverty Leading to HOLISTIC HEALING & HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT OF HUMANITY. prof.leorebello@gmail.com
  • Creech Air Force Base, Indian Springs, Nevada  (Sept 30-Oct 6)   4th Annual ‘Shut Down Creech’ drone resistance mass mobilization. Special Guests coming to Creech: Ray McGovern and Ann Wright. Contact: Toby Blomé:  ratherbenyckeling@comcast.net or Eleanor Levine:  eastbaycodepink@gmail.com
  • USAF Croughton, England (Oct 6) No Space Force march & rally at main gate of U.S. satellite communication and joint intelligence base. Space communications, drones, bomber guidance, missile defence and command & control functions.  12-4 pm. Oxfordshire Peace Campaign, oxonpeace@yahoo.co.uk
  • El Segundo, California (Oct 7) We will have a public screening of these  GN online videos: (1) Say NO to Space Force and (2)  8-10 minutes each of Star Wars Part 1 and 2.  Our main audience will be from Holy Faith congregation and our Justice & Mercy Commission.  We will open it to the public, in particular to the peace community.  cathydeppela@gmail.com 
  • RAF Fylingdales, England (Oct 6) Walk around the US and NATO missile 'defence' radar on the North Yorkshire moors. See www.yorkshirecnd.org.uk  and check with info@yorkshirecnd.org.uk  or phone 01274730795 for details.  
  • Karanja, Wardha, India (Oct 9) Space and nuclear issues awareness lectures and interaction at Narayanrao Kale Smruti Model College. Dr. Sanjay P. Dhanwte to co-ordinate. dhanwatesanjay@yahoo.co.in   
  • King of Prussia, Pennsylvania (Oct 13) Noon, Outcry Against Trump's Space Force & Protest of the Militarization of Space at Lockheed Martin, 230 Mall Boulevard (Mall & Goddard Boulevards), directly behind the King of Prussia Mall. Large banners, enlarged posters of 'Trump Vader', the earth flag, and ceremony of 'Looking-UP' with songs and readings. Lockheed Martin is the U.S. #1 space warfare contractor, and the world's largest war profiteer. More at www.brandywinepeace.com  or call 484-574-1148.
  • Menwith Hill, England (Oct 9) Weekly demonstration at the gates of U.S. NSA/NRO spy base, near Harrogate in North Yorkshire. Theme on Keep Space for Peace and saying NO to Space Force. 6:00 to 7.30 pm. All welcome.  Martin Schweiger at germ.buster@phonecoop.coop
  • Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Oct 12) 6:30 PM, Informational Vigil to stop the militarization of space, at the Manfred Olsen Planetarium at UW-Milwaukee,1900 E Kenwood Blvd. Sponsored by Peace Action WI. pamrichard35@gmail.com
  • Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Oct 13) Noon-1 PM, Special Stand for Peace at the (astronaut) James Lovell Museum of Science, 815 N Lovell St, corner of 7th ST & Wells. Sponsored by Peace Action WI.  pamrichard35@gmail.com
  • Nagpur, India (Oct 8) Peace in space awareness talk at the Railway Pensioners Office in Nagpur. Mrs. Daizy to coordinate. jnrao193636@gmail.com
  • Nagpur, India (Oct 13) Demonstration against Trump's decision to create space force. Mr. Subash Dapurkar to co-ordinate. jnrao193636@gmail.com
  • Nainital, Uttarakhand, India (Oct 6) Space and nuclear issues awareness lectures and interaction at PNG Government Post Graduate College.  Prof. Anumita Agarwal to co-ordinate. anumitaddn@rediffmail.com
  • Naval Radio Transmitter Facility (NRTF) Niscemi, Sicily (Oct 13 ) The M.U.O.S. (Mobile User Objective System) is a U.S. Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station. A constellation of five satellites covers the whole world, whereas ground communication is made possible by four stations, one of which is located in Niscemi. Sicilians are worried about consequences of the installation on: human health, the ecosystem, the quality of agricultural production, right to mobility and to the development of territory, right to peace and security of our homeland and of its inhabitants.  Protest event to be organized by No MUOS from 3-6 pm  sadhusan@virgilio.it
  • New York City, New York (Oct 7) On October 7, 2001, the U.S. launched a military strike against Afghanistan. Now 17 years later, tens of thousands are dead, millions displaced, and more than $2,400 billion spent, the longest war in U.S. history shows no sign of ending. Assemble at noon on Public Library steps on Fifth Avenue for a vigil followed by a solemn march to the Times Square military recruiting station for a demonstration against endless wars. Sponsors include: NYC War Resisters League, Catholic Worker/New York City, Peace Action New York State, Granny Peace Brigade, NY Metro Raging Grannies, Brooklyn For Peace, World Can't Wait, Uptown Progressive Action, Kairos Community, Pax Christi Metro New York, Code Pink/NYC. For more info: nycWRL@nycwarresisters.org  or call 718-768-7306.
  • Mercury & Indian Springs, NV (Oct 8) Indigenous Peoples Day--formerly "Columbus Day". Demonstrations at Nevada National Security Site (formerly Nevada Test Site) and Creech AFB. 8am-2pm. An interfaith witness for peace and justice. Nevada Desert Experience.  rkmlai@nevadadesertexperience.org  
  • Olympia, Washington (Oct 5) Raging Grannies will perform for Artswalk at the Rachel Corrie mural downtown and perform one song about peace in space along with songs about other issues. I will have my star wars weaponry with me and fire at will. Holly Gwinn Graham tohollygg@comcast.net
  • Palermo, Sicily (Oct 13) Flash mob at the US consulate that is located in via Vaccarini 1 from 3-6 pm sadhusan@virgilio.it 
  • Santa Rosa Junior College, California (Oct 10) Public educational event on space issues by Physics teacher Lynda Williams entitled ‘Space Force: A Force for Good or Evil?’  5:00 pm Room 1786, Shuhaw Building  lyndalovon@gmail.com
  • Sunnyvale, California (Oct 12) Stop the Militarization of Space. As the world's largest arms seller, Lockheed Martin profits from war making, misery, death and destruction. Vigil from noon to 1:00 pm at N. Mathilda Ave. and W. Java Drive. Short talks by John LaForge (Nukewatch) and Marion Küpker (German anti-nuclear activist). Sponsored by the Pacific Life Community, local Catholic Workers, Vets for Peace and Code Pink.  For info call Susan at 650-649-8690. 
  • Tucson, Arizona (Oct 9) Peace vigil at Davis-Monthan AFB at 7:00 - 8:00 a.m.  Air National Guard troops at Davis-Monthan AFB are remotely piloting UAV's (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) that are firing guided bombs and missiles and killing more civilians than targeted "terrorists" in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Pakistan and possibly more sovereign nations.  A-10 warplanes that train out of Davis-Monthan AFB are responsible for the vast majority of radioactive ammunition - estimated at well over 400 tons - used in Iraq since 1991. Park at recreation field parking lot at N-W corner of Craycroft & Golf Links with access from Craycroft.  Signs provided, or bring your own!  More info: 323-8697.
  • Vandenberg AFB, California (Oct 3) Keep Space for Peace vigil at space warfare base at the Main Gate from 3:45 pm to 4:45 pm.  For information contact Dennis Apel at 805-343-6322.

Space Week Co-Sponsor: Women’s International League for Peace & Freedom, U.S. Section

Resources:
·       Find our full-size space week poster at http://www.space4peace.org/actions/Keep%20Space%20for%20Peace%20Poster%202018.pdf 
·       Space videos for viewing and sharing available at:  http://www.space4peace.org/videos.htm
·       Link to a flyer that can be handed out during space week  http://www.space4peace.org/actions/ksfp%20flyer%202018.pdf

Sample Letter to Editor:
Dear Editor,
We must stop Trump’s ‘Space Force’ proposal which is provocative and highly expensive.  How about instead we ensure Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid are fully funded and begin to deal with our real problem – climate change?  We don’t need an arms race in space.

Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space
PO Box 652
Brunswick, ME 04011
(207) 443-9502
http://www.space4peace.org 
http://space4peace.blogspot.com  (blog)

Thank God men cannot fly, and lay waste the sky as well as the earth. - Henry David Thoreau
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